Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Cleo Pay

cleo-pay.com

From $79/mo Free plan WebiOSAndroidAPI
Visit cleo-pay.com
Spec score 9.4 #1 of 26 in Contractor Payment Software

What it is

Cleo Pay automates accounts payable for small and mid-sized businesses, including invoice intake, approvals, vendor onboarding, ACH payments, W-9 collection, 1099 compliance, and QuickBooks Online sync. Users can forward invoices by email or upload a photo; AI extracts vendor, amount, and line-item details and maps expenses to QuickBooks accounts. Approval chains can be set by amount, GL code, or vendor, and approvers can act by email or mobile. Businesses can schedule ACH transfers and track their status. Vendors use a web link to submit W-9 information and connect a bank through Plaid, without downloading an app or paying account fees. The two-way QuickBooks Online connection syncs vendor records, invoices, bills, payments, and chart-of-accounts data. Cleo Pay says Plaid uses OAuth, sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and payment workflows include audit trails. Its free Get Paid plan is for vendors and contractors, with one user seat and incoming payments only. Paid plans begin at $99 a month and include monthly payment allowances, with extra-payment charges. The service also provides a REST API.

Spec sheet

What it does
Cleo Pay is a financial operations platform for hospitality and service businesses that manages invoices, vendor onboarding, approvals, ACH payouts, receivables, cards and budgets.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Product
Cleo Pay automates accounts payable for small and mid-sized businesses, including invoices, ACH payments, W-9 collection, 1099 compliance, and QuickBooks sync.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Security
The company says Plaid bank connections use OAuth, credentials do not touch Cleo Pay servers, and sensitive data is encrypted at rest and in transit.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Support
The contact page says customer support replies within one business day and provides [email protected].Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Headquarters
New York, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Founded
2025Read 28 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
1099 compliance
Cleo collects W-9s, tracks contractor totals, prepares 1099 forms and supports electronic filing.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
ACH payments
The service supports standard ACH, next-day or same-day transfers, with payment status tracking and scheduling.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Additional safeguards
Cleo Pay says its vendor onboarding includes TIN verification and its payment workflow includes audit trails.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
AI Finance Manager
Growth and higher plans include an assistant that answers questions about bills, vendors and cash in plain English.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
AI invoice scanning
Users can upload or email invoices and Cleo extracts vendors, amounts, dates and line items, then maps expenses to QuickBooks accounts.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
API and MCP
The Cleo Pay API and MCP server are included with Max and Custom plans for connecting agents such as Claude or ChatGPT.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Approval workflows
Invoices can follow single-step, multi-step or custom approval rules based on amount, GL code, vendor or location.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Approvals
Approval chains can be set by amount, GL code, or vendor, and approvers can approve from email or mobile.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Cards
Every subscription plan includes commercial charge cards, while Max adds budgeting by team, event or venue.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Company locations
LinkedIn says Cleo Pay is based in New York and Miami.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company size on LinkedIn
LinkedIn lists Cleo Pay as privately held with 2–10 employees and eight discoverable employees.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Core audience
The company says Cleo Pay is built for hospitality and service businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and event production companies.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Developer access
Cleo Pay provides a REST API with endpoints for payables, contacts, bank accounts, and payments.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.cleo-pay.com
Developer documentation
The website links to a separate developers area described as API documentation and integration tools.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Eligibility limit
Terms restrict the service to United States residents or U.S.-registered businesses with a U.S. bank account and tax ID.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Founded year
LinkedIn lists Cleo Pay as founded in 2024.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Funding
FinTech Futures reported that the founders and angel investors self-funded Cleo Pay, with Dwolla and Plaid supplying payment and open-banking infrastructure.Read 14 Oct 2026 · fintechfutures.com
Geographic limitation
Terms state that Cleo facilitates payments between U.S.-based businesses and U.S.-based contractors, vendors and sole proprietors.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Independent funding record
Gritt lists one investor, Steve Kaplan, and records the latest funding in December 2025.Read 14 Oct 2026 · gritt.io
Integration
Cleo Pay syncs vendor records, invoices, bills, payments, and chart-of-accounts data with QuickBooks Online using a two-way connection.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Invoice capture
Users can forward invoices by email or upload a photo, and AI extracts vendor, amount, and line-item details and maps expenses to QuickBooks accounts.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Limit: no API on lower tiers
Starter and Growth exclude the Cleo Pay API, MCP server and custom integrations.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Limit: proprietary licensing
The reviewed pages do not publish an open-source license or self-hosting option; service access is governed by Cleo Financial Inc. terms.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Limit: usage caps
Paid plans cap included outgoing payments at 20, 100 or 300 per month, with per-payment charges above the allowance.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Limits
The pricing page includes 15, 50, or 100 monthly payments in the Basic, Plus, and Pro plans respectively, with per-payment charges for amounts above each plan allowance.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Mobile app
The iOS App Store lists Cleo Pay Mobile App as a free iPhone/iPad business app; it is not verified for macOS.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Notable news: launch
FinTech Futures reported Cleo Pay’s market debut as an AP automation platform on October 8, 2025.Read 14 Oct 2026 · fintechfutures.com
Notable news: processing milestone
The July 24, 2026 changelog entry says Cleo surpassed $10 million processed across more than 17,000 payments, 60 customer organizations and 7,000 vendors.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Notable update: permissions
A May 15, 2026 update added unlimited custom roles with granular view, approve, pay and report permissions.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Payment links
Businesses can create invoice links or QR codes for customers to pay by bank or card.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Payment risk limitation
Terms say payments may be delayed, rejected, reversed or held for compliance, security, fraud or insufficient-funds reviews.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Payments
Businesses can pay vendors by ACH, schedule future payments, and track transfers through scheduled, processing, paid, or error status.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Praise: invoice and payment ease
App Store reviewers highlight quick invoice scanning and sending payments as easily as consumer payment apps.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Praise: time savings
App Store reviewers repeatedly praise reduced payment-processing time and easier organization of many vendors and contractors.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
QuickBooks integration
Cleo synchronizes bills, vendors, payments and chart-of-accounts data with QuickBooks in both directions.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Rating on Apple App Store
5.0 out of 5 from 9 ratingsRead 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on G2
0 out of 5 from 0 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Security controls
The features page states that Cleo uses bank-level encryption, TIN verification and Plaid OAuth.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Vendor access
Vendors can complete onboarding and receive payments through a web link without downloading an app or paying account fees.Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Vendor onboarding
Vendors receive a link or QR code to submit W-9 information and connect a bank through Plaid without needing a Cleo account.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com

