Best Airbase Alternatives For Startups- 2025

Key Takeaways

• Every.io emerges as the most comprehensive alternative, offering complete back-office functionality beyond just spend management - from incorporation to taxes in one unified platform 
• Airbase's acquisition by Paylocity for $325M has shifted its focus to mid-market companies (100-5,000 employees), creating gaps for early-stage startups 
• Pre-funded card models like Airbase's require maintaining cash balances, conflicting with startup cash preservation needs 
• Implementation complexity matters - Airbase users report 5-month onboarding while alternatives like Every offer same-day setup 
• The average startup juggles 10+ disparate financial tools, making unified platforms increasingly valuable for operational efficiency 
• Total cost of ownership extends beyond subscription fees to include integration costs, implementation time, and operational overhead 
• Platform consolidation is accelerating in 2025, with integrated solutions replacing point solutions across the startup ecosystem

1. Every.io - The Complete Back-Office Solution

Every.io stands apart from traditional spend management platforms by offering your entire back office in one place. While competitors focus solely on expense management and corporate cards, Every provides a comprehensive solution that eliminates the need for multiple vendors across your financial stack.

Why Every Excels Where Airbase Falls Short

Unlike Airbase's pre-funded card model that ties up precious startup capital, Every's banking solution provides FDIC-insured business checking with corporate cards offering 3% cash-back on debit purchases - without requiring large cash reserves. The platform enables same-day setup from C-corp incorporation to operational banking, compared to Airbase's reported 5-month implementation timeline.

Comprehensive Feature Set Built for Startups

Every's platform encompasses six integrated modules that work seamlessly together:

Banking & Cards: Get started with FDIC-insured checking, unlimited virtual and physical cards, ACH/wire capabilities, and bill pay - all without minimum balance requirements. The 3% cash-back debit card program helps startups extend runway while maintaining spending control.

Payroll & HR: Full-service U.S. payroll processing with automated tax filings, contractor payments globally, and benefits enrollment. Unlike piecing together Airbase with separate HR tools, Every provides unified employee management from onboarding through payments.

Bookkeeping: AI-powered categorization combined with dedicated bookkeeper support delivers GAAP-compliant financial statements without the $2,000+ monthly cost of services like Pilot. The native integration between banking and bookkeeping eliminates reconciliation headaches.

Treasury Management: Automatic T-bill sweeps for idle cash help startups earn yield on reserves - a critical advantage when every dollar counts. This feature alone can generate thousands in additional runway.

Tax Compliance: Federal and state corporate tax filing, R&D credit optimization, Delaware franchise tax, and 1099 processing - all handled by experts who understand startup-specific requirements.

Incorporation & Compliance: Free Delaware C-corp formation with EIN, 83(b) elections, registered agent service, and ongoing compliance reminders.

Pricing Transparency and Value

Every offers transparent, startup-friendly pricing starting free for incorporation and banking. The comprehensive platform eliminates the hidden costs of managing multiple vendors - no more paying for Stripe Atlas ($500), Gusto ($40+/month), Pilot ($600+/month), and separate banking fees. Compare Every to traditional alternatives to see the full cost savings.

Built by Founders, for Founders

Every was created specifically for the YC and startup ecosystem, with partnerships across major accelerators including Techstars, Antler, and 500 Global. The platform handles the unique challenges startups face, from managing burn rate to preparing for fundraising.

Success Stories and Recognition

Every recently raised $22.5M Series A to expand its platform and was named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies 2025. Thousands of startups have consolidated their back-office operations onto Every, from AI companies to e-commerce brands.

2. Ramp - Automated Expense Management

Ramp has captured significant market share with its "expenses that submit themselves" approach and free core platform. The company's valuation jumped to $22.5 billion in 2025, reflecting strong adoption among cost-conscious startups.

Strengths: Free unlimited corporate cards, 1.5% cashback on all purchases, automated receipt matching, and robust spending controls. Ramp's AI-powered categorization achieves high accuracy rates and integrates well with major accounting platforms.

Limitations: Lacks integrated banking, payroll, and compliance features. Startups still need separate vendors for incorporation, HR, bookkeeping, and taxes. The platform focuses primarily on expense management rather than comprehensive financial operations.

Pricing: Free for core features; paid plans start at $15/user/month for advanced features.

Best For: Series A+ startups that already have established financial infrastructure and need dedicated expense management.

3. Brex - Enterprise-Grade Spend Management

Brex serves one in three venture-backed startups with its points-based rewards system and global capabilities. The platform offers sophisticated spend controls and higher credit limits than traditional cards.

Strengths: Dynamic credit limits up to 20x higher than traditional cards, 7x points on rideshares, global acceptance in 210 countries, no personal guarantees required.

Limitations: Requires $50,000 minimum cash balance, making it inaccessible for early-stage startups. Complex rewards structure and limited integration with broader back-office functions.

Pricing: Free software with qualifying deposits; premium features available at custom pricing.

Best For: Well-funded startups with significant cash reserves and international operations.

