Arc vs Mercury
Choose Arc if your tech company wants cash management alongside access to a network of debt lenders; choose Mercury if you want free business checking and savings with built-in invoicing, bill pay, and expense tools. Both currently accept account applications. Arc’s move to Axos has not shut down its platform.
Last updated October 27, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Arc | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Financing | Debt raises through a 200-plus lender network | Mercury Venture Debt and working capital loans |
| Accounts | Business, Wallet, Reserve, and Treasury accounts | Business checking and savings accounts |
| Plans | Essentials, Premium, Enterprise | Mercury, Plus, Pro |
| Account and plan pricing | Business account has no opening, minimum-balance, or usage-based fees; paid-plan prices not published | $0/month base; Plus $29.90/month and Pro $299/month with annual billing |
| Treasury access | Brokerage investments and automated T-bill laddering | Treasury unlocked with a $250,000 Mercury balance |
| Deposit insurance | Up to $2.5 million FDIC eligibility through Treasury cash sweep; Business account subject to pass-through rules | Up to $5 million FDIC insurance through partner-bank sweep networks |
| Invoicing and bill pay | Not published | Built-in invoicing and bill pay |
| Accounting integrations | QuickBooks Online and Xero | QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite |
| Payments | Unlimited free ACH and wires | Free USD ACH and domestic and international wires |
| Cards | Virtual and physical debit cards | Debit and corporate credit cards |
| Platforms | Web dashboard | Web dashboard; iOS and Android apps |
| Support | 24/7 email, phone, and Slack; Premium relationship manager | Plus priority support; Pro relationship manager |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Arc if
- Tech companies seeking financing through a lender network
- Teams that want automated T-bill laddering
- Companies needing a lender-controlled DACA account
Choose Mercury if
- Businesses seeking $0-per-month checking and savings
- Teams that want built-in invoicing and bill pay
- Businesses seeking a corporate credit card with expense controls
- Teams that need iOS and Android apps
The verdict
The deciding factor is how you want to manage financing and day-to-day finance work. Arc is the better fit for a technology company seeking a debt raise through multiple lenders, with cash management and treasury in the same platform. Mercury is the better fit for a business that wants a $0-per-month checking and savings account with invoicing, bill pay, and accounting integrations built in. Compare treasury eligibility and paid-plan terms separately before choosing.
Arc vs Mercury: common questions
- Can I still open an Arc account after its Axos announcement?
- Yes. Arc still offers account applications and says its platform and existing customer terms remain in place following its announcement that it is joining Axos.
- Which costs less to get started, Arc or Mercury?
- Mercury publishes a $0-per-month base plan. Arc says its Business account has no opening, minimum-balance, or usage-based fees, but does not publish prices for its paid memberships.
- How do Arc and Mercury differ for venture debt?
- Arc helps companies seek financing through a network of more than 200 lenders. Mercury offers its own Venture Debt product for eligible companies, subject to its lending criteria.
- Do both Arc and Mercury offer treasury products?
- Yes. Arc offers Treasury brokerage investments, including automated T-bill laddering. Mercury offers Treasury to eligible account holders with a $250,000 Mercury balance. Investments are not the same as insured bank deposits.
- What FDIC coverage do Arc and Mercury publish?
- Arc publishes up to $2.5 million in FDIC insurance eligibility through its Treasury cash sweep, subject to program conditions; its Business accounts have separate pass-through insurance rules. Mercury publishes up to $5 million through its partner-bank sweep networks.
- Which has more built-in tools for everyday finance work?
- Mercury publishes built-in invoicing, bill pay, reimbursements, and accounting integrations. Arc publishes cash management, cards, accounting integrations, and financial analysis tools.
- Can I use Arc or Mercury on my phone?
- Mercury publishes iOS and Android apps. Arc publishes access through its web dashboard; a dedicated mobile app is not published on the vendor pages reviewed.
- Do Arc and Mercury integrate with accounting software?
- Yes. Arc documents connections to QuickBooks Online and Xero. Mercury lists QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite integrations.