Melio and Ramp offer distinct approaches to assist small businesses with achieving financial efficiency. Melio excels in simplifying A/P processes and offers a basic A/R solution, while Ramp focuses on optimizing expense management through corporate cards and expense tracking tools.
In my Ramp vs Melio comparison, I will explore the unique features of both platforms. This will allow you to make an informed choice tailored to your financial needs.
- Melio: Best for basic A/R and A/P management
- Ramp: Best for advanced expense management through corporate cards
I compared the QuickBooks Online plans by looking at the features that most often affect small business accounting decisions: monthly pricing, number of users, core bookkeeping tools, invoicing, bill management, time tracking, inventory, project profitability, reporting, automation, and scalability.
I also considered which businesses each plan fits best. For example, I looked at whether a plan is better suited for a solo contractor, a small service business, a product-based business, a project-based company, or a more established business with multiple users and more complex workflows.
Finally, I reviewed plan limitations and upgrade triggers, such as when a business needs inventory tracking, more users, class and location tracking, batch workflows, advanced reporting, or stronger access controls. My recommendations are based on practical fit rather than a formal scoring rubric.
Melio vs Ramp Quick Comparison
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|---|---|---|
| Fit Small Business Rating | 3.8 ★ | 3.9 ★ |
| Qualifications | None | Bank balance requirement of $25,000; must be a registered corporation, LLC, LLP, and LP in the US |
| Monthly Pricing | $0 to $55 platform fee + $10 per additional user | $0 platform fee + $0 or $15 per user; custom pricing available |
| Free Trial | No free trial but 90% discount for first 3 months | 30 days |
| Money-back Guarantee | ✕ | ✕ |
| Financing & Credit | 1 to 12-month installments | Ramp Credit Card or Ramp Flex |
| Audit Trails | ✕ | ✕ |
| Approval Workflows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Batch Payments | ✓ | ✕ |
| Contract Negotiation | ✕ | ✓ |
| Mobile App Rating (Out of 5) | 2.5 ★ | 3.0 ★ |
| Scalability | Highly scalable, but it may get slightly expensive | Highly scalable, but it may get moderately expensive |
| Ease of Use | Easy to use; accepts freelancers or small businesses | Easy to use; only accepts businesses with bank accounts, EIN, and good credit history |
| Average Rating on Third-party Sites | 4.1 out of 5 based on ~1,300 reviews on Trustpilot[1] | 4.8 out of 5 based on ~2,000 reviews on G2[2] |
| Visit Melio | Visit Ramp |
Use Cases and Pros & Cons
- Businesses seeking both an A/R and A/P solution: Unlike Ramp, which only offers an A/P solution, Melio allows you to pay bills and send invoices to customers, making it easier to receive payments. You can send either single or recurring invoices and sync customer payments with your accounting software.
- Businesses issuing 1099s: Melio is ideal for businesses that work with 1099 contractors because it streamlines the process with a 1099 report that is accessible from your dashboard—something that’s not possible in Ramp. You can export the report to a CSV file, which can be used to complete the form or send the form to your accountant.
- Businesses wanting accessible customer support: While neither Melio nor Ramp offers phone support, Melio offers live chat support, which is unavailable with Ramp. It also provides customer support hours, while Ramp’s only support option is via an email form on the website.
- Businesses wanting advanced expense management tools: Ramp offers many more features than Melio, including tools to manage expenses like automatic expense submission, which lets you take a photo of a receipt and email or text it to Ramp. It also automatically categorizes transactions based on preset rules and declines transactions that are out of policy.
- Businesses making payments in multiple currencies: While Melio allows you to generate international wire transfers, payments must be made in US dollars only. With Ramp, you have the ability to pay your vendors in US dollars and in foreign currency.
- Businesses needing access to corporate cards: One of Ramp’s most useful tools is its corporate card, which was designed to reduce unnecessary spending. You’ll receive up to 1.5% cash back with every purchase, and its automated savings insights will identify ways for you to save money. You can choose which vendors to allow or exclude on any given card, and you can define amount thresholds. Learn more about it through our review of Ramp Card.