Plans and prices

Get Paid Free free forever send invoices · receive unlimited payments from Cleo Pay customers Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Starter $79 a month yearly ($948/year; regular $99/mo) 2 seats · 20 payments/month · charge cards · AI bill scanning · extra payments $3 each Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Basic $99 a month $99/mo independent business operators · 15 payments/month · $3/additional payment · 1 user seat Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Venues & Promoters Plus $199 a month $199/mo venues & promotion companies · 50 payments/month · $2.50/additional payment · 3 user seats Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Growth $239 a month yearly ($2,868/year; regular $299/mo) 5 seats · 100 payments/month · AI Finance Manager · same-day payments · guided migration · extra payments $2 each Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Pro $299 a month $299/mo 100 payments/month · $2/additional payment · 10 user seats · dedicated support Read 30 Sep 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Max $399 a month yearly ($4,788/year; regular $499/mo) 15 seats · 300 payments/month · API and MCP access · AI budgeting · extra payments $1 each Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com
Custom Priced on request unlimited seats · volume payment pricing · multiple venues/entities · custom integrations Read 14 Oct 2026 · cleo-pay.com

Every Cleo Pay plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Captures invoices by email or photo.
  • Supports scheduled ACH payments and transfer tracking.
  • Two-way QuickBooks Online sync.
  • Vendors can onboard through a web link.

Limits

  • Free plan excludes outbound payments.
  • Paid plans limit monthly payment counts.
  • Extra payments incur per-payment charges.

Who it suits

Cleo Pay is aimed at small and mid-sized businesses, particularly hospitality and service businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and event production companies. Its free plan is oriented toward vendors and contractors receiving payments.

Cleo Pay in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Cleo Pay is accounts-payable software for small and mid-sized businesses, with a particular fit for hospitality and service operators handling recurring vendor bills. Its strongest case is a single workflow from invoice capture through approval and ACH payment, tied to QuickBooks Online; the trade-off is a monthly payment quota on every outbound-payment plan.

Businesses can invite vendors to onboard and receive payment through a web link, without an app download or vendor account fee. A REST API also exposes payables, contacts, bank accounts, and payments.

Key features

Invoice capture and accounting

Invoices can be forwarded by email or uploaded as photos. AI extracts vendor, amount, and line-item details, then maps expenses to QuickBooks accounts. The two-way QuickBooks Online connection syncs vendor records, invoices, bills, payments, and chart-of-accounts data. That makes Cleo Pay a more natural fit for businesses already operating in QuickBooks Online than for teams seeking a broad choice of accounting integrations.

