Controlhub presents an invaluable compilation of meticulously researched insights on today's premier purchase manager software. Our thorough exploration has yielded a treasure trove of information that promises to guide businesses of all sizes in making informed decisions.
This analysis offers a comprehensive overview of each solution offerings, pricing structures, user-friendliness, implementation timelines, standout features, and areas for improvement.
From ControlHub to Coupa, from Procurify to Bellwether, and beyond, we endeavor to equip you with the essential knowledge necessary to navigate the diverse landscape of procurement tools.
What are the top solutions for purchasing software in 2024?
→ ControlHub offers medium-level integration, customizable approval workflows, virtual card management, purchase order and reconciliation support, inventory integration, and an intuitive user experience, with a free option to start.
→ ProcureDesk provides a low-integration solution with user-friendly features and effective spend management tools.
→ Procurify stands out with medium-level integration, custom approval workflows, purchase order support, and inventory integration, with an implementation time of 4 to 12 weeks.
→ Tradogram aligns well with medium-level integration, custom approval workflows, and inventory integration, offering a free option.
→ Precoro is for low-integration needs, featuring a user-friendly interface, custom approval workflows, purchase order and spend management tools, and an implementation time of about 2 weeks.
→ NetSuite caters to larger enterprises, offering high-level integration, custom approval workflows, purchase order and reconciliation support, and inventory integration.
→ Bellwether is a flexible low-integration option with custom approval workflows.
→ Airbase focuses on mid-market businesses, offering low integration, virtual card management, and purchase order support.
→ Coupa serves high-level integration needs, offering purchase order and spend management support but lacking virtual card capabilities.
→ Order.co is ideal for businesses seeking low-integration solutions with custom approval workflows and purchase order support, with pricing details available upon request.
1. ControlHub
Shipping Tracking
ControlHub's integrated shipping tracking feature offers real-time insights into shipment status. From the moment you make a purchase requisition to when the purchase order is sent, you can track its journey at every step, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.
Bill Processing & 3-Way Match
ControlHub takes this to heart with its automated bill processing and 3-Way Match functionality. Cross-referencing purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and invoices it guarantees that you only pay for what's correct and approved. This safeguards your finances and eliminates the headaches of unexpected discrepancies.
Netsuite and Quickbooks Integration
Financial operations and procurement often intersect. ControlHub acknowledges this by seamlessly integrating with popular accounting systems like Netsuite and Quickbooks. This integration ensures a smooth flow of financial data, reducing manual entry efforts and ensuring your company always remains audit-ready.
Automated Inventory Control
When purchases are received, inventory levels are automatically adjusted, preventing the dreaded stockouts that can disrupt operations. The cloud-based automation ensures that stock levels sync seamlessly with purchasing activities, leading to more accurate planning and minimized guesswork.
Pricing
ControlHub's pricing accommodates businesses of all sizes and needs, with tailored costs based on size and customization. Its affordability is evident through efficiency gains, saving time and costs.
Plans offer flexibility, catering to small businesses and enterprise procurement. The value lies in empowering teams, saving time, and enhancing transparency. Accurate billing, inventory control, and accounting integration amplify benefits.
ControlHub is the epitome of a comprehensive purchase softwares solution. It substantially upgrades over traditional methods, enabling businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively.
These are the Tailored Plans from ControlHub:
STARTER - FREE
Unlimited Purchasing Requests and Unlimited Requester Users, along with the ability to have 2 Approver Users, all with no strings attached.
APPROVED - $199/month
This plan includes all the features of the Starter plan, plus you get 5 Advanced Users, Team Structures, Custom Approval Flows, and Dashboard & Analytics.
FULL P2P - Starting at $549
Approved plan, PLUS: Budgets Management, Automatic PO Generation, Multiple Currencies, Receiving, Virtual Cards*, Receipts Collection, Sync with AP, Accounting System, or ERP, Enterprise SSO (SAML/OIDC), and Vendor Integrations.
Room for improvement
Integration with Other Platforms: ControlHub seamlessly integrates with systems such as Netsuite and Quickbooks. Expanding integrations with additional software enhances the user experience, thus its medium-level integration the offer of third parties that integrate to ControlHub, grows more and more every time.
