The Emburse card, aka Emburse Spend Card, is a cashback corporate card offered by a business expense management platform. If you use the platform or if you are on the hunt for a corporate card, you may have come across the name. Now, you’re probably wondering if this is a good offer for you.
I’m here to help you decide – let’s explore the Emburse card offer, look at the cash back and other features, and see if it’s what you need. In the meantime, I’ll point you to various other offers you might like as well.
Here’s what’s in store:
Let’s take the plunge!
What is an Emburse Card?
The Emburse card is a smart and flexible solution for companies (of all sizes) to handle their spending – It comes in virtual and physical forms, making it easy for employees to buy things they need.
What’s cool is that it has some built-in rules to keep spending in check, so you don’t have to worry about staff going over their budgets. Trusted by companies worldwide, the Emburse card doesn’t just help with transactions; it also makes keeping track of expenses super easy.
You can use it with Apple Pay for quick and safe payments. And, the card does a bunch of other helpful things too. For example, it can capture receipts on your phone, set different permissions for users, automatically sort expenses into categories, and protect against fraud.
Plus, through a partnership with Wise, Emburse offers reimbursements on international transfers. Overall, it’s a handy tool for different parts of a company, like the human resources and finance teams.
And here’s a cool bonus – for every dollar you spend, you get 1% back! So, it’s not just a card; it’s a whole system that makes spending money smarter and more rewarding.
Recommended: 7 Best Cash Back Corporate Credit Cards to Explore
Emburse Company Overview
Emburse Inc. is Los Angeles based, but was originally formed in Delaware. Delaware’s Division of Corporations website is a bit of a challenge to navigate, but I was able to see a merger on file (with Chrome River in 2019). The business’ first verified California business registration and the oldest online record of emburse.com are in 2015.
I found out that Emburse went through Y Combinator in 2015, and – according to Crunchbase – they were founded in 2014. So, the company has been around for about a decade now. This is plenty of time to establish trust in the marketplace.
Originally, Emburse’s core offer was prepaid business spend cards with the edge that expense tracking would integrate between multiple software and tools. Since then, they’ve grown to encompass a complete expense management platform. The features have been amplified with multiple travel-related tech acquisitions and feature additions.
So, how big is Emburse? As of 2022 and according to multiple sources, Emburse employs around 1,000 people – they’re a large company. Still, they are privately-held (no sock ticker here), so not as massive as some of the other names you see in the corporate financial world like JP Morgan and
Emburse Inc. is about as legit as it gets, but –according to Glassdoor – their employees aren’t necessarily thrilled to work for them.
On the other hand, over half of their users are pretty satisfied with the platform and features.
From a potential user standpoint, I wouldn’t say I see any major red flags, and that Emburse seems to be a solid offer – no scam signals here.
You might also like: Y Combinator: Fast Track to Success or Waste of Time?
What Benefits Does Emburse Offer?
I want to focus on the Emburse cards and Emburse Spend, but these offers are so closely tied to the overall offer, that I need to point out some of the expense management platform features (this is where you’ll get the most benefit).
So, let’s dive in and look at what you can expect with Emburse.
You might also like: The PEX Card: Is it the Best Corporate Card for Your Business?
1. Low-Risk Free Demo
Emburse extends a low-risk free trial, requiring users to go through sales onboarding for a guided introduction to the platform. While online sign-up isn’t an option (this is very typical with corporate expense management), the sales is designed to provide a firsthand experience of Emburse’s features…while weeding out the users it’s definitely a bad fit for.
You might also like: Amazon Business Prime Credit Card: Full Review +How to Get One
2. Corporate Cash Back (1%)
Emburse offers a flat 1% cashback on all spending, providing a corporate benefit for users. This cashback incentive serves as a potential saving mechanism for businesses, offering a financial perk for routine expenditures. The structure of the cashback program is straightforward, aligning with a practical, results-oriented financial management.
Recommended: Full Shopify Credit Review: Are the Cashback Rewards Legit?