- Businesses seeking accounting software with a streamlined A/P solution: Neither Melio nor Ramp is accounting software, so if you’re looking for a comprehensive solution for managing your books, QuickBooks Online is an excellent option. Read our QuickBooks Online review for more information about its pricing and features.
- Businesses processing high volume A/P transactions: Both Melio and Ramp aren’t well-suited for processing a large number of A/P transactions. I recommend BILL, which tops our list of the best A/P software because of its comprehensive suite of features. Read our review of BILL to determine if it’s a fit for your business.
- Businesses seeking assistance with tax compliance: If you have more complex needs, such as built-in tax and regulatory compliance, you may want to consider Tipalti. It has many advanced features that Melio and Ramp lack, such as self-service supplier onboarding. You also have the option of six payment methods and 120 currencies. Visit Tipalti to learn more about the software.
User Reviews: Ramp Wins
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|---|---|---|
| Average Rating on Third-party Sites | 4.1 out of 5[1] | 4.8 out of 5[2] |
| Users Like |
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| Users Dislike |
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In my review of user feedback, I found that many appreciate Melio for its ease of access, as it doesn’t impose strict application requirements. Plus, its seamless integration with QuickBooks and Xero is a major plus. However, I agree with users who point out that Melio’s lack of card issuance puts it at a disadvantage compared with Ramp.
Ramp, on the other hand, is highly regarded for its robust expense management features, including easy-to-use reimbursement tools, which I’ve personally found effective in our company. That said, I agree with concerns about Ramp’s strict qualification criteria, which can make it harder for some businesses to get on board.
Pricing: Ramp Wins
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit Small Business Score | 3.5 out of 5 | 3.8 out of 5 |
| Monthly Pricing | $0 to $55 platform fee + $10 per user (first user free) | $0 platform fee + $0 or $15 per user; custom pricing available |
| Number of Users | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Faster ACH Payments | $0.50 per transfer after using the free monthly ACH transfers | $10 for same-day delivery |
| Check Mailing Fee | (first two checks per month are free) | N/A |
| Payment by Debit or Credit Card | 2.9% of payment (applies to payer) | $0 |
| International Wire Transfer (Local Currency) | 2.9% when paying via credit card | $20 flat fee with current exchange rates |
| International Wire Transfer (USD) | $20 flat fee or 2.9% when paying with card | $20 flat fee |
| Faster Check Payments | $20 flat fee within three business days | N/A |
| Financing Fees | For Pay Over Time, 2.5% of the installment amount | For Ramp Flex, fees apply but are undisclosed |
Ramp leads in pricing because it has no platform fee. Though Ramp’s per-user pricing is a bit higher than Melio’s, I think this is offset by Ramp’s zero fees in debit and credit card payments. Moreover, Ramp’s $10 ACH transfer is justified since the transfer is same-day, whereas Melio’s expedited transfer is not a same-day transfer.
Features: Ramp Wins
| | |
|---|---|---|
| A/P | ✓ | ✓ |
| A/R | ✓ | ✕ |
| Ease of Use | Tie | Tie |
| Mobile App | iOS only | iOS and Android |
In my expert opinion, the scores for Melio and Ramp are quite close, with both platforms excelling in key areas. However, Ramp ultimately takes the lead. While Ramp lacks A/R functions, which is a nice feature to have, my evaluation focuses more on A/P and expense management. Ramp excels in this area by integrating both A/P and expense management into a seamless platform, making it easier for businesses to handle all types of expenses—whether reimbursable or not.
That said, Melio has its own strengths and unique features. Melio stands out particularly for its accessibility, as Ramp’s strict qualification requirements may exclude newer or smaller businesses. For businesses or freelancers who can’t meet Ramp’s criteria, Melio is the better choice because of its easier onboarding process, making it more suitable for startups and smaller businesses that need flexibility.
