Ramp is free. But "free" comes with a catch: you need to use their corporate card, spend $10K per month on it, and have $75K sitting in a US bank account. If you can't qualify — or don't want to lock your spending onto one card — you need an alternative.
We compared 8 expense management tools, including card-required and card-optional options. Here's what we found.
Why Teams Look Beyond Ramp
Ramp has grown fast for a reason: it's genuinely good. The free tier, real-time card controls, and automated accounting are impressive. But a growing number of teams are looking for alternatives — and the reasons go beyond pricing.
Card lock-in is the biggest friction point. Ramp's entire value proposition requires using the Ramp Visa card for all company spending. This means consolidating all corporate purchases onto one card, which doesn't work for teams that already have card relationships, need Amex or Mastercard acceptance in certain markets, or want to keep their existing card rewards programs.
Qualification barriers exclude many small businesses. To get a Ramp card, you need a minimum of $10,000 per month in card spend and $75,000 in a US bank account. Sole proprietors, early-stage startups, freelancers, and international businesses generally can't qualify. If you're searching "Ramp alternative," there's a good chance you got rejected or realized you don't meet the threshold.
Card freezes and payment timing issues frustrate users. Multiple Ramp users on G2 and Trustpilot report cards being frozen due to payment timing issues — auto-pay fails, the balance isn't cleared fast enough, and cards get temporarily locked. For a tool that's supposed to be the backbone of company spending, unexpected card freezes can create real operational problems.
International availability is still limited. Ramp has expanded beyond the US to the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy via a Stripe partnership. But it's still not available in Canada, Australia, Asia, Latin America, or Africa. For globally distributed teams, this is a dealbreaker.
Vendor acceptance isn't universal. Some merchants and services don't accept Ramp cards, or have issues with the virtual card numbers Ramp generates. Users report problems with certain subscription services, government payments, and international vendors.
Card-Required vs. Card-Optional: Two Models of Expense Management
Before comparing individual tools, it's worth understanding the two fundamentally different business models in expense management. This distinction explains why some tools are "free" and others charge a subscription.
Card-Required (Interchange Model)
Tools like Ramp, Brex, Divvy (BILL), and Navan offer free or low-cost expense management because they make money from interchange fees — typically 1.5% to 3% of every transaction made on their cards, paid by merchants. The expense tracking is essentially a feature that drives card adoption. The trade-off: you must use their card to get value.
Card-Optional (Subscription Model)
Tools like ExpenseBot, Expensify, Zoho Expense, Dext, and SAP Concur charge a subscription fee and work with any payment method. You can use personal cards, business cards, cash, or bank transfers. Receipt capture happens through email scanning, photo uploads, or forwarding — independent of how you pay for things.
Which model is right for you?
Card-required is best if you're starting fresh with no existing card relationships, your team qualifies, and you want zero subscription cost.
Card-optional is best if you already have corporate cards, can't qualify for Ramp/Brex, are outside the US, or want to keep flexibility in how you pay for things.
Quick Comparison: 8 Ramp Alternatives at a Glance
This table summarizes the key differences. Scroll right on mobile to see all columns.
Alternative
Best For
Starting Price
Team of 10 Cost
Card Required
Email Receipt Scan
Data Storage
ExpenseBot
Google Workspace teams
$10/user/mo
$100/mo
No
✓ Gmail auto-scan (6 yrs)
Your Google Drive
Expensify
Small teams / approval workflows
$5/user/mo (w/ card)
$50–$180/mo
Optional
✓ SmartScan
Expensify servers
Brex
VC-backed startups
Free (w/ Brex card)
$0 (card req)
Yes
—
Brex servers
Divvy (BILL)
Mid-market / AP automation
Free (w/ Divvy card)
$0 (card req)
Yes
—
BILL servers
SAP Concur
Enterprise (500+)
~$8+/user/mo (custom)
$80–$300+/mo
No
✓ Email forwarding
SAP servers
Zoho Expense
Budget / Zoho ecosystem
Free (3 users)
$30–$40/mo
No
—
Zoho cloud
Navan
Travel-heavy teams
Free (≤15 users)
$0 (card req)
Yes
—
Navan servers
Dext
Accountants & bookkeepers
~$20/user/mo
~$200/mo
No
✓ Email forwarding
Dext cloud
Expense tracking without card lock-in. ExpenseBot works with any payment method.
