Searching for the ultimate guide to cost control? You just landed on the right page. Managing project expenses can feel like juggling flaming torches—one missed receipt or untracked purchase and your budget goes up in smoke. Enter Zena, the business card that tracks expenses by project and uses AI to cut waste, control spending, and deliver real-time budget insights. Ready to simplify your cost control? Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today.

In project-based businesses, every dollar counts. You need a system that automatically assigns expenses to the right projects, adapts credit limits to cash flow, and provides instant profitability insights. Zena does exactly that—with built-in AI, unlimited spending buckets, and seamless integrations, you’ll finally feel in command of your budgets instead of chasing receipts.

What is Zena?

Zena is the next-generation business card designed specifically for project-based cost control. It automatically connects every purchase to its project, categorizes expenses with AI, and delivers instant budget tracking so you can spot overspend before it happens.

Zena Overview

Founded by finance veterans frustrated with manual expense reports, Zena launched in 2022 with a mission to automate project expense management. Over the last two years, it has grown to serve thousands of agencies, construction firms, and creative teams who demand precise budget oversight.

With a commitment to simplicity and power, Zena has introduced features like real-time budget alerts, vendor syncing, and an AI agent that offers actionable spending insights. Its user base has doubled every quarter, and notable customers include leading architecture firms and digital marketing agencies.

Pros and Cons

Pro: Automatic expense assignment by project eliminates manual categorization.

Pro: Built-in AI analyzes spending patterns and provides tailored recommendations.

Pro: Real-time budget tracking keeps projects on course.

Pro: Unlimited virtual and physical cards for every team member.

Pro: Seamless integration with QuickBooks Online and other accounting tools.

Pro: Custom spending buckets let you allocate funds precisely.

Con: Physical cards incur a small fee after exceeding free plan limits.

Con: Advanced forecasting features are only in Pro and Rewards plans.

Key Features for Cost Control

Automatic Project Tracking

Zena assigns every transaction to the correct project—no more guessing or manual edits.

• Auto-match vendor names to projects
• Adjust assignments with drag-and-drop simplicity

AI-Powered Expense Categorization

Zena’s AI agent categorizes purchases and flags anomalies so you can cut waste instantly.

• Smart categorization based on spending history
• Custom rules for recurring expenses

Real-Time Budget Monitoring

Keep an eye on spend versus budget in real time, with alerts when thresholds approach.

• Visual dashboards for project profitability
• Mobile notifications for overspend warnings

Custom Spending Buckets

Allocate funds to specific tasks or phases within a project to maintain granular cost control.

• Create unlimited buckets per project
• Move funds between buckets with a click

Vendor and Subscription Sync

Automatically import recurring payments to avoid blind spots in your cash-flow forecasting.

• Sync subscriptions monthly or annually
• Flag unused or duplicate subscriptions

Get started now and see how effortless cost control can be: Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today.

Pricing Plans

Choose the plan that fits your team and budget management needs.

Free

Price: $0/month

Ideal for solopreneurs and side hustlers who need robust cost control with zero upfront investment.

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

Pro

Price: $20/month

Most popular for small teams managing shared spending and collaborating on budgets.

• 3 users included
• QuickBooks Online integration
• Add users at $5/mo each

Rewards

Price: $25/month (billed annually)

For teams who want extra perks and statement credits while mastering cost control.

• Everything in Pro
• $200 in annual statement credits through Zena rewards

Zena Is Best For

Whether you’re a freelancer or a growing agency, Zena scales with your cost control needs.

Freelancers & Solopreneurs

Track every business expense by client or project without manual spreadsheets.

Small Teams

Collaborate on budgets, set individual spend limits, and manage approvals in seconds.

Agencies & Studios

Gain profitability insights per campaign or project and optimize resource allocation.

Construction & Engineering Firms

Keep material costs and subcontractor expenses aligned with project phases.

Benefits of Using Zena

• Eliminate Manual Data Entry: Automatic expense capture and AI categorization free up hours each week.
• Maintain Real-Time Budget Visibility: See current spend versus targets to avoid surprises.
• Improve Profitability: Identify overspend trends and adjust resource allocation quickly.
• Streamline Reconciliation: Download statements and export transactions in seconds.
• Enhance Team Accountability: Card-level spend limits and memo receipts keep everyone honest.

Customer Support

Zena’s support team is available via email, chat, and phone to resolve any questions in under 24 hours. Whether you need help setting up spend buckets or integrating with QuickBooks, expert assistance is just a message away.

Every plan includes access to our knowledge base, video tutorials, and priority support channels for Pro and Rewards subscribers. We pride ourselves on responsiveness and guiding you toward faster, smarter cost control.

External Reviews and Ratings

Users praise Zena’s intuitive interface and game-changing AI categorization. Many highlight how it reduced invoice processing time by 50% and uncovered hidden subscription costs.

Some feedback suggests advanced cash-flow forecasting could be deeper—but the Zena team regularly pushes updates based on user input, ensuring continuous improvements and new features.

Educational Resources and Community

Zena offers an official blog covering best practices in project accounting, budgeting tips, and case studies from top agencies. Live webinars and on-demand tutorials help you master every feature.

Join the Zena community forum to exchange cost control strategies, request features, and network with other project-based professionals dedicated to smarter spending.

Conclusion

Effective cost control is no longer a spreadsheet nightmare. With Zena’s project-centric business card, AI-driven insights, and real-time budget tracking, you finally have a system built for precision and scalability. Start automating expense assignments, cutting waste, and maximizing profitability today. Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today and take charge of your project budgets with ease.