Chase vs Relay Business Checking (2026)
Relay wins for digital-native businesses — zero fees, 20 sub-accounts, and clean bookkeeping integrations. Chase wins for businesses that handle cash, need credit, or want in-person banking support.
At a Glance
| # | Card / Product | Award | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | APR Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Best Overall | N/A | — | — | Apply → |
| 2 | Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | Also Excellent | $0 | 5% at office supply stores and on internet/cable/phone services (first $25,000/year combined); 2% at gas stations and restaurants (first $25,000/year combined); 1% on all other purchases | 16.74%–24.74% Variable (after 12-month intro period) | Apply → |
| 3 | Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | Worth Considering | $95 | 3x on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, social media/search advertising (first $150K/yr); 1x other | — | Apply → |
| 4 | Relay Business Checking | Best Value | N/A | — | — | Apply → |
Chase vs Relay Business Checking (2026) Buying Guide
How we evaluated these. We compared Chase Business Complete Banking and Relay across monthly fees, transaction limits, cash deposit fees, integration with accounting software, multi-user access controls, and FDIC insurance, cross-referencing NerdWallet, Bankrate, and verified small business owner reviews. FDIC insured up to $250,000. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
Affiliate disclosure: Some products featured are from partners who compensate us. This does not affect our ratings or editorial recommendations.
Chase and Relay are two very different business banking options: Chase is America's largest bank with thousands of branches and a complete financial ecosystem; Relay is a fee-free online-only account built specifically for small business owners who want clean bookkeeping. Choosing between them depends on how you handle cash and whether you need in-person banking.
Chase Business Complete Banking: The Traditional Powerhouse
Chase's business account offers something Relay can't: physical branches in 48 states, business loans and credit lines, business credit cards (Ink series), merchant services, and same-day Zelle for business. The Chase ecosystem is the most complete in traditional banking — payroll, lending, credit, and checking all in one place. Chase business bankers can provide actual financial guidance and SBA loan origination, which matters as businesses grow.
The cost: a $15/month fee waivable by maintaining a $2,000 minimum daily balance or completing 5+ qualifying transactions. Cash deposits are accepted (at branches and ATMs) for free up to certain limits. ACH transfers are free; wire transfers cost $15–$35 each. The account caps unlimited transactions at 20 free per month, with $0.40 per transaction after that — a real cost for high-volume businesses.
Relay: The Best Free Business Checking for Bookkeeping
Relay was purpose-built for small business financial clarity. The standout feature: up to 20 separate checking accounts and 50 virtual debit cards under one login — letting businesses physically separate money for payroll, taxes, operating expenses, and savings without maintaining multiple bank relationships. This envelope-budgeting approach eliminates the most common cash flow mistake small businesses make (spending tax money before tax time).
Relay is genuinely free — no monthly fees, no minimum balance, no transaction limits, no ACH fees. Integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, and Stripe are native and real-time. The limitation: no cash deposits, no branches, no business loans. For digital-native service businesses (consulting, SaaS, e-commerce), Relay handles 95% of banking needs without charging anything.
Which Is Better for Your Business Type?
Retail, restaurant, or cash-heavy business → Chase. You need cash deposits, in-person support, and likely business credit down the road. Service business, freelancer, or e-commerce → Relay. Zero fees, clean integrations, and the multi-account structure makes financial clarity effortless. Growing startup that needs loans → Chase for the relationship, Relay or Mercury for daily operations. Many small businesses use both: Relay as the primary operating account and Chase for credit card acceptance and occasional branch visits.
Fee Comparison Over 12 Months
Chase (without waiver): $180/year in monthly fees + $0.40/transaction over 20/month. Chase (with waiver): $0 if you maintain $2,000+ daily balance. Relay: $0 always. For a small business making 50 transactions/month and maintaining $1,500 average balance: Chase costs $12/month ($144/year); Relay costs $0. The money saved on fees more than pays for most bookkeeping subscriptions.
