Data as of Sep 21, 2026 · Based on 319 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
For a new single-member LLC, 
Brands AI recommends here
Named in 74% of answers
Best for high-interest checking and convenience. It provides 2.00% APY and is one of the few online platforms offering cash deposit support. It has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements for new LLCs.
Named in 66% of answers
Best for a straightforward, no-frills digital experience. Designed for freelancers and small businesses, it offers a quick sign-up process, no monthly fees, and integrates easily with accounting software.
Named in 47% of answers
Best for organizing business finances. It offers a very fast digital application and is highly recommended for LLCs that need to manage cash flow through multiple checking accounts and virtual cards without monthly fees.
Named in 44% of answers
Source | Citation share |
|---|---|
 Best Business Bank Accounts for LLCs of September 2026 - NerdWallethttps://www.nerdwallet.com/business/banking/best/llcs | 5% |
 5 Best Business Bank Accounts for LLCs in the US — Airwallexhttps://www.airwallex.com/us/blog/best-business-bank-accounts-for-llcs | 5% |
 Best Business Bank Accounts with No Minimum Balance for LLCshttps://www.baselane.com/resources/best-business-bank-accounts-no-minimum-balance-llc | 4% |
 Relay | Online Business Banking | On The Money, All The Timehttps://www.northone.com/blog/business-banking/easiest-online-business-bank-accounts-to-open | 4% |
 Best Free Business Checking Accounts 2024<!-- --> - Wisehttps://wise.com/us/business/best-free-checking-accounts | 3% |
Best Business Bank Accounts for LLCs | Novohttps://www.novo.co/blog/best-business-bank-accounts-for-llcs | 2% |
Best Online Banks That Support LLCs in 2025 (Full Comparison Guide) - Legal Flowhttps://legalflow.blog/best-online-banks-that-support-llcs-in-2025-full-comparison-guide/ | 2% |
Best Business Bank Accounts to Open Online of September 2026 - NerdWallethttps://www.nerdwallet.com/business/banking/best/online-business-checking-accounts | 2% |
Best Business Bank Accounts to Open Online of June 2026 - NerdWallethttps://www.nerdwallet.com/best/small-business/online-business-checking-accounts | 2% |
 5 best business bank accounts with no fees of August 2026https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/business-banking/business-bank-accounts-with-no-fees | 2% |
**Mercury, Relay Financial, and Grasshopper** offer the easiest online account opening process and **$0 monthly fees** for newly formed single-member US LLCs. Online fintech platforms and digital banks have streamlined applications so that a newly formed LLC can apply completely online in 10 to 15 minutes using just…
Mercury, Relay Financial, and Grasshopper offer the easiest online account opening process and $0 monthly fees for newly formed single-member US LLCs.
Online fintech platforms and digital banks have streamlined applications so that a newly formed LLC can apply completely online in 10 to 15 minutes using just formation documents and an EIN.
| Platform | Monthly Fee | Minimum Balance | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $0 | $0 | Great for tech and modern digital startups |
| Relay Financial | $0 | $0 | Easy sub-accounts and budgeting |
| Grasshopper | $0 | $0 | Direct FDIC-insured chartered bank |
| Bluevine | $0 | $0 | High interest yields on deposits |
To help narrow down the ideal choice, do you plan to handle heavy cash deposits , or will your LLC operate 100% digitally?
For a **new single-member LLC**, the easiest low-cost options are generally the fintech-style business banking platforms rather than traditional banks. As of **September 2026**, several offer **$0 monthly fees**. Platform | Monthly fee | Opening process | Particularly useful for --- | --- | --- | ---
For a new single-member LLC, the easiest low-cost options are generally the fintech-style business banking platforms rather than traditional banks. As of September 2026, several offer $0 monthly fees.
| Platform | Monthly fee | Opening process | Particularly useful for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $0 | Online; formation docs + EIN + government ID | Clean, modern business banking |
| Relay | $0 | Online identity/business verification | Separating taxes, profit, expenses into multiple accounts |
| Bluevine Standard | $0 | Online; EIN/formation documentation | Straightforward checking + potential interest |
| Novo | $0 | Online | Simple single-member LLC banking |
| Found | $0 | Online, marketed as ~5-minute signup | Banking + bookkeeping/tax organization |
1. Mercury — simplest all-around choice
Mercury explicitly supports U.S. LLCs and says applications can be completed in about 10 minutes. Its free banking has no monthly fee, minimum balance, or account-opening fee, and standard ACH and domestic wires are free. You'll generally need your formation documents, IRS EIN confirmation, and government ID.