Gmail scanning, Google Sheets reports, Plaid reconciliation. No corporate card required.
1. ExpenseBot — Best for Teams That Don't Want Card Lock-In
No Card Required · Gmail · Google Sheets
ExpenseBot takes a fundamentally different approach from Ramp. Instead of building around a corporate card, it builds around your email. Connect your Gmail and ExpenseBot automatically finds receipt emails — scanning up to 6 years of email history overnight. Forward receipts from multiple email addresses to your ExpenseBot inbox. Everything gets extracted, categorized, and organized in a Google Sheets spreadsheet that lives in your own Google Drive.
The key difference: ExpenseBot works with any payment method. Personal cards, business cards, cash, bank transfers — it doesn't matter. There's no card to qualify for, no spending minimum, and no geographic restriction. If you have Gmail, you can use ExpenseBot. It works globally because Gmail works globally.
What it does well
Works with ANY payment method — no card requirement
Gmail auto-scan finds receipts from up to 6 years back
Forward receipts from multiple email addresses
All data stored in YOUR Google Drive — you own it completely
Everything outputs to Google Sheets — no proprietary formats
Credit card reconciliation via Plaid
Works globally (anywhere Gmail works)
CASA Tier 2 certified by Google for security
Exports to QuickBooks, Xero, Sage 50, NetSuite, FreshBooks, Zoho Books, Business Central
Expense report submission and review only — no multi-level approval chains
Requires Google Workspace — not for Microsoft-centric organizations
Newer product with a smaller user base than Ramp or Expensify
Pricing: $10/user/month after a 60-day free trial (no credit card required). Freelancers and small teams pay the same flat rate. Accountants and bookkeepers get free unlimited access forever. Volume discounts available for 20+ users.
vs. Ramp: Ramp is free but requires their card and $10K/month in spend. ExpenseBot costs $10/user/month but works with any payment method and has no qualification barriers. Ramp is better for card spend controls. ExpenseBot is better for receipt capture (Gmail scanning vs. manual upload), data ownership (your Drive vs. Ramp's servers), and accessibility (any team, any country).
Best for: Teams that can't or don't want to adopt a corporate card. Google Workspace users, freelancers, international teams, and accounting firms.
2. Expensify — Best for Teams Wanting Approval Workflows Without a Card
Approval Workflows · SmartScan · No Card Needed
Expensify is the most well-known expense tracker for small and mid-size businesses. Unlike Ramp, Expensify's paid plans don't require their card — you can use it as a standalone expense management tool. It offers SmartScan receipt scanning, multi-level approval workflows, and integrations with most accounting software.
What it does well
Paid plans work without the Expensify Card
Multi-level approval workflows and policy enforcement
SmartScan receipt scanning with auto-categorization
Strong integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, Sage Intacct
Where it falls short
Control plan is $18/user/month — not cheap for small teams
Free plan requires Expensify Card adoption
SmartScan accuracy often requires manual corrections
Data stored on Expensify's servers, not in your cloud
Pricing: Collect plan: $5/user/month (requires Expensify Card). Control plan: $18/user/month with advanced approval workflows. Free plan available for individuals using the Expensify Card.
vs. Ramp: Expensify's paid plans work without a card requirement, which Ramp can't offer. Expensify also has more mature approval workflows. However, Ramp is free (with the card) while Expensify's most-used plan is $18/user/month. If you don't want a card, Expensify is worth considering. If you do, Ramp is cheaper.
Best for: Small to mid-size teams that want approval workflows and expense policies without adopting a corporate card.
3. Brex — Best for VC-Backed Startups
Startups · Corporate Cards · Travel
Brex is Ramp's most direct competitor. Both offer free expense management tied to their corporate cards, and both target growth-stage businesses. The key differences: Brex has broader global card support, has historically focused on VC-backed companies, and offers built-in travel management.