Chase Business Checking vs. Relay — When Each Wins
Chase Total Business Checking wins for businesses that need in-person banking, cash deposits, integrated Zelle payments, or access to Chase's full small business banking suite (SBA loans, merchant services, payroll). The monthly fee ($15, waivable with $2,000 minimum balance) and extensive branch network make it the default choice for established businesses with physical operations. Relay wins for digital-first businesses — SaaS companies, freelancers, agencies, and remote teams — that need multiple checking accounts (up to 20 with Relay Pro), automated savings rules, and real-time expense tracking through integrated software connections (QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto). Relay's no-fee, no-minimum structure is particularly compelling for bootstrapped startups. The decision is primarily about physical vs. digital banking needs, not features.
See also: QuickBooks vs FreshBooks | Best Small Business Insurance | PayPal vs Western Union.
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making major financial decisions.
Rates as of April 2026. Refer to each provider's site for current terms.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
“5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Best suited for chase ecosystem users and dining/drugstore heavy spenders.”
What we like
- 5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 3% on dining and drugstores
- 1.5% on everything else
- No annual fee
- $200 bonus after $500 spend (first 3 months)
- Points transfer to Chase travel cards (Sapphire) for outsized value
Watch out for
- 1.5% base rate is weaker than 2% flat cards for non-bonus spend
- Travel bonus requires booking through Chase portal
- Best value requires pairing with a Chase Sapphire card
- Requires good credit (700+)
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
“The Chase Ink Business Cash delivers 5% cash back on internet, phone services, and office supply stores — the highest available rate in those categories, making it especially valuable for freelancers ”
What we like
- 5% back on internet, cable, and phone services — covers most SaaS subscriptions and internet bills
- 5% at office supply stores (first $25,000/year combined with internet/phone category)
- 2% at gas stations and restaurants
- $0 annual fee — no fee math required
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 16.74%–24.74% Variable
Watch out for
- 5% categories capped at $25,000/year combined — high-volume freelancers may hit ceiling
- 1% on all other purchases is low
- Requires good to excellent personal credit
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
“The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points on the four most common business categories (travel, shipping, internet, and advertising) up to $150,000/year combined — the 100,000-p”
What we like
- 3x points on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone services, and advertising with social media/search engines (on first $150,000/year combined)
- 100,000-point welcome bonus after $8,000 spend in first 3 months — worth $1,000–1,500+ in travel (terms apply)
- Points transfer 1:1 to 14 Chase airline and hotel partners (Hyatt, United, Southwest, British Airways)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free employee cards with individual spending limits
Watch out for
- 3x bonus capped at $150,000 in combined spending per year (then 1x)
- $8,000 spend requirement for welcome bonus — high for very small businesses
- $95 annual fee
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Relay Business Checking
“The Relay Business Checking features no monthly fees. Best suited for small businesses and startups wanting expense control.”
What we like
- No monthly fees
- Up to 20 checking accounts and 50 debit cards
- Automated expense management
- Real-time team spend visibility
- FDIC insured via Thread Bank
Watch out for
- Online-only — no branches
- No cash deposits
- New company (founded 2018)
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Relay a real bank?
Can I deposit cash with Relay?
Does Chase waive the monthly fee for business accounts?
What is Relay's multi-account feature?
Can I get a business loan through Relay?
Does Chase business checking offer a sign-up bonus?
Is Relay FDIC-insured like Chase?
How We Evaluate Financial Products
We compare financial products based on objective criteria: annual fees, APR ranges, rewards rates, sign-up bonuses, and key perks. We do not factor in issuer relationships or compensation when determining rankings. Products are ranked based on overall value for the target use case described on this page.
Rates and terms change frequently. We update these pages regularly, but always verify current rates directly on the issuer’s website before applying. APR ranges shown reflect the full possible range — your actual rate depends on your creditworthiness.
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We compare products; we do not advise on which product is right for your personal financial situation. Read our full methodology →