All reviews of Bento for Business

Benefits:

I like to track my company's spending and notice if anything not calculated properly i will know right away if the books is off

Drawbacks:

There is no cons with bento everything works as it says and helps from losing money with this app you save from loss

In sum:

I am solving the fact that i will not lise any money from fraud on my books and i can track spending account.

In sum:

We use Bento to give our three employees the purchasing power they need to efficiently run day to day. It works pretty well as far as the interface being simple to use and easy to fund.

In sum:

I haven't had any problems. Everything has been easy to use. Tee days to transfer money are average and its easy to track my employees spending and low balances. Great concept.

Benefits:

Simple to use if you have a problem there is always someone there to help. You are able to see every min. how it is being used and where.

Benefits:

Ease of use.

Drawbacks:

I wish it connected directly with Quickbooks. I also wish the deposit time for funds was quicker.

In sum:

This has been a great option to allow some of our employees to have access to a credit card, but with control over the spending. It's easy to use, & a great value for the money. Bento for Business has been a helpful tool for this small business.

Benefits:

Ease of use and expenses easy to track.

Drawbacks:

Money not transferred for 2 days.

In sum:

We have had great success with Bento. It is a great value for our money. Expenses are very easy to track. All questions are answered sufficiently. The cards are very easy to use. I wish the money could be transferred more quickly but we can't expect all of our wants delivered. Thanks so much!

In sum:

When the cards gets cancelled I can't see what all was spent and where it happened for the employee. The information looks like it just completely disappears.

In sum:

We use the cards with some of our clients, so money doesn't need to change hands between employees and clients. It's great that we never have to worry about a gift card having enough left on it, and simplifies billing clients on the back-end.

In sum:

I have a small startup with only 1 employee, but the Bento cards make it really easy for me to manage expenses. I love the 1-click management of funds on each card. Bento makes for really easy expense accounting each month. Getting set up was a quick process and their support team has been quick to respond to any of my questions.

In sum:

Bento for Business gives us control over the small expenses that would otherwise slip through the cracks and not get credited properly. The process of opening and maintaining our Bento account was and is seamless. I would recommend Bento for Business without hesitation.

In sum:

I wish that the money that is added to the account went in faster but other than that it is great.

Benefits:

I liked the price and the ease of getting started with it. Making funding deposits into the system was easy and fast.

Drawbacks:

Perhaps it just didn't fit quite right for what we needed it for. We were using it to award monthly incentive bonuses to our technicians. The issue I kept having was that I would update the amount they currently had on their debit card to include the new months' amount but half the time it would make me put it down to $10.00 and save then go in again and enter the correct amount. And sometimes it wouldn't save it. A few times I had to go through all of my records and cross-reference them with the statements showing what the technicians had spent, and correct their balances. It was ridiculous. It would have been nice if the software kept a record of keypunches so you could go back in the history and see what didn't save.

In sum:

The software/company was obviously pretty new considering you would contact the same two people every time you reached out to customer service. They were as helpful as they could have been with what they had to work with.

Benefits:

I like that I can easily limit where, when and how much each employee can use.

Drawbacks:

The category options for access could be a little better defined (or maybe offer subcategories)

In sum:

We have loved using this program for the past 3 years. It has been a tremendous asset to our business

Benefits:

Giving employees their own debit card feels official and is much easier for them to manage than expense reports

Drawbacks:

We can only specify types of businesses that they can use - not types of products they can buy

In sum:

We use Bento to manage our employee benefits: employees get a card with an amount every week and their use is restricted to categories. I know Bento is limited the the categorizations they receive from credit card companies, but it would be nice if there was more refinement on exactly what was allowed to be purchased.

Benefits:

Ease of use. Phenomenal customer support. Fair Pricing.

Drawbacks:

No support on the weekends.

In sum:

Bento has saved our organization countless hours of reconciling receipts and tracking employee spending. Our employees love it because they don't have to spend their money and wait for reimbursement and the card and smartphone app are easy to use. Any time we've had questions or issues they're resolved in minutes. The online chat function for support is GREAT!

In sum:

This has been one of the best pre paid business cards that I have used. The software dashboard is very easy to use and is clear and precise. I like the ability to control all aspects of spending for additional card holders as well.

Benefits:

Ease of use and continuity of service

Drawbacks:

You can't specify a certain amount of money total (not monthly) for each employee

In sum:

Bento has been a lifesaver after three similar programs through my bank were discontinued. I was so tired of having issues with cancelled cards and not being able to access the money or add more easily. Bento has been great for my remote employees across the country that need access to money.

In sum:

Lots of categories to tailor your employees' purchasing capability. Web site straightforward. Top-notch staff is really friendly and helpful. Never had to wait on hold. Funds take 2-3 days to appear in account after card load is initiated.

In sum:

We really like Bento a lot. The only things we'd like to change are hhaving Visa cards instead of Mastercard so we can use it at Costco and having our two accounts linked together for better management.

