Circulus vs Settle

Circulus automates accounts payable and bill processing for enterprises and small-to-medium businesses. Its cloud platform routes invoices through multi-step, rules-based approvals, codes line items, supports role-based access and handles multiple entities. Purchase orders can be matched on a touchless two-, three- or four-way basis. Invoice capture uses OCR, email and uploads; other intake routes include web forms, feeds, EDI/XML, FTP, PO box services and a web scan interface. Circulus says its extraction handles semi-structured and handwritten data with 99%+ accuracy from day one. Users can track activity through audit trails, search, dashboards, reporting and internal communication tools. Payments include checks, ACH and virtual cards, with supplier onboarding and payment notifications for ACH and virtual cards. Android and iOS apps support invoice access, review and approval. Named integrations include QuickBooks Online and Desktop, Sage 100 Contractor and Oracle R-12. The Circulus AP Automation plan is $481 a month; additional users cost $36/month on limited-access plans, with per-payment fees of ACH $0.49, check $1.69 and virtual card free. An SMB trial runs 30 days; full SMB bill-payment features require an active QuickBooks account.

Settle is web-based accounts payable automation for high-growth consumer and CPG brands. It captures invoice data, matches bills to purchase orders, routes approvals, and schedules payments without manual data entry. Approval rules can be based on vendor, amount, or accounting category, with single-step or multi-tier workflows. Payment methods include ACH, paper checks, domestic wires, and international payments in 40+ currencies. Approved bills and payments can sync with QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Xero, and Finaloop. The free Launch plan includes unlimited seats and transactions; international wires cost $15.00. Accelerate costs $199 a month, billed monthly, and includes free international wires, a dedicated success manager, and white-glove onboarding support. Settle Working Capital offers non-dilutive funding with flexible 30–120 day repayment terms. Launch also includes procurement, landed costs, AI invoice data extraction, bills of materials, vendor management, and automated W-9/W-8 collection. Settle states that it is SOC 2 Type II Certified.