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Edited by: Kimberlee Leonard
 and Reviewed: Kimberlee Leonard

Emburse Abacus Review: Features, Pricing & Alternatives 2023

Author: | Sep 12, 2023

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Go Sifter Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.

Getting reimbursed for expenses is a top priority for employees. It’s a top priority for businesses, too, especially those that don’t want to lose top talent over long reimbursement lag times. Emburse Abacus reviews typically focus on how the app streamlines the expense reporting and reimbursement process

With Emburse Abacus, you’ll get expense tracking that operates in the background, capturing information to save time. If you’re looking for a real-time expense-reporting solution, the Emburse Abacus expense tracking tool might be a good fit. Read on to see if it’s the right choice for your small business.

In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the fundamental characteristics, pricing structures, and broad benefits of Emburse Abacus. We will also thoroughly examination of key factors such as customer service, integration capabilities, pros and cons, and more.

Pros

  • Customizable pricing lets you build the environment you need
  • Notifications allow expenses to be approved quickly
  • App is scalable to grow with your business

Cons

  • Customer support only available by phone
  • No free trial
  • Non-transparent pricing makes it tough to comparison shop

When to Use Emburse Abacus

  • Your business is growing: Abacus pricing is based on your unique business needs, and that pricing can be adjusted as you grow. This makes it a highly scalable solution.
  • You track on the go: The Emburse Abacus mobile app makes it easy to enter expenses while traveling. With real-time approvals, this on-the-go reporting can speed up approval and reimbursement.
  • Your approval team is active: One of the best things about Emburse Abacus is its real-time approvals. If your team can respond to notifications quickly, you’ll see a faster turnaround than with other apps.

When to Use Something Else

  • You need full-service accounting: Emburse Abacus is specific to expense tracking. If you need an all-in-one solution, another app might be a better option.
  • You’re an extremely small business: Although the Emburse Abacus cost is based on your needs, there are apps that do the job at an affordable monthly price. If you have a limited flow of employees and activity, those will likely be better for you.
  • You want to try before you buy: Although Emburse does offer a demo, there’s no option to try the app out for free before committing. If you prefer hands-on experience when choosing an app, Emburse might not be the best choice.

Deciding Factors

PricePricing is customized to each business’s needs.
Ease of Use3/5: Users report the learning curve being higher with Emburse Abacus than with similar solutions.
Support3/5: Although Emburse does provide a knowledgebase and customer support number, some users report difficulty getting help when they need it.
Scalability5/5: Emburse Abacus is built to scale with your business. You’ll simply add on the services and users you need as your business grows.
Number of Users5/5: There’s no limit on the number of employees who can be added to Emburse Abacus.

Emburse Abacus Pricing and Features

You’ll notice many Abacus reviews cite a tiered pricing structure, but Emburse Abacus eliminated that option in favor of custom pricing. Previously, you could get an Emburse Abacus small business plan for only $9 per user per month. There were also enterprise and custom plans.

Now that Emburse has switched Abacus to custom quotes, it’s tough to say if small businesses can secure a plan for $9 a month. The good news is, you’ll only use the features you need, so this could save you money when compared to a solution that doesn’t offer this customization.

Depending on your needs, you can add some or all of the following features to your Emburse Abacus plan:

  • Automated workflow management
  • Integrated direct deposit
  • Controls to manage expenses
  • Corporate card reconciliation
  • Mileage tracking
  • Basic integration with popular accounting apps and CRMs
  • Detailed audit trail
  • Real-time approval notifications

Emburse Abacus Advantages & Disadvantages

PROSCONS
Real-time reporting and approvalLimited to expense tracking
Receipt capture helps you go paperlessPricing is not transparent
Compatible with other Emburse appsCustomer service can be limited
Built-in app controls let you manage corporate spending

Emburse Abacus Customer Service

When it comes to customer support, Emburse Abacus reviews are mixed. Some customers report difficulty getting help while others praise tech support.

When you click on the link for support on the Emburse Abacus website, you’re immediately directed to a knowledgebase to look up your particular issue. While this section includes all the basics, many users need something a little more specific.

That’s where the phone number comes in. Emburse directs customers to call (877) EMBURSE for support. No hours are provided with this, although it is notable that some Emburse applications advertise premium support. This support level promises to skip members ahead of the line, with a guaranteed two-hour response. That can give you a general idea of the wait times you might expect when you need help with your Emburse Abacus expense reporting.

Emburse Abacus Integrations

Depending on what type of Emburse Abacus pricing you’re hoping for, the app comes with a range of integrations. You can link up to some of the most popular accounting tools, including Xero, QuickBooks Online, and QuickBooks Desktop. It also works with many popular productivity and travel apps.

As you’re reading Abacus reviews, though, consider that customized pricing opens up the full suite of Emburse integrations. This includes content management solutions (CMS), enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and accounting solutions like Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and Netsuite. Emburse Abacus also has an application programming interface (API) that can help you customize the solution to work within your existing environment.

Is Emburse Abacus Worth It? The Final Verdict

If you have a steady stream of expenses coming through your accounting department, Emburse Abacus could be well worth it. Abacus reviews factor in issues like customer support and ease of use, but with a customizable solution like this, you can easily make it exactly the app you need. That also means the Emburse Abacus cost could be lower than other platforms, where you pay for features you won’t necessarily use. But for small businesses, it might be more complicated than you need, so it’s important to comparison shop before settling on an app.

FAQS

Does Emburse Abacus provide an API?

Emburse Abacus provides an API to select customers. If you’re interested in adding this feature, be sure to mention it when you’re discussing pricing.

What is Emburse Abacus used for?
Who uses Emburse Abacus?
What is Emburse Abacus?
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