What it does well
Free Essentials plan includes cards, travel, expenses, and bill pay
Global card support and multi-entity management
Strong integration with QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Workday
AI-powered receipt matching and automated expense policies
Where it falls short
Requires Brex card (eligibility requires $50K+ in funding or revenue)
Pivoted away from SMBs in 2023 — smaller businesses may not qualify
Same card lock-in model as Ramp
No email receipt scanning
Pricing: Essentials is free (with Brex card and eligibility). Premium is $12/user/month with advanced controls. Enterprise is custom.
vs. Ramp: Very similar models. Brex has stronger global card support and built-in travel booking. Ramp has better vendor management and operational spending tools. If you're choosing between the two card-based options, Brex is better for international operations and Ramp is better for US-focused vendor management.
Best for: VC-backed startups and mid-market companies wanting Ramp-style free expense management with broader global card support.
4. Divvy (BILL) — Best for AP Automation + Expense Management
AP Automation · Corporate Cards · Mid-Market
Divvy, now owned by BILL, is the third major card-based expense management platform alongside Ramp and Brex. It combines virtual and physical corporate cards with expense management and accounts payable automation. If your team needs AP workflows alongside expense tracking, Divvy is worth evaluating.
Same card lock-in model as Ramp — requires Divvy card
BILL acquisition created some product uncertainty
US-only availability
No email receipt scanning
Pricing: Free base plan with Divvy card. Premium features and higher limits available on paid tiers. Contact BILL/Divvy sales for details.
vs. Ramp: Similar card-based models with similar pricing (free). Divvy has stronger AP automation through BILL. Ramp has better expense-specific features and vendor management. If accounts payable is a key workflow, Divvy is the better card-based option. For pure expense management, Ramp edges ahead.
Best for: Mid-market companies wanting card-based expense management combined with accounts payable automation.
5. SAP Concur — Best for Enterprise (500+ Employees)
Enterprise · Compliance · Global
SAP Concur is the enterprise standard for expense, travel, and invoice management. It's built for large organizations that need multi-level approval workflows, global tax compliance, and deep ERP integration. No card lock-in, but significant cost and complexity lock-in instead.
What it does well
Enterprise-grade compliance, audit trails, and policy enforcement
Works with any payment method (no card requirement)
Deep integration with SAP, Oracle, and other ERP systems
Global capabilities for multi-country, multi-currency organizations
Where it falls short
Implementation costs $50K+ and takes 3–6 months
UI widely criticized as dated and slow
Auto-renewing contracts with committed seats
Overkill for teams under 200 employees
Pricing: Standard starts around $8/user/month. Professional and Premium are custom-quoted. Implementation typically costs $50,000–$200,000. For a detailed comparison, see our SAP Concur alternatives guide.
vs. Ramp: Completely different tools for different audiences. Ramp is free and modern but card-dependent. Concur is expensive and complex but works with any payment method and is built for enterprise compliance. Most teams reading this comparison don't need Concur.
Best for: Large enterprises (500+ employees) with complex travel policies, multi-country compliance, and ERP integration needs.
6. Zoho Expense — Best for Budget-Conscious Teams
Budget · Free Tier · No Card Required
Zoho Expense is the cheapest card-optional expense tracker on this list. It offers a genuine free plan for up to 3 users with no card requirement, and paid plans start at just $3/user/month. If you're leaving Ramp because you can't qualify and need the cheapest possible alternative, Zoho is worth a look.
What it does well
Free plan for up to 3 users — genuinely free, no card
Standard plan is only $3/user/month
Multi-level approval workflows on paid plans
Seamless integration with Zoho Books and other Zoho products
Where it falls short
Limited receipt scanning — 20 scans/user on lower tiers
Best value only if already in the Zoho ecosystem
No email-based receipt scanning (no Gmail scanning)
Data stored on Zoho's servers
Pricing: Free for up to 3 users. Standard: $3/user/month (annual). Premium: $5/user/month. Enterprise: $8/user/month.
vs. Ramp: Zoho Expense is accessible to everyone — no card, no qualification, free for small teams. Ramp is better if you qualify and want card spend controls. For teams that were rejected by Ramp or can't meet the $10K/month spend minimum, Zoho is one of the cheapest alternatives available.
