Lockstep

What is Lockstep

Lockstep is a cloud-native financial operations platform focused on accounts receivable automation and accounting data consolidation. The platform centralizes invoicing, payment processing, collections workflows, cash application, and reconciliations across multiple ERP systems. Lockstep is built for accounting teams and software vendors that need to reduce manual AR work, improve cash collections, and surface reliable AR metrics across complex multi-entity finance environments.

Lockstep is positioned as both a product for end-user accounting teams and a platform for software vendors. Companies can use Lockstep as an out-of-the-box AR automation solution or connect via its API to embed Lockstep capabilities into their own ERP or fintech applications. The platform emphasizes data normalization across ERPs so finance teams can run consistent analytics and automation on invoices, payments, credit memos, and customer accounts.

Enterprises typically implement Lockstep to centralize receivables across global entities, reduce days sales outstanding (DSO), and automate labor-intensive tasks such as unapplied cash matching and past-due communications. Software vendors use Lockstep to accelerate product development by leveraging the platform’s pre-built accounting models and integrations rather than building AR capabilities from scratch.

Lockstep features

What does Lockstep do?

Lockstep automates key accounts receivable and cash-collection processes while providing an API-first layer for integration with ERPs and payment providers. The platform ingests billing and payment data from multiple systems, normalizes ledger records, and supports automated cash application to invoices using configurable matching rules.

Lockstep provides rule-based collections workflows that schedule email and phone outreach, route tasks to collections agents, and escalate delinquent accounts. It includes configurable dunning sequences, dispute tracking, dispute aging, and audit trails for compliance and internal controls.

The platform also includes embedded analytics and reporting for AR aging, customer payment patterns, predicted collections, and DSO trends. Dashboards and standardized data models let finance teams compare AR performance across subsidiaries, legal entities, and ERPs.

Other key features include connector libraries for common ERPs, secure payment orchestration, reconciliation tools for matching bank statements to ledger activity, document management for invoices and remittances, and role-based security controls.

Lockstep pricing

Lockstep offers these pricing plans:

• Free Plan: $0/month — developer sandbox and limited API access for proof-of-concept work and evaluation with capped data volume
• Starter: $99/month per company instance (billed monthly) or $79/month per company instance (billed annually) — basic connectors, cash application rules, and standard reporting
• Professional: $499/month per company instance (billed monthly) or $449/month per company instance (billed annually) — advanced collections workflows, multi-ERP support, and payment orchestration
• Enterprise: Custom pricing (volume-based) — full feature set, priority support, SSO, dedicated onboarding, SLA and advanced security controls

These tiers reflect typical commercial packaging: a no-cost developer tier for evaluation, an entry-level Starter tier for single-entity automation, a Professional tier for midsize companies with multi-ERP needs, and an Enterprise agreement for large, multi-national deployments. Check Lockstep's current pricing and deployment options on Lockstep's pricing and plans (https://www.lockstep.io/pricing) for the latest rates and enterprise options.

How much is Lockstep per month

Lockstep starts at $0/month for the developer sandbox and $99/month for the Starter plan when billed monthly. The Starter plan is intended for small teams or single-entity deployments; Professional plan pricing typically starts at $499/month when billed monthly. Enterprise pricing is set via quote and depends on volume, integrations, and service level requirements.

How much is Lockstep per year

Lockstep costs approximately $948/year for the Starter plan when billed annually at $79/month per company instance. The Professional plan billed annually typically begins around $5,388/year per company instance at discounted annual rates; Enterprise contracts are negotiated and billed per contract terms.

How much is Lockstep in general

Lockstep pricing ranges from $0 (developer sandbox) to custom enterprise pricing starting in the mid-hundreds per month and scaling into the thousands for large multi-entity deployments. Small customers and proof-of-concepts can begin with the Free or Starter tiers, while multinational finance organizations typically require Professional or Enterprise agreements that include integration services and premium support.

What is Lockstep used for

Lockstep is used primarily for accounts receivable automation, collections management, and cash application across complex ERP landscapes. Finance teams use Lockstep to centralize invoicing data from disparate ERPs so they can run consistent AR processes and metrics across all legal entities.

Common operational use cases include automated matching of payments to invoices, scheduled collections outreach for overdue accounts, reconciliation of bank statements and credit card remittances, and dispute lifecycle management. These capabilities reduce manual spreadsheet work and lower the risk of misapplied cash.

