Best Business Bank Account for Personal Errands & Concierge Services: Mercury, Relay, or Brex?

The Quick Answer

For most independent errand runners or new concierge services, Mercury is the top pick: it’s simple, has no monthly fees, and is easy to use for managing client payments and tracking basic costs like fuel and supplies. Relay is better if you're growing, hiring an assistant, or want to keep client funds, owner pay, and specific operating costs (like vehicle maintenance or software subscriptions) in separate 'buckets' for easier tracking. Brex Cash only makes sense if you’re already using their corporate credit card for significant client purchases or operational spending and want everything in one place, which is less common for most personal errand businesses.

Side-by-Side Breakdown

Mercury: This bank has no monthly fees and no minimum balance. Your money is FDIC insured up to $5M. It offers a 'Treasury' product that can earn interest on money you're not using right away. Its connection tools (API) can be useful for linking to expense tracking apps or invoicing software. It handles standard payments like receiving client ACH transfers and sending checks.

Relay: Also has no monthly fees (Relay Pro costs $30/month for extra features). The key benefit here is up to 20 separate checking accounts and 50 debit cards for your business. This is fantastic for keeping client funds separate, setting aside money for specific client projects, or earmarking funds for gas, marketing, or your own salary. Its team controls are useful if you hire a part-time helper.

Brex Cash: This account is free if you use the Brex corporate credit card. Your funds are FDIC insured up to $6M. It offers a good yield on your operating cash. It's tightly connected to Brex's expense management system. You cannot open Brex Cash as a standalone bank account without also using their credit card.

When to Choose Mercury

Choose Mercury if you are a solo personal errand runner, an independent TaskRabbit operator going solo, or starting a new concierge service. It’s perfect if you need a clean, no-fee business account that works right away to separate client payments and business expenses (like gas, cleaning supplies, or event tickets) from your personal money. You'll appreciate the fast setup process – most people get approved quickly. The account's connection tools (API) can also be helpful for automatically linking to budgeting tools or mileage trackers to make logging expenses easier.

When to Choose Relay

Choose Relay if your concierge business is growing and you plan to hire a part-time assistant or driver, and you need to give them a debit card for specific purchases (e.g., client groceries, event tickets) with spending limits. It's also ideal if you want to separate your money for different purposes: a 'Gas & Vehicle Maintenance' account, a 'Marketing & Software Subscriptions' account, a 'Client Funds' account, and a 'My Pay' account. This makes tracking finances for taxes much simpler. If you manage funds for multiple clients, you can easily see how much belongs to each project or client. It helps you manage your money like the 'Profit First' system, ensuring you pay yourself and set aside funds for taxes and growth.

When to Choose Brex Cash

Choose Brex Cash if your personal errand or concierge service has grown significantly and you're regularly making large purchases for clients (e.g., high-end gifts, event planning supplies) that require a corporate credit card. This account is best if you are already using the Brex card for these big purchases and want one platform to manage all your spending and cash. For most solo errand runners or small concierge services, Brex Cash isn't the first choice, as their typical spending patterns usually don't require a full-fledged corporate card system designed for rapid-growth businesses.

The Verdict

For most solo errand runners or new concierge businesses, start with Mercury. It's straightforward, free, and handles essential banking without any hidden catches. If your business grows, or if you find yourself needing to keep funds strictly separate – for specific client projects, gas money, or your own salary – then consider switching to or adding Relay. Its multiple account feature is excellent for managing different money buckets. Brex Cash is generally not the initial choice for this industry unless you have substantial business spending that already makes using the Brex corporate credit card a good fit for your operations.

How to Get Started

Mercury: Apply at mercury.com. You'll need your business formation documents (like LLC papers or your Sole Proprietor info if applicable), your EIN (if you have one), and a personal ID. Approval is usually very quick, often within 24-48 hours, meaning you can start receiving client payments sooner.

Relay: Apply at relayfi.com. Before you start the application, take some time to plan how you want to split your business money. For example, think about separate accounts for 'Client Funds,' 'Operating Expenses (like Gas, Software Subscriptions),' 'Owner's Pay,' and 'Tax Savings.' Setting up your desired account structure early will save you time and effort later.

Brex Cash: This account is only available when you apply for the Brex corporate credit card. This means it's typically considered later, once your errand or concierge business has grown to a point where it has significant recurring expenses that justify signing up for a corporate card program.

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