The Verdict
ControlHub stands in the world of procurement management, offering a seamless experience that delights both purchase managers and teams alike. Its greatest strength lies in its ability to automate and centralize purchasing tasks, eliminating the drudgery of manual paperwork and reducing the risks of errors. From creating purchase requisitions with just a click to ensuring that every bill is accurate through 3-Way Match, ControlHub redefines how purchases are made.
User-Friendly
ControlHub is a user-friendly purchase management solution tailored for businesses of all sizes. Its streamlined features, integration capabilities, and flexibility contribute to its user-friendly nature.
Click Purchase Orders: Simplifies procurement by enabling one-click purchase order creation.Shipping Tracking: Provides real-time shipment insights, aiding transparent decision-making.
Bill Processing & 3-Way Match: Automates bill processing, ensuring accuracy and stability.
Netsuite and Quickbooks Integration: Seamlessly integrates with accounting systems for smoother operations.
Automated Inventory Control: Prevents stockouts and improves planning accuracy.
Pricing and Plans: Flexible plans cater to various business needs, making it affordable and tailored.
Suitability for Different Business Sizes: Adaptable for small businesses to large corporations, meeting diverse user needs.
Implementation Time
ControlHub boasts rapid implementation, taking just 1 to 2 days to set up. This quick setup allows businesses to swiftly transition to enhanced procurement management without prolonged disruptions.
2. ProcureDesk
ProcureDesk is crafted for small and medium-sized companies aiming to up their purchase order game. This software offers a complete spending solution.
Some Features
Effortless Purchase Requests: Streamline purchase order creation without relying on spreadsheets.
Faster Purchase Approvals: Reduce approval time by 50% with intelligent routing for approvals.
Faster Invoice Processing: Centralize invoice capture and matching to reduce invoice processing time by 55%.
Integrated Purchasing and Invoicing: ProcureDesk combines purchasing and invoicing software for quicker approvals and automated invoice matching.
Effortless 3-Way Invoice Matching: Streamline invoice approvals with a matching process that captures invoices and purchase orders in a single system for tracking and processing.
Pricing
The Purchasing Automation plan
Costs $395/month and covers purchase requisitions, approvals, supplier catalogs, budget management, and up to 10 users.
The VALUE plan
At $590/month, builds upon Purchasing Automation with advanced catalog integration, automated invoice coding, and 3-way matching for invoices.
The Enterprise Plan
Billed annually, includes all features of Purchasing & AP Automation, plus a supplier portal, Single Sign-On, vendor onboarding, white glove onboarding, custom integration, and an assigned Account Manager.
Room for improvement
Improved Virtual Card Support: Though integrated with Brex, including native virtual card features would streamline payments.
Expanded Integration Options: Offer integration with a wider range of accounting systems beyond QuickBooks to cater to diverse user needs.
The Verdict
ProcureDesk works with purchasing and invoicing with request creation, approvals, and integrated options like QuickBooks. It is ideal for mid-large companies especially using QuickBooks or Dynamics 365.
User-Friendly
ProcureDesk is designed to be user-friendly, incorporating features such as easy purchase request creation and integrated options. Nevertheless, user experiences may differ based on familiarity with procurement software and individual preferences.
Implementation Time
ProcureDesk's implementation time varies with integration complexity, company size, and processes. Typically, the setup includes configuring workflows, approvals, and integrating accounting. This takes weeks to months, based on customization, data migration, and training. Collaborative effort ensures efficient alignment with organizational needs.
3. Procurify
Procurify, for medium-sized businesses, is about centralizing purchasing control.
Some Features
Mobile Expense Management: Mobile app (iOS/Android). Upload receipts from mobile devices, submit approve standardized expense requests.
Spending Cards: Physical and virtual prepaid cards control spending via set budgets and limits.
Real-Time Budget Visibility: Access customizable dashboards for budget insights, compare spending, and monitor committed vs. paid amounts for resource management.
Purchase Order Streamlining: Submitting and approving requests, standardizing requisitions with crucial info, streamlining procurement from submission to payment.
Accounts Payable Context: Streamline AP with context-rich invoice processing and equip AP teams for confident invoicing and payments.
Pricing
Procurify offers a straightforward, all-in-one pricing model starting at $2,000 USD per month. This pricing structure ensures access to a full range of features for effective spend management.
Room for improvement
Enhanced Cross-Platform Consistency:Ensure a consistent user experience and feature availability across desktop and mobile platforms for seamless workflow management.
Extended Spending Card Availability:Expand the availability of prepaid physical and virtual Spending Cards beyond the US to cater to a broader range of users and regions.