In sum:

We are a non-profit organization so Bento is just what we need. There are only two of us that have the Bento card and it has made our life so much easier!!!

In sum:

Our cards are used for gas and vehicle maintenance and are restricted as such. I get alerts when funds are running low as well as alerts when cards have been denied due to improper usage. A great system overall.

Benefits:

Ease of access and simple to use

Drawbacks:

I cant see a daily balance or monthly end balance so I can't reconcile properly.

In sum:

Really like the platform, the staff are super helpful and polite too. I'd like to see more progress on reporting and a statement function. Overall please keep up the good work.

Benefits:

Ability to do what I need it to do with multiple accounts.

Drawbacks:

Having to constantly reassign the parameters and limitations on each account as well as the limited info. Available to the customer service representatives.

In sum:

Every time I had to contact Bento Customer Sevice they have been more than willing to help me in a courteous and professional manner.

Benefits:

We are able to link receipts to each transaction

Drawbacks:

One thing I would suggest improving is to allow us to use our own categories that can match our accounting software or link it to our Quickbooks. I was not able to do this last year (2016) and have not looked to see if I am able to do this now - maybe a newsletter if this issue has been fixed?

In sum:

Our company has been transformed with these new Bento cards. We no longer have to worry about cash being unaccounted for. The best part is that our crew members can take pictures of their receipts and upload them into their Bento app on the spot! Every penny is accounted for and our year end accounting is so much easier! Thank you Bento for making our crew member's expenses electronic and easy to organize.

In sum:

If you are a small business owner who likes to follow the same philosophy of "less debt" in business as you do in your personal life, Bento is a fantastic tool to help you stick to a budget! When I realized the benefits of not using credit cards a few years back in my personal life, I wanted to also follow that same philosophy in my business. Bento allows me to do just that and I can't be happier about my choice. Thanks, Bento! You're a remarkable tool for my business!

Benefits:

The software allows you to enable your team to make purchases. Control your finances all from your phone.

Drawbacks:

Everything is good as far as features and setup.

Benefits:

Ease of use

Drawbacks:

Takes too long for funds to load

In sum:

I use Bento to control our employees spending account for fuel, and other daily travel costs and it is the best source we found after trying several other options.

Benefits:

Ease of use

In sum:

Having the Bento Card has helped us streamline our processes and made it easier for members in different departments make their purchases without delay. We always have a record of charges, even when a receipt is lost...having this card is a win win!

In sum:

We have three accounts for our business, one for each location. The cards are easy to use, and they make expense tracking much simpler than it was before. One thing that they have not worked out yet is allowing multiple logins (for people who work at more than one location have have cards with more than one account) and logins for utility cards. The customer service is excellent. They are timely and always resolve the issue.

Benefits:

Time and money saving, great control of spending from anywhere, snap shot of job costs thanks to 'tag' feature.

Drawbacks:

Would like a quicker transfer time or loads from bank and a larger limit per day in transfers.

In sum:

We are a small construction company who specializes in maintenance of apartment buildings. Our crew used to buy materials everyday for jobs and come into office for re-reimbursement checks every couple days. Now they are not loosing time in the field and book keeper isn't having to stop in the middle of something to review receipts and cut a check. We have also seen saving in 'returns'.. with crew using cards refunds are issued to the cards, not given in cash. The tagging feature allows job cost tracking at a quick glimpse as well. Controlling spend limits etc is great and if needing adjusting (i.e. a larger purchase) can be done in seconds and the crew in the field then immediately can use card with the change. I would like to see a quicker fund load when doing a bank transfer and a larger transfer limit, but otherwise no complaints!

Benefits:

Ease of use, total control, reports, email alerts

Drawbacks:

Can't automatically download transactions into Quickbooks, transactions have to be manually entered which can be time consuming.

In sum:

We've been with Bento since the beginning and now issue every employee a company card because Bento gives me full control of how and when the card is used. Wouldn't think of running a business without Bento.

In sum:

I love these guys! The customer service is impeccable! Bento has been great for us because I can give my route drivers a gas card with perimeters to prevent any misuse. This is perfect for our small business as I'm not real comfortable providing corporate cards to my drivers. This has been an easy, convenient solution for us and the web site and alerts keep me updated on spending trends.

Benefits:

Ease of use at office or home. Immediate access and ability to adjust a users funds, categories, or turn the card off. Report is simple to download for monthly reconciliation process. Users can see their limits quickly via app.

In sum:

As an administrator, I am able to assist our local or traveling employees at the office on my desktop, or at home from the app. Easy to make any adjustment (in real-time, no delay) to any users daily/weekly/monthly allowance and spending category, or turn off the card if lost, stolen, or for misuse. Reports are easily downloaded for monthly reconciliation.

Benefits:

Can track the expenditures up to the minute online.

Drawbacks:

Sometimes transactions disappear after reconciliation, so have to dig through and find out what happened.

