Freedom251 › Accounts Payable Automation Software
Circulus
What Circulus is
Circulus is a cloud-based accounts payable and bill-processing platform for enterprise and small-to-medium businesses. It supports rules-driven, multi-step workflows, automated document routing, line-item coding, role-based access, and multiple entities. Purchase orders can be matched on a touchless two-way, three-way, or four-way basis. Circulus says its data extraction handles semi-structured and handwritten data with 99%+ accuracy from day one.
Invoices and related data can arrive through web forms, feeds, uploads, EDI/XML, email, FTP, PO box services, or a web scan interface. The platform provides audit trails, search, role-based dashboards and reporting, and internal communication tools. Payments can use checks, ACH, or virtual cards, with supplier onboarding and payment notifications for ACH and virtual cards. Its Android and iOS apps let users access, review, and approve invoices.
Circulus says it can integrate with virtually any ERP or accounting platform. Named systems include QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage 100 Contractor, and Oracle R-12. The listed Circulus AP Automation plan costs $481 a month, with additional-user and per-payment fees. The SMB offering has a 30-day free trial with specified user and transaction limits.
Who it suits
Circulus suits accounts payable teams that process invoices across multiple entities and need configurable routing, approvals, purchase-order matching, and supplier payments. Its mobile apps may suit approvers who need to review invoices on Android or iOS, while the SMB offering is aimed at businesses using QuickBooks.
What it does well
- Supports rules-driven, multi-step approval workflows.
- Matches purchase orders on two-, three-, or four-way terms.
- Accepts invoices through web, email, FTP, EDI/XML, and other routes.
- Offers check, ACH, and virtual-card payments.
- Android and iOS apps support invoice review and approval.
- Named ERP integrations include QuickBooks, Sage 100 Contractor, and Oracle R-12.
What to know first
- The listed AP Automation plan costs $481 a month.
- Additional users and payment transactions can incur fees.
- The SMB trial is limited to three users and specified complimentary services.
- Full SMB bill-payment capabilities require an active QuickBooks Desktop or Online account.
Limits
The SMB free trial lasts 30 days and includes up to three users, 15 complimentary ACH payments, 15 check payments, and 15 bill data-entry services. Full SMB bill-payment capabilities require an active QuickBooks Desktop or Online account. The listed AP Automation plan costs $481 a month, with additional-user and payment fees.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | Monthly · 1 user · solo businesses · simple enter-and-pay process | $39.99 a month |
| Circulus AP Automation | Starting price for first user · Additional user $36/month · ACH $0.49/payment · check $1.69/payment · virtual card free | $48 a month |
| Accountant | Monthly · Unlimited users · approval workflows · employee expenses | $49.99 a month |
| Business | Monthly · 3 users · approval workflows | $69.99 a month |
| Unlimited | Monthly · Unlimited users · approval workflows · multiple user types | $99.99 a month |
As circulus.io lists them, read 21 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Circulus website.
- Select the SMB offering for its 30-day free trial, or review the Circulus AP Automation plan.
- For full SMB bill-payment capabilities, have an active QuickBooks Desktop or Online account.
- Use the web platform or install the Android or iOS app.
- Arrange remote, managed implementation, onboarding, and application training.
Verdict
Choose Circulus if your business needs invoice routing, purchase-order matching, and supplier payment options in one accounts payable platform. Check the listed monthly price and usage fees against your expected volume; SMB users need an active QuickBooks account for full bill-payment capabilities.
Questions
How much does Circulus cost?
The listed Circulus AP Automation plan costs $481 a month. Additional users cost $36/month on limited user-access plans; payment fees are ACH $0.49, check $1.69, and virtual card free.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is no free plan. The SMB FAQ describes a 30-day free trial with up to three users, 15 complimentary ACH payments, 15 check payments, and 15 bill data-entry services.
Which platforms are supported?
Circulus is cloud-based and lists web, Android, and iOS platforms. The mobile apps support invoice access, review, and approval.
Which accounting and ERP integrations are named?
Named systems include QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage 100 Contractor, and Oracle R-12. Circulus says it integrates with virtually any ERP or accounting platform.
Does the SMB platform require QuickBooks?
An active QuickBooks Desktop or Online account is required for the SMB platform's full bill-payment capabilities.
Who makes Circulus?
Circulus was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas, United States.
Facts from Circulus's own pages
- Access control
- Role-based access and configurable user roles are provided. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Accuracy claim
- Circulus claims 99% or better data-extraction accuracy from day one. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- API
- XTGlobal describes a web-service API for integrating accounting and business software, but no Circulus-specific public API reference is provided on the product site. · xtglobal.com, 21 Oct 2026
- Audit and reporting
- The product includes audit trails, search, role-based dashboards, reporting and internal communication tools. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Browser requirements
- The FAQ lists Internet Explorer 9–11 or Edge, Chrome 37/38/55 or latest, Firefox 31/32/33/50 or latest, and Safari 5.1.5–7.1. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Data extraction
- Circulus accepts semi-structured and handwritten documents using client-specific mapping templates and validation. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Document routing
- Invoices can be routed automatically through configurable approval and business-rule workflows. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2017 · circulus.io, 28 Sept 2026
- Free account
- Terms allow invited users to create free accounts for receiving bill payments, but those accounts cannot use other features. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Geographic limitation
- The FAQ says payments operated only within the United States at the time of publication. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Plano, Texas, United States · circulus.io, 28 Sept 2026
- Hosting model
- Circulus describes its offering as cloud-based and says implementation requires no customer infrastructure changes. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Implementation
- Circulus says implementation is remote and managed, includes application training and onboarding, and requires no client-side technology personnel for ongoing support. · circulus.io, 3 Oct 2026
- Input channels
- Supported intake methods include web forms, data feeds, uploads, EDI/XML, email, FTP, PO boxes and a proprietary scan interface. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Circulus says it integrates with virtually any ERP or accounting platform; its SMB platform supports QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop, while its AP integration page names Sage 100 Contractor as well. · circulus.io, 3 Oct 2026
- Invoice intake
- Invoices and other data can be submitted through web forms, feeds, direct uploads, EDI/XML, email, FTP, PO box services, and its web scan interface. · circulus.io, 3 Oct 2026
- Limit: G2 usability
- The G2 reviewer said the interface was unintuitive, required extensive training and recommended piloting before rollout. · g2.com, 21 Oct 2026
- Limit: Gartner reporting
- A Gartner review says reporting customization remains limited and another mentions a slow pace of development. · gartner.com, 21 Oct 2026
- Line-item coding
- Circulus provides automated line-item coding for invoices. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Maker founded
- XTGlobal, the parent company, was founded in 1998. · linkedin.com, 21 Oct 2026
- Maker headquarters
- Circulus lists headquarters at 2701 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300, Plano, Texas 75093. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Maker ownership
- Circulus says it was formed in 2017 as a convergence of business units owned by XTGlobal, Inc. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
- Maker size
- LinkedIn lists Circulus as privately held, headquartered in Plano, with 501–1,000 employees and founded in 1998. · linkedin.com, 21 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- Circulus states that mobile applications for invoice review and approval are available on iOS and Android. · circulus.io, 21 Oct 2026
Where Circulus stands on Freedom251
- Accounts Payable Automation Software#1 of 32
- Invoice Processing Software#2 of 30