Top Corporate Virtual Cards for Business Expenses

Panna Kemenes

According to recent industry data, businesses using corporate virtual cards for business expenses reconcile fifty times faster than their traditional counterparts.

Physical credit cards make sense with in-person transactions, but they can be a security risk when doing business online or when giving staff members access. With a virtual card, you can simply assign each team member a virtual card, set permissions, and shut the card off in case it is lost or stolen. This guide can help you select the ideal virtual card for your business.

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What Are the Top Corporate Virtual Cards for Business Expenses?

The market offers several robust virtual card solutions designed to streamline expense management for businesses. Based on technology, user experience, and cost, some of them stand out above the rest. Here are some leading providers worth considering.

Wise Mutli-Currency Card for Business

If you’re doing business internationally, Wise Business is a go-to option. Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks.

You can open a Wise Business account online and create digital Wise Multi-Currency Cards to separate your expense types. You can also add cards for your team members. There's no waiting around for delivery. Virtual card details appear instantly online so you can start spending immediately or pay with Google Pay or Apple Pay.

You'll get the mid-market exchange rate (the same one you'll see on Google) when you pay bills or expenses in foreign currencies. You can pay online or in-store in 40+ currencies and 160+ countries.

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BILL Spend & Expense (Formerly Divvy)

BILL Spend & Expense is one of the more comprehensive solutions on the market, combining corporate cards with expense management software. They also allow businesses to issue corporate charge cards to employees and buyers. This powerful combination gives corporate entities more control over their company spending.

Key Features and Benefits

BILL offers unlimited physical and virtual cards for employees, real-time transaction visibility, and automated expense categorization. The platform also integrates with accounting software like QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, and Sage Intacct. Users can set enforceable budgets by department, project, or vendor, ensuring employees stay within spending limits.²

Pricing Structure

One of the most appealing features of BILL Spend & Expense is the price. It’s free to use, with no annual fees and no monthly charges. There are also no fees for employee cards, which is particularly appealing to large companies. However, it's good to know that BILL earns revenue through interchange fees.

Ideal Use Cases

The no-cost pricing model makes BILL Spend & Expense a solution to consider for small to medium-sized businesses, but the unlimited employee cards also make it appealing for larger businesses with off-site locations. It works particularly well for companies that need to issue cards to multiple employees while maintaining strict oversight of departmental spending.

Airbase

Airbase combines corporate cards and expense reimbursement with accounts payable automation to offer one of the most complete solutions in this space. Founded in 2017, Airbase is a Paylocity company that also gives customers access to HR, finance, and IT tools.³

Key Features and Benefits

The virtual cards offered by Airbase come with advanced spend controls that can be used to set spending limits for vendors and employees. The platform also features automated approval workflows and real-time expense tracking. It integrates with Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks, simplifying accounting and financial reporting.

Pricing Structure

Airbase pricing is based on the size and specific requirements of the company. They don’t post pricing on their website. Contact them directly for a quote. The platform is designed for mid-sized to larger enterprises with more complex financial workflows, so the pricing needs to match the service offering. In other words, expect the cost to reflect the value of the product. ⁵

Ideal Use Cases

Airbase is ideal for mid-sized companies and growing enterprises that need a unified platform for non-payroll spending. Technology companies, professional services firms, and businesses with distributed teams benefit the most from its comprehensive feature set. Smaller firms may find it a bit pricy, but in this case, you get what you pay for.

Expensify

Most small business owners are familiar with Expensify as an expense management tool. The Expensify virtual credit card integrates with their core platform. It’s a streamlined solution for businesses already using the platform or seeking an all-in-one approach.4

Key Features and Benefits

Expensify automatically imports and categorizes card transactions, eliminating manual expense report entry. The platform generates digital, IRS-compliant eReceipts for most purchases, reducing the need to scan physical receipts. Virtual cards are available immediately upon approval. Physical cards with a Visa logo arrive within a few days.

Pricing Structure

Expensify cards are available for free to anyone with an Expensify subscription. They come with no annual fee and no interest charges because you can’t carry a balance on them. Admins can set “Smart Limits” on employee and vendor spending, and they can cancel the cards at anytime. This adds another layer of security to the process.

Ideal Use Cases

Expensify is cost-effective, so it can be ideal for small businesses. It's also effective for larger companies with employees who travel frequently or need to track expenses across multiple categories and locations. Expensify integrates with QuickBooks Online, so it can simplify accounts payable and receivable bookkeeping and reporting.

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Which Companies Offer Corporate Virtual Cards?

Aside from the companies listed above, there are several other providers that offer corporate virtual cards for business expenses. Other companies of interest include the following:

  • Tipalti offers integrated accounts payable and card solutions.
  • American Express provides virtual cards through its corporate card programs.
  • Capital One offers virtual card numbers for business accounts.
  • Stripe allows businesses to create and manage virtual cards programmatically.

Each provider offers unique advantages depending on your company's specific needs, whether that's international payments, accounting integration, or rewards programs.