Best for: Budget-conscious teams, Zoho ecosystem users, and anyone who needs a genuinely free expense tracker for 3 or fewer users without a card requirement.
Already on Google Workspace? ExpenseBot was built for you.
60-day free trial, no credit card required. Data stays in your Google Drive.
Navan (formerly TripActions) combines travel booking and expense management into one platform. It offers a free plan for teams of 15 or fewer users — making it competitive with Ramp for small teams that also need travel management. Like Ramp, it's card-dependent for the full feature set.
What it does well
Free plan for teams of 15 or fewer users
Unified travel booking + expense management
AI-powered receipt scanning and auto-categorization
Strong integrations with QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero
Where it falls short
Card-based model similar to Ramp
Beyond 15 users, pricing is custom and sales-driven
Overkill if your team doesn't travel frequently
Data stored on Navan's servers
Pricing: Free for teams of 15 or fewer users. Beyond that, custom pricing based on company size and travel volume.
vs. Ramp: Navan adds travel booking that Ramp doesn't have. Ramp has better expense-specific features and vendor management. If your team travels frequently and wants booking + expense in one tool, Navan is the better choice. For expense-only needs, Ramp or a card-optional tool makes more sense.
Best for: Travel-heavy teams of 15 or fewer that want free travel + expense management, or larger teams willing to pay for the combined platform.
8. Dext — Best for Accountants & Bookkeepers
Accountants · Receipt Capture · No Card Required
Dext (formerly Receipt Bank, acquired by IRIS Software in December 2024) is a receipt capture and bookkeeping tool used primarily by accountants and their clients. It works with any payment method and specializes in extracting data from receipts, invoices, and bank statements for Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage.
What it does well
Purpose-built for accountants with multi-client management
Email forwarding for receipt capture (no card required)
Deep integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage
Automatic data extraction from receipts, invoices, and bank statements
Where it falls short
Expensive — business plans start around $20/user/month
Add-on charges for bank statements and line-item invoices
IRIS acquisition creates uncertainty about direction
Data stored on Dext's servers, not in your cloud
Pricing: Business plans start at approximately $20/user/month. Practice plans for accounting firms start at ~$208/month (annual) for 10 clients. Compare with ExpenseBot's free-forever plan for accountants.
vs. Ramp: Completely different tools. Dext is for receipt capture and bookkeeping — no card program. Ramp is a card-based spend management platform. If your accountant drives your tool choice and you don't need card controls, Dext or ExpenseBot are better fits.
Best for: Accounting firms and bookkeepers managing multiple clients who need receipt capture integrated with Xero or QuickBooks.
How to Choose the Right Ramp Alternative
The right alternative depends on why you're looking beyond Ramp in the first place. Here's a decision guide based on your situation:
Can't qualify for Ramp ($10K/mo, $75K bank)? → ExpenseBot ($10/mo, no qualification) or Zoho Expense (free for 3 users)
Want free + OK with a card? → Brex (better global support) or Divvy (better AP automation)
International team? → ExpenseBot (works globally via Gmail) or Brex (global card support)
Google Workspace user? → ExpenseBot (the only tool natively built on Google)
Need travel + expense combined? → Navan (free for ≤15 users)
Accounting firm managing clients? → ExpenseBot for Accountants (free forever, unlimited clients) or Dext
Solo freelancer? → ExpenseBot ($10/mo with 60-day trial) or Zoho Expense (free for up to 3 users)
Enterprise 200+ with compliance needs? → SAP Concur or Navan
How to Switch from Ramp
Switching from Ramp is different from switching between subscription tools because you're also transitioning your corporate card program. Here's how to do it smoothly:
1. Export your Ramp data
Ramp allows CSV exports of transactions and expense data. Export everything before transitioning. Note that receipt images are stored on Ramp's servers — download any you want to keep.
