The best expense management software solutions for 2024

Whether you’re moving away from manual processes or seeking a more advanced solution, choosing the best expense management software can transform how your business handles finances.

Powered by real user reviews, this article will guide you through:

• Comparing the best expense management software options available in the UK and across the industry
• Understanding the unique features of each platform
• Finding the software that best fits your company’s needs

Let’s dive in and discover the perfect solution to optimise your company’s expense management process.

Above: G2’s fall 2024 ranking of the best expense management software on the market.

How we ranked the best expense management software

The expense management companies on this list are evaluated based on G2 scoring grids, which reflect authentic user feedback. Rankings are determined by average ratings and market presence across various criteria, with higher scores indicating greater user satisfaction and exceptional performance in addressing businesses’ expense management needs.

1. Navan (formerly TripActions)

G2 Score: 94/100

Navan stands out as the only all-in-one solution for businesses looking to streamline both travel and expense management with a fully integrated, modern approach. Unlike many competitors, Navan offers a unified platform where users can seamlessly manage travel bookings, expenses, and approvals in real time, without multiple vendors.

Navan’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to adopt the solution, reducing the administrative burden and giving employees more time to focus on their core responsibilities. Advanced automation features, such as automatic receipt scanning and built-in policy enforcement, help ensure that transactions align with company policies before they happen, offering complete control and visibility.

What real users are saying about Navan:

• Custom coding and policy controls: Users praise Navan for its ability to automatically code transactions and enforce expense policies. This prevents unauthorised expenses, eliminates the need to complete expense reports, and gives finance teams visibility into spend.
• Integrated travel and expense: Customers highlight how Navan’s all-in-one solution simplifies both travel and expense management. There’s no need for separate platforms or third-party vendors.
• Intuitive user experience: Reviewers often note how easy it is for expensing employees and administrators to navigate Navan’s platform.
• Global scalability: Businesses with international operations appreciate how Navan handles global expenses and reimbursements seamlessly.

2. Expensify

G2 Score: 87/100

Expensify is an expense-tracking app designed to help businesses manage receipts, expenses, and expense reports. Users can scan and upload receipts for manual submission and approval. However, Expensify lacks a fully integrated travel management solution, requiring businesses to work with additional vendors for comprehensive services. Policy enforcement happens after transactions, which can result in delayed oversight and control.

Expensify facilitates international reimbursements, but these may involve additional fees and often require collaborating with extra vendors, unlike its support for U.S. purchase cards.

Its policy enforcement typically happens after transactions, leading to delays in oversight and control. For businesses that need a more comprehensive, real-time solution, Expensify’s reliance on manual processes and multiple partners for travel management may present challenges.

What real users are saying about Expensify:

• Slow reimbursement process: Users mention waiting extended periods for expense reimbursements. Some report delays of up to a month, impacting employee satisfaction.
• Limited customer support: Many users express dissatisfaction with Expensify’s support, noting the lack of phone assistance and impersonal responses, which often involve sending documentation rather than resolving issues directly.
• Manual expense reporting: Expensify still requires users to manually create, submit, and review expense reports, which can be time-consuming and lead to potential errors in expense tracking.

3. SAP Concur

G2 Score: 87/100

SAP Concur is a travel and expense management solution that has existed since the 1990s. It provides businesses with the tools to manage their expense reports and travel bookings. However, Concur often requires additional vendors for a fully integrated experience, particularly when it comes to managing travel-related expenses.

This multi-vendor reliance can complicate processes and add to the administrative burden, especially for companies looking for a more streamlined approach. Users also report that Concur’s user interface can be complex, sometimes requiring training to navigate effectively.

While Concur offers a global reach and the ability to handle international reimbursements, it’s often cited for its outdated architecture and slow processes, particularly around expense management and real-time data access. This can hinder companies’ ability to manage travel and expenses in a seamless, real-time manner.

What real users are saying about SAP Concur:

• Cumbersome user interface: Users describe Concur’s interface as cumbersome and complicated, requiring time and training to master, which detracts from overall efficiency and ease of use.
• Expense reporting hassles: Users often cite the cumbersome nature of entering expenses, with frustrations regarding rejected entries and the necessity to re-enter and re-save entries multiple times.
• Support challenges: Several reviews point to inadequate customer support, particularly during implementation. Users have reported difficulties in accessing support resources and navigating the setup process.

4. Ramp

G2 Score: 86/100

Ramp is a spend management platform that has gained traction since its launch in 2019. It aims to provide businesses with tools for expense management; however, Ramp lacks a native travel solution, necessitating partnerships with additional vendors for a complete travel and expense management experience.

This reliance on external vendors can complicate processes and increase the administrative burden, especially for companies seeking a more integrated solution. Users also mention that Ramp’s reconciliation process for travel purchases can be cumbersome and time-consuming.

While Ramp does offer certain spend management features, it often falls short with international scalability and customisation options. Users have reported limitations when trying to track expenses in detail or manage complex travel needs, which can hinder companies’ ability to maintain an efficient travel and expense program.

What real users are saying about Ramp:

• Credit limit fluctuations: Many users have reported frustration with Ramp’s fluctuating credit limits, which can change based on cash balance. This variability has led to difficulties in cash flow management and complaints of leaving companies stranded when credit limits decrease unexpectedly.
• Customer support issues: Users have highlighted slow response times and inflexible customer service. Several reviews mention that the onboarding process was poorly managed, with some users feeling unsupported after signing up.
• Transitioning from existing cards: Users have reported challenges when moving from their existing corporate cards to Ramp, expressing a desire for a more streamlined process that simplifies this transition and minimises disruption.

5. BILL Spend and Expense (Formerly Divvy)

G2 Score: 84/100

BILL Spend and Expense (formerly Divvy) is an expense management solution designed to help businesses modernise their financial processes through an integrated platform that combines software and corporate smart cards.

However, while BILL provides a way to manage expenses and spending, its reliance on general budgets instead of dynamic policies limits flexibility in controlling spend and responding to real-time needs. Furthermore, businesses may find it challenging to manage international transactions, as BILL offers limited support for non-U.S. currencies and reporting for value-added tax/goods and services tax (VAT/GST), which can hinder global operations.

What real users are saying about BILL:

• Expense reporting inefficiencies: Users experience challenges with rejected entries and the need to re-enter information, leading to a cumbersome reporting process.
• Abrupt credit line changes: Several users have reported instances where their accounts were suspended, or credit lines were reduced without prior notice, leading to unexpected disruptions in their operations and creating cash flow challenges.
• Support Issues: Several reviews highlight inadequate customer support and report challenges in reaching customer service by telephone.

Choose the no.1 expense management software in the UK: Navan

With its intuitive platform, real-time reporting, and 24/7 support, Navan empowers businesses to take control of expense management like never before.

Have an existing banking relationship? Link eligible Visa, Mastercard, or American Express corporate cards to Navan and keep all rewards and benefits.

Say goodbye to juggling multiple systems and hello to a seamless, efficient, and cost-effective solution. Request a demo of Navan today.