The Verdict
Suitable for companies of various sizes, particularly mid-sized to larger enterprises, Procurify's offerings cater to a diverse range of industries such as Technology, Healthcare, Biotech, Manufacturing, Education, and Nonprofit.
User-Friendly
Procurify features a user-friendly interface, allowing easy navigation. The platform offers tools for tasks like purchase requests and expense management, accessible on desktop and mobile.
Implementation Time
The onboarding period is typically 4 to 6 weeks, depending on setup complexity and integration. For NetSuite users, it's advised to plan 8 to 12 weeks, especially with subsidiaries and Consultant involvement in Procurify discussions.
4. Tradogram
Tradogram streamlines procurement, aiding cost control across organizations. For budget-conscious clients, it provides purchase order management and spending tracking.
Some Features
Multi-level Management: The company's hierarchy can be structured within the system according to its operational structure.
User Permissions: Access rights and permissions for each user can be tailored based on their responsibilities, allowing control over data for security and privacy.
Supplier List: List of approved suppliers can be centralized and managed. Supplier performance can be monitored, and a supplier directory can be maintained.
Items Catalog: An accessible database of items and products that can be imported, organized, and preserved.
Approvals: Approval workflows can be configured according to the organization's requirements.Room for Improvement.
Enhanced Integration: Improve integration with accounting systems for smoother financial workflows, addressing reported challenges and boosting efficiency.
Simplified Vendor Ratings: Introduce aggregated feedback for vendor performance to streamline assessment for large purchase volumes efficiently.
Pricing
Basic Plan - FREE
Designed for single users. five monthly transactions, unlimited items, suppliers, and categories, including Purchase Order, RFQ/RFP management, and more.
Premium Plan - CUSTOM QUOTE
Ideal for teams of 1-19 users, includes all basic features, multi-user access and unlimited transactions, additional features like requisitions, approvals routing, and report builder tool.
Enterprise Plan - CUSTOM QUOTE
Tailored for organizations with 20+ users, encompasses Basic and Premium features, multiple companies, account management, and advanced features, full account set up, Single-Sign-On (SSO), and API integration options.
Room for Improvement
Improved Accounting Integration: Tradogram should enhance integration with accounting systems, enabling seamless data exchange between procurement and accounting platforms. This eliminates discrepancies, reduces manual entry, and boosts financial accuracy, aiding budget control.
Advanced Vendor Analysis: Incorporate advanced vendor analysis tools, like comprehensive scorecards aggregating feedback and supplier data. This aids informed vendor selection by providing quick overviews of history, quality, reliability, and metrics for efficient procurement decisions.
The Verdict
Tradogram provides a procurement solution with customizable features, emphasizing process tailoring. This adaptability suits businesses of various sizes, from startups to enterprises.
User-Friendly
Tradogram is designed to offer user-friendly features catering to various industries and organizational measures. Its adaptability aims to simplify procurement processes for businesses seeking improved efficiency, spanning sectors from education to healthcare and construction to technology.
Implementation Time
The implementation duration for Tradogram can vary. It can be set up and initiate tool usage within a day. It's worth noting that the actual implementation duration may depend on factors such as the complexity of an organization's procurement procedures, the extent of required customization, and users' familiarity with similar tools.
5. Precoro
Precoro is a procurement management platform that streamlines workflows, automates approvals, and enhances expense control for businesses of all sizes.
Some Features
Customizable Workflows: Create and tailor purchasing workflows according to a company's needs.
Efficient Approval Management: Provide an intuitive scenario builder. This feature helps businesses set up document-based approvals and ensures that financial documents reach the right individuals for authorization.
Automated Purchase Cycle: Precoro automates document creation and matching, simplifying the purchase cycle. It generates documents like Purchase Orders (POs) and matches them with receipts and invoices, leading to accurate and efficient tracking.
Expense Control and Transparency: With real-time expense tracking, Precoro enhances control over corporate spending. The platform promotes better budget management by preventing maverick spending and exceeding predefined budget limits.
Integration with Business Tools: Precoro offers integration with various software tools such as NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, and others.
Pricing
Precoro's user-based pricing is customized to business needs. Plans fit all sizes, including ≤20 users, at $35/user/month billed annually, aiding accurate investment estimation.
Room for Improvement
Better Punchout Catalog Support: Enhancing punchout catalog features could simplify purchase order creation, reducing labor and improving efficiency.
