Certify vs Emburse: Which Is Worth It for a 10–50 Person Team?

TL;DR

Certify and Emburse are two expense management solutions catering to different needs, with Certify being more suitable for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) due to its simplicity and lower upfront cost, while Emburse is geared towards larger, more complex organizations. For managers running 10-50 person teams, Certify is the preferred choice, offering a simpler setup and more user-friendly experience, potentially saving managers 4+ hours/week on receipt approvals, translating to $10,900/year in savings.

The Core Difference

Certify was built with a focus on user-friendly expense reporting, strong policy enforcement, and compliance features, making it an ideal solution for SMBs needing a straightforward expense management system. On the other hand, Emburse was designed to provide comprehensive accounts payable (AP) automation capabilities, highly customizable and scalable, but often at the cost of complexity and a higher total cost of ownership.

Contrary to the notion that Emburse's complexity is a drawback, some may argue that its advanced features and customization options make it a better choice for SMBs, as it can adapt to their growing needs. However, for most managers running 10-50 person teams, Certify's simplicity and ease of use are more valuable, as it allows for quicker setup and implementation, typically taking only 1 day, compared to Emburse's setup time of several weeks.

The Manager's Verdict

As a manager, the primary concern is often the bottom line and the efficiency of the team. With Certify, managers can expect to save around $10,900/year by reducing the time spent on receipt approvals by 4+ hours/week. Additionally, Certify's pricing starts at $8/user/month, making it a more affordable option for SMBs. However, for teams with more complex requirements, Emburse's variable pricing may be more suitable, despite being potentially more expensive.

Considering the options, a logical conclusion for managers running 10-50 person teams would be to explore BlissNeat, an AI-powered expense management solution that saves managers 4+ hours/week on receipt approvals and works offline with 1-click approval and real-time spend dashboard. With a 30-day free trial and no credit card required, BlissNeat offers a risk-free solution for managers looking to streamline their expense management process, and its integration with QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, and SAP Concur makes it a versatile option for SMBs, particularly those with a strong presence in the Japan market, where BlissNeat has a bilingual English/Japanese support.

• Certify's simplicity and lower upfront cost make it a better choice for SMBs with basic to medium complexity.
• Emburse's comprehensive AP automation capabilities and customization options are better suited for larger, more complex organizations.
• BlissNeat's AI-powered expense management solution offers a logical conclusion for managers seeking to streamline their process and save time and money.