Basware vs Esker Accounts Payable
AP automation head-to-head for ERP teams: evidenced capabilities, published pricing, and which ERPs each actually integrates with.
| Starting price | Quote-based | Quote-based |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Company size | Mid-market, Enterprise | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Stated ERP integrations | SAP, Oracle Fusion Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, NetSuite | Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, Oracle Fusion Cloud, NetSuite, Sage X3 |
| Vendor | Basware | Esker |
Our take
Where Basware leads
- Stronger evidenced coverage on 10 of the 21 capabilities where they differ (led by segregation-of-duties controls and e-invoicing network / clearance model support).
Where Esker Accounts Payable leads
- Stronger evidenced coverage on 11 of the 21 capabilities where they differ (led by touchless / no-touch processing and budget / commitment checks).
- Stated Sage X3 integration the alternative doesn't list.
Where they differ
The 21 capabilities (of 49 in the AP automation taxonomy) where the evidence separates them, biggest gaps first. “Not evidenced” means our research found no public documentation of this capability — the vendor may still offer it. Confirm on a demo.
| Capability | ||
|---|---|---|
| Touchless / no-touch processingInvoice Capture & Data Extraction | Not evidenced | Core strength |
| Budget / commitment checksMatching, Coding & Exceptions | Not evidenced | Core strength |
| Segregation-of-duties controlsApproval Workflow & Controls | Core strength | Not evidenced |
| E-invoicing network / clearance model supportE-Invoicing & Global Compliance | Core strength Open e-invoicing network across 180+ countries, incl. clearance-model support | Not evidenced |
| Country-specific tax and statutory complianceE-Invoicing & Global Compliance | Core strength | Not evidenced |
| AI that learns from correctionsPlatform, AI & Integration | Not evidenced | Core strength |
| Non-PO invoice handlingInvoice Capture & Data Extraction | Not evidenced | Supported |
| Mobile approvalsApproval Workflow & Controls | Not evidenced | Supported |
| Approval reminders and escalationsApproval Workflow & Controls | Not evidenced | Supported |
| Digital supplier onboardingSupplier Onboarding & Management | Supported | Not evidenced |
| In-platform vendor communicationSupplier Onboarding & Management | Not evidenced | Supported Supplier inquiry handling |
| Payment reconciliation to the ERPGlobal Payments & Disbursement | Not evidenced | Supported |
| Early-payment / dynamic discountingGlobal Payments & Disbursement | Not evidenced | Supported |
| Regulatory mandate monitoring and updatesE-Invoicing & Global Compliance | Supported | Not evidenced |
| Document validation and archivingE-Invoicing & Global Compliance | Supported | Not evidenced |
| Spend visibility and analyticsReporting & Analytics | Supported | Not evidenced |
| Multi-entity / multi-subsidiary supportPlatform, AI & Integration | Supported | Not evidenced |
| Automated GL codingMatching, Coding & Exceptions | Core strength SmartCoding automated coding and routing | Supported |
| Self-service supplier portalSupplier Onboarding & Management | Supported Supplier onboarding to the e-invoicing network | Core strength |
| Domestic payment executionGlobal Payments & Disbursement | Not evidenced | Partial General payment-processing support; specifics not detailed |
| Cycle-time / process performance reportingReporting & Analytics | Supported | Partial Financial performance auditing mentioned; no explicit cycle-time metric |
Both grade identically on the other 28 capabilities — see each product's full profile: Basware, Esker Accounts Payable.
Basware vs Esker Accounts Payable — FAQs
Is Basware or Esker Accounts Payable better for ERP integration?
Both state integrations with SAP, Oracle Fusion Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, NetSuite. Esker Accounts Payable additionally lists Sage X3. Always verify the connector against your ERP version with a reference customer.
Which is cheaper, Basware or Esker Accounts Payable?
Neither publishes a list price — both quote. Ask each for the all-in first-year cost at your seat count, as one number, and compare those.
Get pricing for both
Tell us your ERP, seat count and must-haves and we'll come back with an independent view of what Basware and Esker Accounts Payable should each cost you — and whether a third option belongs on your shortlist.