Airbase vs Money Forward
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Finance and back-office for Japan.
The verdict
Both Airbase and Money Forward are credible spend management tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Airbase if you want a higher overall rating (4.6/5). Spend management for mid-market.
Choose Money Forward if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free) and a free plan to start on. Finance and back-office for Japan.
Airbase vs Money Forward: side by side
| Dimension | Airbase | Money Forward |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | FreeWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Mid Market, Finance Teams | Japanese Business |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.6/5Winner | 4.2/5 |
Airbase key facts
- Vendor
- Paylocity
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Mid Market, Finance Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Money Forward key facts
- Vendor
- Money Forward
- Pricing
- Subscription — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Japanese Business
- Editor rating
- 4.2 / 5
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Tokyo, Japan
Frequently asked questions
Is Airbase better than Money Forward?
Neither is universally better — Airbase edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Airbase or Money Forward cheaper?
Money Forward is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free. Airbase starts at custom; Money Forward starts at free.
Can Airbase replace Money Forward?
Yes for most teams — both are spend management tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.