3. Virtual & Physical Card Flexibility
Emburse provides flexibility with both virtual and physical card options, catering to different transaction preferences. This versatility allows users to adapt their payment methods based on the nature of their transactions, which contributes to a pragmatic approach to expense management.
You might also like: 6 Best Fintech Credit Cards to Apply for (Consumer & Business)
4. Real-Time Spend Management & Customizable Rules
Emburse emphasizes real-time visibility into team spending, aiming to facilitate better budget management. The platform positions itself as a tool for instant tracking of transactions, aligning with a need for efficiency in expense monitoring.
The pre-loaded spending rules on Emburse cards are highlighted as a feature, allowing users to customize parameters to match company policies. This customization capability is presented as a practical solution for businesses seeking tailored spending controls.
Recommended: Expensify Card Review: A Detailed Expense Tracking Analysis
5. Mobile Receipt Capture & Permissions
Emburse offers mobile receipt capture and reminders as a means to simplify expense tracking. This feature is portrayed as a pragmatic tool, eliminating the need for manual organization and introducing a user-friendly approach to managing receipts.
Recognizing the varying needs for control, Emburse introduces role-based permissions and approval flows. This customization option is a practical means to maintain order in the expense management process.
You might also like: Gusto Review: Let’s Really Evaluate This Famed Payroll Platform
6. Detailed Insights & Reporting
Emburse promotes real-time insights and reports on spending patterns as a tool for informed decision-making. The feature is positioned as a data-driven approach to optimize budgets and enhance spending strategy.
Recommended: Everything You Need to Know About a DUNS Number – & Why You Should Care
7. Tons of Integrations
Emburse highlights seamless integrations with various tools, emphasizing compatibility with existing workflows. The extensive list of integrations, including popular platforms like Netsuite, Slack, and QuickBooks, is objectively presented as a practical aspect of Emburse’s adaptability to diverse business environments.
You might also like: A Complete Torpago Business Credit Card Review
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the restrictions on the Emburse card?
The restrictions on the Emburse card can be customized by the account administrator. These restrictions may include spending limits, merchant category restrictions, and other parameters to align with your company’s spending policies.
Is Emburse a credit card?
No, Emburse offers both virtual and physical prepaid cards. It is not a traditional credit card. The prepaid nature of the card helps control and manage expenses in real-time, eliminating the need for reimbursement.
Does Emburse have an app?
Yes, the Emburse Spend app is available in the iOS App Store and Google Play. The app is user-friendly and provides convenient access to manage expenses, view transactions, and more.
Will QuickBooks work with the Emburse prepaid card?
While compatibility may depend on specific features or versions of QuickBooks, Emburse prepaid cards are designed to work with various accounting systems, and they do have a Quickbooks integration. It’s recommended to check with Emburse support or QuickBooks for the most accurate information on integration and compatibility.
How do I add an Emburse card to Apple Pay?
To add your Emburse card to Apple Pay, open the Apple Wallet app, tap the “+” button to add a new card, and follow the prompts to input your Emburse card details. Once added, you can use Apple Pay for secure and convenient transactions.
How do I check the balance on my Emburse card?
To check the balance on your Emburse card, log in to the Emburse online portal or mobile app – Your balance info should be readily available in your account dashboard.
Conclusion
Emburse has an interesting offer, as far as corporate spend management and cards goes. Is it the best? I really can’t say – the best corporate credit card for your business will depend on your needs, your company revenue, and your spending habits.
The bottom line is that this is a legit offer that has grown rapidly since its inception. If you’re looking for an expense management platform with staff cards and spend limits, check it out.
Keep in mind, the Emburse card isn’t a business credit card – it’s a corporate card, which is more like a buy now pay later (BNPL) arrangement.
For credit cards, financing, and other cash flow boosters, you’ll want to look into business credit – you may find our business credit checklist helpful.
Ready to learn how to obtain up to $100K in business credit in as few as 30 days? Join Business Credit Workshop today!