🏦 Compare

Business Bank Accounts Compared

Four accounts side by side: what they cost, where your money is actually held, and which makes cash flow easiest to see.

Written and reviewed by the FlowHaxa Editorial TeamFigures checked October 13, 2026

The Short Answer

• Lowest costMercury has no required monthly fee and no minimum balance.
• Most accounts for freeRelay allows up to 20 checking accounts per business, so a separate tax, payroll and reserve account costs nothing extra.
• Branches and cashChase Business Complete is the only branch bank here. It costs $15 a month unless you meet a waiver condition.
• Interest on checkingBluevine pays interest on checking, but on the free plan the rate depends on how much you spend or collect each month.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Checked October 13, 2026 against each provider’s own pages (listed under Sources). Prices, fees and rates change, so confirm on the provider’s site before you sign up.

Provider by Provider

These buttons are sponsored links that go straight to each provider’s own site. Read the disclosure.

Why the Bank Account Is a Cash Flow Tool

A bank account does one job well: it shows you what you have right now. Cash flow trouble usually starts when the number on screen and the number you can really spend drift apart. A tax payment, a payroll run and a supplier bill all sit in the same pile as your working cash.

The fix is cheap and a little boring. Keep money in separate accounts, each with one purpose, so the balance you see is a number you can trust. That is why the count of free accounts matters more than most feature lists suggest.

A Simple Three-Account Setup

Most small businesses do well with three accounts. An operating account pays the everyday bills. A tax account gets a fixed share of every deposit. A reserve account is only touched when income dips. Add a fourth for payroll if you have employees. Our guide to automatic savings transfers shows how to move the money on a schedule so you never have to remember.

Relay and Mercury let you try this without paying monthly fees. We did not confirm what extra accounts cost at Chase, so check that before you plan a multi-account setup there.

How to Choose

Start with how money reaches you. If you never handle physical cash, an online account like Mercury, Relay or Bluevine covers what you need. If customers pay you in cash, or you want a banker across the desk when you apply for a loan, Chase earns its $15.

Then think about how much cash you keep on hand. A large idle balance should earn something, but the best rates tend to sit behind paid plans, so read the business savings comparison before you pick. Our longer guide, how to choose a business bank account, covers the questions to ask any bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to bank with a company that is not a bank?

Mercury, Relay and Bluevine are financial technology companies that work with partner banks. Your deposits sit at those FDIC-member banks, so deposit insurance applies to the bank, not to the fintech. Each provider explains its coverage on its own site, including the conditions that apply to higher limits. Read that section before you move a large balance.

Will my payment processor or marketplace pay into these accounts?

Processors and marketplaces generally pay out by ACH to a routing and account number, which all four providers issue. Confirm that the specific payer accepts the bank before you switch.

Do I need an LLC first?

Not necessarily, but you will almost always need an EIN, and most providers ask for formation documents if you have a company. Sole proprietors can usually open accounts too, though terms vary by provider.

Keep Reading

FlowHaxa is an educational publisher, not a bank, lender or financial adviser. Read our disclaimer, and check large decisions with your accountant.