What Is Relay and Why Small Businesses Are Switching in 2025

Managing business finances used to be a headache—multiple bank accounts, clunky interfaces, and no real control over who can access what. But in 2025, more and more small business owners are switching to Relay—a modern financial platform built for entrepreneurs, not corporate giants.

So, what exactly is Relay, and why is it gaining so much traction among startups, freelancers, and small business teams?

Let’s break it down.

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💡 What Is Relay?

Relay is a business banking platform designed specifically for growing teams. It combines the core functionality of traditional banking with the modern features you’d expect from a top-tier fintech app.

Relay is not a bank itself—it partners with chartered banks to offer FDIC-insured banking services, while delivering a smoother, smarter digital experience.

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✅ Key Features That Set Relay Apart

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1. Multiple Business Checking Accounts (For Free)

With Relay, you can open up to 20 checking accounts under one business entity—completely free. This is perfect for:

• Separating income, expenses, taxes, and savings
• Running Profit First systems
• Creating budgets per department or team
• Tracking different revenue streams or clients

No monthly fees. No minimums. Total control.

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2. User Permissions & Team Access

Relay gives you powerful user role controls, so you can invite your team or bookkeeper without giving them full access to your funds.

Roles include:

• Read-only
• Bill pay access
• Admin-level access

Perfect for delegating tasks like bookkeeping or bill approvals without compromising security.

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3. Built-In Bill Pay + Approval Workflows

Relay simplifies how you pay vendors and contractors. You can:

• Schedule payments
• Approve or deny bills
• Integrate with accounting platforms (like QuickBooks Online or Xero)
• Pay via ACH, wires, or checks

No more messy spreadsheets or back-and-forth emails.

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4. Integration With Accounting Tools

Relay connects natively with:

• QuickBooks Online
• Xero
• Gusto (for payroll)

This saves hours of manual entry and makes your financial reporting cleaner, faster, and more accurate.

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5. Visa® Business Debit Cards for Teams

You can issue physical or virtual debit cards to your team members and control spending limits per card.

Example use cases:

• Marketing team gets a $1,000/month card
• Freelancers receive project-based spending cards
• Office managers handle recurring expenses

And you can freeze or cancel cards instantly, right from your dashboard.

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6. No Monthly Fees or Minimum Balances

Relay is built with transparency in mind:

• $0 monthly fees
• $0 overdraft fees
• $0 minimum balance
• Free incoming wires (domestic & international)
• Low outgoing wire fees

In a world where traditional banks love surprise fees, Relay keeps it clean and simple.

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🔒 Is Relay Safe?

Yes. Relay works with FDIC-insured banking partners, so your funds are protected up to $250,000. It also uses bank-grade encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular third-party audits to keep your data and money safe.

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🚀 Who Is Relay Best For?

Relay is ideal for:

• Solo entrepreneurs and freelancers
• Agencies and remote teams
• E-commerce brands
• Creators and coaches
• Anyone using Profit First or needing account-level cash management

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🆚 Relay vs. Traditional Banks

Feature	Relay	Traditional Bank
Free multiple checking accts	✅	❌ (Usually 1 or 2 max)
User permissions	✅	❌
Bill pay workflows	✅	❌
Integrations (QBO/Xero)	✅	❌
Monthly fees	❌ (Free)	✅ ($10–$35+)
Online experience	Modern, fast	Outdated, clunky

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🧠 Final Thoughts: Is Relay Worth It?

If you’re looking for modern business banking with powerful tools, zero fees, and total control—Relay is a no-brainer.

Whether you’re managing a team, budgeting like a boss, or just want better visibility into your business finances, Relay gives you the flexibility and power that traditional banks simply can’t match.

In 2025, smart businesses are ditching the old-school way—and switching to Relay.