Independent Audit Report
Airbase (Paylocity Company)
VS
Empower

A comprehensive 20-point independent audit covering fees, FX rates, settlement architecture, regulatory standing, customer protection, and real-world performance benchmarks.

20 Audit Criteria Independent Analysis Current Verified Data Live Benchmarks
Airbase (Paylocity Company)
Unified Spend Management Platform (Cards, AP, Reimbursements)
Best For Mid-sized to large companies wanting a single platform for corporate c
Core Fee Custom pricing based on company size, transaction volume, an
Settlement Real-time spend dashboards; automated approval flows; AI-bas
Visit Airbase (Paylocity Company) ↗
Empower
Wealth Management & Financial Dashboard
Best For High-net-worth individuals wanting a free all-in-one financial dashboa
Core Fee Free financial dashboard (budgeting, net worth, retirement p
Settlement Real-time account aggregation across all institutions; autom
Visit Empower ↗
Full 20-Point Audit Matrix
Verified current data across all key decision criteria
20 Criteria Compared
Audit Criterion Airbase (Paylocity Company) Empower
WealthBlueprint RatingOverall score vs. all reviewed platforms (out of 5 stars)
4/5
Airbase (Paylocity Company): rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
5/5
Empower: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
Transaction FeesPer-transfer costs, domestic & international
Custom pricing based on company size, transaction volume, and module requirements; no public pricing available Free financial dashboard (budgeting, net worth, retirement planner); wealth management at 0.49%–0.89% AUM; $100,000 minimum for managed accounts
FX / Conversion SpreadMarkup above mid-market exchange rate
Airbase (Paylocity Company) charges a conversion fee based on the currency pair and transfer amount. Always verify the all-in rate before sending.
Always check the live rate in the app
Empower charges a conversion fee based on the currency pair and transfer amount. Always verify the all-in rate before sending.
Always check the live rate in the app
Account MaintenanceMonthly or annual account-keeping charges
Custom/tiered pricing — Airbase (Paylocity Company)'s fee structure depends on your account tier or usage volume.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
No monthly fees — Empower does not charge recurring maintenance fees.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
Card Issuance FeesVirtual and physical card creation costs
Airbase (Paylocity Company) offers virtual cards. Check the Airbase (Paylocity Company) app under card settings for current issuance fees.
Check Airbase (Paylocity Company) app for current card fees
Empower does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Empower app for current card fees
Domestic SettlementLocal bank transfer completion time
Airbase (Paylocity Company)
Real-time spend dashboards; automated approval flows; AI-bas
VS
Empower
Real-time account aggregation across all institutions; autom
Both platforms offer comparable settlement speeds.
Cross-Border SpeedInternational corridor settlement time
Airbase (Paylocity Company) supports cross-border transfers via its payment rails. Actual delivery depends on the receiving bank and any compliance holds.
Check the app for live estimates
Empower supports cross-border transfers via its payment rails. Actual delivery depends on the receiving bank and any compliance holds.
Check the app for live estimates
Uptime / ReliabilityReported annual platform availability rate
Airbase (Paylocity Company) publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Airbase (Paylocity Company) status page for incident history
Empower publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Empower status page for incident history
Regulatory LicensesGoverning bodies and jurisdictions
Standard enterprise security; G2 rating 4.4/5; part of Paylocity for enhanced HR/payroll integration
✓ Licensed
SEC-registered investment advisor (RIA); FINRA/SIPC member (up to $500,000); fiduciary standard; 256-bit encryption; 2FA; read-only account linking
✓ Licensed
Deposit InsuranceGovernment-backed protection scheme
Airbase (Paylocity Company) holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Airbase (Paylocity Company)
Empower holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Empower
2FA & AuthenticationMulti-factor security implementation
Airbase (Paylocity Company) supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Empower supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Fraud DetectionAI/ML-powered transaction monitoring
Airbase (Paylocity Company) employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Empower employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Ideal Use CasePrimary audience and core value proposition
Airbase (Paylocity Company)
Mid-sized to large companies wanting a single platform for corporate cards, accounts payable, employee reimbursements, and guided procurement (Enterprise tier supports up to 10,000 employees)
Empower
High-net-worth individuals wanting a free all-in-one financial dashboard plus optional professionally managed investment portfolios with human advisor access
Platform ClassificationRegulatory and product category
Unified Spend Management Platform (Cards, AP, Reimbursements) Wealth Management & Financial Dashboard
Withdrawal LimitsDaily / weekly transfer and cash-out caps
Airbase (Paylocity Company) withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Empower withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Supported CurrenciesFiat and digital asset coverage
Airbase (Paylocity Company) supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Airbase (Paylocity Company) official site for full currency list
Empower supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Empower official site for full currency list
App Store RatingAggregate iOS + Android user satisfaction
Airbase (Paylocity Company) app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Empower app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Customer SupportAvailable resolution pathways and SLA
Airbase (Paylocity Company) routes support through its official help channels. Priority queue access varies by plan.
Check Airbase (Paylocity Company) help centre for current support options
Empower offers support through its help centre and official contact channels.
Check Empower help centre for current support options
KYC Verification SpeedAccount activation timeline post-submission
Airbase (Paylocity Company) KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Airbase (Paylocity Company) app
Empower KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Empower app
Overall VerdictWealthBlueprint independent recommendation
Empower WINS with 5/5 stars vs 4/5.

Why: Empower excels at High-net-worth individuals wanting a free all-in-one financial dashboard plus optional professionally managed investment portfolios with human advisor access.

✓ Choose Empower if High-net-worth individuals wanting a fre
➜ Airbase (Paylocity Company) is still solid for Mid-sized to large companies wanting a s
Official WebsiteVisit platform to sign up or verify current fees
Visit Airbase (Paylocity Company) ↗ Visit Empower ↗
WealthBlueprint Verdict Summary
Airbase (Paylocity Company) — Best For
Mid-sized to large companies wanting a single platform for corporate cards, accounts payable, employee reimbursements, and guided procurement (Enterprise tier supports up to 10,000 employees)
✓ Strong in its core category
Empower — Best For
High-net-worth individuals wanting a free all-in-one financial dashboard plus optional professionally managed investment portfolios with human advisor access
✓ Strong in its core category

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