Enhanced Reports: Adding detailed reporting options would give users deeper insights, aiding better decision-making and operational optimization.
The Verdict
Precoro offers a procurement platform with customizable workflows and automated approvals, streamlining purchasing. Best suited for companies seeking expense control and collaboration, it fits various sizes, from small enterprises to larger corporations.
User-Friendly
Precoro is a user-friendly procurement platform offering an intuitive interface and adaptable workflows for teams of all sizes. Transparent pricing and optional add-ons contribute to the straightforward user experience, catering to small groups and larger enterprises.
Implementation Time
Implementation takes about two weeks on average, and onboarding suits various technical levels.
6. NetSuite
Oracle NetSuite offers cloud-based ERP solutions that combine financials, CRM, and e-commerce tools—suited for centralizing operations across geographies.
Some Features
ERP: Manage financials, resources, and operations seamlessly.
Ecommerce: Create, manage, and optimize online sales channels.
Accounting: Simplify transactions, cash management, AR, AP, reconciliation, taxes, and fixed assets.
HR: Manage HR, payroll, performance, and workforce efficiently.
PSA: Enhance projects, accounting, resources, timesheets, expenses, and analytics.
Commerce: Integrate commerce, e-commerce, point of sale, connectors, and customer insights.
Pricing
Pricing varies based on business size and needs. Custom quotes follow consultation for suitable packages.
Room for Improvement
User Interface Streamlining: Simplifying navigation and enhancing the user interface for greater user-friendliness.
Enhanced Customization: Providing more flexibility in module customization to align with unique business workflows.
The Verdict
Oracle NetSuite unifies operations for startups to enterprises seeking efficiency and aiming to optimize operations. Its modular design fits various industries like manufacturing, retail, and services.
User-Friendly
NetSuite's ease of use varies based on familiarity and customization needs. Initial complexity can give way to efficiency with training. Customization options cater to unique workflows. While some might prefer a simpler interface, NetSuite suits enterprises seeking comprehensive operations consolidation.
Implementation Time
ERP implementation duration varies widely based on solution complexity and company size. Midsize firms average 6.6 months, while larger enterprises take 12.4 months, per a survey.
7. Bellwether
Bellwether offers a solution that streamlines purchasing processes and fine-tunes spending strategies.
Some Features
Automated Procurement: Bellwether streamlines procurement by automating POs, requisitions, and RFQs, reducing manual efforts and ensuring consistency.
Integrated Accounting: The platform integrates with QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online, and Intacct, facilitating accurate financial management through direct invoice integration.
Inventory Control: Bellwether enables inventory tracking across locations, with item issuance, returns, transfers, and reports for monitoring stock and usage trends.
Role-Based Security: Bellwether offers role-based access controls, enhancing data security and compliance by granting specific privileges based on user roles.
Insights & Analytics: The platform provides reporting tools for insights into purchasing, supplier performance, and cost-saving opportunities, aiding informed decisions and optimized procurement.
Pricing
Essential Package
Cloud-Based, integration with QuickBooks + APIs, automated workflow requisitions, purchasing, receiving, invoicing, 2-way and 3-way Matching, full Support & Training and more.
Professional Package
Inventory Management, full support & training, system help docs & videos, multi-corps/entities, permission-based and more.
Enterprise Package
PunchOuts, 2-way and 3-way Matching, inventory management, quotations (RFQs), contract & asset management, and more.
Room for Improvement
Pricing Clarity: Enhancing pricing transparency through transparent starting prices or cost estimation tools can budget assistance assessment. Adding package comparison features would assist in choosing the right fit.
User Interface Enhancement: Refining the user interface (UI) and experience (UX) can boost usability. Simplifying navigation workflows and offering user-friendly guides benefits users of varying expertise.
The Verdict
Bellwether excels in automating purchasing, from requisitions to approvals and quick order issuance. Its insights into spending patterns and cost-saving possibilities offer valuable clarity for financial choices. Suited for diverse-sized companies, small to medium businesses benefit from automation, while larger ones appreciate multi-location inventory tracking.
User-Friendly
Wellwether is designed to be user-friendly, offering intuitive features and workflows for an enhanced user experience.
Implementation Time
Not specified
8. Airbase
Airbase offers solutions like Guided Procurement, Accounts Payable Automation, Expense Management, and Corporate Cards.
Some Features
Guided Procurement: Automated intake process, making procurement straightforward for employees globally.
