Brex vs. Bill: Side-by-side breakdown for expense management

Both Brex and Bill (formerly Divvy) offer corporate cards, expense tracking, and budgeting tools as part of their expense management platform. But how they work, who they are built for, and what they require from your business can look very different.

Brex is designed for startups and larger companies with strong cash positions. Bill, on the other hand, prioritizes budgeting discipline. This makes it a better fit for teams that want to manage costs tightly from day one.

Comparing Brex vs. Bill corporate credit cards

Brex and Bill both make business spending easier, but they come from different roots in the accounts payable landscape.

Brex launched in 2017 and pivoted from a VR startup to solving one core problem: young companies struggled to get credit cards. They built a fintech platform offering charge cards, cash management, and automation.

Bill, originally an independent startup, focused on combining corporate cards with an expense management software that emphasizes proactive budgeting and control over spend. After Bill.com acquired Divvy in 2021 for $2.5 billion, it expanded as “BILL Spend & Expense,” adding tight spend policies and credit lines.

Which businesses qualify for Brex vs. Bill?

Both Brex and Bill serve U.S.-based businesses, but they evaluate applicants in different ways. This impacts who gets approved.

Brex takes a nontraditional approach to underwriting. It doesn’t require a personal credit check or guarantee. Instead, it reviews your company’s cash balance, revenue trends, and business model. To qualify, most startups need at least $50,000 in the bank. Brex may be a good option if you have raised funding, operate as a corporation or LLC, and want to avoid putting your personal credit on the line.

But it’s not open to everyone. Sole proprietors and unregistered freelancers are excluded, and Brex restricts access to industries like crypto, cannabis, and adult entertainment. The application process is fast. You can usually get approved within a day, but only if you meet the criteria.

Bill follows a more traditional credit model for its business credit cards and expense reporting. It runs a soft pull on your personal and business credit but doesn’t require a personal founder guarantee. Cash requirements are usually lower and require around $20,000 in your business account. That makes it more accessible for bootstrapped or early-stage companies that haven’t raised outside funding.

So, if your business has strong cash reserves but a limited credit history, Brex is likely the better fit. On the other hand, you should choose Bill if your business has solid credit but lower cash on hand.

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Corporate card features

Brex offers stronger card features if you want flexibility, speed, and higher spending power. It supports unlimited virtual cards, dynamic spending limits, and layered spend controls that scale with your business.

Bill is the better pick if you need strict budget enforcement and pre-set limits on every card. It’s built to prevent overspending and works best for teams that prioritize control over flexibility.

Virtual cards

Brex provides you with unlimited virtual cards at no additional cost. You can issue one for each vendor, subscription, or team member and set rules like auto-expiration or merchant locks through the management software. For companies managing dozens of software tools or contractors, this setup reduces risk and makes reconciliation easier.

Bill also offers virtual cards, but with a stronger focus on control. Each card is tied to a pre-approved budget within the expense management platform. You can’t overspend, which helps keep distributed teams in check. However, you may encounter volume or administrative friction if you frequently need to issue cards or frequently change budgets.

If you prioritize speed and flexibility, Brex wins. If you need upfront budget enforcement, Bill holds the edge.

Spend controls

Both platforms let you restrict spending by category, amount, or vendor, but they handle it differently.

Brex allows you to build layered policies. You can set department-wide rules, limit international usage, or flag transactions that break company policy. It’s designed for teams that need flexibility and oversight at the same time.

Bill’s controls are more rigid by design. You create a budget first, and every card is locked to it. That means no one can spend beyond what’s approved. While this keeps spending predictable, it can slow teams down if budget changes require admin approval.

Use Brex if you want flexible controls that adapt to your team's unique operating style. Choose Bill if you need hard stop limits on every card.

Credit limits

Brex offers dynamic credit based on real-time cash and revenue. If your business holds strong balances or growing income, you are likely to get a higher limit. Some users report 10 to 20 times the limits of traditional cards. There’s no hard ceiling as your business scales, and so does your spending power.

Bill works like a traditional credit line. Limits start low (often around $1,000) and increase with a history of usage and credit strength. For companies just getting started or managing tighter cash flow management, this can offer a safe entry point, but it might not scale quickly.

