Top 5 AP Automation Software for Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry faces unique challenges in managing accounts payable. From processing high volumes of invoices to ensuring timely supplier payments, manufacturers require robust solutions to keep operations running smoothly. The right AP automation software can streamline workflows, reduce errors, and improve cash flow visibility. In this article, we explore the top accounts payable (AP) automation software options for manufacturing companies in 2025. Each solution is tailored to address the specific needs of the industry, ensuring greater efficiency, accuracy, and financial control. Let’s dive in.

Why Manufacturing Companies Need AP Automation

Manufacturers encounter distinct AP challenges that automation can solve:

• High Invoice Volume: Processing thousands of invoices monthly can overwhelm manual systems, causing delays and errors. Automation significantly reduces manual effort, improving speed and accuracy.
• Complex Supply Chains: Matching invoices with purchase orders (POs) and goods receipts is critical for avoiding discrepancies that could disrupt production. Automated PO matching ensures alignment between financial records and physical goods.
• Supplier Payment Timeliness: Late payments risk damaging relationships with key suppliers, leading to potential supply chain interruptions. Automated payment workflows ensure payments are always on time.
• Cash Flow Management: Long production cycles demand accurate forecasting and visibility to maintain financial stability. Real-time cash flow tools provide manufacturers with the insights they need to make informed decisions.
• ERP Integration: Seamless workflows with platforms like NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks are essential for efficiency. Automation tools that integrate deeply with these ERPs eliminate data silos and ensure accurate reporting.

Below, we’ve ranked the best AP automation software options for manufacturing companies. These solutions stand out for their ability to streamline workflows, enhance accuracy, and integrate with existing systems.

What is the Best AP Automation Software for Manufacturing Companies in 2025?

1. Centime: Best overall AP automation for manufacturing‍
2. Tipalti: Best for global operations‍
3. Beanworks (Quadient AP) - Best for reducing manual invoice handling
4. ‍MineralTree: Best for managing multi-entity operations
5.  Stampli: Best for streamlined invoice collaboration

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Why It’s #1: Centime’s tailored features address every key pain point for manufacturers, making it the best overall solution. Designed specifically to handle the complexities of manufacturing operations, Centime enables finance teams to streamline accounts payable workflows, reduce manual errors, and optimize cash flow management. Its robust features ensure that manufacturers can maintain strong supplier relationships, meet production demands, and operate efficiently.

Key Features:

• AI-Powered Invoice Processing: Automates high-volume invoice management, reducing errors and saving time.
• PO Matching: Ensures accuracy by matching invoices with purchase orders and goods receipts.
• Customized Approval Workflows: Speeds up approvals while maintaining compliance, giving finance teams full control.
• ERP Integration: Deep integrations with NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks eliminate workflow disruptions.
• Cash Flow Forecasting: Provides real-time visibility to aid financial decision-making and optimize working capital.
• Profit from AP: Centime sets itself apart by transforming accounts payable from a cost center to a profit generator. By holding funds in a Centime AP account, businesses can earn significant interest, offsetting subscription costs and enhancing working capital with minimal effort.

Pros:

• Seamless ERP Integration: Reduces data silos and ensures that financial records are consistently accurate, allowing manufacturers to manage their operations efficiently across platforms like NetSuite and Sage Intacct.
• On-Time Payments: Enhances supplier relationships by automating payments to ensure they are made promptly, avoiding disruptions in the supply chain.
• 70% Cost Reduction in Invoice Processing: Streamlines the invoicing process, reducing manual efforts and associated labor costs, while freeing up the finance team to focus on strategic tasks.
• Improved Cash Flow Forecasting: Provides actionable insights through real-time analytics, enabling manufacturers to make better financial decisions and plan more effectively.
• Custom Approval Workflows: Tailored workflows simplify complex approval hierarchies, ensuring faster processing without compromising control or compliance.
• Supplier Incentive Opportunities: Strengthens vendor relationships by offering rebates and discounts through optimized payment strategies.

Cons:

• Limited ERP compatibility: Centime exclusively integrates with Sage Intacct, QuickBooks, and NetSuite. 

Pricing:

‍Centime offers customized pricing plans based on your annual invoice volume. The platform allows unlimited users with your subscription, doesn’t charge any payment fees, and has a best-in-class NPS.

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Tipalti is a powerful solution for manufacturers with international operations. Its focus on multi-currency and multi-language support makes it an excellent choice for businesses managing global supplier networks. Additionally, its automation capabilities enhance efficiency and reduce the complexity of international payments.

Key Features:

• Multi-currency and multi-language support for international supplier management.
• Automated invoice data capture to streamline workflows.
• Real-time cash management visibility, enhancing financial decision-making.

Pros:

• Ideal for manufacturers with global supply chains, Tipalti simplifies the complexities of international payments with tools to reduce errors, improve compliance, and enhance supplier satisfaction.
• Reduces the risk of fraud with advanced security measures like automated audits and multi-factor authentication, ensuring the safety of global transactions.