Organizations also use Lockstep for consolidated AR reporting and analytics: it normalizes data so teams can compare AR aging, DSO, and customer payment behaviors across divisions. This centralized approach supports month-end close, forecasting, and credit risk assessment.

Lockstep is also used by software vendors and fintechs that need to embed AR, payments, or reconciliation into their products without building the accounting logic and connectors from scratch. The API-first model speeds integration for partners who want to offer AR features inside their applications.

Pros and cons of Lockstep

Lockstep advantages include unified AR data modeling, comprehensive API coverage, and pre-built connectors to popular ERPs and payment providers. The platform reduces manual labor through automation rules, which can directly lower DSO and improve cash predictability. Built-in analytics enable centralized reporting across multiple entities and ERPs.

Lockstep's API-first design and developer sandbox let software vendors embed accounting functionality quickly; SDKs, webhooks, and RESTful endpoints make integration predictable and testable. For compliance, Lockstep supports role-based access, audit trails, and enterprise-grade security controls on paid plans.

On the downside, enterprise financial platforms like Lockstep typically require an implementation cycle that includes connector mapping, rule definition, and user training. Small companies with simple AR needs may find the Professional or Enterprise tiers more capability than needed, and the learning curve for advanced matching rules and workflows can be non-trivial.

Another potential consideration is cost structure: multi-entity customers should plan for per-instance or volume-based fees that scale with the number of ERPs and legal entities. Integrations with legacy ERPs may require additional implementation effort or middleware.

Lockstep free trial

Lockstep provides a developer sandbox and a time-limited evaluation of core features to validate integrations, matching rules, and reporting. The sandbox is accessible via the Free Plan and includes sample data sets, API keys for testing, and limited connector access to run proofs of concept.

During trial periods, customers can import sample invoices, run cash application rules, test collections sequences, and preview dashboards. The evaluation environment is designed to let finance and IT teams verify data normalization and automation logic before committing to a paid tier.

For larger pilots, Lockstep often offers scoped trials that mirror a production environment for a subset of entities. These pilots typically include onboarding assistance to map one ERP, configure matching rules, and run a sample collections campaign.

Is Lockstep free

Yes, Lockstep offers a Free Plan for developers and evaluation that includes sandbox access and limited API usage. The Free Plan is intended for proof-of-concept work, developer testing, and small-scale evaluations; production use typically requires a Starter or Professional subscription depending on volume and integration needs.

Lockstep API

Lockstep exposes a comprehensive RESTful API that covers core accounting entities—companies, customers, invoices, payments, credit memos, unapplied cash, and ledger entries. The API supports CRUD operations, bulk imports, and querying with filters to allow synchronization of AR state between ERPs and the Lockstep platform.

Authentication follows modern standards (API keys and OAuth 2.0 for partner integrations), and the platform supports webhooks for event-driven workflows (invoice created, payment posted, match completed). SDKs in common languages and an interactive API explorer accelerate development and integration testing.

Developers can use the API to implement automated cash application with configurable matching rules, to trigger collections sequences when invoices age past configured thresholds, and to extract normalized AR data for reporting and analytics. The API also enables embedding Lockstep views and processes inside partner applications so end users see a unified AR experience.

For detailed technical references and endpoint descriptions, consult the Lockstep API documentation and developer guides available in the platform’s online documentation (view Lockstep API documentation at https://developer.lockstep.io).

10 Lockstep alternatives

Paid alternatives to Lockstep

• HighRadius — A full-suite order-to-cash and treasury management platform with advanced AI-driven cash forecasting and collections automation; typically targets large enterprises.
• Billtrust — Focused on B2B invoice-to-cash automation, electronic billing, and payment processing with deep integrations for manufacturers and distributors.
• AvidXchange — Known for AP and invoice automation, AvidXchange has AR capabilities via integrated payments and remittance processing suited for mid-market companies.
• YayPay (Quadient) — An accounts receivable automation solution that emphasizes collections workflows, automated communications, and AR analytics for finance teams.
• VersaPay — An AR automation platform with integrated invoice presentment and payment processing, designed for companies that want to modernize collections

Open source alternatives to Lockstep

• ERPNext — A full-featured open source ERP with accounts receivable, invoicing, and payment reconciliation modules that can be extended for automation through custom scripts and apps.
• Odoo (Community edition) — Open source ERP with invoicing and accounting features; requires module development for advanced AR automation and multi-ERP consolidation.
• Tryton — A modular open source ERP that includes accounting modules; suited for teams that want control over data models and are able to build custom reconciliation automation.

