Novo vs Small Business Checking: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Novo and Small Business Checking — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Novo wins on our scorecard (7.4/10 vs 6.3/10).
| Scored on | Novo | Small Business Checking |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 7 | 7 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 6 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 6 |
| Customer support | 5 | 5 |
| Features | 7 | 7 |
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | $0 | $12 (waivable) |
| Minimum Opening Deposit | $0 | — |
| Domestic Incoming Wires | $0 | — |
| ATM Fee Reimbursements | Unlimited | — |
| Non-Sufficient Funds Fee | $0 | — |
| Minimum Balance to Waive | — | $500 |
| Free Transactions | — | 150 per month |
| Cash Deposit Limit | — | $5,000 free per month |
| Domestic Outgoing Wire | — | $30 |
Novo in one paragraph
Novo is the premier 'starter' fintech for solo digital entrepreneurs who want to automate their cash flow and avoid the fee-heavy structures of legacy banks.
Skip it if: You handle physical cash daily or require outgoing domestic wire transfers for high-value vendor payments.
Small Business Checking in one paragraph
A reliable, 'old-school' choice for cash-heavy local businesses that can stay under the 150-transaction limit.
Skip it if: You run a high-volume e-commerce store with more than 150 monthly transactions.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Novo or Small Business Checking?
On our five-axis scorecard, Novo scores higher (7.4/10 vs 6.3/10). Novo is the premier 'starter' fintech for solo digital entrepreneurs who want to automate their cash flow and avoid the fee-heavy structures of legacy banks.
Who should skip Novo?
You handle physical cash daily or require outgoing domestic wire transfers for high-value vendor payments.
Who should skip Small Business Checking?
You run a high-volume e-commerce store with more than 150 monthly transactions.