Relay

About Relay

Relay is a digitally-driven business banking platform dedicated to providing a streamlined, smarter banking solution for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Ideal for customers managing multiple teams or accounts, Relay makes it easy to create custom role-based access and controls, track expenses and automate payments and invoicing all from a user-friendly interface. 

With no hidden fees or account minimums to worry about, plus features like virtual and physical debit cards, receipt tracking, expense and vendor management, and up to three million dollars in FDIC insurance from trusted partner banks,* Relay makes managing business finances simple and transparent—all without needing to ever step foot in a bank branch.

Relay is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.

Key Benefits of Relay’s Business Checking and Savings Accounts 

Relay caters to small businesses, especially those managing multiple teams or independent contractors, with cash flow management tools, multi-user accounts and controls, transparent reporting and more features to make business banking less work. 

Some of the standout reasons why thousands of small business owners choose Relay include: 

• Individual User Accounts: With Relay, customers can create up to 20 individual checking accounts under one business profile to separate and organize payments, expenses and controls as needed. You can even assign up to 50 physical or virtual Visa® debit cards to manage employee expenses directly. 
• No Hidden Fees: Manage expenses and cash flow without having to worry about hidden fees, overdraft fees or minimum balance requirements. 
• Financial Insights: Utilize dashboards and tools that help track and categorize cash flow so you can easily monitor what you’re earning, saving and spending as you work toward financial success. 
• Streamlined Accounting: Relay directly integrates with financial software like QuickBooks and Xero to help make bookkeeping a breeze, with the option to set account-specific rules so bookkeepers and accountants can access only necessary data and documents. Relay also works with online payment processors like Square and Paypal to manage multiple income streams and platforms in one place. 
• Seamless Payments & Transfers: Schedule recurring payments and seamlessly collect vendor payments, send ACH transfers, wires and checks, plus move money between one or more accounts in just a few clicks with automated functionality. 
• Up to $3M in FDIC Insurance:* Relay partners with federally-insured Thread Bank and their sweep network to protect your funds for up to three million dollars, which is significantly higher than the standard $250,000 limit offered by traditional banks. 
• Competitive Savings Accounts: Business owners can also open up to two savings accounts to easily move excess cash and reap a higher rate of return than the norm. 

Relay Plans & Pricing 

Relay combines everyday banking services with advanced financial workflow software to help small business owners bank smarter. With a feature-packed entry-level tier, plus upgraded account levels to best suit a variety of businesses, Relay makes it easy for its customers to manage overhead costs while focusing on scaling their success. 

Relay’s Starter plan is ideal for smaller or solo businesses who want to access the essentials without adding to their expenses, including:

• Individualized spend limits across debit cards
• Easy receipt collection and management 
• Invoice creation and tracking 

For teams with more complex cash flow management needs, Relay’s Grow plan includes upgraded features and perks for $30 a month, like:

• Line item categorization for bills 
• Multi-step bill approval process rules for bigger bills 
• Ability to pay multiple bills to the same vendor at once

Fast-growing businesses with lots of moving people and parts may want to opt for the Relay Scale plus for $90 (originally $120) a month, with:

• AI-powered automation and insights 
• 10 free same-day ACH per month 
• Special offers from partners like Xero and Engine
• Premium support by phone and email

All Relay accounts qualify for competitive APYs that are significantly higher than traditional savings accounts, plus cash back rewards on credit cards.** While the exact percentages will vary, Relay Scale account users have access to the highest rates of return. 

Pricing accurate as of the time this review was written.

Relay Customer Support

In addition to a robust support center with step-by-step instructions and detailed FAQs to help you navigate the Relay platform with ease, Relay also offers 24/7 email support and a virtual chat assistant that can help point you in the right direction or connect you with a representative. 

Relay also offers phone support Monday through Friday at 1-888-205-9304. 

Relay Mobile App

Customers can remotely deposit checks and handle their banking needs anytime, anywhere with the Relay free mobile app available to download in the App Store or Google Play. 

How Relay Compares to the Competition

Fintech companies are providing an attractive alternative for business owners looking for a fully digital, streamlined alternative to traditional banking. Here’s a look at how Relay stacks up to other money management services on the market:

Relay vs. Bluevine 

Two popular banking platforms known for small business banking minus the hidden fees, Relay and Bluevine often make the shortlist of banking options for small business owners. Bluevine is better suited to businesses that are focused on earning interest and accessing capital with its high APY earning business checking accounts, but Relay provides a more well rounded banking experience that excels in helping customers monitor cash flow management, create custom user permissions for seamless collaboration, and minimize fees to make smarter decisions for their business overall.

Relay vs. Bank of America 

Relay offers modern, transparent business banking with up to 20 checking accounts, robust user permissions, and seamless integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero—ideal for small businesses focused on cash flow management and team collaboration. On the other hand, Bank of America provides traditional banking benefits such as branch access, business credit cards, and lending products, but often charges monthly fees and limits account flexibility and daily transactions. While some people may still prefer the traditional, in-person experience provided by Bank of America, Relay provides a more flexible, customized experience without the high overhead that can make a huge difference for entrepreneurs and small business owners. 

The Bottom Line: Why We Love It

For tech-savvy, small business owners who don’t want or need to visit a bank branch, Relay provides a fully digital business banking platform that puts you in complete control of your cash flow while helping you save on unnecessary fees. Built to help you stay on top of exactly how much your business is earning, spending and saving, Relay is ideal for small businesses that prioritize the ability to track their everyday accounting as well as promote seamless team collaboration between multiple moving parts. With no hidden fees or minimum balance requirements, up to 20 business checking accounts and 50 debit cards with custom settings and spend limits, direct integration with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, and 24/7 customer support, Relay makes it easy for small business owners to gain control and clarity over their financial future. 

*FDIC insurance available for funds on deposit through Thread Bank, Member FDIC. Pass-through insurance coverage is subject to conditions.

**Terms and conditions apply to the cash back rewards program. Cash back earned will be credited to your account monthly. ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or cash equivalents, and account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back. Please refer to the Rewards Terms and Conditions for more details.