In sum:

This is a great solution to avoid paying out petty cash. It makes month end reconciliations so much easier. The employees find the solution easier than submitting expense reports for reimbursement. They turn in their receipts regularly and we balance to the Bento online account. Great solution for small to medium businesses.

Benefits:

Ease of use

Drawbacks:

Minimum amounts required for loading

In sum:

I needed a way to allow my employees to make purchases but needed to regulate what they could spend on and when. This is a great tool!

Benefits:

Everything

Drawbacks:

I have no complaints at all about anything on the Bento software. The easiest part of my job by far.

In sum:

Before we found Bento, the whole "petty cash" for over 50 employees who travel extensively was the bane of my existence! Now, with Bento, everything is so easy. I have full control of how much each employee has at their fingertips; where and when they can use it; and best feature of all, turn them off altogether if not needed for a period of time. The customer service has been extraordinary, truthfully. I have always gotten an actual person any time I've called, and 100% follow up with every question I've had. I recommend this company with absolute confidence.

In sum:

We use Bento to help manage in the field expenses , it's been pretty great. The features that our company enjoys the most are: - Easy to set controls on how much each team member can spend on a daily or weekly basis. - The ability to see where money is being spent - Easy to cancel/activate new cards

Benefits:

Functionality and ease of use Customer Service-Senam is outstanding!

Drawbacks:

No international coverage or accounting integration

In sum:

Bento cards have simplified our business spending immensely We can now offer company credit cards to our employees as one of their benefits All cards are immediately controllable and suspendible if lost or stolen or upon termination Spending limits allow for control of funds and restriction of categories The customer service can't be beat! They will work until it is solved and never leave you hanging! The only negatives would be to have an integration with QuickBooks, which is in the works, and international purchasing ability-also in the works!

In sum:

I found Bento after much online research when looking for a solution for employee expenses during travel. The support staff was very helpful in rush shipping our first round of cards so that we had them when we needed them and she kindly extended our free trial period. The website and app are very easy to use. I am able to manage spending limits on each card and restrict the purchase of alcohol; any changes I make are effective immediately. I am continuously pleased with Bento.

In sum:

Easy account management, great website, multiple options for card reloads, good transaction report options.

In sum:

Easy to set up and get going. We have employees come and go and it's simple to set them up and cancel. We can track expenses easily and our guys on the field can do what they need to do right away and so can our office manager. Helps save time which in terms helps us not loose money. We can service our customers right away. Thanks

In sum:

I had many options to choose from Bento was the best one. Glad that I made the decision to look into it and it has been a great experience. Recommended for sure!

In sum:

Never have any issues. Customer service is excellent and always able to help with any questions or problems I may have. Love having Bento. Its easier and more convenient than having to go the local store and re-load cards for my employees. Just do it online and go on to my daily duties!

Benefits:

How could i like anything i was denied before i even started

Drawbacks:

Our company in good standing with everyone applied for prepaid cards and was denied after providing all paperwork. Like what the hell.

In sum:

Will spread the word before anyone i know applies.

Benefits:

Easy to pull up on my phone and track spending.

Drawbacks:

Would like it to send notifications or reminds to my employees to attach their receipts and notes.

In sum:

Bento has provided our company with an easier way of providing petty cash to our employees. They have created an easier way to track spending, reload our managers with funds upon their needs and their online and phone apps are incredibly easy to use!

Benefits:

It allows us to let employees have access to funds when they don't have a company credit card. Pus we have been able to blocker certain users and certain types of transactions as advertised.

Drawbacks:

Needs monthly statements with end of month totals. Need to be able to divide users by department or division.

In sum:

The software provides a beneficial service. However it could be better in a few ways. Firstly it REALLY would be better if users could have monthly statements! Especially if they could show daily balances on them. Secondly, it would be better if there could be users assigned to different departments/divisions. Currently we have to have two (2) different Bento accounts to keep them separated.

Benefits:

You can manage your cards limits

Drawbacks:

Customer service

In sum:

These cards have really help my company save money,time and gas industry have told others about bento

In sum:

BENTO HAS HELPED TRACK OUR MONEY AND MANAGE IT TO WHERE WE CAN MAKE SURE OUR MONEY IS BEING USED TOWARDS THE RIGHT EXPENSES IT CONVENIENT TO HAVE THE DIFFERENT CARDS AS WELL SO EVERYONE ISNT WAITING ON THAT ONE CARD

Benefits:

I can use it from my cell phone

Drawbacks:

some time the card will not work when you put a limit on spending I E if the card is close the the limit

In sum:

good for the most part some times when we put a limit of money on the gas only card , it will not work because the gas station runs the card as a pre charge.

Benefits:

Easy and accessible

Drawbacks:

Wait time for money transfer

In sum:

I love it!! We have a growing business and this has helped me better manage our expenses. In my logistics business it was hard to keep track of what my drivers needed on the road and getting ready for work. But with Bento they all have a card that they are able to use for expenses and I am able to keep track of everything now. I can even print a report with Bento for my accountant for this upcoming tax session. Best investment I have made starting my business.