Searching for a reliable solution to streamline cost control in your project-based business? You’ve come to the right place. Zena tracks every expense by project and integrates AI-driven budgeting tools to keep you on target. Ready to see it in action? Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today and experience hassle-free spending management.

What is Zena and How It Enhances Cost Control?

Zena is a next-generation business card and expense management platform built specifically for project-based businesses. It automatically assigns each transaction to the correct project, giving you real-time visibility into spending and ensuring precise cost control without manual categorization.

Zena Overview for Superior Cost Control

Founded to solve the chaotic expense workflows of agencies and consultancies, Zena combines a physical and virtual card with a robust software suite. Its mission is simple: eliminate manual admin, cut waste, and ensure every dollar is tracked against your project budgets. Since launch, Zena has helped hundreds of teams reduce overspending by up to 30% and save countless hours on reconciliation.

Pros and Cons of Zena for Cost Control

Pros:

• Instant project-level expense tracking for flawless cost control.
• AI-powered auto-categorization reduces manual work.
• Real-time budget alerts prevent overspending.
• Unlimited virtual cards with customizable spend limits.
• Seamless integration with your bank and QuickBooks Online.
• Zena AI Agent delivers actionable insights and forecasting.

Cons:

• Physical cards are limited to one per account on the Free plan.
• Advanced rewards require annual commitment in the Rewards plan.

Features That Drive Cost Control

Zena Project Card

The Zena Project Card automatically connects every transaction to its respective project, eliminating guesswork and manual reconciliation.

• Virtual and physical card options
• Customizable spending buckets
• Immediate assignment to active project codes

Project Expense Management

Built-in AI tools give you real-time budget tracking and predictive analytics to cut waste before it occurs.

• Budget vs. actual spend dashboards
• Auto-categorization reduces data entry
• Subscription and vendor payment syncing

Project Tracking

See project profitability at a glance by linking expenses to task progress. Identify overruns early and protect your margins.

• Estimated vs. actual cost comparisons
• Profitability heatmaps per project
• Drill-down expense analytics

Zena AI Agent

This intelligent assistant proactively scans your spending patterns, alerts you to budget risks, and suggests cost-saving adjustments.

• Customized alerts for overspending
• Cash-flow forecasting based on expense trends
• Monthly spend insights delivered via email or in-app

Zena Pricing: Cost Control Across Plans

Whether you’re a solo freelancer or a growing agency, Zena offers plans to match your budget and team size.

Free

Price: $0/month

Ideal for solopreneurs and side hustlers who need basic project expense tracking.

• Unlimited virtual cards
• One physical card
• Full access to expense management features

Pro

Price: $20/month

Perfect for small teams requiring shared spend control and accounting integration.

• Up to 3 users included
• QuickBooks Online sync
• Additional users at $5/month each

Rewards

Price: $25/month (billed annually)

Designed for spend-savvy teams who want extra perks on top of robust cost control.

• All Pro features plus:
• $200 in annual statement credits
• Enhanced rewards program

Who Benefits from Zena’s Cost Control?

Solopreneurs and Side Hustlers

Track every purchase automatically, avoid budget leaks, and focus on growth instead of paperwork.

Small Teams Managing Shared Spend

Set per-card limits, monitor team expenses in real time, and ensure accountability across all projects.

Project-Based Businesses

Gain clear visibility into profitability, compare estimated vs. actual costs, and take corrective action early.

Benefits of Using Zena for Cost Control

• Eliminate manual categorization: AI assigns expenses instantly.
• Prevent budget overruns: Real-time alerts keep you on track.
• Improve profitability: Insights reveal high-cost areas.
• Save admin time: Automated reporting and exports.
• Centralize expenses: All transactions in one platform.

Customer Support

Zena’s support team is available via in-app chat, email, and phone. With average response times under one hour, you’ll never be left waiting on a billing question or technical issue.

Comprehensive documentation, video tutorials, and FAQs ensure you get up to speed quickly. For complex workflow setups, our specialists provide personalized onboarding sessions.

External Reviews and Ratings

Users praise Zena for transforming their expense workflows: “We slashed reconciliation time by 70%,” says a digital agency director. “Real-time cost control has kept us profitable on every project,” notes an independent consultant.

Some teams request deeper ERP integrations and more advanced forecasting—features the Zena roadmap is actively addressing in upcoming releases.

Educational Resources and Community

Zena maintains a rich blog with best practices on budgeting, project finance, and team spend management. Monthly webinars and live Q&A sessions foster a collaborative community. An active forum lets you share tips and network with peers across industries.

Developers can leverage the Zena API to build custom integrations and automate workflows further, unlocking advanced cost control capabilities tailored to your operations.

Conclusion

Effective cost control is essential for any project-based business. With Zena, you automate expense tracking, stay on budget, and gain actionable insights without the busywork. Midway through your growth journey or just starting out, Zena adapts to your needs and scales with you. Ready to take control of your spending? Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today and experience seamless project expense management.

Your path to effortless cost control starts here: Try Zena Free for 14 Days Today.