Mercury vs Relay vs Lili: Which US Business Bank Account Is Best for Non-Residents in 2026?

20 September 2026

If you are a non-US resident who owns a US LLC, choosing the right business banking provider can be confusing. Mercury vs Relay vs Lili is one of the comparisons international founders frequently make when looking for a US bank account for non-residents.

All three platforms provide business banking services, but they are not identical.

Mercury focuses heavily on startups, technology companies, agencies and growing businesses. Relay is known for business cash management, multiple checking accounts and accounting workflows. Lili has developed a strong proposition for small businesses and international founders, including eligible non-US residents.

But there is another important question that many entrepreneurs overlook:

Which provider are you actually eligible for?

Having a US LLC does not automatically mean every banking provider will approve your application. Providers can assess your company structure, business activity, ownership, address, source of funds, country of residence and supporting documents.

That is where Activate Global Limited can help.

In this guide, we will compare Mercury vs Relay vs Lili, explain their major features, discuss eligibility considerations for non-residents and show how Activate Global Limited can help you assess your business before applying for a US business bank account remotely.

Mercury vs Relay vs Lili: Quick Comparison

Here is a simple overview before we go deeper.

Feature	Mercury	Relay	Lili
US business account	Yes	Yes	Yes
US LLCs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Non-US founders	Eligible businesses can apply	Eligible non-US owners can apply subject to requirements	Eligible non-US residents can apply
Remote application	Yes	Yes	Yes
ACH transfers	Yes	Yes	Yes
Domestic wires	Yes	Yes	Yes
International wires	Yes	Yes, activation/eligibility applies	Yes
Debit cards	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multiple checking accounts	Yes	Strong feature	Yes
Accounting integrations	Yes	QuickBooks/Xero	QuickBooks/Xero
Shopify integration	Available	Payment connections	Yes
Stripe integration	Available	Yes	Yes
PayPal integration	Available	Yes	Yes
Expense management	Yes	Yes	Yes
International founder focus	Strong	Available for eligible businesses	Strong
Main positioning	Startups and growing businesses	Cash management for small businesses	Small businesses and international founders

These features and eligibility requirements can change, so applicants should always verify the current provider requirements before applying.

Mercury states that US companies founded by people outside the United States can apply, but applicants need a US-registered company, existing or planned US operations and an acceptable principal place-of-business address. Mercury also states that a registered-agent address cannot be used as the principal place of business.

Relay accepts eligible US-registered businesses owned by non-US citizens or residents, but its current requirements include US operating presence and physical-address and identity-verification requirements.

Lili specifically markets business banking for international founders and says eligible non-US residents can apply remotely using a foreign passport and EIN rather than an SSN.

Are Mercury, Relay and Lili the Same?

No.

They overlap in many areas, but their products and onboarding requirements are different.

Think of them this way:

Mercury

Business banking and financial tools for startups and growing businesses.

Mercury offers business checking and savings, ACH, wires, cards, expense-management tools, invoicing, accounting integrations and other financial workflows.

Relay

Business banking focused strongly on cash management and financial organization.

One of Relay’s distinctive features is the ability to organize business finances across multiple checking accounts. Relay says businesses can open up to 20 individual checking accounts under one business relationship.

Lili

Business banking with a strong focus on small businesses and international founders.

Lili currently promotes remote US business banking for eligible international founders, including applicants who do not have an SSN.

So the question isn’t simply:

“Which one is the best?”

A more useful question is:

“Which provider is suitable for my business, country of residence and banking requirements?”

Mercury for Non-Residents

Mercury is one of the most recognized US financial platforms among startups and international founders.

It supports many types of US businesses, including SaaS companies, ecommerce businesses, agencies, consultants and other businesses.

What Does Mercury Offer?

Depending on eligibility and account setup, Mercury provides access to features such as:

Business checking
Business savings
ACH transfers
Domestic wires
International payments
Debit cards
Corporate cards
Expense management
Invoicing
Accounting integrations
Financial automation
Payment tools
Team controls

Mercury also works with FDIC-insured partner banks for its banking services.

Can a Non-Resident Apply for Mercury?