How Do Virtual Corporate Cards Work for Businesses?

Definition and Functionality

A virtual card is a digital payment method with its own unique card number, expiration date, and security code. They work like traditional credit cards for online and e-commerce transactions. For in-person non-contact transactions, they need to be connected to a digital wallet application like ApplePay or GooglePay. You can also set and change spending limits with them.

How Virtual Cards Differ from Physical Cards

Physical corporate cards require ordering, shipping, and distribution to employees. Virtual cards can be issued in seconds and used immediately for online purchases. Virtual cards offer superior security because each card can be limited to specific vendors or single transactions. If a virtual card is compromised, it can be deactivated instantly.

What Are the Benefits of Using Virtual Cards for Business Expenses?

Enhanced Security Features

Virtual cards have several layers of security. To start with, they have unique user numbers that can be assigned to specific users, minimizing fraud exposure. You can also do “single-use” virtual cards that expire after one purchase. The instant deactivation capabilities also allow businesses to respond immediately to suspicious activity.

Improved Expense Tracking and Control

A virtual card works like a debit card, meaning that every transaction registers in real time. That type of expense tracking gives finance teams increased visibility into how cardholders are spending company funds. Customizable spending limits and merchant restrictions ensure employees can only make approved purchases within budget parameters.

Streamlined Reconciliation Processes

Virtual card transactions automatically sync with accounting software, eliminating manual data entry. Vendor-specific cards make it easy to match transactions to purchase orders and invoices. This automation reduces month-end closing times and minimizes reconciliation errors. It also eliminates tedious expense reimbursement processes.

Increased Flexibility and Scalability

With most card platforms, businesses can create unlimited virtual cards without additional costs. With this system, new employees can receive spending access immediately without waiting for a physical card delivery. As companies grow, these virtual card programs scale effortlessly to accommodate more users and higher transaction volumes.

How to Choose the Best Corporate Virtual Card for Your Business

Assessing Your Business Needs

The first step is to evaluate your current expense management process. Is it fully automated? Can it scale when your company grows? Look at the expenses your employees typically submit for reimbursement. Are they doing business with multiple suppliers or countries? Virtual card platforms allow you to set up preferred vendor lists and spend controls.

Considering Integration with Existing Systems

The best technology upgrades are those that integrate with your existing systems. Virtual cards and expense management platforms should integrate with accounting software and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools. Look for providers that offer native integrations with platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, or Sage to maximize efficiency gains.

Evaluating Security Measures

Cybersecurity should be a top priority for any company doing business online today. Take some time to review each provider’s fraud detection and data encryption standards. While you’re at it, check their compliance certifications. Ensure the platform offers granular controls like spending limits, merchant category restrictions, and real-time transaction alerts.

Understanding Fee Structures

Compare pricing models carefully. Some providers offer free platforms that earn revenue through interchange, while others charge monthly subscription fees or per-transaction costs. Consider foreign transaction fees if your business operates internationally, and factor in any costs for additional features or premium support.

How Do I Set Up Virtual Cards for My Employees?

Onboarding and Training Employees

This is simpler than you might think. Start by creating individual accounts for your current authorized users. It’s best to begin with a short list of your most trusted employees. You can gather them together to explain the program or sit with them one-on-one to go over protocols and guidelines. If you need assistance, look for help videos on the provider’s website.

Setting Spending Limits and Controls

The ability to set spending limits is one of the primary selling points of virtual card platforms. Look at employee roles and responsibilities before setting spending limits. You can set them up by individuals, departments, or expense categories. You can also build approval workflows for purchases above a certain amount or restrict card purchases to only certain merchants.

Monitoring and Reporting

Establish regular review processes using the platform's reporting tools. You can use them to monitor spending trends, flag unusual activity, and adjust limits as needed. Most providers offer customizable dashboards and automated alerts to help finance teams stay informed without constant manual oversight. Take advantage of those.

Conclusion: Should You Get Virtual Cards for Expense Management?

Corporate virtual cards are essential tools for modern business expense management. They offer security, real-time visibility, and streamlined reconciliation compared to traditional payment methods. Regardless of which platform you choose, the right virtual card solution can transform your business spending and streamline cash flow management.

Discover Wise: The Smart Way to Manage International Business Expenses

For businesses that operate globally or pay vendors in multiple currencies, Wise Business offers a compelling alternative. Trusted by over 600,000 businesses worldwide,⁷ Wise provides digital Wise Multi-Currency cards that make spending in other currencies as simple as spending domestically. Once issued, you can start spending right away.

Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in multiple currencies. You can get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local. You can also send money to 140+ countries.

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Sources:
¹ Top Virtual Card Providers for Business Spending (2025 Guide) | Order.co
² Expense Management Software for Businesses | BILL Spend & Expense
3 airbase.com/corporate-cards/
4 The Best Corporate Card for Business (February 2026)
5 Wise Multi-Currency Card for business - International Business Debit Card


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This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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