2. Relay — excellent if you want separate buckets for taxes/profit
Relay's Starter plan is $0/month and is specifically positioned for solo owners and new businesses. It allows up to 20 checking accounts, which can be handy for a Profit First-style setup—for example, Operating, Taxes, Owner Pay, and Profit.
3. Bluevine — good if you want interest on your operating cash
Bluevine's Standard plan has $0 monthly fee, $0 minimum deposit, and unlimited transactions. Its current Standard plan also advertises 1.3% APY on balances up to $250,000 when eligibility requirements are met.
4. Novo — particularly straightforward for a one-person LLC
Novo has $0 monthly maintenance, no minimum balance, and $0 standard ACH transfers. It also includes invoicing, reserves, and bookkeeping-oriented features.
5. Found — worth considering if you want bookkeeping/tax features built in
Found's free account has no monthly maintenance fee and combines banking with bookkeeping, expense categorization, invoicing, and tax-oriented tools. It specifically supports single-member LLCs taxed as sole proprietorships and has additional features for S-corp-elected LLCs.
One important caveat: $0 monthly fee doesn't mean zero fees overall. Wire transfers, instant ACH, international transactions, cash deposits, and certain ATM transactions can still incur fees depending on the platform. Also, these are generally fintech platforms with banking services provided by partner FDIC-insured banks, rather than traditional banks themselves.
If you tell me (1) your state, (2) whether the LLC is taxed as a sole proprietorship or S-corp, (3) expected monthly revenue, and (4) whether you'll need cash deposits, wires, or checks, I can narrow this to the 2–3 most suitable accounts and compare their fees/features side-by-side.
2. Relay — excellent if you want separate buckets for taxes/profit
Relay's Starter plan is $0/month and is specifically positioned for solo owners and new businesses. It allows up to 20 checking accounts, which can be handy for a Profit First-style setup—for example, Operating, Taxes, Owner Pay, and Profit.
3. Bluevine — good if you want interest on your operating cash
Bluevine's Standard plan has $0 monthly fee, $0 minimum deposit, and unlimited transactions. Its current Standard plan also advertises 1.3% APY on balances up to $250,000 when eligibility requirements are met.
4. Novo — particularly straightforward for a one-person LLC
Novo has $0 monthly maintenance, no minimum balance, and $0 standard ACH transfers. It also includes invoicing, reserves, and bookkeeping-oriented features.
5. Found — worth considering if you want bookkeeping/tax features built in
Found's free account has no monthly maintenance fee and combines banking with bookkeeping, expense categorization, invoicing, and tax-oriented tools. It specifically supports single-member LLCs taxed as sole proprietorships and has additional features for S-corp-elected LLCs.
For a **newly formed, single-member U.S. LLC**, the strongest low-cost online options right now are **Novo, Bluevine, Mercury, and Relay**. All four have a $0/month entry tier, so the bigger difference is how easy the onboarding is and what you'll pay for wires, cash deposits, expedited payments, etc.…
For a newly formed, single-member U.S. LLC, the strongest low-cost online options right now are Novo, Bluevine, Mercury, and Relay. All four have a $0/month entry tier, so the bigger difference is how easy the onboarding is and what you'll pay for wires, cash deposits, expedited payments, etc.
| Platform | Monthly fee | New single-member LLC | Account-opening experience | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novo | $0 | Yes | Very straightforward | Simple solo business |
| Bluevine Standard | $0 | Yes | Very fast; application can take <5 min with docs ready | General-purpose business |
| Mercury | $0 | Yes | Online, but somewhat more detailed KYC | Online/startup businesses |
| Relay Starter | $0 | Yes | Online verification | Businesses wanting multiple buckets/accounts |
Novo is particularly attractive for a one-person LLC because there is no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance, and $0 standard ACH transfers. Novo also explicitly supports single-member LLCs.
