Top 5 account payable software and tools in the UK in 2025

What is account payable software?

Account payable (AP) software is a digital solution designed to automate and streamline the process of managing and paying a company’s bills and invoices. It helps businesses track expenses, process invoices, and manage payments to vendors and suppliers more efficiently than traditional manual methods.

The global accounts payable automation market is projected to grow from $3.74 billion in 2023 to $4.5 billion in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.4%. By 2028, the market is expected to reach $9.67 billion, with a CAGR of 21.1% from 2024 to 2028. 

How does account payable software work?

AP software works by digitising and automating various aspects of the accounts payable process. It typically captures invoice data through optical character recognition (OCR) technology, automatically scanning and extracting key information from paper and digital invoices. Once captured, the software routes invoices through predefined approval workflows based on company policies. 

When an invoice arrives, the system matches it with purchase orders and receipts for verification, then schedules payments according to terms. Throughout this process, the software integrates with accounting systems, enabling seamless reconciliation and maintaining accurate financial records in real time.

The top 5 account payable software solutions in 2025

To save you time, we've compiled a list of our top accounts payable picks and their key details below, including:​

• Airwallex is a comprehensive financial platform offering robust AP automation alongside multi-currency accounts and competitive FX rates. It excels in international payments and expense management, making it ideal for businesses with global operations.

• Pleo is an all-in-one spend management solution that combines expense management with AP automation. It offers real-time spending insights, automated receipt capture, and seamless integration with accounting software, streamlining financial processes for SMEs.

• Expensify is known for its user-friendly interface and powerful expense management capabilities, Expensify has expanded its offerings to include AP automation. It provides AI-powered receipt scanning, automatic categorisation, and comprehensive reporting features.

• Tipalti is a global payables automation platform that excels in handling complex AP processes for mid-market to enterprise-level businesses. It offers advanced features like multi-entity management, tax compliance, and fraud detection.

• Payhawk is an innovative spend management solution that combines company cards with AP automation. It offers real-time expense tracking, customisable approval workflows, and detailed spending analytics, catering to businesses of all sizes.

Top features to look for in account payment software

When selecting account payable software for your business, certain features can make a difference in streamlining financial operations and improving efficiency. Understanding these capabilities will help you choose a solution.

• Invoice processing automation: Automated data capture and validation to reduce manual entry and errors.

• Approval workflows: Customisable, multi-layer approval processes to ensure proper authorisation of expenses.

• Payment scheduling and execution: Ability to schedule and automate payments across various methods and currencies.

• Integration capabilities: Seamless connection with accounting software, ERP systems, and other financial tools.

• Reporting and analytics: Comprehensive insights into spending patterns, cash flow, and financial performance.

Compare the top account payable software in 2025

See how different account payable software solutions compare across key features, helping you make an informed choice for your business.

*£0/month if you deposit at least £10k per month or hold a minimum balance of £10k. For more information, see here.

How can you reduce fees with account payable software?

• Automate invoice processing: By implementing AI-powered invoice scanning and matching, businesses can significantly reduce manual processing costs, with some users reporting a 60-70% reduction in invoice processing expenses.

• Leverage multi-currency accounts: For example, Airwallex's ability to hold and manage multi currencies in one account eliminates unnecessary conversion fees, especially beneficial for businesses operating internationally.

• Utilise competitive FX rates: Airwallex offers 0.5-1% above the interbank rate, helping businesses reduce fees when reimbursing overseas employees or suppliers

• Implement bulk payments: Free batch payment capabilities can drastically reduce transaction costs, especially for businesses making frequent international transfers.

• All in one: Many of these providers offer point-solutions and specialise in Account Payable software. Some, like Airwallex, roll up accounts payable, receivable and treasury into one platform.

What questions should you ask when integrating account payable software?

1. Does the solution integrate with our current technology? Ensure seamless integration with your existing ERP and accounting systems to avoid disruptions.

2. How will the software address our specific needs? Discuss your unique challenges and verify that the solution can handle your specific use cases.

3. What are the implementation timelines and milestones? Establish clear, measurable goals for the first 30, 60, and 90 days to track progress and return on investment (ROI).

4. How does the solution handle invoice exceptions and approvals? Verify that the software can automate complex approval workflows and handle non-standard invoices.

5. What security measures are in place to protect financial data? Inquire about encryption, access controls, and compliance with relevant financial regulations.

Why should you manage your business expenses with Airwallex?

• Comprehensive, all-in-one global solution: Airwallex offers a full suite of financial tools, including multi-currency accounts, international transfers, and payment processing, ideal for businesses operating globally or thinking about expansion.

• Real-time visibility and control: Track and control domestic and international employee expenses in real-time with Airwallex Borderless Cards, enabling better spend management across multiple entities.

• Automated expense submission: Employees can easily upload receipts and submit expenses on the go, while finance teams can review and approve in real-time, streamlining the entire process.

• Seamless integrations: Airwallex integrates with popular accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks, enabling automatic reconciliation and simplifying financial management.

• Cost-effective international operations: With competitive FX rates and the ability to hold multiple currencies, Airwallex helps businesses minimise conversion fees and optimise their global financial operations.

By choosing Airwallex for expense management, businesses can benefit from a scalable, all-in-one platform that simplifies cross-border financial operations, reduces costs, and provides the tools necessary for efficient global growth.

Sources & references 

1. https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/accounts-payable-automation-global-market-report 

2. https://www.airwallex.com/uk/pricing

3. https://www.pleo.io/en/pricing

4. https://www.expensify.com/ 

5. https://www.expensify.com/pricing

6. https://tipalti.com/en-uk/pricing/

7. https://tipalti.com/en-uk/ap-automation/

8. https://payhawk.com/pricing-and-plans

9. https://payhawk.com/accounts-payable 

Disclaimer: We wrote this article in Q1 2025. The information was based on our own online research and we were not able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only and a reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. This research is reviewed every six months. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected].