Searching for the ultimate guide to cost control? You just landed on the right page. Meet Zena, the AI-powered project expense tracker that transforms the way you manage budgets, cut waste, and stay on track without the busywork.

I know how challenging it can be to juggle multiple projects, keep spending in check, and still deliver on time. With years of experience serving project-based businesses and glowing customer feedback, Zena brings you an intuitive solution—and you can Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today.

What is Zena?

Zena is a smart business card and expense management platform designed specifically for project-based teams. It automatically assigns every purchase to the right project, giving you real-time visibility into budgets, spending limits, and profitability. By embedding AI tools at every step, Zena makes cost control effortless and accurate.

Zena Overview

Founded with a mission to eliminate budget overruns, Zena has grown rapidly since its launch. The team behind Zena recognized that traditional cards and expense software weren’t built for project workflows. They set out to deliver a unified card, AI engine, and dashboard that syncs project progress with every transaction.

Today, Zena serves solopreneurs, agencies, consultancies, and construction firms, helping thousands of users regain control of their spending. From unlimited virtual cards to AI-driven insights, Zena’s roadmap continues to expand with features shaped by customer feedback.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Automatic Project Assignment: Every expense is mapped to its project without manual tagging.

2. Real-Time Budget Tracking: See live spend vs. budget data and receive alerts before you overshoot.

3. AI-Powered Categorization: Zena AI automatically categorizes transactions, saving hours of reconciliation.

4. Flexible Spending Controls: Set card-level limits, control approvals, and adjust credit based on cash flow.

5. Integrated Profitability Insights: Connect expenses to project progress and see margins at a glance.

6. Unlimited Virtual Cards: Create as many cards as you need for vendors, contractors, or team members.

Cons:

1. Learning Curve:

It may take a week or two for teams to adopt the AI-driven workflow fully.

2. Early Refund Matching:

Refunds sometimes require manual verification when vendors issue credits outside the platform.

Features

Zena packs a suite of features that streamline every aspect of project expense management. Here’s a deep dive:

Project Expense Management

Assign purchases to projects automatically and track budget burn in real time.

• Live dashboard updates for project managers.
• Custom spending buckets per project or department.
• Alerts when spending approaches budget thresholds.

Zena AI Agent

Leverage AI to categorize expenses, forecast cash flow, and identify cost-saving opportunities.

• Auto-categorization with >90% accuracy.
• Spend analysis reports delivered daily.
• Recommendations to optimize vendor contracts and subscription costs.

Physical & Virtual Cards

Issue cards instantly for teams or vendors, with custom limits and controls.

• Instant virtual cards for T&E, subscriptions, or one-off expenses.
• Physical cards with chip and contactless payments.
• Freeze/unfreeze cards in one click.

Budget Controls & Alerts

Maintain strict cost control with flexible rules and real-time notifications.

• Set daily, weekly, or project-specific limits.
• SMS receipts and memos for every transaction.
• Automated alerts for managers when limits are breached.

Zena Pricing

Whether you’re a solopreneur or a growing team, Zena offers plans tailored to your scale:

Free

Price: $0/month

Ideal for solopreneurs and side hustlers seeking unlimited virtual and physical cards with full software access.

Pro (Most Popular)

Price: $20/month

Best for small teams managing shared spend. Includes QuickBooks Online integration and 3 users, with additional users at $5/mo each.

Rewards

Price: $25/month (annually)

Perfect for teams who want extra perks—includes everything in Pro plus $200 in annual statement credits through Zena’s rewards program.

Zena Is Best For

From freelancers to mid-sized agencies, Zena adapts to your workflow:

Freelancers & Side Hustlers

Stay on top of every expense without manual spreadsheets. Automate categorization and focus on delivering great work.

Small Teams & Agencies

Coordinate spending across members, track client budgets, and invoice accurately with live expense data.

Construction & Field Services

Control on-site purchases, manage petty cash, and sync vendor payments to projects in real time.

Benefits of Using Zena

• Eliminate Budget Overruns: Real-time tracking helps you catch overspend before it happens.
• Save Hours on Admin: Auto-categorization and AI insights reduce manual bookkeeping.
• Improve Profitability: Connect costs directly to project milestones and margins.
• Enhance Team Accountability: Customized cards and rules ensure every dollar is on purpose.
• Forecast Cash Flow: AI-driven projections let you plan ahead and avoid surprises.

Customer Support

Zena’s support team prides itself on fast, friendly service. Whether you have a billing question or need help with advanced AI rules, the team is available via in-app chat, email, and phone.

Typical response times are under one hour for most inquiries. Comprehensive setup guides, video tutorials, and live webinars ensure your team is up and running quickly.

External Reviews and Ratings

Users rave about Zena’s intuitive interface and time-saving automation. Many highlight the seamless integration of physical cards with AI-driven reporting. A few users mention a learning curve when setting up advanced budget rules, but most agree the payoff is worth it.

On leading review sites, Zena consistently earns 4.5+ stars, with particular praise for its customer support and accuracy of expense categorization.

Educational Resources and Community

Zena offers a rich library of blogs, webinars, and quick-start guides to help you master project expense management. Join the Zena community forum to share best practices, feature requests, and hacks for tighter cost control. Regular live Q&A sessions with the Zena team keep you informed about new releases and advanced tips.

Conclusion

Effective cost control is no longer a pipe dream. Zena brings AI-powered automation, project-level visibility, and flexible cards into a single platform. Whether you’re running solo or leading a growing team, you can transform how you manage budgets and deliver profitable projects. Ready to see it in action? Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today and take control of your finances.

Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today