The Forwardly Network is a universal business network that connects businesses, their customers and vendors, and their accounting systems. Unlike closed networks that operate only within a single accounting ecosystem, such as QuickBooks Business Network or Xero Connect, the Forwardly Network operates across nine leading accounting and ERP platforms.
When two businesses are connected on the Forwardly Network, invoices and bills sync directly between their accounting systems, payment status is visible to both sides in real time, and bank payments between them are free at every speed. Connections are made automatically during your first transaction, so there’s no repeated setup or manual data entry.
How is the Forwardly Network different from other accounting networks?
Most accounting networks are closed ecosystems that support transactions only between users on the same platform. That creates friction when your customers and vendors use different software. The Forwardly Network removes those barriers by:
Connecting businesses across accounting platforms
No restrictions on which accounting software your customers or vendors use. Your customers and vendors can use any supported platform, including QuickBooks Online, Xero, Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Intuit Enterprise Suite, Campfire, Zoho Books, FreshBooks, and more.
Syncing invoices and bills automatically
An invoice you create in your accounting software arrives in your customer’s system as a bill, with every line item intact.
Making bank payments free between connected businesses
Standard ACH, next-day ACH, same-day ACH, and instant payments are all free when both businesses are fully activated on the Forwardly Network.
Reducing manual effort
Once a connection is made, future transactions are automatically routed to the right business.
Keeping records accurate
Payments are matched to the correct invoices and bills, which reduces errors and eliminates duplicate entries.
Supporting multiple businesses in one account
If you manage several business entities, you can handle all of their payments from a single Forwardly account.
How does the Forwardly Network work?
The Forwardly Network works alongside your connected accounting software.
Getting paid (invoices)
- Your contacts and invoices sync automatically from your connected accounting software.
- For your first payment request, search for your customer on the Forwardly Network and send the request. If they aren’t found, send the request by email instead.
- If your customer is already on the Forwardly Network, the invoice appears in their bills and syncs to their accounting software. If they aren’t, they receive an email with a secure payment link to confirm their business and pay.
- Once your customer is identified, future invoices are routed to them automatically.
Paying bills
- Your contacts and bills sync automatically from your connected accounting software.
- For your first payment, search for your vendor on the Forwardly Network and send the payment. If they aren’t found, send a payment link by email instead.
- If your vendor is already on the Forwardly Network, the payment is automatically recorded in their system. If they aren’t, they receive a notification and confirm where they’d like to receive the funds.
- Once your vendor is identified, future payments are routed to them automatically.
What are the benefits of using the Forwardly Network for business payments?
Free bank payments at every speed
Pay and get paid by connected businesses without bank processing fees, including instant payments.
No more PDFs or re-entering data
Invoices and bills move as structured data between accounting systems instead of email attachments.
Real-time payment status for both sides
Everyone can see when a payment is scheduled, sent, and received, so there’s no chasing confirmation emails.
Banking details stored once
Verified banking details are reused across the network instead of being shared over email, which reduces fraud risk.
Faster invoice collections
Direct connections between businesses help reduce payment delays and speed up accounts receivable (AR).
Fewer errors
Payments are automatically matched to outstanding invoices and bills, which prevents duplicates and simplifies reconciliation.
Guest payers and payees
Businesses that aren’t on Forwardly yet can still pay and get paid through a secure payment link.
Faster payment detail updates
Update payment information for multiple suppliers in a single action, so outdated details don’t cause failed payments.
Who qualifies for free bank payments?
To send and receive free bank payments on the Forwardly Network, both businesses need to be:
- Fully verified on Forwardly
- Connected to their bank with Plaid
- Connected to supported accounting or ERP software
How can my business join the Forwardly Network?
If you own or manage finances for a US-based business, you can join the Forwardly Network by creating an account and adding your business. There’s no cost to join or stay connected.
Already using Forwardly? Log in to your account and check which of your customers and vendors are already connected. You can invite the rest directly from your AR and AP workflows.
New to Forwardly? Sign up to get started.