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The 6 Best Business Checking Accounts of 2025

· 8 min read
Mike Thrift
Mike Thrift
Marketing Manager

Picking a business checking account in 2025 isn’t about finding a single “winner.” It’s about matching how you move money—ACH vs. wires, cash deposits, international payouts, multi-user access, interest on idle cash—to what each provider actually does well (and at what cost). Below are six excellent options, each “best” for a specific use case, followed by a quick comparison and a practical buying framework.


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At a glance — best by use case

  • Bluevine — best for earning APY on checking and modern payables automation.
  • Mercury — best for startups that want builder‑friendly banking and free USD wires.
  • Relay — best for multi‑account cash management (up to 20 checking accounts) and cash deposits via Allpoint+.
  • Novo — best for Stripe‑centric solo and small teams; fast Stripe payouts with Boost; domestic wires rolling out to eligible accounts.
  • Axos Basic Business Checking — best for unlimited ATM reimbursements and free incoming wires.
  • Chase Business Complete Banking — best for branch access, built‑in card acceptance, and regular cash deposits.

Quick comparison (key signals to check)

AccountStandout strengthsTypical gotchas to check
Bluevine Business CheckingStandard plan is 0/month;APYfrom1.50/month**; APY from **1.5%** (Standard) up to **3.7%** (Premier) with plan requirements; FDIC coverage up to **3M via sweep; robust ACH/bill pay.Outgoing wires are 15domestic;nonUSDinternationalpaymentsadd15 domestic**; non‑USD international payments add **25 + 1.5%; cash deposits via Green Dot/Allpoint+ have limits/fees.
MercuryFree ACH, checks, domestic wires, and USD international wires; 1% FX for non‑USD; up to $5M pass‑through FDIC via partner bank sweep; strong API & controls.No cash deposits; confirm partner‑bank changes if you care where funds sit.
RelayUp to 20 checking accounts + 50 cards; cash deposits at Allpoint+; FDIC coverage up to $3M; Pro tier adds same‑day ACH and free outgoing wires.Starter plan charges for outgoing wires (e.g., $8 domestic); deposit limits at ATMs apply.
NovoNo monthly fees; ATM refunds up to $7/mo; native Stripe integration and Novo Boost (faster Stripe payouts); domestic wires now available to eligible accounts; international via Wise.No direct cash deposits (use money orders + mobile check deposit); wire eligibility/fees can vary.
Axos Basic Business Checking$0/month; unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements; free incoming (domestic & international) wires; two domestic outgoing wires reimbursed each month; no minimum opening deposit.Standard outgoing wires beyond the included reimbursements may incur fees—check Axos’ current schedule.
Chase Business Complete Banking5,000+ branches / 15,000+ ATMs; built‑in card acceptance with QuickAccept and same‑day deposits; multiple ways to waive the 15monthlyfee;15** monthly fee; **5,000 cash deposit allowance per cycle.Wire transfers have typical big‑bank fees; fee‑waiver rules require activity or balances.

Rates, fees, and coverage change—always confirm on the provider’s site before you apply. Data points above reflect public pages as of September 3, 2025.


The picks, explained

Bluevine — online checking that actually pays

  • Why it’s great Bluevine’s tiered plans let you trade a higher monthly plan (waivable) for higher yield: 1.5% APY on Standard (with qualifying activity) up to 2.7% (Plus) and 3.7% (Premier)—with FDIC coverage up to $3M via a sweep network. Daily operations feel modern: unlimited transactions, free standard ACH, and integrated bill pay.
  • Costs to watch Outgoing domestic wires are 15;samedayACHis15**; same‑day ACH is **10; mailed checks are 1.50.CashdepositsworkatGreenDotretailers(typically1.50**. Cash deposits work at Green Dot retailers (typically **4.95 per deposit) and Allpoint+ ATMs with stated per‑deposit limits.
  • Good fit if you want yield on operating cash without giving up modern payables.

Mercury — startup‑grade banking with free USD wires

  • Why it’s great Mercury keeps fees simple: free ACH, checks, domestic wires, and USD international wires. If you send non‑USD, there’s a 1% FX fee. Deposits are held at partner banks with sweep coverage offering up to $5M in FDIC insurance. In March 2025, Mercury announced it’s transitioning away from Evolve to other partners (such as Choice Financial Group, Column N.A. and Patriot Bank).
  • Costs to watch No cash deposits—period. If your business is cash‑heavy, consider Relay or Chase.
  • Good fit if you’re a software‑first company wiring vendors globally, want API access, and don’t handle cash.