You'll generally want your EIN, Articles of Organization, government ID, and business address ready. Novo says the application takes roughly 10 minutes when the documents are available.
Why choose it: You want a simple account and don't expect complicated banking needs.
Bluevine Business Checking's Standard plan is $0/month with no monthly-fee waiver requirement. It currently offers 1.3% APY on balances up to $250,000 in months when you meet its eligibility requirement.
Bluevine says that, with your documents ready, most customers can complete the application in under five minutes, although approval can take 1–3 business days if additional review is necessary.
Why choose it: You want a free account but expect to keep meaningful cash in the business checking account.
Mercury has a $0 base plan and is designed heavily around online businesses and startups. It supports most U.S.-registered companies, including LLCs, and allows residential addresses in appropriate circumstances.
The tradeoff is that its application can involve more detailed questions about your business, source of funds, U.S. operations, beneficial ownership, and supporting documents.
Why choose it: You're running an online/software/e-commerce/agency business and expect to use integrations, multiple accounts, or startup-oriented financial tools.
Relay's Starter plan is $0/month and is specifically designed for solo owners and new businesses. A major advantage is that the free plan allows up to 20 checking accounts, making it easy to separate money for taxes, operating expenses, profit, payroll, etc.
Why choose it: You like the "Profit First" or envelope-budgeting approach and want separate accounts without paying monthly fees.
For a typical newly formed single-member LLC with no employees, I'd narrow it to:
One important caveat: "$0 monthly fee" doesn't mean $0 for everything. Wire transfers, expedited ACH, cash deposits, international payments, and other services can still have fees. Also, the fintech itself may not be the FDIC-insured bank; the banking services are generally provided through partner banks.
For a brand-new single-member LLC, I'd personally start by comparing Novo vs. Bluevine: both are straightforward, $0/month, and don't require maintaining a minimum balance. If you tell me what type of LLC it is (consulting, e-commerce, real estate, software, etc.), expected monthly revenue, whether you'll receive/send wires, and whether you need cash deposits, I can narrow this to the most suitable 1–2 accounts.
Why choose it: You want a simple account and don't expect complicated banking needs.
Bluevine Business Checking's Standard plan is $0/month with no monthly-fee waiver requirement. It currently offers 1.3% APY on balances up to $250,000 in months when you meet its eligibility requirement.
Bluevine says that, with your documents ready, most customers can complete the application in under five minutes, although approval can take 1–3 business days if additional review is necessary.
Why choose it: You want a free account but expect to keep meaningful cash in the business checking account.
Mercury has a $0 base plan and is designed heavily around online businesses and startups. It supports most U.S.-registered companies, including LLCs, and allows residential addresses in appropriate circumstances.
The tradeoff is that its application can involve more detailed questions about your business, source of funds, U.S. operations, beneficial ownership, and supporting documents.
Why choose it: You're running an online/software/e-commerce/agency business and expect to use integrations, multiple accounts, or startup-oriented financial tools.
Relay's Starter plan is $0/month and is specifically designed for solo owners and new businesses. A major advantage is that the free plan allows up to 20 checking accounts, making it easy to separate money for taxes, operating expenses, profit, payroll, etc.
For a newly formed single-member LLC, digital-first fintech platforms and select online-friendly banks provide the smoothest application experience (often taking under 10–15 minutes with just your EIN and formation documents) alongside $0 monthly maintenance fees. The top online business banking platforms tailored for…
For a newly formed single-member LLC, digital-first fintech platforms and select online-friendly banks provide the smoothest application experience (often taking under 10–15 minutes with just your EIN and formation documents) alongside $0 monthly maintenance fees.
