MakersHub vs Tipalti: Which AP Automation Software is Right for You?

If you are evaluating a Tipalti alternative, here is the quick read:

MakersHub is AP-first and purpose-built for complex, high volume invoice environments that need line-item accuracy, configurable approvals, and clean two-way sync to accounting. Payments are flexible without forcing funds into an external wallet.

Tipalti is strong for global payouts and finance teams that are payments-driven. It is most often selected when the primary problem is paying a large number of suppliers across countries and currencies.

• Best for complex AP with detailed invoice data, job or project coding, and procurement alignment: MakersHub
• Best for programs where outbound payouts are the main requirement: Tipalti

Who should choose each platform

Choose MakersHub if you:

• Process hundreds to thousands of invoices and receipts per month
• Need line-item extraction, auto-coding, PO matching, and job or project cost tracking
• Require multi-step approvals by vendor, dollar threshold, entity, or project
• Want clean, bidirectional sync to QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, or Sage Intacct. Custom advanced integrations are also supported by white glove service.  
• Care about owning your AP and payments data without pre-funding an external settlement account
• Operate in construction, trades, manufacturing, multi-entity, nonprofit, hospitality, retail, logistics, or any project-driven industry

Choose Tipalti if you:

• Prioritize global payouts and supplier onboarding at scale
  
• Run a finance program where payments are the central workflow and invoices are lower complexity
• Want an out-of-the-box payables to payouts experience with tax and supplier portal features

MakersHub vs Tipalti: side-by-side comparison

Notes: the table summarizes common buying patterns and public buyer feedback. Actual configurations vary by plan and implementation.

Where MakersHub wins for high-complexity AP

1) Clean data in, clean results out

MakersHub solves the clean data problem by capturing every line item on a bill, coding it to the correct GL account, item, customer, job, class, or project, and pushing it to your accounting system with no manual re-entry. This allows accurate job costing, price-drift detection, and timely accruals.

• Line-item extraction from PDFs, emails, scans, and images
• Auto-mapping to chart of accounts and items
• New item creation when a vendor introduces a new SKU
• PO and receipt matching to catch overbilling and mismatched quantities

2) Approvals that match how you operate

Route approvals by vendor, amount, entity, department, or project. Keep approvers in context with the bill, coding, notes, and attachments, and give an audit trail for every decision.

3) Two-way truth with QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, or Custom Advanced Integration

MakersHub keeps QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage Intacct, or Custom Advanced Integration in sync so statuses match without extra work. That means no duplicate entries and no shadow spreadsheets.

4) Payments without losing control

Pay by ACH or physical check from your own accounts, enable auto-pay on due dates, and get discount capture reminders. You do not need to pre-fund an external settlement account to run payables.

5) Data you own

Your historical AP and payments data remains accessible. Keep your system of record complete for audits, analytics, and downstream finance needs.

Real results from real teams

Customers report major gains after switching to MakersHub:

• 3x faster month-end close and consistent early-pay discount capture
• 50–90% reductions in AP processing time
• 10x accuracy improvement for multi-location and grant-funded entities
• Approvals time reduced to about two hours per week with full traceability

See details here: AP automation case studies

Pricing and plans

A simple structure that scales as you do. Full plan details here: MakersHub pricing

Industry fit at a glance

MakersHub is chosen most often by teams where cost control and project accuracy depend on the details inside each invoice.

• Construction and trades: code every line to the right job and phase, match to POs, keep subcontractors paid on time
• Advanced manufacturing: reconcile materials by SKU and PO, prevent price drift, protect margins
• Retail and wholesale: manage high SKU volume, capture early-pay discounts, track COGS by store or channel
• Nonprofits: configure multi-step approvals, keep grant-compliant records, stay audit-ready
• Hospitality: give property and department managers real-time cost visibility
• Logistics: automate recurring fuel and carrier bills, track by fleet or route
• Multi-entity portfolios: maintain entity-clean books with central visibility

How to decide: a simple framework

Use these three questions to pick the right tool for your team.

1. Is your primary pain payments or invoices?
   If you mainly need global payouts and supplier onboarding, you may prefer Tipalti. If accuracy and throughput on invoices drive your outcomes, start with MakersHub.
   
2. Do you need reliable line-item data?
   If job costing, PO matching, or price-drift alerts are important, you will want MakersHub’s AP-first extraction and mapping.
   
3. How important is accounting truth and data control?
   If you want two-way sync to your books and ownership of historical AP data without prefunding external accounts, MakersHub is the cleaner fit.

MakersHub at a glance

• AP-first platform that captures, codes, approves, and pays
• WiseVision AI reads any bill and learns vendor patterns over time
• Deep accounting software integrations with two-way status truth
• Flexible payments that preserve cash and data control
• Audit trails for every approval and payment action
• Predictable pricing with plans for any stage

Frequently asked questions

Is MakersHub a good Tipalti alternative for complex invoice workflows?

Yes. MakersHub was designed for high volume, detail-heavy AP. You get line-item extraction, PO matching, configurable approvals, and two-way sync, plus payments that keep cash in your control. 

What accounting systems does MakersHub support?

MakersHub integrates with QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage Intacct, and Custom Advanced Integration with read and write-back support so your ledger remains the system of record. 

Can I pay vendors by ACH and still own my data?

Yes. MakersHub supports ACH and physical checks from your accounts. You retain ownership of your AP and payments data for audits and analytics.

How long does it take to implement?

Most teams configure a first workflow quickly, then expand approvals and mappings over their first cycles. Hands-on support and advanced integration assistance are available on higher tiers. 

Does MakersHub support multi-entity or project coding?

Yes. MakersHub handles multi-entity, class, customer, job, and project coding, with routing rules by vendor, amount, or entity. This is a common reason teams migrate from payments-first tools.

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