Relay — cash‑flow control with sub‑accounts and ATM cash deposits

  • Why it’s great Relay is built for envelope‑style budgeting: open up to 20 checking accounts under one entity, issue up to 50 cards, set rules/roles, and keep funds organized. Cash deposits are supported at Allpoint+ ATMs, and funds can be covered by FDIC up to $3M through its partner bank program.
  • Costs to watch On the free Starter plan, outgoing domestic wires cost 8(internationalvialocalrailsfrom8** (international via local rails from **5; 25viaSWIFT).RelayProaddssamedayACHandfreeoutgoingwires.CashdepositlimitsatATMsapply(e.g.,25** via SWIFT). **Relay Pro** adds **same‑day ACH** and **free outgoing wires**. Cash‑deposit limits at ATMs apply (e.g., **1,000 per deposit, $2,000/day).
  • Good fit if you want clean segregation of funds (e.g., Profit First), team controls, and the ability to deposit cash without visiting a branch.

Novo — the Stripe‑friendly account for solos and creators

  • Why it’s great Novo integrates tightly with Stripe; flip on Novo Boost to get Stripe payouts up to two days faster (at no added Novo fee). Novo refunds ATM fees up to $7/month and now supports domestic wires for eligible accounts; international wires are sent via Wise.
  • Costs to watch No direct cash deposits. If you take cash, you’ll buy a money order and mobile‑deposit it. Wire availability/fees may depend on eligibility and Wise’s schedule for international transfers.
  • Good fit if you’re online‑first (e.g., e‑commerce or services), rely on Stripe, and want simple, low‑friction banking.

Axos Bank — $0/month with unlimited ATM rebates

  • Why it’s great Basic Business Checking has no monthly maintenance fee, unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements, free incoming wires (domestic & international), two reimbursed domestic outgoing wires/month, and no minimum opening deposit—rare for a full‑service bank.
  • Costs to watch Additional outgoing wires beyond the included reimbursements may incur fees; check Axos’ current schedule before heavy wire usage.
  • Good fit if you value a traditional bank’s stability with online convenience and nationwide ATM flexibility.

Chase Business Complete Banking — branch muscle + built‑in payments

  • Why it’s great Chase pairs a massive branch/ATM footprint with built‑in card acceptance via QuickAccept (with same‑day deposits) and multiple ways to **waive the 15monthlyfee(e.g.,15** monthly fee (e.g., 2,000 minimum daily ending balance, eligible deposits from Chase Payment Solutions, or Ink card spend). In‑branch, you get $5,000 of cash deposits per cycle at no extra charge.
  • Costs to watch Wire fees are typical of big banks (e.g., $25 outgoing domestic online). If you prefer zero‑fee wires, consider Mercury; if you need cash deposits without branch visits, see Relay.
  • Good fit if you accept card payments in person, regularly deposit cash, or want walk‑in service.

How to choose (in 10 minutes)

  • Map your money motion
    • Heavy cash? Favor Chase (branch) or Relay (Allpoint+ cash deposit).
    • Frequent wires? For low cost, Mercury (free USD wires) or Relay Pro (free outgoing wires) stand out.
    • Need yield on checking? Bluevine offers plan‑based APY up to 3.7%.
  • Decide on operating style
    • Want envelope budgeting and multi‑entity clarity? Relay (up to 20 accounts) is built for it.
    • Stripe‑heavy revenue? Novo + Boost is tailor‑made.
  • Check true cost vs. your transactions
    • Compare outgoing wire fees, same‑day ACH, and cash deposit fees against your monthly volumes. Bluevine and Relay publish clear per‑transaction fees; Mercury keeps most domestic/US‑dollar transfers at $0.
  • Confirm coverage & partners
    • If extended FDIC matters, note Bluevine and Relay advertise up to 3M,Mercuryupto3M**, **Mercury** up to **5M, via sweep networks across partner banks.

Methodology (what we prioritized)

  • Fees you’ll actually pay (outgoing wires, same‑day ACH, cash deposit fees) over teaser bonuses.
  • Availability and access (cash deposits, branches/ATMs, multi‑user controls).
  • Safety (FDIC pass‑through coverage and partner banks).
  • Operational leverage (APY on checking, Stripe payout acceleration, multi‑account cash management).

We relied on official product pages, help-center articles, and reputable finance publications; all terms are subject to change—verify current details on the provider’s site before opening.


Want a short, personalized pick?

Tell me how you bank each month (cash deposits, wires, ACH volume, international needs, average balance), and I’ll match you to the best fit from this list with a 60‑second rationale.