Brex is the better option if you're growing fast and want access to higher limits without reapplying. Bill is better if you prefer a fixed, credit-based approach and tighter control over your expenses.

Accounting and software integrations

Brex offers stronger accounting integrations overall, particularly if you rely on automation to expedite close cycles and minimize manual work. It supports real-time syncing with accounting software like NetSuite, QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, and Xero. Transactions are auto-coded using AI and custom spend rules, mapped to the correct GL accounts, and synced instantly.

Bill also integrates with major accounting platforms but works more like a traditional expense tool. Transactions sync only after receipts are uploaded and approvals are completed. It’s reliable and easy to set up but requires more manual input to keep everything updated.

Here’s how Brex and Bill compare on accounting and integration features:

Budgeting and expense management

If you’re looking for strong budgeting tools and clean expense workflows, both Brex and Bill deliver, just in very different ways. Your decision depends on whether you want automation with flexibility or pre-set control and structure.

Budget creation and enforcement

Bill uses a budget-first system that forces teams to plan their spending before it occurs. You assign budgets to departments, users, or projects, and every card is tied directly to those limits. If a budget runs out, the card gets declined.

This structure gives finance teams full control and ensures no one spends outside of their assigned amount. It’s ideal for businesses with fixed spending plans, approval layers, or distributed teams.

Brex, by contrast, uses policy-based controls rather than locked budgets. You can set rules around categories, vendors, or transaction limits, but the system allows flexibility.

Managers can override limits or approve exceptions if needed. For fast-moving teams or startups where spending shifts frequently, this model avoids bottlenecks while still maintaining oversight.

Real-time expense tracking

Both platforms offer real-time tracking, but they present the information in different ways.

Bill shows spending updates within each assigned budget. You will see a running tally of how much each team or project has used, how much is left, and who’s spending it. Alerts notify managers as budgets are depleted, giving you constant oversight.

Brex also updates in real-time but focuses more on centralized visibility. You receive a dashboard that categorizes spending by team, vendor, or policy group. Rather than checking each budget, you can see broader trends across the company and drill down as needed.

Approvals and policy enforcement

Bill bakes approvals into its budgeting flow. You create a budget and assign it to a team; any new spending outside that budget requires approval before the card is used. This model is well-suited for companies that require layered authorization and minimize policy violations.

Brex is built for speed. While it allows custom policies, flagged transactions, and post-spend reviews, it doesn’t enforce pre-approval unless configured manually. This approach suits businesses that trust their team leads to manage spending and want to minimize administrative friction.

Receipt capture and categorization

Bill requires users to upload receipts via mobile or desktop. You can’t close the books until receipts are submitted. This ensures compliance but puts the burden on users. Admins can easily track which receipts are missing and send follow-ups.

Brex automates most of this process. It uses email matching, merchant data, and machine learning to attach receipts automatically. Missing items get flagged for follow-up, but most are handled in the background.

Cashback and rewards

Brex and Bill both offer points-based rewards. But how you earn, redeem, and maximize value differs.

Brex offers a better rewards experience for modern teams. Its points are easier to earn, simpler to redeem, and don’t come with restrictions. Bill can offer higher rates in specific categories, but only if you commit to weekly repayments and stay within spending caps.

Earning rewards

Brex gives you fixed multipliers across common business categories. You earn 7x on rideshare, 4x on travel bookings, 3x on restaurants, 2x on software, and 1x on everything else without worrying about payment schedules or usage caps. This model works well if you have ongoing spending across multiple teams or tools.

Bill offers higher rewards in specific categories, such as 7x on restaurants and 5x on hotels, but only if you pay your balance on a weekly basis. If you choose monthly payments, those multipliers drop significantly. Bill also caps rewards on many categories at $5,000 per month.

Redemption

Brex makes redemption simple. You can use points for travel, statement credit, or transfer them to 7 airline partners. There’s no waiting period, no minimum balance and your points don’t expire.

Bill’s redemption is more restrictive. You can use points for travel, gift cards, or cash, but only after earning 5,000+points. Points expire after 12 months, and you must spend at least 30% of your credit line each month to retain them within the management solution.

