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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QtpgbEUaSJ7GKoCNfzuKZzGTWB1gk0+cnVh9Tnb0EqosI1BxMYq52pnQ/EcyC7yT
 msUDcb+Hy8vITPBEaLKEbQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001073349-09-000080.txt : 20091211
<SEC-HEADER>0001073349-09-000080.hdr.sgml : 20091211
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091211165041
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001073349-09-000080
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091211
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091211

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOTTOMLINE TECHNOLOGIES INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001073349
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372]
		IRS NUMBER:				020433924
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		325 CORPORATE DRIVE
		CITY:			PORTSMOUTH
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03801
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6034360700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		325 CORPORATE DRIVE
		CITY:			PORTSMOUTH
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03801

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LOOMIS JAMES L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001106015

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25259
		FILM NUMBER:		091236766

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BOTTOMLINE TECHNOLOGIES
		STREET 2:		325 CORPORATE DRIVE
		CITY:			PORTSMOUTH
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03801
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-12-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001073349</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOTTOMLINE TECHNOLOGIES INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EPAY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001106015</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LOOMIS JAMES L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BOTTOMLINE TECHNOLOGIES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>325 CORPORATE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PORTSMOUTH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>03801</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-12-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>60000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.7302</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>310750</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kevin Donovan as POA for James L. Loomis</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-12-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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