Pulley vs Mercury: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Pulley and Mercury 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:
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
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
| At a Glance |  Pulley |  Mercury |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Finance | Finance |
Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Pulley or Mercury?
Choose Pulley if
Equity management for startups
- Modern cap table management
- More affordable than Carta
- Good UX
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)
| Feature | Pulley | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.8/5 151 reviews | ★4.6/5 181 reviews |
| Categories | FinanceEntity Management | FinanceAccounting |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: Pulley vs Mercury
| Plan | Pulley | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $1200 Starter | Free Business Banking |
| Tier 2 | Custom Growth | Free Treasury |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $240 Personal |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Pulley pricing and Mercury pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mercury is free. Pulley is freemium.
Go with: Mercury
Want the highest-rated option?
Pulley: 4.8/5 (151 reviews). Mercury: 4.6/5 (181 reviews).
Go with: Pulley
Value user reviews?
Pulley: 151 reviews (4.8/5). Mercury: 181 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Mercury
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Pulley is freemium. Mercury is free. 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 Pulley or Mercury better?
Mercury is rated in our evaluation. Pulley is freemium and Mercury is free.
What are Pulley and Mercury used for?
Pulley: Equity management for startups. Mercury: Business banking for startups. Open an account online in minutes.
What does Pulley cost vs Mercury?
Pulley is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Mercury is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.