Snapshot
Mercury and Relay compared on the points that usually decide a business account: account type, monthly fee, currency support, eligibility and where each one is available.
Mercury figures as of 5 June 2026Relay figures as of 5 June 2026Last reviewed 5 June 2026
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. There is no single best account. The right fit depends on your business. Verify current terms and eligibility with each provider before applying.
Mercury and Relay are both United States financial technology companies offering business banking through partner banks, each with a free plan. Mercury is popular with startups and technology firms, including those with founders based abroad, and adds treasury and software features on paid plans. Relay is built around multiple accounts so a business can separate money for taxes, payroll and operating costs. Use the comparison below to weigh account type, fees, eligibility and availability against how your company operates, then confirm the latest terms with each provider. Figures are shown as of 5 June 2026.
Mercury vs Relay at a glance
| Feature | Mercury | Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Account type | Business banking for United States companies through FDIC member partner banks, with checking and savings, cards, payments and treasury tools. Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. | Online business banking from Relay, a financial technology company in the United States, built around multiple accounts so a business can separate money for taxes, payroll and operating costs. |
| Who it suits | United States registered startups and growing companies, including those with founders based abroad, that want a digital first account with no monthly fee on the free plan and modern software. | United States small businesses that want to separate money across multiple accounts and manage cash flow and spending in one place. |
| Monthly fee | Free plan with no monthly fee. Plus is about 35 United States dollars a month and Pro is about 350 United States dollars a month, with lower rates if billed annually. As of 5 June 2026. | Free Starter plan with no monthly fee. Paid Grow and Scale plans carry a monthly fee and add features. As of 5 June 2026. Verify with Relay. |
| Transaction fees | No monthly fee or overdraft fee on the standard account. Some advanced workflows, such as large volume API payments and certain non United States dollar card transactions, can carry fees. As of 5 June 2026. Verify the current rate card with Mercury. | No monthly subscription fee, no minimum balance and no overdraft fees on the Starter plan. Some payment types may carry charges. As of 5 June 2026. Verify with Relay. |
| FX fees | Sending United States dollars internationally and non United States dollar transactions can carry fees that vary by route. Unclear at a single headline rate, so verify with Mercury. As of 5 June 2026. | Relay is United States dollar focused. International wire payments may carry charges. Unclear at a single headline rate, so verify with Relay. As of 5 June 2026. |
| Minimum deposit | No account minimum and no account opening fee. As of 5 June 2026. Verify with Mercury. | No minimum balance required. As of 5 June 2026. Verify with Relay. |
| Multi currency | Accounts are United States dollar based. International United States dollar payments are supported, and some currency features carry fees. As of 5 June 2026. | United States dollar focused, with international wire payments available. As of 5 June 2026. Verify with Relay. |
| Eligibility | Businesses formed and registered in the United States or a United States territory, with United States operations or plans. Founders in many countries can apply, though some regions are not supported. As of 5 June 2026. Verify with Mercury. | United States registered businesses. As of 5 June 2026. Verify the current requirements with Relay. |
| Broadly available in | The United States. The business must be a United States entity, though founders living in many countries can apply. As of 5 June 2026. | The United States only. As of 5 June 2026. |
Mercury and Relay differ most on focus. Mercury leans toward startups and treasury tools with access for many founders based abroad, while Relay centres on separating money across multiple accounts for cash flow management. Match those to how your company operates, then confirm the latest fees and eligibility with each provider.
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Each provider accepts business customers in its supported market. Figures shown as of 5 June 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.
Visit Mercury → Visit Relay →Questions about Mercury and Relay
Which is better for my business, Mercury or Relay?
It depends on your needs. The table on this page compares Mercury and Relay on account type, fees, currency support, eligibility and availability using each provider's published terms. Weigh those against how your business operates, then confirm current terms with each provider. This is information, not advice.
Can I use Mercury and Relay together?
Often yes, subject to each provider's eligibility rules. Some United States businesses keep more than one account, for example Relay for separating money across multiple accounts and Mercury for treasury and startup focused tools. Check eligibility with each provider before applying.
Are the fees on this page current?
Each figure is shown with the date it was recorded, as of 5 June 2026. Fees and eligibility change, so confirm current terms with each provider before you apply.
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 5 June 2026. Confirm current terms with each provider before applying.