Relay vs Mercury: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Relay 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.
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:
Relay
Online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control.
Best for you if:
- • Provides online business banking with up to 20 checking accounts for cash flow clarity.
- • Offers integrated tools for bills, expenses, invoicing, and accounting integrations.
Mercury
Banking for startups
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • Banking built for startups
- • No monthly fees or minimums
| At a Glance |  Relay |  Mercury |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Accounting | Accounting |
Rating | 80/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Relay | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 176 |
| Categories | AccountingExpense Management | AccountingExpense Management |
How Relay and Mercury Compare
Relay
Online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control.
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Mercury
Banking for startups
Free · 88/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mercury is free. Relay is freemium.
Go with: Mercury
Want the highest-rated option?
Relay: 80/100. Mercury: 88/100.
Go with: Mercury
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Mercury
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Relay is freemium. Mercury is free. Go with Mercury if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are accounting tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Mercury scores higher: 88/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Mercury
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 80
- More community upvotes (176)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Relay
The Bottom Line
Mercury (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Relay or Mercury better?
Mercury scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Relay is freemium and Mercury is free.
What are Relay and Mercury used for?
Relay: Online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control.. Mercury: Banking for startups.
What does Relay cost vs Mercury?
Relay is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Mercury is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.