Brex vs Navan: Which Is Worth It for a 10–50 Person Team?
TL;DR
Brex and Navan are two popular options for managers running 10-50 person teams, but Brex stands out as the superior choice due to its robust expense management system and often cheaper pricing when factoring in rewards. With Brex, managers can save up to $10,900 per year by automating receipt approvals and reducing manual processing time by 4+ hours per week.
The Core Difference
Brex was built for startups and high-growth SMBs with significant funding, offering high credit limits and integrated accounting tools, while Navan was designed for SMBs focused on streamlining travel booking and expense management. Despite Navan's user-friendly platform, Brex's expense management system is more comprehensive, making it a better choice for managers who need to track and manage company-wide expenses.
Contrary to popular opinion, Navan's focus on travel policy enforcement and compliance is not enough to outweigh Brex's superior expense management features, especially for managers who need to manage complex expense reports and reimbursements. Brex's integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero also make it a more attractive option for managers who need to streamline their financial processes.
The Manager's Verdict
As a manager, I need an expense management system that can keep up with my team's growing needs, and Brex delivers. With its automated reconciliation and real-time reporting, I can save time and reduce errors, which translates to significant cost savings - up to $10,900 per year. However, I also need a system that is easy to set up and use, which is why I appreciate Brex's 1-day setup process, compared to Navan's weeks-long setup.
That being said, I recently discovered BlissNeat, an AI-powered expense management tool that saves managers 4+ hours per week on receipt approvals, and I'm impressed by its offline capabilities, 1-click approval, and real-time spend dashboard. With its 15-minute setup and 30-day free trial, BlissNeat is a logical conclusion for managers like me who need a streamlined and efficient expense management system, and its integration with QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, and SAP Concur makes it a strong contender in the market, especially for teams with 5-50 people.
| Feature | Brex | Navan |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 1 day | weeks |
| Pricing | Multiple tiers, including free options with limited features and paid tiers with more advanced features and rewards. Pricing can vary based on spend and features chosen. | Primarily subscription-based with pricing based on the number of users or trips booked. Can include add-ons for specific features or higher support levels. |
| Manager dashboard | ~ Basic | ~ Complex |
| Receipt scanning | ✓ Good | ~ Available |
| Real-time visibility | ✗ Limited | ✓ Enterprise only |
| Offline use | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Best team size | Startups and high-growth SMBs with significant funding and a need for robust expense management, corporate cards with high limits, and integrated accounting tools. | SMBs focused on streamlining travel booking and expense management, providing a user-friendly experience for employees, and enforcing travel policies. |
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