The top online business banking platforms tailored for ease and low/no fees include:
To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:
For a **newly formed single-member LLC**, I’d focus on platforms with **$0 monthly maintenance fees, online onboarding, no/low minimums, and straightforward LLC verification**. ### Best options Platform | Monthly fee | Best for | Ease of opening | Key drawback
For a newly formed single-member LLC, I’d focus on platforms with $0 monthly maintenance fees, online onboarding, no/low minimums, and straightforward LLC verification.
| Platform | Monthly fee | Best for | Ease of opening | Key drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $0 | Best overall for a modern online business | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cash deposits aren't its strength |
| Bluevine | $0 | Best all-around checking + interest | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Some premium features cost extra |
| Relay | $0 | Best for separating taxes/profit/expenses | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Some transaction features have fees |
| Found | $0 | Best for solo LLCs wanting bookkeeping/tax tools | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Less ideal if you'll need sophisticated banking |
Mercury currently has no required monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no account-opening fee. Standard ACH and domestic wires are free. It accepts U.S.-formed companies and specifically supports businesses with residential principal-business addresses, although a registered-agent, P.O. box, or UPS-box address can't be used as the principal business address.
Why I'd pick it: If you're a one-person consulting, software, ecommerce, agency, or similar LLC and primarily operate electronically, Mercury gives you a very clean business-banking setup without paying for features you don't need.
Bluevine's Standard plan is $0/month, has no minimum opening deposit, unlimited transactions, free standard ACH, and currently offers 1.3% APY when you meet its monthly activity requirement.
It's particularly attractive if you'll maintain a meaningful cash balance in the business account. Its Plus and Premier tiers cost more, but you don't need them for a basic LLC account.
My pick: Bluevine if you care about earning interest; Mercury if you care more about a polished business-finance platform.
Relay's Starter plan is $0/month and is explicitly designed for solo owners and new businesses. It provides multiple checking accounts, which is useful for a system such as:
The current Starter plan allows up to 20 checking accounts for most solo businesses, with no monthly maintenance fee.
My pick: Relay if you want to implement a "Profit First"-style system from day one.
Found has a $0/month core plan with no required minimum balance or maintenance fee, and it specifically targets solo business owners. It combines banking with expense categorization, invoicing, tax estimates, tax savings, and bookkeeping features.
Found also says you can open an account online in as little as five minutes, with no credit check and no minimum balance.
This is especially interesting for a single-member LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship, because Found's tools are designed around that tax situation.
If I were opening a new single-member LLC today:
1. Mercury — best overall 2. Bluevine — best if earning interest matters 3. Found — easiest/most integrated for a solo owner 4. Relay — best for multiple buckets/accounts
All four have a $0 basic banking option, so you don't really need to choose based on monthly cost. The bigger differences are ACH/wire fees, cash deposits, interest, bookkeeping, and how much banking infrastructure you'll need as the LLC grows.
One important caveat: approval isn't guaranteed simply because the LLC is newly formed. These platforms generally verify the LLC's formation documents, owner identity, business activity, and address, so having your Articles of Organization, EIN, operating agreement, and matching business information ready will make onboarding smoother. Mercury, for example, explicitly reviews formation documents and onboarding eligibility.
If you tell me what the LLC does (e.g., consulting, Amazon/ecommerce, real estate, contracting), expected monthly revenue, whether you'll deposit cash, and whether you need incoming/outgoing wires, I can narrow this to the best 1–2 accounts and compare their fees feature-by-feature.
For a newly formed single-member LLC, online-first financial platforms (often fintechs partnered with FDIC-insured banks) offer the fastest digital onboarding and complete freedom from monthly maintenance fees. The top online platforms tailored for easy setup and zero monthly fees include: 1. **Novo**
For a newly formed single-member LLC, online-first financial platforms (often fintechs partnered with FDIC-insured banks) offer the fastest digital onboarding and complete freedom from monthly maintenance fees.