Cons:

• Longer implementation time compared to competitors, often requiring several months to fully configure and onboard.
• Limited PO matching capabilities, which can lead to manual reconciliation for complex supply chains.

Pricing: 

Tipalti typically offers customized pricing based on the volume of transactions, complexity of the AP processes, and specific business needs. 

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For manufacturers looking to reduce their environmental footprint and improve operational efficiency, Beanworks offers a paperless accounts payable experience. With real-time dashboards and multi-currency support, this solution is tailored to meet the needs of businesses with complex supply chains. For manufacturers looking to reduce their environmental footprint and improve operational efficiency, Beanworks offers a paperless accounts payable experience. With real-time dashboards and multi-currency support, this solution is tailored to meet the needs of businesses with complex supply chains.

Key Features:

• Paperless invoice management reduces physical document handling.
• Real-time AP dashboards for improved visibility and control.
• Multi-language and multi-currency support for international operations.

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly and scalable for manufacturers, Beanworks helps reduce paper waste while streamlining processes for businesses managing large supply chains.
• Easy-to-use dashboards provide actionable insights and improve decision-making, helping manufacturers stay on top of complex workflows.

Cons:

Clunky user interface that requires extra training time and may frustrate users during high-volume periods.

Pricing:

Customizable based on business needs. Contact Beanworks for more information.

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MineralTree provides an all-in-one accounts payable solution designed to simplify workflows and support growing manufacturing businesses. With robust security features and flexible payment options, it’s an excellent choice for companies handling multi-entity operations. MineralTree provides an all-in-one accounts payable solution designed to simplify workflows and support growing manufacturing businesses. With robust security features and flexible payment options, it’s an excellent choice for companies handling multi-entity operations.

Key Features:

• Email-based invoice approvals to simplify workflows.
• Supports ACH and virtual card payments for flexibility.
• Scalable for multi-entity environments, making it ideal for growing manufacturers.

Pros:

• Flexible payment options tailored to supplier needs, including virtual cards and ACH payments, help manufacturers optimize cash flow management and vendor satisfaction.
• Robust security features, including data encryption and multi-level user access, ensure sensitive financial information remains protected.

Cons:

• Payment delays may occur with multiple approvers, leading to bottlenecks in time-sensitive transactions.

Pricing:

‍MineralTree’s pricing varies heavily based on services and business size.

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Stampli focuses on enhancing invoice processing efficiency for manufacturers through AI-powered tools and collaborative workflows. Its user-friendly interface and real-time ERP synchronization make it ideal for teams aiming to reduce manual workload and streamline approvals.Stampli focuses on enhancing invoice processing efficiency for manufacturers through AI-powered tools and collaborative workflows. Its user-friendly interface and real-time ERP synchronization make it ideal for teams aiming to reduce manual workload and streamline approvals.

Key Features:

• AI-driven invoice capture to eliminate manual entry.
• Collaborative approval workflows tailored to team needs.
• Real-time synchronization with ERPs ensures data accuracy.

Pros:

• Significantly reduces manual entry and errors with smart automation tools that learn and adapt to recurring patterns in invoice processing.
• Speeds up invoice approvals through AI-powered automation and team collaboration, reducing bottlenecks and increasing operational efficiency.

Cons:

• Limited payment capabilities: Stampli's strength lies in invoice processing, not payment execution, which is less comprehensive than competitors.
• Inconsistent ERP integration quality: With over 70 ERP integrations, the functionality and integration depth with Stampli vary, requiring a closer look before fully committing.
• Lacks cash management tools: Those needing advanced cash management and planning within the AP process will find Stampli lacking in this regard.
• No forecasting tools: Stampli lacks forecasting capabilities, making it challenging to manage and extend payables effectively.
• Hidden costs: When it comes to Stampli’s pricing, businesses encounter additional fees for users, integration, and payments, leading to unexpected costs.

Pricing:

Stampli doesn’t publicly share pricing information, but you can submit a request for pricing on their website.

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Centime stands out as the ideal AP automation software for manufacturing due to its tailored features:

• End-to-End Automation: Handles high invoice volumes with ease, reducing errors and delays.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Ensures on-time payments and accurate processing to maintain supplier trust.
• ERP Integration: Seamlessly integrates with popular manufacturing ERPs like NetSuite and Sage Intacct, ensuring smooth workflows and eliminating data silos.

Join leading manufacturing companies like Mary Ruth’s and Twisted X in transforming their financial workflows with Centime. Streamline your AP processes and improve your cash flow today.

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Manufacturing companies face unique challenges that demand specialized AP solutions. From Centime’s comprehensive features to global payment capabilities with Tipalti, each software in this list is designed to streamline operations and improve financial efficiency. By leveraging the right tools, manufacturers can ensure smoother workflows, stronger supplier relationships, and better financial outcomes.

Ready to take the next step? Book a demo with Centime today.