Accounts Payable: Ramp Wins
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|---|---|---|
| Fit Small Business Score |
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| Bill Approvals | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1099 Contractor Payments | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Bill Capture | ✓ | ✓ |
| Optical Character Recognition (OCR) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recurring Bills | ✓ | ✓ |
| A/P Aging Report | ✕ | ✓ |
| Corporate Card | ✕ | ✓ |
| Mail Paper Checks | ✓ | ✕ |
In evaluating the tools’ A/P features, it’s clear that Ramp takes the lead. Both allow for easy importing and electronic bill payments, though Melio adds the ability to mail paper checks. Despite the convenience, Ramp’s advantages are more substantial.
With Ramp, users can issue and control corporate cards, empowering employees to handle payments directly while you maintain strict oversight. Ramp also offers A/P aging reports for forecasting and gives you the ability to create and customize approval workflows, which gives it a stronger edge over Melio.
Accounts Receivable: Melio Wins
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Customization | ✕ | N/A |
| Recurring Invoices | ✓ | N/A |
| Create & Send Invoices | ✓ | N/A |
| Sales Tax Tracking | ✕ | N/A |
Melio is the clear winner here because it allows you to create and send either one-time or recurring invoices. And while it doesn’t let you customize invoices, you can upload a logo and create a payment link for customers.
Author’s Note:
I excluded A/R from the overall evaluation score. Melio and Ramp are primarily A/P software, but I included A/R information in this article to make a more comprehensive comparison. I hope this additional information helps you make a well-informed decision between the two platforms.
Ease of Use: Tie
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit Small Business Score | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.2 out of 5 |
| Overall Ease of Use | Easy | Easy |
| Accessibility | Cloud | Cloud |
| Online Help Section | ✓ | ✓ |
| User-friendly Dashboard | ✓ | ✓ |
When we compare Melio vs Ramp for ease of use, we get a tie. Both cloud-based platforms are easy to use and have intuitive user interfaces. They also both provide an extensive online help section, so I declared a tie in this category.
Mobile App: Ramp Wins
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit Small Business Score | 2.5 out of 5 | 3.0 out of 5 |
| Accessibility | iOS | Android and iOS |
| Invoice Customers | ✕ | ✕ |
| Send Estimates & Sales Receipts | ✕ | ✕ |
| Pay Bills | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automated Workflows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Virtual Card Management | ✕ | ✓ |
| Bill/Receipt Scanning | ✕ | ✓ |
| Submit Reimbursements | ✕ | ✓ |
Ramp’s mobile app is much more robust than Melio’s, which is limited to iOS users. While both providers offer bill payments and allow for automated workflows, Ramp’s additional features include virtual card management, bill and receipt scanning, and the ability to submit expense reimbursements. Because of these additional features, I consider Ramp the leader in this category.
Author’s Note:
My evaluation of the mobile app is a subcriteria of the Special A/P features in our rubric. However, I am including this as a separate section to help you decide which software to pick if mobile app functionality matters the most in your decision.
Customer Support: Tie
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Support Hours | Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time | Daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Community Support | ✕ | ✕ |
| Email Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live Chat Support | ✓a | ✕ |
| Phone Support | ✕b | ✓a |
| Searchable Knowledge Base | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online Help Resources | ✓ | ✓ |
| a Within business hours b Available only to paid subscribers | ||
Overall, Melio and Ramp are tied in terms of customer support. What heavily differentiates them is phone and live chat support. If you prefer phone support, Ramp is the better option. But if you’re fine chatting with someone, choose Melio.
How I Evaluated Ramp vs Melio
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Melio pay instantly?
Yes, electronic payments usually arrive within minutes, while ACH transfers are sent on the same day.
Is Melio a payment gateway?
No, Melio is software used to process invoices and payments. A payment gateway is an intermediary that facilitates electronic payments. Examples of payment gateways are PayPal, Apple Pay, and Amazon Pay.
Does Ramp issue 1099s?
No, Ramp doesn’t issue 1099s but allows you to export vendor tax information for 1099 vendors.
Is Ramp free to use?
Yes, Ramp is free to use unless you subscribe to its paid plan.
Bottom Line
Melio is an excellent solution for streamlining A/P, simplifying vendor payments, and digitizing bill management. Ramp, on the other hand, offers robust expense management tools, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking to manage employee spending and enhance financial control.
To select the best platform, you must assess your financial priorities and weigh them against the features offered by Melio and Ramp.
User review references:
