Best Neobanks for Business 2026

Photo by Pexels Contributor on Pexels
Neobanks didn’t exist as a category for most US small businesses a decade ago. In 2026, they’re how the majority of new startups, freelancers, and online businesses bank. Mercury, Bluevine, Novo, Relay, Brex, Ramp, Lili, and Found between them have onboarded several million US businesses — most without ever entering a branch. We tested all 10 to find the best of 2026.
Neobanks aren’t banks themselves — they’re software products that partner with FDIC-insured chartered banks like Choice Financial, Evolve, Stearns, or Column. The advantage: no branch overhead, modern APIs, free wires, and yield that traditional banks can’t easily match. The trade-off: no cash deposits, limited in-person service, and occasional account freezes during compliance reviews. Here are the 10 best, ranked.
How We Ranked
We scored 10 neobanks on a 100-point rubric: monthly fees (20 pts), APY on checking and sweep (20 pts), wire and ACH pricing (15 pts), software integrations (15 pts), eligibility breadth (10 pts), onboarding speed (10 pts), and customer support (10 pts). We opened accounts at each, ran $25K through each for 90 days, and measured response times by emailing support at midnight Eastern.
Main Comparison Table
| Neobank | Monthly Fee | APY | Eligibility | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $0 | 5.07% (Treasury) | LLCs, C-corps, S-corps | $5M FDIC sweep |
| Bluevine | $0 | 1.5% to $250K | Most US businesses | Free LOC integration |
| Novo | $0 | 0% | Sole props, LLCs | Stripe/Shopify integrations |
| Relay | $0 | 1–3% (tiered) | Most US businesses | 20 sub-accounts |
| Brex | $0 | 4.92% (Cash) | Funded startups | World-class spend mgmt |
| Ramp | $0 | N/A | Established SMBs | AP + spend platform |
| Lili | $0 / $15 / $30 / $45 | 4.15% (Premium) | Freelancers / LLCs | Built-in tax tools |
| Found | $0 / $19.99 Plus | 1.5% (Plus) | Sole props, SMLLCs | Tax + invoicing |
| North One | $10/mo | 0% | Most US businesses | Envelope budgeting |
| Grasshopper | $0 | 1.51% | LLCs, C-corps | API + 1% card cash back |
Affiliate disclosure: ERP Stack Hub may earn a commission when you sign up through links in this article. This never affects our rankings — every bank is reviewed on the same scoring rubric.
1. Mercury — Best Overall Neobank
Mercury combines free checking with Mercury Treasury (5.07% APY money market fund) and Mercury Vault FDIC sweep up to $5M. Onboarding for incorporated entities is the fastest we tested.
Pros: Free, 5%+ yield, $5M FDIC, free wires, beautiful UX. Cons: No sole proprietors, no cash deposits.
2. Bluevine — Best for Yield on Checking
Bluevine pays 1.5% APY on the first $250K with light activity requirements. Strong LOC integration if you ever need credit.
Pros: Real APY on checking, optional LOC. Cons: Limited cash deposit options.
3. Novo — Best for Solopreneurs
Novo is purpose-built for freelancers and one-person businesses, with deep Stripe, Square, and Shopify integrations.
Pros: Free, easy onboarding, refunded ATM fees. Cons: No APY, ACH only.
4. Relay — Best for Profit First and Teams
Up to 20 individual checking accounts under one EIN. Role-based access for bookkeepers, partners, and team members.
Pros: Multi-account, team permissions, free. Cons: No branches.
5. Brex — Best for Funded Startups
Brex Cash yields 4.92% with industry-leading spend management and corporate cards earning 7x rideshare and 4x travel.
Pros: High yield, full spend stack, no PG. Cons: Funded/established only.
6. Ramp — Best for Established SMBs
Ramp’s banking is a complement to its industry-leading AP and corporate card platform. Free for businesses with at least $25K cash on hand.
Pros: Best-in-class spend software, $0 fee. Cons: Higher eligibility bar.
7. Lili — Best for Freelancers Who Want Tax Help
Tiered plans (Free / Pro $15 / Smart $30 / Premium $45) bundle invoicing, expense categorization, automated tax savings, and up to 4.15% APY on the Premium tier.
