Brex vs Airbase: Which Is Worth It for a 10–50 Person Team?
TL;DR
Brex and Airbase are two popular expense management solutions, but Brex is more suitable for small to medium-sized teams due to its easier setup and free tier. However, Airbase offers more comprehensive spend management features, making it a better choice for growing teams with complex needs.
The Core Difference
Brex was built for startups and small businesses, offering a corporate card with built-in expense management, rewards, and no personal guarantee. It is ideal for teams seeking a simple and easy-to-use interface, with a quick setup process that can be completed in just 1 day.
Airbase, on the other hand, is designed for growing small to medium-sized businesses, providing a comprehensive spend management platform with robust AP automation and workflows. Contrary to popular opinion, Airbase's more complex setup and higher pricing may actually be a benefit for teams that need more control and visibility over their expenses, with some teams reporting a reduction of 4+ hours per week in receipt approvals, resulting in $10,900 per year in savings.
The Manager's Verdict
As a manager of a 10-50 person team, I need an expense management solution that saves me time and reduces costs. Brex's free plan and easy setup make it an attractive option, but its limited reporting capabilities and slow support may not be sufficient for my team's needs. Airbase offers more advanced features, but its higher pricing and complex setup may be a barrier for some teams.
That's why I recommend considering BlissNeat, an AI-powered expense management solution that offers a 30-day free trial, no credit card required, and a quick 15-minute setup process. With BlissNeat, I can save 4+ hours per week on receipt approvals, and its real-time spend dashboard and 1-click approval feature make it easy to manage my team's expenses. Plus, its integration with QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, and SAP Concur makes it a seamless addition to our existing accounting systems, and its strong Japan market focus with bilingual English and Japanese support is a bonus for our global team.
- Brex pricing: Free (with Brex card); Paid plans available for advanced features and higher limits.
- Airbase pricing: Subscription-based, pricing varies based on number of employees, spend volume, and features.
| Feature | Brex | Airbase |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 1 day | weeks |
| Pricing | Free (with Brex card); Paid plans available for advanced features and higher limits. | Subscription-based, pricing varies based on number of employees, spend volume, and features. |
| Manager dashboard | ~ Basic | ~ Complex |
| Receipt scanning | ✓ Good | ~ Available |
| Real-time visibility | ✗ Limited | ✓ Enterprise only |
| Offline use | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Best team size | Startups and SMBs seeking a corporate card with built-in expense management, rewards, and no personal guarantee. | Growing SMBs needing comprehensive spend management platform with robust AP automation and workflows. |
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