Searching for the ultimate guide to cost control? You just landed on the right page. Let me introduce Zena, the Business Card That Tracks Expenses by Project. With its AI tools, Zena automates tracking every purchase by project so you stay on budget without busywork. I’ve spent years helping teams streamline finances, and I can’t wait to share why cost control with Zena is a game-changer. Ready to see for yourself? Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today.

Managing costs across multiple projects can feel like juggling flaming torches—you never know which expense will slip through the cracks. Traditional business cards and software often fall short: they lump expenses together, require manual categorization, and lack real-time budget controls. That’s where Zena shines. Backed by industry awards and trusted by project-based businesses worldwide, Zena’s AI agent delivers on its promise to cut waste and keep spending under control. Let’s dive into how Zena makes cost control effortless for any team.

What is Zena?

Zena is a project expense management solution built around a unique business card that automatically assigns every purchase to the right project. It combines physical and virtual cards with advanced AI tools to track budgets, monitor spending in real time, and forecast cash flow. Designed for project-managed businesses, Zena replaces manual spreadsheets and costly consultants, offering a centralized platform where every transaction aligns with your project goals.

Zena Overview

Zena launched in 2021 with a mission to eliminate expense management headaches for creative agencies, construction firms, consultancies, and more. Its founders recognized that traditional cards and software solutions didn’t cater to the complexities of project budgets. By integrating AI from day one, they created a system that learns from your spending patterns, auto-categorizes transactions, and provides actionable spend insights. Today, Zena supports thousands of teams across North America and Europe, managing millions in monthly transactions with zero manual intervention.

Since its inception, Zena has hit several milestones: securing over $10 million in funding, partnering with leading banks for seamless bank funding, and earning high marks in fintech innovation awards. Continuous feature updates ensure Zena evolves alongside changing business needs, making it a reliable partner for any team looking to gain control over project finances.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Automated Project Tracking: Every purchase is linked to the right project automatically, eliminating manual categorization.

Real-Time Budget Alerts: Instant notifications when you approach or exceed budget limits, preventing overspend.

AI-Powered Insights: Zena AI analyzes spending trends to recommend cost-saving measures and forecast cash flow.

Multiple Card Types: Issue both virtual and physical cards for team members without extra fees.

Scalable Plans: Flexible pricing tiers that grow with your team, from solo entrepreneurs to large agencies.

Seamless Integrations: Connect with QuickBooks Online and export data in multiple formats for easy accounting.

Cons:

Physical card issuance can take a few days depending on your region.

Advanced forecasting features may require a short learning curve for new users.

Features

Zena’s feature set is built to streamline expense management and strengthen cost control at every level. Below are the key functionalities that set Zena apart.

Zena Project Card

Track every purchase by project—automatically.

• Unlimited virtual cards and physical cards for face-to-face spend.
• Create customized spending buckets per project or department.
• Set dynamic credit limits that adapt to your cash flow.

Project Expense Management

Use AI tools to track budgets, cut waste, and control spending in real time.

• Auto-categorization of vendor and subscription payments.
• Detailed dashboards showing estimated vs. actual costs.
• Alerts for unusual spend patterns and potential overruns.

Project Tracking

Connect every expense to project progress and instantly track profitability.

• Link transactions to project milestones and deliverables.
• Visualize spend versus revenue in customizable charts.

Zena AI Agent

Stay ahead, save time and money, and deliver the best experience for your clients.

• Personalized spend insights and actionable recommendations.
• Automatic extraction of receipts and memo data via SMS uploads.

Zena Pricing

Zena offers a plan for every stage of your business. Each tier includes unlimited spending buckets, transaction imports, AI categorization, and more.

Free

Price: $0/month
Ideal for solopreneurs and side hustlers

• Unlimited virtual cards
• Physical cards for in-person spend
• 1 user
• Full access to software features

Pro (Most Popular)

Price: $20/month
Ideal for small teams managing shared spend

• Everything in Free, plus:
• 3 users included
• QuickBooks Online integration
• Add additional users for $5/mo each

Rewards

Price: $25/month (billed annually)
Ideal for teams who want extra rewards when spending

• Everything in Pro, plus:
• $200 in annual statement credits with Zena rewards program

Zena Is Best For

Whether you’re a freelancer or part of a growing agency, Zena adapts to your cost management needs.

Freelancers and Solopreneurs

Quick setup, zero monthly fees, and simple budgeting tools make Zena perfect for managing side hustle expenses without fuss.

Small Teams

With the Pro plan, small teams can share cards, set per-user limits, and integrate with their preferred accounting software.

Project-Based Agencies and Consultancies

Zena’s advanced project tracking and AI forecasts help agencies deliver profitable projects by monitoring spend against budgets in real time.

Benefits of Using Zena

• Streamlined Cost Control: Consolidate expenses by project, reduce manual work, and prevent budget overruns.
• Improved Profitability: Accurate expense allocation leads to better pricing decisions and higher profit margins.
• Time Savings: Automated categorization and AI-driven insights free up hours previously spent on admin tasks.
• Enhanced Visibility: Real-time dashboards keep your team informed of financial health at every project stage.
• Scalability: Flexible plans let you scale up card issuance and features as your team grows.

Customer Support

Zena offers responsive support via email, chat, and phone. Live agents are typically available from 9 am to 6 pm local time, ensuring quick resolutions for urgent issues.

In addition to one-on-one assistance, Zena maintains a comprehensive help center with step-by-step guides and FAQs. Premium plans also include priority support for faster response times.

External Reviews and Ratings

Users on G2 and Capterra praise Zena’s intuitive interface and powerful AI features. Many highlight significant time savings and improved financial oversight after switching from manual tracking tools.

Some users initially noted a learning curve with the forecasting dashboard, but follow-up updates and enhanced tutorials have addressed these concerns. Overall ratings consistently exceed 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Educational Resources and Community

Zena’s official blog covers topics like project budgeting, waste reduction strategies, and AI in finance. Regular webinars and live demos help new users get up to speed quickly.

The Zena Community Forum connects finance professionals, allowing peer-to-peer advice and sharing of best practices. Active Slack channels and local meetups further foster collaboration.

Conclusion

Effective cost control is critical for any project-based business aiming to maintain profitability and scale sustainably. Zena delivers automated expense tracking, real-time budget controls, and AI-powered insights in one seamless platform. Experience the difference yourself by signing up for a trial. Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today and start mastering your project expenses with ease.