Source: https://rivet.global/blog/mercury-vs-relay
Published: 2026-06-02 · Updated: 2026-11-04 · By Alexia M.

# Mercury vs Relay: which business account fits your company in 2026

Mercury vs Relay compared on plans, wire and FX fees, accounts and cards, from each provider's pricing page, plus when a multi-currency account fits better.

## Key takeaways

- Mercury's base plan is $0 a month, with paid tiers at $29.90 (Plus) and $299 (Pro); Relay runs Starter at $0, Grow at $30 and Scale at $120, listed at $90 on a limited-time discount.
- Mercury lists $0 for domestic and USD international wires on every plan and a 1% fee when a wire is converted to another currency.
- Relay's strength is structure: up to 20 checking accounts per business on Starter and Grow, 50 on Scale, which suits profit-first style budgeting.
- Both hold US dollars only. A company that invoices in euros or pounds, or pays contractors in local currency every month, needs more than either offers.

"Mercury bank vs Relay bank" is the most typed Mercury comparison on Google. That makes sense. Both are online business accounts for US companies, both start free, and both sit on partner banks. They are built for different jobs.

Prices below are from each provider's pricing page, read on 4 November 2026.

## The plans side by side

| | Mercury | Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Mercury, $0 | Starter, $0 |
| Paid plans | Plus $29.90, Pro $299 a month | Grow $30, Scale $120 a month (listed at $90 on a limited-time discount) |
| Domestic wires | $0 on all plans | Not listed on the pricing page |
| International wires | $0 in USD; 1% FX fee if converted | Not listed; international payments run through a partner |
| Checking accounts | Multiple accounts | Up to 20 per business (50 on Scale) |
| Cards | Debit and IO credit card, 1.5% cash back | Up to 50 debit cards per cardholder per account |
| Partner banks | Choice Financial Group, Column N.A. | Thread Bank |

## Mercury: wires and a startup toolkit

Mercury's headline is free wires. Domestic wires and USD international wires cost $0 on every plan, and for $15 you can send a wire on OUR terms so intermediary fees do not come out of the recipient's amount. A wire converted to another currency costs 1%. Card spend in another currency costs 3%. Mercury also sells treasury, payroll and bookkeeping, and it advertises FDIC coverage up to $5M through partner banks and their sweep networks.

## Relay: many accounts, one business

Relay's appeal is structure. You can open up to 20 checking accounts and label them for taxes, payroll, owner pay and operating spend. Bookkeepers like it because the money is already sorted before month end. Relay's pricing page says additional transaction fees apply but did not show wire or FX amounts when we checked.

## What neither does

Both hold US dollars. If a client in Germany wants to pay by SEPA, or a contractor in Mexico wants pesos, you are sending a converted wire and paying the spread. For a company whose revenue and costs are mostly in the US, that is fine. For one that earns or pays in several currencies every month, it is the main cost.

## Paying into the United States: the local rail

| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | ACH for batch payments; RTP and FedNow for instant transfers |
| Run by | Nacha for ACH; The Clearing House for RTP; the Federal Reserve for FedNow |
| Settlement | Same-day ACH within the business day, standard ACH the next; RTP and FedNow in seconds, 24/7, where both banks take part |

Source: [Nacha: Same Day ACH](https://www.nacha.org/rules/same-day-ach-moving-payments-faster). Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.

## Where Rivet fits

Rivet is a multi-currency business account. The free Starter plan gives your company USD details for ACH and wires. Growth adds EUR and GBP details in the company's name, local payouts to 120+ countries and FX from 0.50%, shown before you confirm. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. Compare our plans on [Pricing](/pricing), or read [Mercury alternatives for non-US companies](/blog/mercury-alternatives-for-non-us-companies) if your owners live abroad.

## Questions

### Is Mercury or Relay better for a startup?

Mercury suits venture-backed startups that send wires and want treasury and credit products in one place. Relay suits small businesses that split money into many accounts for taxes, payroll and spending. Both are fintech companies working with partner banks.

### Does Relay charge for wires?

Relay's pricing page says additional transaction fees apply but did not list wire amounts when we checked in November 2026. Check the fee schedule in your Relay account before you rely on it for international payments.

### Can a non-US resident open Mercury or Relay?

Both are built for US-registered businesses. Neither pricing page states its rules for owners who live abroad, so check the eligibility page before you apply. Rivet accepts US LLCs whose owners live in supported countries.

### Which is cheaper for international payments?

Mercury publishes $0 for USD international wires and a 1% fee on wires converted to another currency. If your company converts often, compare that 1% with a multi-currency account where FX starts lower.