Comparison \u2014 AR automation SaaS
Syntharra vs Lockstep
Lockstep automates AR workflows and is built to sync with QuickBooks. Syntharra adds the compliance-safe voice call that Lockstep email reminders cannot make.
| Dimension | Syntharra | Lockstep |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | 10% of recovered amount, no monthly fee | Subscription-based, tiered pricing |
| Monthly minimum | None | Monthly subscription required |
| Setup time | About 10 minutes | Under an hour |
| Voice AI calls | Compliance-safe voice agent, 3-attempt cap | No voice AI — email and portal only |
| TCPA/FDCPA compliance | TCPA/FDCPA guardrails — see /compliance | N/A — no outbound phone calls |
| QuickBooks integration | Native QuickBooks Online OAuth | Native QBO integration |
| Contract length | Month-to-month, cancel anytime | Month-to-month |
| Funds flow | Paid direct to your Stripe account | Payments via customer portal |
How to think about this comparison
Lockstep is an AR automation platform with a strong QuickBooks Online integration and a focus on making AR accessible to smaller finance teams. It handles email dunning, payment portals, and collaboration between customers and vendors on invoice disputes. For many small businesses, Lockstep is a solid step up from doing everything manually. Where it stops is the voice call: Lockstep does not place outbound phone calls on overdue invoices. Syntharra closes that gap. If you already use Lockstep for email reminders and some invoices remain unpaid despite consistent follow-up, Syntharra can layer on as the voice-escalation step without replacing the email workflow you have already built.
When Lockstep is the better choice
Lockstep is one of the more small-business-friendly AR automation platforms, with a solid QuickBooks integration and easy email dunning. Syntharra adds the voice-call escalation layer for invoices that email reminders alone cannot recover.
This is Syntharra's own first-party positioning, not a third-party endorsement. We publish it here so the trade-offs stay explicit.
Questions shops ask when picking between us and Lockstep
Does Lockstep make outbound phone calls?
No. Lockstep focuses on email dunning, collaboration, and payment portals. Syntharra handles the voice-call escalation that email tools leave uncovered.
Can I use Lockstep and Syntharra together?
Yes. A common setup is to use Lockstep for email reminders and Syntharra for the phone call when email has not moved the customer. The two do not conflict — Lockstep handles digital; Syntharra handles voice.
Does Lockstep work with QuickBooks Online?
Yes, Lockstep has a native QuickBooks Online integration. Syntharra also connects via native QBO OAuth, so both tools can read the same invoices without conflict.
Which is cheaper?
Syntharra has no monthly fee — we charge 10% of what we actually recover. Lockstep charges a monthly subscription. If you recover nothing in a given month, Lockstep still bills you; Syntharra does not.
Is Lockstep good for small businesses?
Yes, Lockstep is more SMB-friendly than most AR platforms. Syntharra is also designed for small businesses, specifically for the voice-follow-up step that email-first tools do not cover.
For full detail on TCPA and FDCPA compliance, see the compliance page.
Connect your books. We take it from there.
Lockstep handles the email side. Syntharra makes the call. Add the voice layer in ten minutes — no monthly fee.
Connect your booksNo monthly charge. We earn when you recover. Pricing detail.