expense report apps guide

1. Emburse

If you’re tired of chasing employees for receipts or dealing with delayed expense submissions, Emburse’s mobile app offers a powerful solution that easily integrates into your systems. The automated expense reporting app empowers your employees to accurately capture receipts and easily submit expenses on the go. The combined power of AI and OCR technology automates the capture of receipt details, reaching over 95% accuracy on expenses.

What sets Emburse apart from the other apps is its level of configurability. You get the freedom to customize business rules that match your specific needs. It even offers seamless integrations with a wide range of business tools you already use—including travel booking platforms, ERP systems, and leading accounting software like NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Xero, and Workday.

Key Features

Intelligent expense capture

Snap a photo of your receipt, and Emburse automatically extracts the key details, eliminating manual data entry

Automated report generation

Not only can Emburse automatically extract receipt details, but it can also generate a complete expense report for you

Real-time expense tracking

Monitor spending as it happens and stay within budget with instant notifications and clear visualizations of your expenses

Custom approval workflows

Configure approval routing to match your organization’s unique structure and integrate this workflow into the app

Best Applications

What makes Emburse stand out is the comprehensive ecosystem of travel and expense management solutions you get along with the mobile app. Think of it as having your complete T&E command center accessible right from your phone.

The platform’s configurability and automation make it suitable for more complex T&E processes. AI simplifies these complexities to give you a user-friendly front end for both managers and employees. Emburse also offers a suite of solutions that you can afford whether you’re a small and scaling SMB or a huge global enterprise.

On top of the fully developed ecosystem and powerful configurability, Emburse provides one of the most comprehensive support packages in the industry. A wealth of training materials and readily available customer support ensure a smooth onboarding experience. Emburse empowers users to confidently explore and adopt the platform's rich features and flexible customization options. The proactive approach to customer support makes it easier for users to maximize the platform’s potential.

2. Expensify

Expensify offers a user-friendly expense reporting app with some helpful features for basic expense management.

Key features

Receipt scanning

The SmartScan feature allows users to digitize paper receipts by taking a picture with their device's camera

Expense categorization

The expense report mobile app automatically categorizes expenses, helping users stay organized and gain insights into their spending habits

Mileage tracking

For professionals who travel for business, the app uses GPS to log and track mileage

Corporate card integration

Access physical and virtual card details within the app for payments and expense tracking

Best Applications

Expensify is suitable for individuals and small businesses looking for straightforward expense tracking. It's convenient for managing simple expenses while traveling or away from the office. However, for businesses with more complex requirements or those seeking in-depth analytics, alternative solutions may be more appropriate.

3. SAP Concur

SAP Concur is an established provider with a strong market presence. Its deep integration with existing SAP systems makes it a natural choice for businesses already utilizing SAP products, offering easy compatibility and streamlined workflows. Concur has a long history in the market and mostly provides T&E solutions for larger enterprises.

Key Features

Expense management

Users can capture receipts, track expenses, and submit expense reports from anywhere.

Mileage tracking

Automatically capture and track mileage for business travel to reduce manual entry

Travel booking and management

Book flights, hotels, and rental cars, manage itineraries, and receive real-time travel alerts, all within the app

Best Applications

SAP Concur's automation features can help streamline workflows for larger organizations. Its integration with existing SAP systems makes it a natural choice for businesses already utilizing SAP products. However, as an established provider, Concur may take a more measured approach to implementing new features and system updates compared to newer, more agile solutions.

4. Zoho Expense

Zoho Expense is a budget-friendly expense management solution with a range of features for small to medium-sized businesses.

Key Features

Receipt management

OCR-powered receipt scanning allows employees to capture and submit expense details in real-time

Basic expense report automation

The app automates workflows for approval and reimbursement

Zia, the AI Assistant

Zoho Expense leverages the power of Zia, Zoho's AI assistant, to provide intelligent assistance with categorizing expenses and providing insights

Integration with other Zoho products

Seamless connection with Zoho's suite of business tools

Best Applications

Zoho Expense's mobile app is generally well-reviewed, with decent receipt scanning capabilities. It’s a viable choice for small businesses on a budget, with a free plan for up to three users. Do note that Zoho offers different levels of support, including some basic onboarding included with certain subscriptions, and premium support at an additional cost based on the subscription fee.

