Finance & Banking Software
Mercury
Startup-favorite business banking with a genuinely free core account and clean, developer-friendly UX.
Solo / FreelancerSmall businessMedium businessNorth America
Last reviewed Jul 17, 2026 · Pricing verified Jul 17, 2026
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DEV-TOP · horizontalOur take
Best for US-incorporated startups and small teams that want clean, free banking with genuinely useful software on top — not a fit for businesses without a US entity, or anyone who needs in-person branch banking.
Choose this if...
- US startups and small businesses wanting free checking with modern software
- Teams that want banking, bill pay, and reimbursements in one dashboard
Look elsewhere if...
- Your business isn't US-incorporated — Mercury requires a US entity to open an account
- You need in-person branch banking or cash deposit services
Visit Mercury
This is a direct link to Mercury— we don't currently earn anything from it.
Pricing
Verified Jul 17, 2026 against Mercury's own pricing page.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Free | Free | Free checking & savings, unlimited bill pay, free USD debit/credit card transactions, basic invoicing, expense reimbursements for up to 5 users/month |
| Mercury Plus | 29.9 USD/mo | 23.95 USD/yr | 15% discount when billed annually ($23.95/mo effective); ACH-debit invoicing at $1/transaction, recurring invoices, Invoicing API (500/mo), reimbursements up to 20 users/mo |
| Mercury Pro | 299 USD/mo | 239.9 USD/yr | 15% discount when billed annually; dedicated relationship manager, free ACH-debit invoicing, unlimited Invoicing API calls, reimbursements up to 250 users/mo |
Free tier reality
The base Mercury account is free forever with no minimum balance — real checking, savings, debit/credit cards, and bill pay, not a stripped trial. Plus ($29.90/mo, or $23.95/mo billed annually) and Pro ($299/mo, or $239.90/mo billed annually) exist to add ACH-debit invoicing volume, API limits, and support for larger reimbursement headcounts.
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DEV-MID · rectanglePros
- Free tier is a real, full-featured checking account, not a stripped demo
- Clean, fast, developer-friendly interface and API
- Built-in invoicing and reimbursements reduce the need for extra tools
Cons
- US-only — no path for businesses without a US entity
- As a fintech (not a bank), FDIC coverage runs through partner banks, which has occasionally been a source of customer confusion during past industry-wide bank-partner disruptions
- No physical branches or cash deposit support
Key features
- Free business checking and savings accounts
- Virtual and physical debit/credit cards
- Built-in invoicing and bill pay
- Treasury/yield accounts for idle cash
- Team expense reimbursements
- API access for banking automation
Integrations
- VERIFY
Platforms
- web
- ios
- android
Regional fit
US-only (and US-incorporated companies) at account opening; not available to businesses without a US entity. Mercury is a fintech, not a bank — accounts are FDIC-insured through partner banks Choice Financial Group and Column N.A.
- North America
Best for
Try free first
Not ready for Mercury? Start with our free tools — come back when you outgrow them.
Alternatives
Stripe
Pick this instead if: Developers and technical teams wanting maximum flexibility and API control
Brex
Pick this instead if: Startups wanting unlimited corporate cards with no per-user fee at the entry level
Ramp
Pick this instead if: Smaller teams wanting unlimited cards and expense automation without a per-user fee
Square
Pick this instead if: Retail, hospitality, and service businesses needing in-person point-of-sale hardware and software
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DEV-BOTTOM · horizontalWas this review of Mercury helpful?
Mercury FAQ
Questions about this tool
Is Mercury free?
Yes, there's a free tier. The base Mercury account is free forever with no minimum balance — real checking, savings, debit/credit cards, and bill pay, not a stripped trial. Plus ($29.90/mo, or $23.95/mo billed annually) and Pro ($299/mo, or $239.90/mo billed annually) exist to add ACH-debit invoicing volume, API limits, and support for larger reimbursement headcounts.
How much does Mercury cost?
Free. We verify pricing directly against Mercury's own pricing page — see the pricing table above for the full breakdown of plans, and check the verified date before making a decision, since software pricing changes often.
Who is Mercury best for?
US startups and small businesses wanting free checking with modern software Teams that want banking, bill pay, and reimbursements in one dashboard
Who should avoid Mercury?
Your business isn't US-incorporated — Mercury requires a US entity to open an account You need in-person branch banking or cash deposit services
Does Mercury work well outside the US?
US-only (and US-incorporated companies) at account opening; not available to businesses without a US entity. Mercury is a fintech, not a bank — accounts are FDIC-insured through partner banks Choice Financial Group and Column N.A.
What are the best alternatives to Mercury?
Worth comparing: Stripe, Brex, Ramp, Square. See the Alternatives section above for why you might pick one of these instead.