Relay
Cash Flow Operating System for SMBs
Organize every dollar before you spend it. Relay isn't just a business bank—it's a cash flow management platform that puts small businesses in complete control of their money through multiple accounts and smart automations.
Best for Small Businesses, Agencies, Service Businesses, and Accounting Firms.
Decision Indicators
Kiree Verdict
Best For
- • Small Businesses & Agencies
- • Service-based Businesses
- • Construction & Real Estate
- • Accounting & Bookkeeping Firms
- • Profit-First Practitioners
Not Recommended For
- • Cross-border First Businesses (Wise is better)
- • Need Merchant Acquiring (Stripe/PayPal)
- • Complex Global Treasury Needs
- • Enterprise-level Finance Operations
How Organized is Your Cash Flow?
Evaluate your current banking architecture and see how Relay can optimize your cash management.
89
Cash Flow Score
Operating
Required
Payroll
Required
Taxes
Required
Profit
Required
Business Checking Built for SMBs
Customer Payment → General Operating Account
Operating Account → Specific Money Buckets
Buckets → Payroll, Taxes, & Profit
Account Capabilities
- • Up to 20 Checking Accounts
- • $0 Monthly Fees & $0 Minimums
- • FDIC Insured up to $250k*
- • Team-based Permission Controls
Money Buckets: Organize Your Cash Flow
Operating
Payroll
Taxes
Profit
Profit First Banking: Built-in Support
Profit First Architecture
Profit Account
Tax Account
Payroll Account
Operating Account
Why Relay for Profit First?
Relay is the official banking partner for Profit First Professionals. It allows you to automate the percentage-based splits required by the methodology, ensuring your business is profitable from day one.
- • Auto-split Revenue Rules
- • Visual Profit-First Dashboard
- • Percentage-based Transfers
Integrated Accounts Payable
OCR Invoice Entry
Approval Workflow
ACH / Wire / Check
Real-time Sync
Cash Flow Automations
Set up rules to automatically move money between accounts. For example, automatically move any balance over $10,000 to your Tax account.
Revenue → Auto Split Rules
Account Balance → Threshold Rules
Auto Transfer to Buckets
Automation Rules
- • Percentage-based Splits
- • Balance-based Thresholds
- • Recurring Scheduled Transfers
- • Auto-Sweep to Savings
Recommended Cash Flow Stack
Service Agency
Revenue: Bank Transfer
Hub: Relay Cash Flow OS
Accounting: Xero
Construction Business
Project Payments: Relay Accounts
Hub: Relay Cash Flow OS
Accounting: QuickBooks
Accounting Firm
Client Data: Relay Dashboard
Hub: Relay Cash Flow OS
Accounting: Advisor Portal
Relay Limitations
Not a Merchant Account
Relay manages your money, but you still need Stripe or Square to accept card payments.
Limited Global FX
While it supports wires, it's not as optimized for global FX as Wise or Airwallex.
US Business Focus
Primarily designed for US-based small businesses and registered entities.
Advanced Treasury Limited
Focuses on cash flow and operating accounts rather than complex treasury management.
Relay vs Alternatives
Relay vs Mercury
Mercury is for VC-backed startups. Relay is for small businesses that need absolute control over their daily cash flow.
Relay vs Wise
Wise is for global money movement. Relay is for domestic cash flow organization and Profit-First banking.
Relay vs Brex
Brex is an enterprise spend platform. Relay is a smart banking hub for small, growing businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Relay a bank?
Relay is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Thread Bank; Member FDIC.
Does Relay support Profit First?
Yes, Relay is the official banking partner for Profit First Professionals and offers native support for the methodology.
How many accounts can I open?
You can open up to 20 checking accounts for free on the standard plan, with more available on higher tiers.