Last updated: January 2026

What Is BILL?

Accounts payable and receivable still run on paper, manual approvals, and disconnected processes at most small businesses. BILL (formerly Bill.com) is a financial operations platform that digitizes business payments—automating accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense management, and cash flow planning to eliminate manual work and accelerate payment cycles.

The platform processes over $200 billion in payments annually for more than 400,000 businesses. BILL sits at the center of business financial operations, connecting accounting software, banks, and vendors into streamlined workflows that replace paper checks, manual approvals, and spreadsheet tracking.

For finance teams drowning in invoices, chasing approvals, and reconciling payments manually, BILL provides the automation that modern business operations demand.

Key Features Explained

Accounts Payable Automation

Digitize the entire AP workflow. Invoices arrive via email, scan, or upload. AI extracts data, matches to purchase orders, and routes for approval. Approvers review and approve from anywhere. Payments execute automatically on schedule via ACH, virtual card, or check. The entire process happens without paper.

Accounts Receivable

Send professional invoices, accept payments online, and track receivables. Customers pay via ACH or credit card. Automatic reminders chase late payments. Cash arrives faster with less effort.

Approval Workflows

Configure approval rules based on amount, vendor, category, or custom criteria. Multi-level approvals route to appropriate stakeholders. Mobile app enables approvals from anywhere. Audit trails track every decision.

Vendor Management

Centralized vendor records with tax information, payment preferences, and history. Vendor portal lets suppliers submit invoices and check payment status. Fewer vendor inquiries mean less administrative overhead.

Payment Methods

Pay vendors however they prefer: ACH transfers, virtual cards with rebates, international wires, or printed checks (BILL mails them for you). Optimize payment methods for cash flow and rewards.

Cash Flow Forecasting

Visibility into upcoming payments and expected receipts. Plan cash positions based on scheduled transactions. Avoid surprises with forward-looking financial intelligence.

Accounting Integrations

Deep integration with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, NetSuite, and major accounting platforms. Two-way sync keeps data consistent. Transactions flow automatically without duplicate entry.

Pricing (2026)

Essentials — $45/user/month. Core AP/AR automation, approval workflows, and accounting sync. Suitable for small teams.

Team — $55/user/month. Adds custom roles, enhanced approvals, and additional features for growing finance teams.

Corporate — $79/user/month. Advanced workflows, multiple entities, and enterprise features.

Enterprise — Custom pricing. Volume discounts, dedicated support, and custom implementation.

Transaction fees may apply for certain payment methods. Virtual card payments can generate rebates that offset costs.

Who Uses BILL?

Small Business Finance Teams

Companies processing dozens to hundreds of invoices monthly gain efficiency through automation. One person can handle workloads that previously required teams.

Accounting Firms

CPAs and bookkeepers managing client AP/AR centralize operations. Client access enables collaboration while maintaining control.

Growing Companies

Scaling businesses need processes that scale. BILL grows from startup simplicity to mid-market sophistication without migration.

Multi-Entity Organizations

Companies with multiple subsidiaries or locations consolidate financial operations. Centralized visibility with entity-level separation.

Pros and Cons

What We Like

Comprehensive AP/AR automation in one platform

Strong accounting software integrations

Approval workflows reduce bottlenecks

Multiple payment methods including virtual cards

Vendor portal reduces inquiries

Mobile approvals enable remote work

What Could Be Better

Per-user pricing expensive for larger teams

Learning curve for initial setup

Some features require higher tiers

International payments cost extra

Customer support quality varies

BILL vs. Alternatives

vs. Melio: Melio focuses on simple AP with free ACH payments. BILL offers broader AP/AR automation but at higher cost.

vs. Ramp/Brex: Corporate cards with spend management. BILL handles broader payment operations beyond card spend.

vs. QuickBooks Payments: Built into QuickBooks but less sophisticated workflow automation. BILL adds approval layers QuickBooks lacks.

vs. SAP Concur: Enterprise expense management. BILL serves smaller businesses with simpler needs.

For businesses also needing expense management alongside AP/AR, BILL acquired Divvy for integrated spend management.

Implementation Tips

Clean up vendor data: Import accurate vendor information for smooth operations.

Configure workflows carefully: Design approval rules that balance control with efficiency.

Train approvers: Mobile approval adoption depends on user training.

Connect accounting first: Establish accounting integration before processing transactions.

FAQ

How long does setup take?

Basic setup takes hours; full implementation with accounting integration and workflow configuration takes days to weeks depending on complexity.

Can vendors see payment status?

Yes. Vendor portal provides visibility into invoice status and scheduled payments, reducing inquiry volume.

Are payments secure?

Yes. BILL uses bank-level security, SOC compliance, and fraud monitoring. Virtual cards provide additional protection.

Does BILL handle international payments?

Yes. International wire transfers available with competitive exchange rates. Additional fees apply.

Final Verdict

BILL represents the modern standard for business payment operations. The platform transforms manual, paper-based processes into automated digital workflows that save time, reduce errors, and improve financial visibility.

For finance teams ready to escape spreadsheets and paper approvals, BILL provides the infrastructure that professional operations require.

Rating: 4.4/5