BMO Digital Business Checking vs Relay: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of BMO Digital Business Checking and Relay — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Relay wins on our scorecard (8.4/10 vs 7.3/10).
| Scored on | BMO Digital Business Checking | Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 6 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 9 |
| Customer support | 6 | 6 |
| Features | 7 | 9 |
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | $0 | — |
| Minimum Opening Deposit | $100 | — |
| Free Transactions (Monthly) | 200 | — |
| Domestic Outgoing Wire | Approx. $30 | — |
| Cash Deposit Limit (Free) | Up to $3,000 (varies by region) | — |
| Monthly maintenance | — | $0 |
| Domestic ACH | — | $0 |
| Incoming Wires | — | $0 |
| Outgoing Domestic Wire | — | $5 (Free with Pro) |
| Relay Pro Subscription | — | $30/mo |
BMO Digital Business Checking in one paragraph
A reliable, $0-per-month 'real bank' account that is perfect for low-volume service businesses located near a physical branch.
Skip it if: Skip it if you operate a high-volume retail business with over $3,000 in monthly cash deposits or live in a state with no BMO branches.
Relay in one paragraph
Relay is the premier choice for small business owners using the Profit First method who need robust sub-account partitioning without the headache of monthly fees.
Skip it if: You handle more than $2,000 in physical cash deposits per month or require immediate in-person teller support.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, BMO Digital Business Checking or Relay?
On our five-axis scorecard, Relay scores higher (8.4/10 vs 7.3/10). Relay is the premier choice for small business owners using the Profit First method who need robust sub-account partitioning without the headache of monthly fees.
Who should skip BMO Digital Business Checking?
Skip it if you operate a high-volume retail business with over $3,000 in monthly cash deposits or live in a state with no BMO branches.
Who should skip Relay?
You handle more than $2,000 in physical cash deposits per month or require immediate in-person teller support.