Lili vs Mercury
Choose Lili if your business needs cash deposits, interest-bearing business savings, and built-in tax tools; choose Mercury if it operates primarily online and needs free USD wires, team spending controls, and access to Treasury investments. Both currently offer business accounts, so this is a useful comparison for a buyer choosing a financial platform.
Last updated October 27, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Lili | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Cash deposits | 90,000+ participating retail locations; fees may apply | Not supported |
| Yield option | Savings: 2.25% APY to $500,000; 4.00% on the next $500,000 | Treasury investments: up to 4.09% yield; $250,000 eligibility balance |
| USD wire fees | $15 outgoing domestic; $25 outgoing international | $0 domestic and international |
| FDIC deposit coverage | Up to $3 million through partner-bank sweep network | Up to $5 million through partner-bank sweep networks |
| Plans | Core $0; Pro $15; Smart $35; Premium $55 monthly | Account $0; Plus $29.90 and Pro $299 monthly with annual pricing |
| Accounting and tax tools | Expense and tax tools on Pro; bookkeeping and invoicing on Smart | Free invoicing and bill pay; recurring invoices on Plus |
| Team spending | Role-based access and debit cards with spending limits | User permissions, approval rules, and debit and credit cards |
| Integrations | QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, Stripe, Square, Shopify | QuickBooks, Xero, Slack; API and CLI |
| Platforms | Web app and mobile app | Web dashboard and mobile app |
| Support | Live support seven days; 24/7 smart assistance | 24/7 messaging; priority support on Plus and Pro |
| ATM access | No Lili withdrawal fee at 40,000+ MoneyPass ATMs | Physical debit card withdrawals; operator fees may apply |
| Account eligibility | U.S.-registered business with a U.S. principal address | U.S.-registered business with U.S. operations; international address accepted |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Lili if
- Businesses that deposit cash at retail locations
- Businesses seeking interest-bearing savings
- Owners who want tax-saving tools in a paid plan
- Teams that value seven-day live support
Choose Mercury if
- Digital-first businesses that do not deposit cash
- Teams sending domestic or international USD wires
- Businesses seeking card controls and payment automation
- Eligible businesses considering Treasury investments
The verdict
The deciding factor is how your business handles cash and idle funds. Lili fits businesses that deposit physical cash or want savings interest within their banking setup. Mercury fits businesses that rarely handle cash and value free USD wires, automation, and an optional investment product for eligible balances of at least $250,000. Mercury Treasury is an investment product, not a savings-account APY.
Lili vs Mercury: common questions
- Can I deposit cash with Lili or Mercury?
- Lili supports cash deposits at more than 90,000 participating retail locations, where service fees may apply. Mercury does not support cash deposits.
- Are Lili and Mercury free to use?
- Lili Core and the standard Mercury business account each have a $0 monthly fee. Lili charges for Pro, Smart, and Premium; Mercury offers paid Plus and Pro plans for additional features. Other transaction or service fees may apply.
- Which offers interest on business cash?
- Lili publishes variable savings APY tiers: 2.25% on the first $500,000 and 4.00% on the portion above $500,000 through $1 million. Mercury offers a separate Treasury investment product to eligible customers with at least $250,000 across Mercury accounts; its advertised yield is not a savings-account APY.
- Which is cheaper for USD wires?
- Mercury publishes $0 fees for domestic and international USD wires. Lili lists $15 for outgoing domestic wires and $25 for outgoing international wires; its incoming domestic wires are free.
- Do Lili and Mercury provide FDIC insurance?
- Both are financial technology companies that offer deposit accounts through FDIC-insured partner banks. Lili advertises up to $3 million in deposit coverage through its sweep network; Mercury advertises up to $5 million through its partner-bank sweep networks. Mercury Treasury investments are distinct from insured deposits.
- Can an international founder apply?
- Both publish routes for eligible international founders of U.S.-registered businesses. Lili requires a U.S.-based principal business address; Mercury accepts a U.S. or international principal business address if the business has existing or planned U.S. operations. Each reviews applications for eligibility.
- Which has built-in accounting tools?
- Lili Smart includes bookkeeping automation, reporting, invoicing, and tax-saving tools. Mercury includes invoicing, bill pay, and accounting integrations with its free business account, with additional invoicing features on Plus.
- What support is available?
- Lili advertises live customer support seven days a week and 24/7 smart assistance. Mercury says account holders can message support 24/7; Plus and Pro include priority support.