Our top picks
After evaluating every major digital business bank for solo operators, two programs stand out as the clear starting points. Below them, several others are worth considering depending on your specific situation.
Mercury is better if you want integrations and plan to grow a team. Relay is better if you work with a bookkeeper or want the tax-bucket setup. See our full Mercury vs Relay comparison →
Full comparison table
| Bank | Monthly Fee | Sub-accounts | Integrations | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Top Pick | $0 | Limited | Stripe, QB, FreshBooks | Consultants, agencies | Open → |
| Relay Top Pick | $0 / $30 Pro | Up to 20 | QB, FreshBooks, Xero | Freelancers, Profit First | Open → |
| Bluevine | $0 / $30 Plus | 5 sub-accounts | QB, Xero | High-yield, LOC access | Open → |
| Found | $0 / $20 Plus | Yes | Basic | Self-employed tax tracking | Open → |
Rates and features as of May 2026. Verify current terms directly with each provider before opening an account.
How to choose the right bank for your business
The right choice depends less on which bank is "best" overall and more on how you actually run your business.
Choose Mercury if: You're a consultant or agency founder who wants clean integrations with your billing and accounting tools, you don't need to walk into a branch, and you want a bank that can grow with you into more complex financial products.
Choose Relay if: You're a freelancer or variable-income operator who wants to separate taxes, expenses, and operating cash automatically. You work with a bookkeeper. Or you're following the Profit First method and need the sub-account structure to make it work.
Consider Bluevine if: You want to earn a meaningful APY directly on your checking balance, or you anticipate needing a business line of credit and want it in the same dashboard.