Accounts Payable Automation: Manages everything from bill payments to complex purchase orders, with added support for multi-subsidiary setups.
Expense Management: Streamlines expense reporting and reimbursement procedures.
Corporate Cards: Offers versatility by securing pre-approvals and smoothly integrating purchase details into the general ledger.
Real-time Reporting: Insights through real-time reporting, aiding informed decision-making
Pricing
Standard
Designed for businesses with up to approximately 200 employees, providing an entry package for quick time-to-value.
Premium
Suited for companies with up to 500 employees, offering efficiency and compliance management at scale.
Enterprise
Tailored for larger organizations with up to 5,000 employees, providing the highest level of visibility and control with the platform's advanced configuration.
Room for Improvement
Improved Pricing Transparency: Airbase should enhance pricing clarity on their website, helping potential clients grasp costs without direct inquiries. Clear details aid in informed budget decisions.
Enhanced User Experience: Airbase can refine UX by simplifying navigation, streamlining workflows, and emphasizing user-centric design. This boosts efficiency and accessibility for finance professionals and stakeholders.
The Verdict
Airbase offers a comprehensive approach to spend management, boasting features. It feels most at home with mid-sized champs looking to save some bucks and up their efficiency game. Users can range from small and mid-sized enterprises to larger corporations.
User-Friendly
Airbase is designed to be user-friendly, offering an intuitive interface and streamlined workflows to enhance user experience.
Implementation Time
Airbase provides guided onboarding with custom implementation plans. Transition for mid-market customers: 30-60 days.
Enterprise customers: around 60-90 days, depending on resources.
9. Coupa
Coupa enhances spend management. Their suite of products addresses various aspects of procurement, invoicing, expenses and more.
Some Features
e-Procurement: Coupa's powerful procurement solution simplifies purchasing processes for businesses of all sizes.
Invoice Management: Offering e-invoicing and compliance management to streamline financial operations.
Travel & Expense Management: Simplifying travel expense tracking and management for employees.
Supplier Risk Management: Enabling businesses to manage and mitigate supplier risks.
Supply Chain Design & Planning: Empowering informed supply chain decisions with intelligent insights.
Pricing
FREE
This plan allows Coupa's customer base easily, access to Business Profile, Orders, E-Invoices, Catalogs, Payments, and Sourcing Events.
Verified
$45.75/Month (Billed Annually)
Room for Improvement
Enhanced Supplier Onboarding: Providing more streamlined and user-friendly methods for suppliers to join and engage on the platform.
Simplified Pricing Structure: Offering clearer and more transparent pricing options to help potential customers better understand the value they receive.
The Verdict
Coupa offers solutions across the entire spend lifecycle. It works particularly well for mid-sized to large enterprises seeking to optimize their procurement processes, manage expenses, and enhance supplier relationships.
User-Friendly
Coupa has a user-friendly interface and intuitive design, making it accessible and effective for various users.
Implementation Time
Depending on the specific package selected and the availability of customer resources, businesses can be up and running with Coupa's solutions in weeks, not months.
10. Order.co
Order.co it's a perfect fit for startups, SMBs, and larger enterprises aiming to streamline their purchasing and payment operations.
Some Features
Unified Catalog: Access a single catalog featuring items from all vendors for streamlined purchasing.
Automated Workflows: Approvals, track orders, and reconcile spend with automated workflows.
Flexible Payment Options: Use preferred methods and net terms to manage cash flow efficiently.
AI-Driven Sourcing: Leverage AI to find cost-effective products and optimize sourcing decisions.
Group Buying Power: Harness collective purchasing power for maximum cost savings.
Pricing
Order offers a flexible and customizable pricing model that caters to the diverse needs of businesses.
Room for Improvement
Enhanced User Interface: Improving the user interface for a more intuitive and user-friendly experience could enhance the platform's usability.
Advanced Reporting Tools: Incorporating more advanced reporting and analytics features could give businesses deeper insights into their spending patterns.
The Verdict
Order streamlines purchasing, approvals, and payments, improving cost savings and operational efficiency. It caters effectively to businesses of various sizes for startups, small and medium enterprises, and giant corporations.
User-Friendly
Order provides a user-friendly experience that empowers businesses to optimize their procurement and payment processes.
Implementation Time
Order ensures that businesses can quickly unlock the benefits of optimized procurement and payment operations, without specifying an estimated time.
