In principle, I agree with you. In practice, if there are cheap tools (or, more likely often less cheap services) to fulfill business requirements--and make things including things like traveling more pleasant--I'll often just pay out rather than dealing with approvals and requests which are often out of policy.

And it's against most company policy to install unapproved software and deliver it to customers

Sure, but the same can be said for clothing for a real estate agent. Or keeping your personal licenses and credentials up to date.