Key takeaway: Quadient AP is a financial automation platform built for finance teams handling high invoice volumes, multi-entity structures, and a growing vendor network. BILL is used by small and midsize organizations and works very well for standard AP workflows, while higher tier plans also support more advanced controls, as well as multi-entity setups. If your organization is seeking to reduce manual tasks and gain complete visibility into their payables can book a free demo of Quadient AP to experience the difference firsthand.
It's 2025, and most finance teams are looking for tools to make their work easier. These accounts payable (AP) automation platforms allow them to reduce manual tasks and to improve their visibility. Quadient AP and BILL are two popular solutions that aim to streamline accounts payable, but they serve different types of organizations. This article will detail the main differences between the two platforms.
How each platform supports accounts payable automation
BILL (which used to be Bill.com) and Quadient AP both automate accounts payable to help teams process invoices faster with less manual work. They do similar jobs, but they work differently, and those differences can affect efficiency, visibility, and long-term scalability.
The following comparison outlines how each platform handles core areas of the accounts payable process.
Quadient AP vs BILL: Feature-by-feature highlights
User access and collaboration
Quadient AP includes unlimited user profiles. This is helpful for finance teams that involve accounting staff, department leads, and project approvers in their digital workflows. It keeps collaboration simple and costs predictable.
BILL charges per user, which may increase expenses as your team grows.
Entity management and visibility
Quadient AP brings all business entities into one screen. This makes it easy for teams to switch between entities and track spending while maintaining accurate records that support tax compliance.
BILL offers multi-entity management as well, but each entity still needs to be configured separately. BILL also lets you manage multiple entities in one place and view tasks from a single screen. The main difference is that its layout and navigation work differently from Quadient AP, not that it is less centralized.
Invoice upload and processing
Large invoice volumes require efficient invoice processing. Quadient AP supports batch uploads across multiple entities, helping teams eliminate repetitive tasks and reduce errors.
BILL supports CSV imports for batch entry, but this is more manual and not recommended if you already sync bills from an accounting system.
Customer support
Quadient AP gives every customer a dedicated representative for onboarding and ongoing support. This personal contact helps with fast troubleshooting and smoother adoption.
BILL provides online help, live chat, and phone support during set hours, and also offers premium support packages with faster response times and added routing options.
Vendor management tools
Quadient AP includes strong vendor management features that help teams maintain clean supplier records, track vendor payment histories, and manage preferred payment methods at the legal entity level.
BILL effectively manages vendor records and payment details for each entity, while Quadient AP puts extra focus on multi-entity visibility and controls, so teams should compare how each tool handles vendor data across entities.
Approval workflows and controls
Quadient AP supports customizable workflows for both invoices and payments, including distinct approval channels and multi-level rules across entities.
BILL supports configurable, multi-level approval policies for bills and payments, while Quadient AP also focuses on detailed approval rules, so finance teams with complex structures should review both sets of approval options side by side.
Payment processing and methods
Quadient AP encourages electronic payment methods, which lower the cost and risk of paper checks. This helps teams move faster and keep cleaner audit trails.
BILL supports ACH, card, and mailed checks, and customers can shift more spend to electronic payments as they and their vendors adopt those options.
Feature comparison
Feature | Quadient AP | BILL |
User access | Unlimited user profiles. | Pay per user. |
Multi-entity visibility | All entities on one screen. | Multi-entity management available, but entities are configured separately, and navigation is less centralized. |
Batch invoice uploads | Batch upload across multiple entities. | CSV bill import is available, but it is more manual and not recommended when using direct ERP sync. |
ERP integrations | Connects with leading ERPs like QuickBooks Online and Sage Intacct and accounting systems for smoother data accuracy and stronger AP automation. | Offers automatic 2-way sync with major accounting platforms such as QuickBooks, Xero, Oracle NetSuite, and Sage Intacct, and supports additional systems via file import. |
Dashboards and data insights | Real-time dashboards that give clear data insights into spend, approvals, and processing status. | Dashboards and reports that give visibility into bills, payments, and cash flow, including newer cash flow forecasting and insights capabilities on supported plans. |
Customer support | Dedicated support representative. | Help center, chat, and phone callback support; premium support available on higher-tier plans. |
Vendor management | Comprehensive vendor management and history across entities. | Core vendor features focused on small and midsize businesses. |
Approvals | Flexible invoice and payment approvals. | Supports approval policies and multi-level approvals, but with fewer configuration options for complex structures. |
Payment mix | Designed to drive high adoption of electronic payment methods (ACH, EFT, virtual cards) and reduce paper checks. | Supports ACH, card, and mailed checks; customers can shift more spend to electronic payments as they and their vendors adopt those methods. |
Final thoughts
Quadient AP provides finance teams with the visibility, scalability, and control they need as their accounts payable processes become more complex. BILL is a better fit for smaller organizations with simpler needs.
If you want more control, stronger AP automation, and unlimited user access, book a free demo of Quadient AP to see clearly how automation is able to simplify your payables and give your team more time for your more strategic tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of companies that would benefit the most from Quadient AP?
Organizations with multiple entities, higher invoice volumes, or complex approval chains gain the most value from Quadient AP. Quadient AP has been named a leader of the AP automation industry by the QKS Group in 2025, and the platform has also been recognized in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant.
How does Quadient AP reduce manual tasks for finance teams?
The platform supports batch invoice uploads, automated workflows, and electronic payment methods. These features reduce manual data entry and repetitive tasks in accounts payable.
Does BILL support multi-entity?
BILL can handle multiple entities using its multi-entity company management and lets users manage them in one place, while Quadient AP also consolidates entities into a single interface, so teams should compare the two layouts to see which feels clearer for their use case.
Does Quadient AP support different payment methods?
Yes. Quadient AP supports electronic payment methods that help teams pay vendors faster and reduce paper processes.
How does Quadient AP help with tax compliance?
Centralized vendor records, clear approval histories, and accurate payment data help keep documentation consistent for tax compliance.
What level of customer support does Quadient provide?
Every customer receives a dedicated representative who understands their setup and ongoing needs.