Automation and AI tools

Brex leads in automation, and AI features with powerful tools that let your team operate hands-free. Its Brex Assistant uses AI to auto-generate receipts, assign categories, and fill in expense memos. Finance teams using Brex report saving up to 250 hours per year on manual expense management and compliance tasks.

Bill offers useful automation, but it's more workflow-driven than autonomous AI. When a user makes a purchase, Bill instantly logs it against a budget, sends reminders to upload receipts, and organizes spending reports. However, it does not use AI to make decisions or manage exceptions.

Every action, such as reclassifying an expense or updating a policy, requires manual steps. Teams that rely on Bill still report saving a few hours each month, but much of that comes from better structure, not intelligent automation.

The biggest difference comes down to how much you want the system to think for you. Brex reduces human involvement across categorization, approvals, and compliance. Bill automates the flow but leaves decisions and clean up to your team.

Ramp takes this a step further with AI-driven categorization and receipt capture via SMS, email, or vendor integrations like Amazon and Uber. It auto-codes over 90% of transactions, reducing friction at every step from swipe to close.

Security and compliance

Security is about controlling access, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring your team stays compliant without slowing down financial operations. For finance teams, the essentials usually include data encryption, access controls, audit logs, fraud detection, and regulatory certifications.

Both Brex and Bill cover the basics. But if you need deeper controls, stronger automation, or coverage across multiple compliance frameworks, Brex goes further. Bill handles security well for most SMBs. However, it does not offer the same level of configurability or certifications.

If safeguarding finances and meeting compliance standards is key, here’s how they compare:

Customer support and onboarding

Both Brex and Bill offer dedicated onboarding, but their approaches and paces differ.

Brex is better suited for companies that want a fast, guided setup for their business credit cards. Most users are onboarded in under a week. You get a dedicated onboarding specialist, real-time chat, and support from product experts who’ve helped scale fast-growing startups.

Users highlight the clarity and speed of Brex’s process, with many citing same-day card activation and live troubleshooting during setup. For small teams or companies moving quickly, the experience feels lightweight and immediate.

Bill, on the other hand, takes a more structured approach. You are assigned a launch manager who helps map budgets, integrate accounting systems, and train your team. Onboarding typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, depending on complexity.

The process is detailed and thorough, which works well for larger teams that need to roll out custom budgets and user roles across departments. Once live, Bill support scores high on reliability. However, urgent help may take longer compared to Brex’s real-time options.

Brex vs Bill vs Ramp: Which is better?

If you're looking for a corporate card that goes beyond spend management, Ramp delivers the most complete package. While Brex and Bill each offer strong features, Ramp brings real automation, global flexibility, and deeper finance controls under one roof. Here’s how all three compare across the areas that matter most for modern businesses:

Why growing companies are choosing Ramp

Ramp is built for finance teams that want to move fast without losing control. Unlike Brex or Divvy, Ramp gives you deeper automation, fewer manual tasks, and real-time visibility across all spending.

You don’t need perfect credit or a massive bank balance to get started. Ramp approves businesses with just $25,000 in the bank and doesn’t require a personal guarantee. That makes it easier for early-stage startups to qualify without putting personal credit at risk.

You’ll also spend less time chasing receipts or cleaning up your books. Ramp automatically codes over 90% of transactions and integrates with tools like NetSuite, Xero, and QuickBooks in real time. That means fewer errors and up to 1 month faster monthly close.

Choosing the right card starts with how you run your business

Brex and Bill both offer modern corporate cards. But, the better choice depends on how your team spends, scales, and stays in control.

Brex is the stronger option if you want automation, flexible limits, and fast onboarding. It’s built for high-growth startups and lean finance teams that value speed and AI-driven workflows. Bill works best for teams that need structure and predictability. It enforces budgets upfront, locks spending to predefined limits, and simplifies approvals through effective management features.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you are scaling fast and want automation to do the heavy lifting, Brex will likely serve you better. If you require strict guardrails, role-based controls, and clear budget tracking from the outset, Bill may be the ideal fit.

If your team wants the automation of Brex and the control of Bill without having to choose between them, Ramp offers an all-in-one card and spend management platform. From receipt matching to ERP sync, it’s built to streamline accounting, not just spending.