Mercury vs Pleo: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Mercury and Pleo comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Mercury
Banking for startups
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 7.5/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need accounting features specifically
- • Banking built for startups
- • No monthly fees or minimums
Pleo
Transform business spending into success with smart company cards and automated expense management.
Best for you if:
- • You need workflow automation features specifically
- • Provides smart company cards for employee spending.
- • Automates expense reports, reimbursements, and invoice processing.
| At a Glance |  Mercury |  Pleo |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Accounting | Workflow Automation |
Rating | 88/100 | 75/100 |
| Feature | Mercury | Pleo |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 75 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 176 | 0 |
| Categories | AccountingExpense Management | Workflow AutomationAccounting |
How Mercury and Pleo Compare
Mercury
Banking for startups
Free · 88/100 score
Pleo
Transform business spending into success with smart company cards and automated expense management.
Free tier available · 75/100 score
Mercury is a accounting tool. Pleo is in workflow automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mercury is free. Pleo is freemium.
Go with: Mercury
Want the highest-rated option?
Mercury: 88/100. Pleo: 75/100.
Go with: Mercury
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Mercury
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Mercury is free. Pleo is freemium. Go with Mercury if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Mercury is a accounting tool. Pleo is in workflow automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Mercury scores higher: 88/100 vs 75/100.
Key Takeaways
Mercury
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 75
- More community upvotes (176)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Pleo
- Better fit for workflow automation
The Bottom Line
Mercury (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mercury or Pleo better?
Mercury scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Mercury is free and Pleo is freemium.
What are Mercury and Pleo used for?
Mercury: Banking for startups. Pleo: Transform business spending into success with smart company cards and automated expense management..
What does Mercury cost vs Pleo?
Mercury is completely free. Pleo is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.