2. Transition your card program
If you're moving to another card-based tool (Brex, Divvy, Navan), you'll need to apply and get approved, then migrate subscriptions and recurring charges to the new card. If you're moving to a card-optional tool (ExpenseBot, Expensify, Zoho), your team can use whatever cards they already have.
3. The Gmail shortcut
Most of the receipts your team received over the years are still in their Gmail inboxes. If you switch to ExpenseBot, the Gmail scanner can find up to 6 years of receipt emails automatically. You may not need to migrate any receipt data at all — the originals are still in your email.
4. What to watch out for
Recurring charges: Update all subscriptions and vendor payments to your new card before closing Ramp.
Virtual cards: If you use Ramp virtual cards for subscriptions, each one needs to be updated individually with the vendor.
Historical data: Ramp transaction history may not be accessible after account closure. Export everything first.
Need a ready-made spreadsheet to track expenses? Try our free expense tracker template for Google Sheets. For Canadian businesses, ExpenseBot supports T2125 expense tracking with CRA-compliant categorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ramp really free?
Ramp's base plan is free, but it requires using the Ramp corporate Visa card. Ramp makes money from interchange fees (1.5–3% of each transaction) charged to merchants, not subscription fees. To qualify, you need at least $10,000 in monthly card spend and $75,000 in a US bank account. The paid Ramp Plus plan starts at $15/user/month.
What are Ramp's qualification requirements?
Ramp requires a minimum of $10,000/month in card spend and $75,000 in a US bank account. Sole proprietors without employees generally don't qualify. These requirements are designed for established businesses, not early-stage startups or freelancers.
Can I use Ramp without the corporate card?
No. Ramp's expense management is tied to the Ramp card. Without it, you can't access the platform. If you want expense management without a card requirement, consider ExpenseBot ($10/user/month), Expensify, Zoho Expense, or Dext.
Does Ramp work outside the United States?
Ramp has expanded to the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy via a Stripe partnership. However, it's not available in Canada, Australia, Asia, Latin America, or Africa. For truly global expense tracking, ExpenseBot works anywhere Gmail works, and SAP Concur supports enterprise-scale global operations.
What is the best Ramp alternative without a card requirement?
ExpenseBot ($10/user/month) works with any payment method and captures receipts via Gmail scanning and email forwarding. Expensify's paid plans ($5–$18/user/month) don't require their card. Zoho Expense is free for up to 3 users. All of these track expenses independent of how you pay for things.
How does Ramp make money if it's free?
Ramp earns interchange revenue — typically 1.5% to 3% of every transaction made on Ramp cards — paid by merchants, not cardholders. This is the same model used by Brex, Divvy (BILL), and traditional credit card companies. The "free" expense management is effectively subsidized by your card spending.
Can I switch from Ramp and keep my data?
Ramp allows CSV exports of transaction data. Since Ramp is tied to its card, switching also means transitioning your card program. If you move to ExpenseBot, the Gmail scanner finds your original email receipts automatically — you won't lose receipt history that was emailed to you.
Does ExpenseBot require a corporate card?
No. ExpenseBot works with any payment method — personal cards, business cards, cash, or bank transfers. It captures receipts through Gmail scanning (up to 6 years of history), email forwarding from multiple addresses, and photo uploads. Credit card reconciliation is available via Plaid.
What about Brex vs Ramp?
Both offer free expense management tied to corporate cards. Ramp is stronger for operational spending and vendor management. Brex has broader global card support and built-in travel booking. Both require card adoption — if you want neither card, consider a card-optional tool like ExpenseBot, Expensify, or Zoho Expense.
Is there a free expense tracker that doesn't require a card?
Zoho Expense is free for up to 3 users with no card requirement. Navan is free for teams of 15 or fewer. ExpenseBot offers a 60-day free trial, and is free forever for accountants and bookkeepers with unlimited clients. Beyond these, most "free" expense tools (Ramp, Brex, Divvy) require their corporate card.