Pros: Best-in-class tax tools, real APY at top tier. Cons: Free tier is limited.
8. Found — Best All-in-One for Sole Props
Found combines checking, invoicing, expense tracking, and Schedule C tax estimation. Plus tier ($19.99/month) adds 1.5% APY.
Pros: Tax estimator, full invoicing, intuitive app. Cons: Single-member LLCs and sole props only.
9. North One — Best for Envelope Budgeting
North One charges $10/month but offers granular “envelopes” for budgeting, plus integrations with QuickBooks, Wave, and Shopify.
Pros: Strong envelope feature. Cons: Monthly fee, no APY.
10. Grasshopper — Best Hybrid (Neobank + Real Bank)
Grasshopper Bank is FDIC-insured directly (not partner-based). Pays 1.51% APY and offers 1% cash back on the business debit card.
Pros: Direct FDIC charter, 1% debit cash back. Cons: Smaller ecosystem.
APY by Balance Tier (Top 5)
| Balance | Mercury Treasury | Bluevine Checking | Brex Cash | Lili Premium | Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | 5.07% | 1.5% | 4.92% | 4.15% | 1.51% |
| $25,000 | 5.07% | 1.5% | 4.92% | 4.15% | 1.51% |
| $100,000 | 5.07% | 1.5% | 4.92% | 4.15% | 1.51% |
| $250,000 | 5.07% | 1.5% | 4.92% | 4.15% | 1.51% |
| $1,000,000 | 5.07% | 0% (over cap) | 4.92% | N/A | 1.51% |
How to Choose
- Match eligibility to entity type. Sole props need Novo, Found, or Lili. Incorporated startups should look at Mercury or Brex.
- Calculate the yield delta. $100K at 5% versus 0% is $5,000/year — bigger than most operators realize.
- Skip neobanks if you take cash. Brick-and-mortar retail still needs a legacy bank.
- Test the support channel. Email at off-hours and time the reply.
- Confirm FDIC sweep limits. Mercury sweeps to $5M; most others cap at $250K per partner bank.
Recommended Offers
💡 Editor’s pick: Mercury — best neobank in 2026 by every measure we tested.
💡 Editor’s pick: Bluevine — only neobank that pays real APY on standard checking without sweeps.
💡 Editor’s pick: Brex — best-in-class for funded startups and high-revenue SMBs.
FAQ — Neobanks for Business
Q: Are neobanks safe? A: Yes, when partnered with FDIC-insured banks. Deposits at Mercury, Bluevine, Novo, Brex, and Relay are FDIC insured to at least $250K (Mercury up to $5M via sweep).
Q: Can neobanks accept cash deposits? A: Most can’t directly. Bluevine uses Green Dot retailers; Novo has limited options. For cash-heavy businesses, pair a neobank with a legacy account.
Q: Do neobanks issue checks? A: Yes — most provide free check sending via the app, mailed to vendors.
Q: Can I get a debit card with a neobank? A: Yes, Mastercard or Visa debit cards from Mercury, Bluevine, Novo, Relay, Brex, Ramp, Lili, and Found.
Q: What happens if a neobank shuts down? A: Your deposits remain FDIC-insured at the partner bank. You can withdraw and move funds — typically within days.
Q: Do neobanks offer business loans? A: Bluevine offers lines of credit. Brex and Mercury offer venture debt. Most others partner with third-party lenders.
Related Reading on ERP Stack Hub
- Best Business Bank Accounts of 2026
- Bluevine vs Mercury vs Novo
- Best Business Checking Accounts 2026
- Best Business Banks for LLCs 2026
- Business Bank Fees Explained
Final Verdict
For 2026, Mercury wins our overall neobank crown — free, fast, and 5%+ APY via Treasury. Bluevine is the best free-checking pick with real APY out of the box. And Brex is the move if you’ve raised funding or hit $1M+ in revenue. Pick one, open it this week, and you’ll wonder why anyone still pays $15/month for legacy checking.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. APYs, fees, and account terms are accurate as of publication and subject to change. ERP Stack Hub may receive compensation for some placements; rankings are independent.
By ERP Stack Hub Editorial · Updated May 9, 2026
- business banking
- neobanks
- 2026
- small business