Key takeaway: Quadient AP gives finance teams a clear view of what is happening in their payables process, strong control over approvals, and automation that can grow as the business grows. Tipalti also covers the full AP flow from invoice to payment, but it is especially strong for companies that pay many suppliers worldwide and need built-in tax and compliance support. Companies that want a clear view of invoices, POs, expenses, and payments in one place and need tight control across multiple entities will find that Quadient AP is a strong option. You can request a free demo to see how it can improve your entire AP workflow.
Automation has become a clear requirement for finance teams. And the different AP solutions don't cover the same amount of the process or offer the same level of control. Tipalti is well known for helping companies send payments to vendors around the world. Quadient AP is designed to give finance teams a single place to manage invoices, POs, expenses, and payments, with flexible approval rules that work well for organisations with complex structures or multiple business units.
This overview compares the two platforms and explains how each fits different growth plans.
Where each platform shines
Tipalti is helpful for fast-growing companies that need to handle a large number of payments across many countries, and it supports onboarding, tax needs, and international payouts.
Quadient AP covers the full lifecycle from invoice capture to payment and maintains a clear audit trail of everything that happens. Teams that need reliable audits, multi-entity oversight, or detailed workflow automation often choose Quadient AP because it handles these needs in a more comprehensive way.
Comparison of key capabilities
Category | Quadient AP | Tipalti |
AP coverage | End-to-end automation from invoice capture to payment and reconciliation. | End-to-end AP automation, including supplier onboarding, invoice capture, approvals, PO matching, and global payments. |
Multi-entity management | Unified view across all entities with shared reporting. | Supports multi-entity operations, but may require additional configurations per entity depending on complexity and reporting needs. |
Approval workflows | Highly customisable and supports complex rules. | Supports configurable approval workflows for purchase requests, POs, invoices, and payments, managed through its procurement and AP modules. |
Visibility and control | Real-time tracking, spend insights, and complete audit trails. | Strong visibility into invoice status, approvals, PO matching, and payments, with added focus on tax, compliance, and global reporting. |
ERP Integrations | Native connectors for leading ERP systems, including NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics GP, and QuickBooks, with real-time sync through SmartSync. | Prebuilt integrations with major ERPs such as NetSuite, Sage Intacct, SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and QuickBooks, syncing suppliers, invoices, POs and payments. |
Payment methods | Supports BACS, virtual cards, cheques, and international bank transfers through payment partners. | Supports global payout methods including international bank transfers, PayPal, prepaid debit cards, and local bank transfer options. |
Onboarding and support | Comprehensive onboarding with guided implementation, inclusive training, and responsive ongoing customer support. | Structured onboarding that may take longer, with tiered or paid options for extended customer support. |
Total cost of ownership | Predictable, quote-based pricing with unlimited users, typically priced by modules, invoice volume and number of entities rather than per user. | Tiered pricing with per-transaction or per-entity fees. |
Scalability | Scales across volume and process complexity. | Scales well for global operations, high payment volumes and multi-entity environments, with optional modules for procurement, multi-entity payables and FX. |
Choosing the right fit
Tipalti is a good fit if your main priority is paying suppliers and partners around the world while staying on top of tax and compliance rules, and you want those payouts tied into your invoice and procurement process.
Quadient AP offers broad coverage for teams that want visibility, control and structured governance across invoices, POs, expenses and payments in one system. Multi-entity visibility, rule-based approvals, and real-time ERP sync make it a solid long-term choice for organisations that expect to scale operations or add new business units.
Final thoughts
Your choice comes down to what matters more: payment simplicity or end-to-end process control. Tipalti supports companies that want a streamlined global payment system. Quadient AP supports finance teams that need central visibility, strong internal controls, and the flexibility to automate their entire AP process.
Quadient AP gives finance leaders the ability to manage payables without adding extra systems or silos. Schedule a free demo to see how Quadient AP enhances visibility, supports compliance, and brings consistency to your entire AP process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Quadient AP and Tipalti?
Both Quadient AP and Tipalti automate the process from invoice capture through approvals to payment. Quadient AP leans into flexible AP workflows, multi-entity visibility and approvals across invoices, POs, expenses and payments. Tipalti combines AP automation with very strong supplier onboarding, tax handling and global payout capabilities.
How do the platforms compare for multi-entity management?
Quadient AP supports all entities within a shared environment. This makes it easier for teams to manage approvals, reporting, and audit readiness across business units. Tipalti also supports multiple entities, although each entity has its own configuration and, for some use cases, you may need an extra multi-entity payables add-on.
Does Quadient AP support complex approval workflows?
Yes. Quadient AP handles complex, rule-based workflows that support layered approvals, shared services, and regional needs. Tipalti also supports complex, rule-based approvals across purchase requests, POs, invoices and payments, using its procurement and AP modules to route items to the right people.
Which system gives stronger visibility and control?
Quadient AP offers real-time visibility into invoices, spend trends, and audit history. Tipalti gives good visibility into invoices, approvals, PO matching and payments, with extra strength around tax and compliance. Quadient AP focuses its reporting on AP workflows and multi-entity views, so teams that mainly care about process control inside AP may prefer its style of dashboards.
Do both platforms integrate with ERPs?
Both platforms connect with major ERPs such as NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics and QuickBooks, and each offers additional integrations. Tipalti also has a certified SAP Business One integration that syncs suppliers, invoices, POs and payments. Quadient AP uses its SmartSync layer to keep data aligned with supported ERPs.
What should I expect during onboarding?
Quadient AP includes guided onboarding with training and hands-on support to help teams adopt the system quickly. Tipalti offers structured onboarding that may take more time and may involve paid tiers for extended support.
How do Quadient AP and Tipalti compare in cost?
Quadient AP uses a predictable, quote-based model with unlimited users, and pricing typically depends on which modules you use, how many invoices you process and how many entities you need to support. Tipalti uses tiered subscription pricing with add-ons for things like procurement, multi-entity payables and FX, and your total cost can also include transaction-based fees.
Which solution scales better as a business grows?
Tipalti scales well for global payments. Quadient AP scales across both transaction volume and operational complexity. It supports multi-entity visibility, deeper workflow customisation, and broader automation needs.
Who is Tipalti best suited for?
Tipalti works well for companies that manage a lot of global vendors and partners and want strong tax, compliance and payout automation, along with integrated procurement and invoice workflows.
Who is Quadient AP best suited for?
Quadient AP is a strong choice for organisations that want visibility, control, and end-to-end governance. It fits businesses with multiple entities, complex approval structures, or the need for scalable AP automation.