Mercury vs Relay: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Mercury and Relay — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Mercury wins on our scorecard (8.3/10 vs 8.2/10).
| Scored on | Mercury | Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 7 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 9 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 9 |
| Customer support | 6 | 6 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Monthly Service Fee | $0 | — |
| Domestic Wires (Send/Receive) | $0 | — |
| International Wires | $0 (1% FX fee may apply) | — |
| Minimum Opening Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| ATM Withdrawals | Reimbursed at Allpoint locations | — |
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | — | $0 |
| Relay Pro Fee | — | $30/mo |
| Domestic Wire (Standard) | — | $5 |
| International Wire (Standard) | — | $10 |
Mercury in one paragraph
A brilliant software-first financial platform that eliminates fees for tech startups but carries the risk of automated account freezes.
Skip it if: You own a brick-and-mortar business that needs to deposit physical cash or work in a 'high-risk' industry like CBD or gaming.
Relay in one paragraph
The best choice for business owners who want to automate their budgeting through multiple accounts without getting nickel-and-dimed on monthly fees.
Skip it if: Skip it if you run a cash-heavy retail business or need to deposit large physical checks frequently.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Mercury or Relay?
On our five-axis scorecard, Mercury scores higher (8.3/10 vs 8.2/10). A brilliant software-first financial platform that eliminates fees for tech startups but carries the risk of automated account freezes.
Who should skip Mercury?
You own a brick-and-mortar business that needs to deposit physical cash or work in a 'high-risk' industry like CBD or gaming.
Who should skip Relay?
Skip it if you run a cash-heavy retail business or need to deposit large physical checks frequently.