Mercury vs Pulley: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Mercury and Pulley 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.
Bottom line: Mercury wins this matchup. Our overall Finance pick is Wise. Our free Finance pick is ProcurementExpress. Pick Pulley if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Mercury
Business banking for startups. Open an account online in minutes
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Banking built for startups
- • No monthly fees or minimums
Pulley
Equity management for startups
Best for you if:
- • Pulley is a cap table and equity management platform for startups
- • It manages stock options, 409A valuations, and equity transactions
| At a Glance |  Mercury |  Pulley |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Finance | Finance |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Mercury or Pulley?
Choose Mercury if
Business banking for startups. Open an account online in minutes
- No fees
- Great UX
- API access
- You want a fully free tool (Pulley requires payment)
Choose Pulley if
Equity management for startups
- Modern cap table management
- More affordable than Carta
- Good UX
| Feature | Mercury | Pulley |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 181 reviews | ★4.8/5 151 reviews |
| Categories | FinanceAccounting | FinanceEntity Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Mercury
Business banking for startups. Open an account online in minutes
Mercury's Business Banking and Treasury tiers are exceptionally generous, offering core banking services and high-yield options for free.
Watch out
Treasury requires $500K minimum deposits
Strengths
- +No fees
- +Great UX
- +API access
Weaknesses
- -Limited credit options
- -US only
Key features
Pulley
Equity management for startups
Pulley's Starter tier at $1200/year is fair for early-stage startups needing essential cap table management and 409A valuations.
Strengths
- +Modern cap table management
- +More affordable than Carta
- +Good UX
- +409A valuations
- +Transparent pricing
Weaknesses
- -Smaller than Carta
- -Less features
- -Newer platform
- -Limited integrations
- -US focused
Key features
Pricing: Mercury vs Pulley
| Plan | Mercury | Pulley |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Business Banking | $1200 Starter |
| Tier 2 | Free Treasury | Custom Growth |
| Tier 3 | $240 Personal | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Mercury pricing and Pulley pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mercury is free. Pulley is freemium.
Go with: Mercury
Want the highest-rated option?
Mercury: 4.6/5 (181 reviews). Pulley: 4.8/5 (151 reviews).
Go with: Pulley
Value user reviews?
Mercury: 181 reviews (4.6/5). Pulley: 151 reviews (4.8/5).
Go with: Mercury
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Mercury is free. Pulley is freemium. Go with Mercury if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are finance tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Pulley is rated higher: 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5.
Key Takeaways
Mercury
- Larger review base (181 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Pulley
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5
The Bottom Line
Mercury wins this matchup. Our overall Finance pick is Wise. Our free Finance pick is ProcurementExpress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mercury or Pulley better?
Mercury is rated in our evaluation. Mercury is free and Pulley is freemium.
What are Mercury and Pulley used for?
Mercury: Business banking for startups. Open an account online in minutes. Pulley: Equity management for startups.
What does Mercury cost vs Pulley?
Mercury is completely free. Pulley is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.