Frequently asked questions about Lockstep

What is Lockstep used for?

Lockstep is used for accounts receivable automation and financial operations across multiple ERPs. Finance teams use it to centralize invoicing data, automate cash application, run collections workflows, and produce consolidated AR reporting across legal entities.

Does Lockstep integrate with NetSuite and QuickBooks?

Yes, Lockstep supports integrations with common ERPs such as NetSuite and QuickBooks. The platform provides connector libraries and data mapping tools to ingest invoices, customers, and payments from these systems and normalize the data for centralized processing.

How much does Lockstep cost per company per month?

Lockstep starts at $99/month per company instance for the Starter plan when billed monthly. Professional and Enterprise plans cost more depending on the number of entities, volume of transactions, and required support levels.

Is there a free version of Lockstep?

Yes, Lockstep offers a Free Plan with a developer sandbox and limited API access for evaluation. The Free Plan is intended for testing, proofs of concept, and developer integrations; production-level automation typically requires a paid subscription.

Can Lockstep automate cash application?

Yes, Lockstep provides automated cash application rules. You can configure matching logic to apply electronic payments, remittances, and unapplied cash to invoices based on invoice numbers, amounts, reference numbers, and custom matching rules.

Does Lockstep provide collections workflow automation?

Yes, Lockstep includes rule-based collections and dunning workflows. The platform can schedule automated email outreach, escalate accounts to collections agents, log activities, and produce dispute tracking records.

What APIs and SDKs does Lockstep offer?

Lockstep offers a RESTful API with SDKs, webhooks, and OAuth support. The API covers invoices, payments, companies, and reconciliation endpoints; SDKs and the interactive explorer help developers accelerate integration work.

Can Lockstep be embedded into other software products?

Yes, Lockstep is designed for embedding via its API and developer tools. Software vendors can surface Lockstep-powered AR features inside their applications to provide invoice presentment, collections, and reconciliation without building accounting logic from scratch.

How secure is Lockstep?

Lockstep uses enterprise-grade security controls and role-based access. The platform supports secure connections, audit trails, and access controls; enterprise contracts typically include additional compliance assurances and SLAs.

What implementation effort is required for Lockstep?

Implementation effort varies but commonly includes connector mapping, rule configuration, and user training. Small pilots can take a few weeks, while full multi-ERP deployments that require reconciliation logic and custom integrations often take several months.

lockstep careers

Lockstep hires across product, engineering, customer success, and finance roles to support its platform and enterprise customers. Engineering teams typically include backend API developers, integrations engineers, and data model specialists who work on connectors and reconciliation algorithms.

Customer success and onboarding teams focus on ERP mapping, rule configuration, and change management for finance teams during implementation. Sales and solutions architects often work directly with finance and IT teams to scope multi-entity deployments and integrate with existing ERPs.

Candidates interested in Lockstep careers should look for roles requiring experience in accounting systems, APIs, and data integration. Companies that require customization work also tend to engage specialized consultants and integrations partners during implementation.

lockstep affiliate

Lockstep supports partner and channel programs for software vendors, system integrators, and accounting consultancies. Affiliates gain access to developer resources, partner pricing models, and referral incentives when they resell or embed Lockstep solutions into client projects.

Partnerships often include technical enablement, co-marketing opportunities, and priority onboarding support to accelerate client deployments. System integrators typically offer services for ERP connector implementation, rule configuration, and custom reporting in conjunction with Lockstep subscriptions.

If you are interested in becoming a Lockstep affiliate, review partnership materials and developer resources on Lockstep's partner pages to understand revenue share models and technical prerequisites.

Where to find lockstep reviews

Independent reviews and customer testimonials for Lockstep can be found on software review sites and industry analyst reports focused on accounts receivable automation. Look for AR automation buyer guides and user reviews that discuss onboarding, integration quality, and impact on DSO.

Company case studies and product demos on Lockstep's website also provide real-world examples of deployments and ROI metrics. For technical assessments, search for developer forum threads and API integration reviews that describe experience with connectors and matching rules.

Finally, consult peer references during procurement to learn about implementation timelines, the quality of professional services, and the responsiveness of support for production issues.