Bill.com vs Relay
Detailed side-by-side comparison
Bill.com
From $45/moBill.com is a cloud-based accounts payable and receivable automation platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses. It digitizes and streamlines financial operations including bill payment, invoicing, and cash flow management while integrating seamlessly with major accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.
Visit Bill.comRelay
FreeRelay is a modern digital business banking platform tailored for startups and SMBs that combines traditional banking services with financial automation tools. It offers multiple free checking accounts, unlimited debit cards, and strong accounting integrations without monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.
Visit RelayFeature Comparison
| Feature | Bill.com | Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Core Purpose | Accounts payable/receivable automation and workflow management layered on top of existing banking | Full business banking platform with checking accounts, debit cards, and payment processing built-in |
| Payment Processing | ACH and international payments with approval workflows; transaction fees apply for certain payment types | Unlimited free domestic ACH and wire transfers included; international wires incur fees |
| Accounting Integration | Deep integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite for syncing bills, invoices, and payment data | Direct integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and other platforms for automated transaction syncing |
| Approval Workflows | Multi-level approval workflows with digital invoice capture and customizable control settings for compliance | Role-based permissions and spending controls on cards; more basic approval functionality compared to Bill.com |
| Team Spending Management | Focuses on bill payment approvals rather than direct team spending cards | Unlimited virtual and physical debit cards with real-time notifications and spending controls per card |
| Monthly Cost Structure | Starts at $45/month plus transaction fees for certain payment types | $0 monthly fees with no minimum balance requirements; free domestic transfers |
Pricing Comparison
Bill.com starts at $45/month and charges transaction fees for certain payments, making it more expensive but feature-rich for AP/AR automation. Relay offers free banking with no monthly fees or minimums, providing exceptional value for businesses primarily needing banking services with basic financial automation.
Verdict
Choose Bill.com if...
Choose Bill.com if you need sophisticated accounts payable/receivable automation with multi-level approval workflows, complex vendor management, or already have banking but want to digitize and streamline bill payment and invoicing processes.
Choose Relay if...
Choose Relay if you need a full business banking solution with multiple accounts and unlimited debit cards at no monthly cost, or if you're a startup/SMB prioritizing budget-friendly banking with solid accounting integrations over advanced AP/AR workflow automation.
Get Your Free Software Recommendation
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you with the perfect tools
Select the category that best fits your needs
Pros & Cons
Bill.com
Pros
- + Significantly reduces manual data entry and paper-based processes
- + Strong integration with major accounting platforms
- + Robust approval workflows and financial controls for compliance
- + Time-saving automation for bill payments and invoicing
Cons
- - Can be expensive for very small businesses with low transaction volumes
- - Learning curve for teams transitioning from manual processes
- - Transaction fees apply for certain payment types
Relay
Pros
- + No monthly account fees or minimum balance requirements
- + Unlimited free domestic wire transfers and ACH payments
- + Intuitive interface designed specifically for small business needs
- + Strong accounting software integrations for automated bookkeeping
Cons
- - Limited physical branch access as it's digital-only banking
- - Some advanced treasury management features require higher tiers
- - International wire transfers incur fees