Brex vs Ramp vs Divvy: Top Expense Cards for Consulting Businesses
For consultants, coaches, and advisors, managing business expenses isn't just about tracking receipts. It’s about handling client project costs, software subscriptions, contractor payouts, and travel efficiently. Brex, Ramp, and Divvy offer powerful tools like corporate cards, virtual cards, and spend controls. They help simplify your accounting and automate expense reports, but each platform has unique features, rewards, and eligibility requirements for consulting firms.
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The Quick Answer
Ramp is the strongest choice for most established consulting firms with predictable cash flow. It offers best-in-class expense automation for client project costs, software licenses, and team travel. Brex wins for rapidly scaling consulting agencies or those with significant early investment, needing high limits for large client projects or expansion. Divvy (now BILL Spend and Expense) is the right fit for solo consultants, new coaches, or small practices needing flexible credit for initial software tools or marketing without a venture track record.
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Ramp: Free platform. Charge card (pay monthly in full). Credit limits based on cash in your consulting firm's bank account (typically 50-75% of cash balance). This can cover major software annual fees or large contractor payouts. Offers 1.5% cashback on all consulting expenses, from SaaS subscriptions (e.g., Salesforce, Zoom) to client meeting dinners. Best-in-class receipt matching, accounting automation, and spend intelligence for client travel and subcontractor invoices. No personal guarantee required.
Brex: Free for startups, $12/user/month for premium features. Charge card. Credit limits based on funding and cash position—high limits for well-funded consulting agencies. Useful for major project outlays or team expansion. Tiered rewards (e.g., 3x points on travel for client visits, points on software for CRM). No personal guarantee required for VC-backed consulting companies.
Divvy (BILL Spend and Expense): Free. Revolving credit line (carry a balance). Credit determined by BILL underwriting—accessible to new consulting practices or solo coaches without substantial upfront capital. The credit line can cover marketing campaigns, initial software investments, or unexpected client project costs. Rewards earned by paying weekly rather than monthly. Personal guarantee sometimes required for new consulting ventures.
When to Choose Ramp
You run an established consulting practice or coaching business with reliable cash flow (e.g., at least $75K in your operating account from retainers or project fees), and want your credit limit tied to that cash position. You want to automate tracking expenses for multiple client projects, software subscriptions (e.g., Salesforce, Notion, Zoom), and contractor payments. Ramp's AI receipt matching and accounting sync are genuinely the best in class for consultants. You care more about saving money on operational costs and reducing accounting headaches than earning travel points. You use QuickBooks, Xero, or NetSuite for your consulting firm's books and want a clean integration.
When to Choose Brex
Your consulting agency has secured significant funding (e.g., for scaling, tech development, or acquisitions) or has high retained earnings, and needs high credit limits for major projects, large contractor teams, or international client travel. You frequently travel for client engagements, conferences, or team off-sites, and value premium travel rewards (Brex's travel category earns 3x points for flights to client sites or hotel stays). You want a corporate card that reflects your high-growth consulting firm's ambition and professionalism to vendors and potential talent.
When to Choose Divvy
You are a solo consultant, a new coach, or a small, bootstrapped consulting firm without a large institutional funding history, but need a flexible credit line for business expenses. You need the option to carry a balance occasionally to manage cash flow gaps between client invoices, perhaps for a large software purchase or a marketing push. You are comfortable with the BILL ecosystem for managing your consulting practice's finances. You can commit to weekly payoffs to maximize rewards on expenses like marketing tools, website hosting, or professional development courses.
The Verdict
For most established consulting firms with predictable revenue: Ramp for the expense automation and cost savings on project-related spending. Choose Brex if your consulting agency has significant investment, travels heavily for clients, or requires very high limits for large-scale operations. For solo consultants, new coaches, or small consulting practices managing under $1M in annual fees that need a true credit line: Divvy. The core platform is free for all three options – the key differences for consultants lie in how they determine your credit, their rewards tailored to business spending, and payment terms for your specific cash flow needs.
How to Get Started
Ramp: Apply online for your consulting business in under 10 minutes. Connect your primary operating bank account where client payments are deposited. Ramp uses your cash balance to set the initial limit. First cards are issued for team members or contractors within 1-3 business days.
Brex: Apply at brex.com. For VC-backed consulting startups, have your funding documentation ready. Limits are set at onboarding and can be increased as your client base and retained earnings grow.
Divvy: Apply through BILL for your consulting practice. Underwriting typically takes 1-3 days. Initial limits might start lower for new consulting ventures but grow with your firm's payment history.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Ramp
Free expense management + corporate cards
Brex
Corporate cards for startups and growth companies
Divvy
Business credit + expense management by BILL
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do Ramp and Brex require a personal guarantee?
Generally no, for charge cards. Ramp and Brex use your business cash position or funding to underwrite limits without requiring a personal guarantee. Divvy may require one for newer businesses or lower credit profiles.
Can I use these alongside my existing bank account?
Yes. None of these are banks (except Brex, which has its own cash management product). You keep your business bank account and use the card platform on top of it.
What happens to my Brex account if I run out of runway?
Brex monitors cash position and can reduce limits if cash falls significantly. If you shut down, any outstanding balance is due immediately. Charge cards require full payoff and cannot be used as a bridge.