Vendor onboarding and approvals

Vendors receive an invitation link to submit W-9 information and connect a bank account through Plaid for ACH payments. Cleo Pay says it verifies TINs; vendors can complete the process without installing an app or paying account fees. Approval chains can be set by amount, GL code, or vendor, with approvals available by email or mobile. Those rules can accommodate different spending controls, though the plan seat limits matter when several staff members need access.

Payments and safeguards

Businesses can send ACH payments, schedule them for later, and track each transfer as scheduled, processing, paid, or error. The company says Plaid connections use OAuth, bank credentials do not touch Cleo Pay servers, and sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Audit trails add a record to the payment workflow. Support is by email, with a personalized 15-minute onboarding call for setup help and payment issues.

Pricing

The free Get Paid plan is for vendors and contractors: it has one user seat and unlimited incoming payments, but includes no outbound payments. It is useful for receiving payments, not for a business that needs to pay its own vendors.

Basic costs $99 a month, billed $99/mo. It includes one seat and 15 payments per month, then charges $3 per additional payment. This is the entry point for independent business operators, but the single seat and relatively small allowance make it a narrow fit for teams or higher-volume payables.

Venues & Promoters Plus costs $199 a month, billed $199/mo. Its 50 monthly payments, $2.50 additional-payment charge, and three seats suit venues and promotion companies with moderate volume and more than one approver. Pro costs $299 a month, billed $299/mo, and includes 100 payments, ten seats, $2 per additional payment, and dedicated support. It is the more appropriate tier for larger teams or heavier payment runs; its higher monthly commitment only makes sense if those added seats and allowance are useful.

All paid plans charge for payments above their allowance, so expected monthly volume should guide the choice as much as the seat count.

Platforms

Cleo Pay supports Android, iOS, web, and API access. Scheduled payments, tax-form support, contractor self-service, and accounting integrations are included in its capabilities.

Who it's for

Cleo Pay is best suited to restaurants, hotels, event production companies, and other service businesses that want invoice handling, vendor onboarding, approvals, and ACH payment tracking connected to QuickBooks Online. It is less suitable for businesses needing outbound payments on a free plan, substantially more than 100 payments per month without overage charges, or a non-QuickBooks accounting connection.

Pros and cons

Pros: Email and photo invoice intake feed AI extraction and QuickBooks account mapping, reducing the gap between receipt and coding.

Pros: Vendor onboarding combines W-9 collection, TIN verification, and Plaid bank connection, while vendors can use a link without app installation or fees.

Pros: Approval rules can be based on amount, GL code, or vendor, and approvers can respond by email or mobile.

Cons: The free plan cannot send outbound payments, so businesses must move to a paid tier to pay vendors.

Cons: Paid plans cap monthly payments and charge per extra payment, adding cost uncertainty for variable or high-volume months.

Cons: Basic has one seat, and even Pro tops out at ten, which may constrain larger approval teams.

Alternatives

For contractor-payment and payroll needs beyond Cleo Pay's accounts-payable focus, compare the Contractor Payment Software category.

Zoho Payroll is worth considering when payroll is the priority: its free plan covers up to 10 employees with basic payroll and email support, and it also has a paid annual-billing option.

PayWow may suit teams paying contractors by check: its free Basic plan allows unlimited contractors but has limited reports, while its Pro plan is $9 a month.

BuildFair is an alternative for construction project participants; its free Owner plan gives invited owners project access.

Payoneer Payer is another option for businesses with higher payment volumes, with custom pricing and fees that vary by method and location.

Petl Pay is an alternative in the contractor-payment space.

OnPay is a payroll alternative with a $49 a month base fee plus $6 per worker per month; it includes unlimited pay runs and schedules, W-2s, 1099s, and year-end filings.

Plane Contractor Management is worth considering for contractor and employee administration, with a free HRIS plan that includes hiring and onboarding tasks, a directory, custom reports, holidays, and time tracking.

IRIS Practice Engine is another paid alternative.

Verdict

Choose Cleo Pay if your hospitality or service business runs vendor payables through QuickBooks Online and needs invoice capture, configurable approvals, and scheduled ACH in one workflow. Its vendor self-service and accounting sync are compelling; look elsewhere if you need free outbound payments, higher payment volume without per-payment overages, or more seats than Pro provides.

Verdict

Cleo Pay combines invoice processing, approvals, vendor onboarding, payment tracking, and accounting sync. Review each plan’s payment allowance and added-payment charge alongside the number of user seats you need.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Cleo PayAll alternatives →