The top online platforms tailored for easy setup and zero monthly fees include:
To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:
For a newly formed, single-member LLC, online business banking platforms (often fintech platforms partnered with FDIC-insured banks) offer the fastest onboarding and lowest overhead. The top options balancing **seamless digital account opening** (usually taking 10–15 minutes with your EIN and Articles of Organization)…
For a newly formed, single-member LLC, online business banking platforms (often fintech platforms partnered with FDIC-insured banks) offer the fastest onboarding and lowest overhead.
The top options balancing seamless digital account opening (usually taking 10–15 minutes with your EIN and Articles of Organization) and $0 monthly maintenance fees include:
Whichever platform you choose, have these ready to breeze through the online application in minutes:
If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:
I can pinpoint the exact platform that fits your workflow.
For a **new single-member U.S. LLC**, I’d focus on platforms with **$0 monthly fees, no minimum balance, fully online applications, and straightforward LLC verification**. As of September 2026, several fit that bill. [Bancadia](https://bancadia.com/compare/business-checking/all?utm_source=chatgpt.com)…
For a new single-member U.S. LLC, I’d focus on platforms with $0 monthly fees, no minimum balance, fully online applications, and straightforward LLC verification. As of September 2026, several fit that bill.
| Platform | Monthly fee | Opening deposit | Best for | My take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novo | $0 | $0 | Simple solo LLC | ⭐ Best for simplicity |
| Mercury | $0 | $0 | Startups, online businesses | ⭐ Best overall |
| Bluevine | $0 | $0 | Earning interest / general business | ⭐ Best if you want yield |
| Relay | $0 | $0 | Separating taxes/profit/expenses | ⭐ Best for cash management |
| Found | $0 | $0 | Solo owners wanting bookkeeping | Good alternative |
| Amex Business Checking | $0 | $0 | Established small businesses | Good, but less startup-focused |
1. Novo — easiest for a basic single-member LLC
Novo is probably the simplest choice if your business is something like consulting, freelancing, an agency, e-commerce, or another straightforward one-owner LLC. It has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no paid tier, which makes the pricing unusually simple.
2. Mercury — best all-around
Mercury is particularly attractive if you expect the LLC to grow, work with online payment platforms, send wires, or eventually need more sophisticated financial tooling. Its basic checking/savings accounts have $0 monthly fees and $0 minimums, and Mercury says applications require formation documents, the IRS EIN document, and government ID.
3. Bluevine — best if interest matters
Bluevine's standard business checking is also $0/month with no minimum balance, while offering interest-earning opportunities subject to its eligibility requirements. That's appealing if you expect to keep a meaningful operating balance in the account.
All of these are substantially cheaper than traditional options such as Chase or Bank of America if you don't need branches; traditional business accounts commonly start around $15–$16/month unless you meet waiver requirements.
One important caveat: Mercury, Relay, Novo, Bluevine and Found are generally fintech platforms rather than traditional banks; banking services and FDIC coverage are provided through partner banks. Check the applicable partner-bank/FDIC terms before depositing substantial sums.
If you tell me what the LLC does (consulting, e-commerce, real estate, SaaS, etc.), expected monthly revenue, whether you'll receive ACH/card payments, and whether you need cash deposits, I can narrow this to the single best account and compare the application requirements side-by-side.
2. Mercury — best all-around
Mercury is particularly attractive if you expect the LLC to grow, work with online payment platforms, send wires, or eventually need more sophisticated financial tooling. Its basic checking/savings accounts have $0 monthly fees and $0 minimums, and Mercury says applications require formation documents, the IRS EIN document, and government ID.
3. Bluevine — best if interest matters
Bluevine's standard business checking is also $0/month with no minimum balance, while offering interest-earning opportunities subject to its eligibility requirements. That's appealing if you expect to keep a meaningful operating balance in the account.
