Wise vs Mercury: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Wise 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:
Wise
International money transfers and accounts
Best for you if:
- • You need financial planning features specifically
- • Wise is an international money transfer service with low fees
- • It provides multi-currency accounts and real exchange rates
Mercury
Banking for startups
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.7/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need accounting features specifically
- • Banking built for startups
- • No monthly fees or minimums
| At a Glance |  Wise |  Mercury |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Financial Planning | Accounting |
Rating | 87/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Wise | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 87 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 176 |
| Categories | Financial PlanningPayment Processing | AccountingExpense Management |
How Wise and Mercury Compare
Wise
International money transfers and accounts
Free tier available · 87/100 score
Mercury
Banking for startups
Free · 88/100 score
Wise is a financial planning tool. Mercury is in accounting.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mercury is free. Wise is freemium.
Go with: Mercury
Want the highest-rated option?
Wise: 87/100. 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?
Wise is freemium. Mercury is free. Go with Mercury if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Wise is a financial planning tool. Mercury is in accounting. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Mercury scores higher: 88/100 vs 87/100.
Key Takeaways
Mercury
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 87
- More community upvotes (176)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Wise
- Better fit for financial planning
The Bottom Line
Mercury (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wise or Mercury better?
Mercury scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Wise is freemium and Mercury is free.
What are Wise and Mercury used for?
Wise: International money transfers and accounts. Mercury: Banking for startups.
What does Wise cost vs Mercury?
Wise is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Mercury is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.