# Centime vs. Tipalti: One Moves Fast. The Other Gets in Your Way.

Tipalti makes you wait — for payments, syncing, and support. Centime connects instantly and moves at your speed.

- Embedded in your ERP, not bolted on
- Live in 7–21 days, not 2–3 months
- No holding account — payments move from your account

## 5 Reasons Tipalti Users Make the Switch

### No Middleware. No Sync Failures.

Centime connects natively to NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks — live on day one. Tipalti bolts on third-party sync tools that break under pressure, causing failed go-lives.

### No Fees for Missing Deadlines

Centime gets you live in 7–21 days, without penalizing your team for needing time. Tipalti's 60–90 day rollout comes with fees if you miss their deadlines — even when they're the cause.

### No Holding Accounts. No Delayed Payments.

Centime pulls funds directly from your bank account — no pre-funding, no float. Tipalti requires you to preload funds, then takes up to 6 days to pay your vendors.

### More Than Payables. End-to-End Finance Automation.

Centime gives you AP, AR, and real-time cash forecasting in one platform, plus AP yield through interest or cashback. Tipalti stops at invoice payment — no forecasting, no AR, no cash insight.

## When Speed, Sync, and Control Matter — Tipalti Falls Short

You bought Tipalti to automate payables. But you didn't sign up for:

1. A 3-month go-live that fines you for delays
2. AP and PO tools that don't talk to each other
3. ACH payments that take 6 days to clear
4. A UI built for someone else's workflow — not yours

## Head-to-Head: Centime and Tipalti Compared

| Feature | centime | tipalti |
|---|---|---|
| ERP Connection Type | ✅ Embedded in ERP (NetSuite, Intacct, QBO) | ❌ Relies on third-party connectors |
| Sync Reliability | ✅ Real-time, bidirectional sync | ❌ Sync failures and data gaps reported by users |
| Implementation Time | ✅ 7–21 days average | ❌ 2–3 months minimum |
| Onboarding Experience | ✅ No penalties, guided setup | ❌ Strict timelines, penalty fees for delays |
| AP + PO Experience | ✅ One module, embedded PO matching | ❌ Separate tools for AP and PO; “punch-out” experience |
| PO Matching | ✅ Native 2-way and 3-way matching | ❌ Requires separate procurement system |
| Payment Speed | ✅ Fast ACH and virtual payments | ❌ Delays due to required pre-funding |
| Payment Flow | ✅ Direct from your account | ❌ Funds held in Tipalti-controlled account |
| AP Yield | ✅ Earn 2.25% APY†† or cashback on AP spend | — No interest or cashback options |
| Platform Scope | ✅ Unified AP, AR, forecasting, and banking | ❌ AP automation only |
| Cash Flow Visibility | ✅ Built-in forecasting and KPIs | — Not available |
| UI / UX | ✅ Clean, intuitive, finance-friendly | ❌ Clunky interface, steep learning curve |
| Reporting & Dashboards | ✅ Custom reports, cash insights, real-time KPIs | ❌ Basic reports, minimal customization |
| Search & Filters | ✅ Advanced filters, fast retrieval | ❌ Limited search functionality |
| Support & Responsiveness | ✅ <1 hour response time, white-glove onboarding | ❌ Slow replies, poor support during setup |

## Frequently asked questions

**How does Centime integrate with NetSuite or Sage Intacct differently than Tipalti?**

Centime connects natively inside your ERP — no middleware, no bolt-on sync tools. That means faster setup, real-time data flow, and no duplication or sync errors. Tipalti requires third-party connectors that can break, delay approvals, or even prevent go-live altogether.

**Why is Tipalti's implementation so much slower?**

Tipalti implementations typically take 2–3 months and include strict go-live dates (with penalties if you miss them). Centime customers are live in as little as 7–21 days, with flexible timelines and hands-on support to meet your team's needs — not penalize them.

**Can Centime handle complex PO matching?**

Yes. Centime includes 2-way and 3-way PO matching directly inside the AP module — no punch-outs or switching tools required. You can process even the most complex purchase workflows in one streamlined system.

**Does Centime offer AR automation and cash forecasting too?**

Absolutely. Centime combines AP, AR, and real-time cash forecasting in a single platform. That means visibility into both sides of the ledger — what you owe and what you're owed — plus predictive insights into future cash flow.

**What happens to our current vendors and workflows if we switch?**

Centime helps migrate your vendor data, approval workflows, and payment methods as part of the onboarding process. You won't need to rebuild from scratch — we'll map what you have today and get you up and running quickly.

**Do I need to preload funds or use a holding account with Centime?**

No. Unlike Tipalti, Centime never requires pre-funding or a holding account. We initiate payments directly from your business's bank account, so you keep control of your cash until the moment it moves.

**Can I use just AP with Centime, or do I have to adopt the whole platform?**

You can start with AP only — and grow into AR and forecasting when you're ready. Centime is modular, so you can activate the features you need, when you need them.

**Is Centime more secure than Tipalti?**

Centime is SOC 2 Type II compliant, with bank-level security protocols, audit trails, and role-based permissions across all modules. Because our platform is embedded inside your ERP, we reduce data duplication and lower your risk exposure compared to third-party sync tools.

## See the difference ERP-native AP makes

Compare Centime against your current AP setup, on the platform that keeps payables in sync with your ERP.