For a newly formed single-member LLC, online-first platforms (often fintechs partnered with FDIC-insured banks) offer the fastest digital onboarding and the fewest hidden maintenance traps. Opening an account typically requires your LLC's Articles of Organization, an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS,…
For a newly formed single-member LLC, online-first platforms (often fintechs partnered with FDIC-insured banks) offer the fastest digital onboarding and the fewest hidden maintenance traps. Opening an account typically requires your LLC's Articles of Organization, an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, and your personal ID.
The top online business banking platforms featuring frictionless account opening and $0 monthly maintenance fees include:
To help narrow down the best fit, let me know:
For a **newly formed single-member LLC**, I’d focus on three things: **$0 monthly fee, no minimum balance, and a straightforward online application**. Based on current 2026 terms, these are the strongest options: Platform | Monthly fee | Best for | Ease of opening --- | --- | --- | ---
For a newly formed single-member LLC, I’d focus on three things: $0 monthly fee, no minimum balance, and a straightforward online application. Based on current 2026 terms, these are the strongest options:
| Platform | Monthly fee | Best for | Ease of opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $0 | Best overall for online businesses | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bluevine | $0 Standard | Interest + simple banking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Novo | $0 | Freelancers/consultants/service LLCs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Relay | $0 Starter | Separating taxes/profit/expenses | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
Mercury has no monthly account fee, no minimum balance, and no account-opening fee. It says the application can be completed in about 10 minutes. Its free account includes business checking/savings and features particularly useful for online businesses, such as ACH payments, invoicing and accounting integrations.
Best if: your LLC is an online business, consulting company, agency, software business, e-commerce operation, etc.
Bluevine's Standard plan is $0/month, with no minimum deposit, no overdraft/NSF fees, unlimited transactions and free standard ACH. Its Standard plan can also earn 1.3% APY when the applicable monthly activity requirement is met.
Bluevine explicitly supports LLCs, and its application asks for things such as your EIN, business information and owner identification.
Best if: you expect to keep a meaningful cash balance in the business account and want it earning interest.
Novo charges $0 monthly maintenance, has no minimum balance, and standard ACH transfers are free. Novo specifically says single-member LLCs can apply online and generally need an EIN, Articles of Organization and government-issued ID.
Best if: you're a solo consultant, freelancer, professional services provider, or other relatively straightforward small business.
One drawback: Novo doesn't accept cash deposits, so I'd favor a traditional/hybrid bank if your business handles substantial cash.
Relay's Starter plan is $0/month and is specifically designed for solo owners and new businesses. A particularly nice feature is the ability to create multiple checking accounts—useful for keeping tax money, operating expenses, profit, and payroll separate.
Best if: you want a "Profit First"-style system or expect to divide your LLC's money into several buckets.
If I were choosing today:
All four can get you to $0 in recurring monthly banking fees on their basic plans. The important distinction is that "no monthly fee" doesn't mean every banking service is free—things like wires, expedited ACH, international transactions, cash deposits, or premium features can still carry charges.
For most newly formed single-member LLCs, I'd start with Mercury or Bluevine. If you tell me your business type (e.g., consulting, e-commerce, real estate, trucking), expected monthly revenue, whether you'll deposit cash, and whether you're a U.S. citizen/resident, I can narrow it down to the best one and flag any potential account-opening issues.
Best if: your LLC is an online business, consulting company, agency, software business, e-commerce operation, etc.
Bluevine's Standard plan is $0/month, with no minimum deposit, no overdraft/NSF fees, unlimited transactions and free standard ACH. Its Standard plan can also earn 1.3% APY when the applicable monthly activity requirement is met.
Bluevine explicitly supports LLCs, and its application asks for things such as your EIN, business information and owner identification.
Best if: you expect to keep a meaningful cash balance in the business account and want it earning interest.
Novo charges $0 monthly maintenance, has no minimum balance, and standard ACH transfers are free. Novo specifically says single-member LLCs can apply online and generally need an EIN, Articles of Organization and government-issued ID.
Best if: you're a solo consultant, freelancer, professional services provider, or other relatively straightforward small business.
One drawback: Novo doesn't accept cash deposits, so I'd favor a traditional/hybrid bank if your business handles substantial cash.