5. QuickBooks

QuickBooks offers a straightforward expense management solution integrated into its popular accounting software. Its mobile app allows users to manage expenses alongside other financial tasks.

Key Features

Expense categorization expenses

Capture receipts using your phone's camera and quickly categorize them for easy tracking

Spend tracking

Track expenses on the go, ensuring your financial records are always updated

Quickbooks integrations

Expense data is seamlessly integrated with QuickBooks’ accounting features, simplifying bookkeeping and tax preparation

Automated expense import

Connect bank accounts and credit cards to automatically import and match transactions to existing expense records

Best Applications

QuickBooks' expense management app is suitable for small businesses looking for basic solutions integrated with their accounting software. However, for businesses seeking advanced features like AI-powered automation or deep integrations with other business tools, more comprehensive expense reporting apps may be necessary. While QuickBooks offers convenience for those already using its accounting platform, it may lack some of the specialized expense management features found in dedicated T&E solutions.

6. Rydoo

Rydoo is an expense management solution aimed at simplifying and automating the expense reporting process. Many users appreciate its well-designed and easy-to-navigate mobile app interface.

Key Features

AI-powered receipt scanning

Rydoo uses AI to scan receipts and automatically populate expense details

Real-time expense approvals

Managers can review and approve expenses instantly, speeding up reimbursements

Mileage tracking

The app calculates mileage expenses based on official rates, simplifying reimbursement for business travel

Travel booking and management

Integrated travel booking capabilities for flights, hotels, and rental cars

Best Applications

Rydoo can be a good option for organizations seeking a user-friendly expense management tool with solid AI capabilities. It's particularly effective for businesses looking to streamline their expense processes and improve efficiency. However, those needing broader spend management features or advanced compliance support may find Rydoo's offerings somewhat limited.

7. Fyle

Fyle is an expense management software that targets growing businesses and the lower end of the corporate market. Its app covers expense tracking and reporting capabilities, positioning itself as a card-first solution.

Key Features

Receipt tracking

Track and extract receipts from everyday apps like Gmail, text messages, and more with a few clicks

Basic expense reporting

The app uses AI to automate expense reporting, saving you time and

Credit card reconciliation

Automatically reconcile your credit card transactions with your expenses

Scheduled expense report submission

Automates the creation and submission of expense reports on a set schedule

Best Applications

Fyle offers a user-friendly app for managing business expenses, providing essential features for expense tracking, reporting, and reimbursement. It's suitable for growing businesses looking for a straightforward solution with advanced automation capabilities. However, while Fyle offers a solid foundation for managing simple expense processes efficiently, it may not be the best option for businesses with complex expense management requirements or those needing extensive customization options.

8. Expensya

Expensya aims to simplify expense management with its intuitive design and AI-powered features. It offers automation of core tasks like capturing receipt data and populating expense reports using its app.

Key Features

Receipt capture

Its OCR+ technology accurately extracts data from receipts in multiple languages and formats, including amounts, dates, currencies, and VAT

Card integration

Users can access their physical and virtual card details within the app for payments and expense tracking

Mileage reporting

Expensya integrates with Google Maps to automatically calculate mileage expenses based on standard or customized rates

Multi-currency support

Manages expenses in different currencies with automatic conversion

Best Applications

Expensya is well-suited for businesses with straightforward expense management needs, offering a range of automated features and multi-language support. It's particularly useful for companies dealing with international expenses and travel management. However, organizations with complex technology ecosystems requiring extensive integrations with various CRM, HR, and project management tools may find Expensya's integration options limited.

Choosing the right app

Selecting an expense management platform is a decision that can significantly impact your organization's efficiency and bottom line. Before making a choice, we recommend gathering your key stakeholders to clearly map out what success looks like for your organization.

Consider the factors that will shape your decision: your company's size and growth plans, unique industry requirements, available budget, and the specific features your team needs to work effectively. Looking ahead is equally important—you'll want a solution that can adapt and scale as your business evolves.

By taking a thoughtful approach to evaluating your needs and exploring the available options, you'll be better positioned to choose a platform that not only solves your current challenges but also supports your organization's long-term financial health and operational excellence.