4. Mercury - Banking Plus Spend Management

Mercury combines banking with spend management, serving over 200,000 startups. The platform recently added free bill pay and corporate cards to compete with dedicated expense platforms.

Strengths: Integrated banking and cards eliminate one vendor relationship. Free ACH and domestic wires, 1.5% cashback on cards, API access for custom integrations.

Limitations: Spend management features less mature than dedicated platforms. Recent compliance issues led to account closures in 37 countries. No integrated payroll, bookkeeping, or tax services.

Pricing: Free for core banking and cards; treasury and advanced features require minimum balances.

Best For: Startups prioritizing banking integration over comprehensive spend management features.

5. Divvy (BILL Spend & Expense) - Budget-Focused Management

Following Bill.com's $2.5 billion acquisition, Divvy offers free expense management software with built-in budgeting controls and credit lines from $500 to $5 million.

Strengths: Completely free software, real-time budget tracking, automatic expense reports, no annual fees.

Limitations: Users report platform stability issues. Complex rewards structure requires 30% credit utilization monthly. Rewards locked for first 12 months. Limited mobile functionality.

Pricing: Free software; earns revenue through interchange fees.

Best For: Small businesses with predictable expenses and strong budgeting discipline.

6. Expensify - The Legacy Option

Expensify pioneered receipt scanning technology but increasingly shows its age compared to modern alternatives. The platform maintains relevance through deep accounting integrations and mature workflows.

Strengths: Industry-leading SmartScan technology, extensive accounting integrations, established workflows for complex approval chains.

Limitations: Dated interface, per-user pricing model expensive for growing teams, limited corporate card options, no integrated banking or broader financial services.

Pricing: $5-9 per user per month depending on features.

Best For: Established companies with complex reimbursement needs and existing Expensify workflows.

Making the Right Choice for Your Startup

When evaluating Airbase alternatives, consider your startup's complete operational needs. While point solutions like Ramp and Brex excel at expense management, they perpetuate the vendor sprawl that creates operational inefficiency. Research shows that startups using integrated platforms save 30+ hours monthly on financial operations.

Every.io's comprehensive approach eliminates the integration challenges, data silos, and operational overhead that come from stitching together multiple tools. From incorporating in Delaware to managing payroll taxes across states, Every provides the complete infrastructure startups need to scale efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are startups moving away from Airbase in 2025?

Airbase's acquisition by Paylocity has shifted its focus to mid-market companies (100-5,000 employees). Early-stage startups face challenges with Airbase's pre-funded card model, 5-month implementation timeline, complex procurement workflows designed for larger organizations, and lack of integrated banking, payroll, and compliance features. The platform's mobile app issues and inability to reject transactions for correction create additional friction for fast-moving startups.

How does Every.io's pricing compare to using multiple vendors?

Every.io provides transparent, consolidated pricing that typically saves startups 40-60% compared to using separate vendors. Traditional setups might include Stripe Atlas ($500), Gusto ($40+/month), Pilot ($600+/month), Brex or Ramp (free but limited), plus banking fees. Every combines all these services starting free for incorporation and banking, with comprehensive pricing that scales with your company. The time savings from unified operations and eliminated integration work provides additional value beyond direct cost comparisons.

Can I migrate from Airbase to Every.io mid-year?

Yes, Every.io supports seamless mid-year migrations with dedicated onboarding specialists who handle data transfer, historical transaction import, and system setup. Unlike Airbase's 5-month implementation, Every typically completes migrations within days. The platform's bookkeeping team ensures continuity in financial reporting, and the unified system eliminates the reconciliation challenges common with vendor switches.

What integrations does Every.io support?

Every.io integrates with major accounting platforms, supports API access for custom workflows, and connects with popular startup tools. However, the platform's comprehensive nature reduces integration needs - banking, payroll, bookkeeping, and taxes work natively together without separate connections. This contrasts with Airbase's approach of requiring extensive integrations to achieve full functionality. Check Every's vendor marketplace for specific integration details.

How does Every.io handle international contractors?

Every.io processes contractor payments globally through its payroll platform, handling currency conversion, tax documentation, and compliance requirements. Unlike Airbase which focuses on expense management, Every provides complete contractor lifecycle management from onboarding through payment. The platform automatically generates 1099s for U.S. contractors and manages international tax forms, eliminating the need for separate EOR services.

Is Every.io suitable for venture-backed startups?

Absolutely. Every.io is built specifically for venture-backed startups, with partnerships across major accelerators like Y Combinator, Techstars, and 500 Global. The platform handles the unique requirements of high-growth companies, from raising capital with a C-corp structure to managing rapid team scaling. Every's treasury management helps startups maximize runway between funding rounds.

What makes Every.io better than combining Ramp with other tools?

While Ramp excels at expense management, combining it with separate banking, payroll, bookkeeping, and tax tools creates operational complexity. Every.io eliminates data silos, reduces reconciliation errors, provides unified financial reporting, requires only one vendor relationship, and offers consistent support across all functions. The integrated approach saves 30+ hours monthly on financial operations and provides the comprehensive view investors expect. Learn more about Every's advantages over traditional combinations.

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