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: Relay wins on our scorecard (8.4/10 vs 8/10).
| Scored on | Mercury | Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 7 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 9 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 9 |
| Customer support | 6 | 6 |
| Features | 8 | 9 |
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | $0 | — |
| Domestic Wires | $0 | — |
| International Wires (Receive) | $0 | — |
| FX Currency Exchange | 1% | — |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | — |
| Monthly maintenance | — | $0 |
| Domestic ACH | — | $0 |
| Incoming Wires | — | $0 |
| Outgoing Domestic Wire | — | $5 (Free with Pro) |
| Relay Pro Subscription | — | $30/mo |
Mercury in one paragraph
Mercury is the premier financial OS for tech founders who hate fees, but it remains a risky bet for traditional 'main street' businesses prone to automated flagging.
Skip it if: Skip it if you handle physical cash or your business falls outside the tech/e-commerce industry norms.
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, Mercury or Relay?
On our five-axis scorecard, Relay scores higher (8.4/10 vs 8/10). 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 Mercury?
Skip it if you handle physical cash or your business falls outside the tech/e-commerce industry norms.
Who should skip Relay?
You handle more than $2,000 in physical cash deposits per month or require immediate in-person teller support.