BILL vs Melio
Both handle bill pay. BILL (formerly Bill.com) is a fuller AP/AR platform with approvals, sync, and controls for growing businesses and firms. Melio is a free, simple bill-pay tool for small businesses. Pick BILL for approvals and scale; Melio for free, no-frills bill pay.
Head to head
| BILL | Melio | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $45/mo | From $25/mo |
| Best for | Firms & growing SMBs | Small businesses wanting free AP |
| Approvals | Yes | Basic |
| AR (invoicing) | Yes | Limited |
| Price | From ~$45/user/mo | Free (fees on some methods) |
| Known for | AP/AR automation | Free bill pay |
Which should you choose?
Choose BILL if…
- You need approval workflows
- You want AP and AR in one
- You need accounting sync and controls
- You are a firm managing many clients
Choose Melio if…
- You want free bill pay
- You run a simple small-business AP
- You want to pay by card into a bank account
- You want minimal setup
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Frequently asked
Is BILL or Melio better?
BILL is better for approval workflows and scale; Melio is better for free, simple bill pay at a small business.
Is Melio really free?
Yes, core bank-transfer bill pay is free. Fees apply for card payments and instant transfers.
Which is better for accounting firms?
BILL, because it adds approvals, AR, and client-management features firms need.
Do they sync with accounting software?
Both integrate with QuickBooks, Xero, and others; BILL's sync and controls are deeper.