Looking to open the best business bank account for your startup? This guide highlights top picks, who each suits, where they fall short, and a decision flowchart—all current as of June 2025.
Top Startup Bank Accounts (June 2025)
| Bank | Best For | Fee | Key Features |
| Mercury | Tech startups with scale plans | $0 | No monthly fees; free USD wires; FDIC-insured sweep up to $5M |
| Bluevine | Lean teams who want interest + credit | $0 | 1.5% APY on balances ≤$250K (up to 3.7% for big spenders); line of credit |
| Relay | Businesses managing multiple teams or budgets | $0 | Sub-accounts, debit card tracking per user |
| Novo | Freelancers and solo founders | $0 | Easy Stripe/Shopify/QuickBooks connection |
| Brex | Startups with large cash reserves | $0 | 3.99–4.37% yield in Treasury sweep |
| Amex Business Checking | Businesses wanting interest + support | $0–$10 | 1.30% APY up to $500K; 24/7 support, MoneyPass ATMs |
| Chase Business Complete | Brick-and-mortar needs and bonus seekers | ~$15 (waivable) | $300–500 bonus; ATM network; fee waived with $2K balance |
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Mercury – Built for Fast-Growth Startups
- Why pick Mercury: No fees, unlimited USD wires, FDIC-insured up to $5 million via sweep networks
- Where it falls short:
- No cash deposit support
- Support via email only
- Currency exchange fee ~1% on non-USD
Ideal for: VC-backed or scale-stage startups handling international payments.
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Bluevine – Interest + Lending Access
- Why pick Bluevine: Earn 1.5% APY on ≤$250K; Premier yields up to 3.7% with higher activity and balance; offers business credit line
- Where it falls short:
- Cash deposits cost up to $4.95 per transaction
- Live support may be laggy at times, according to some reports
Ideal for: Founders who want interest and flexible credit, and can manage remote deposits.
[Get 1.5% APY – Open Bluevine]
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Relay – Clarity & Control for Teams
- Why pick Relay: Create up to 20 sub-accounts with card-level access and budgeting tools.
- Where it falls short:
- Hold times of 6–7 days on check deposits
- Some users report account freezes for compliance reasons
Ideal for: Agencies, small teams, and founder-led companies managing multiple expenses.
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Novo – Clean, Simple, Integrations
- Why pick Novo: Straightforward dashboard, integrates with Stripe, Shopify, QuickBooks .
- Where it falls short:
- No interest, no cash deposits
- Fewer account controls for teams
Ideal for: Solo operators who invoice online and want minimal hassle.
[Open a Novo account — under 5 minutes]
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Brex – High-Yield Treasury Sweep
- Why pick Brex: Earns 3.99–4.37% via Dreyfus Treasury sweep — new yield live since June 4, 2025
- Where it falls short:
- Funds may be slower to access during market variations
- No physical branches or cash deposit options
Ideal for: Companies parking significant cash reserves, seeking yield over liquidity.
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Amex Business Checking – Interest With Clout
- Why pick Amex: 1.30% APY on balances ≤$500K; 24/7 support; MoneyPass no-fee ATMs
- Where it falls short:
- No branch access
- Doesn’t support joint accounts or cash deposits
Ideal for: Service businesses needing interest and reliable online support.
[Check Amex Business Checking]
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Chase Business Complete – Traditional but Strong
- Why pick Chase: $300–$500 bonuses, branches, and ATMs; law enforcement deposit access
- Where it falls short:
- $15 monthly fee unless $2K balance maintained
- Fees on many services, including wires and cash deposits
Ideal for: Businesses needing physical banking options and sign-up perks.
[Apply for Chase Business – bonus offer]
Reported Issues from users
- Mercury: No free ATM cash access since no cash deposits allowed
- Bluevine: Some users report delayed wires or support delays during busy periods
- Relay: A few reports of check deposit delays and temporary holds
These are not common, but worth knowing.
Quick Decision Flowchart
- Need to deposit cash or walk into a branch? → Chase
- Want zero fees + API tools for scale? → Mercury
- Want interest + credit access? → Bluevine
- Running multiple budgets within one account? → Relay
- Solo founder with lean use-case? → Novo
- Holding substantial idle cash? → Brex
- Want interest + major brand backing? → Amex
Final Take
No bank is perfect, but each serves a clear use-case. Focus on your priorities—cash handling, interest, access, team tools—and choose smart. Then link it to your invoicing or accounting tools to get your startup off the ground fast.
Related: How to build business credit without a personal guarantee