Yes, eligible non-US residents can apply.

Mercury states that you do not have to be a US citizen or US resident to apply.

However, your company must be formed and registered in the United States or a US territory, have existing or planned US operations and have an acceptable principal place-of-business address.

This is extremely important for international entrepreneurs.

A registered agent address is not automatically sufficient as the company’s principal place of business for Mercury. Mercury says it can accept a verifiable international physical address, depending on its requirements.

Mercury May Be Relevant for:

SaaS companies
Technology startups
Marketing agencies
Consulting companies
Ecommerce businesses
Software companies
International service businesses
Venture-backed businesses
Growing US LLCs

Not Sure If Your Company Qualifies for Mercury?

Before submitting an application, it can be useful to check your company structure, address, business activity and documentation.

Activate Global Limited can assess your business profile and documents before you apply, helping identify which banking provider may be more appropriate for your situation.

Our process can include:

✓ Eligibility assessment
✓ Business activity review
✓ Company document assessment
✓ Ownership review
✓ Address review
✓ Banking-provider matching
✓ Application preparation assistance

👉 Check Your Eligibility for a US Business Bank Account

Apply remotely from outside the United States.

Relay for Non-Residents

Relay takes a somewhat different approach from Mercury.

Its platform is strongly focused on business cash management.

One of Relay’s notable features is the ability to create multiple checking accounts for different financial purposes.

For example, a business could separate money into:

Operating expenses
Taxes
Payroll
Marketing
Profit
Contractor payments
Emergency reserves

Relay currently says businesses can open up to 20 individual checking accounts, with additional savings-account functionality depending on the plan.

What Does Relay Offer?

Relay’s core business-banking features include:

Business checking
Multiple checking accounts
Savings
ACH payments
Wires
Debit cards
Accounting integrations
QuickBooks
Xero
Payment connections
Team access
Cash-management tools

Relay also supports receiving payments through methods such as ACH, wires, checks and connections involving services such as PayPal, Stripe and Square.

Can Non-Residents Use Relay?

Eligible non-US owners can potentially use Relay, but there are important requirements.

Relay’s current documentation says US-registered businesses owned by non-US citizens or residents can apply, provided the business has an operating presence in the US and the owners are in supported countries. Non-US applicants may need to provide information about the source of initial business income, business status, personal income and countries of operation.

Relay also has country restrictions that can change over time.

Address requirements are also important. Relay may require a physical business operating address and supporting verification documents.

Relay May Be Relevant for:

Small businesses
Agencies
Consulting businesses
Ecommerce businesses
Businesses with multiple financial budgets
Businesses using QuickBooks or Xero
Companies wanting separate checking accounts
Businesses needing team financial controls

Lili for Non-Residents

Lili is particularly interesting when discussing US banking for non-residents because it explicitly markets its platform to international founders.

Lili currently states that eligible international founders can apply remotely and use a foreign passport and EIN rather than an SSN.

What Does Lili Offer?

Lili’s current international-founder offering includes features such as:

US business banking
ACH transfers
Domestic wires
International wires
Debit cards
Multi-currency payment capabilities
QuickBooks integration
Xero integration
Shopify integration
Stripe integration
PayPal integration
Savings features
APY opportunities depending on the applicable product and terms

Lili says its platform supports payments involving more than 140 currencies and promotes remote applications for eligible countries.

Can a Non-Resident Apply for Lili?

Eligible non-US residents can apply.

Lili’s international-founder page specifically says that no SSN is required for eligible non-US residents and that applicants can use a foreign passport and EIN.

However, “no SSN required” should not be interpreted as “no verification required.”

Applicants still need to provide identity, business and ownership information.

Lili says applicants may need company formation documents, EIN documentation and government-issued identification.

Lili May Be Relevant for:

International founders
Solo entrepreneurs
Consultants
Freelancers
Digital agencies
Ecommerce businesses
Small US LLCs
International service providers
Founders without an SSN who meet Lili’s requirements

Mercury vs Relay vs Lili: Which Features Are Different?

This is where the comparison becomes more useful.

1. International Founder Support

All three can potentially work with businesses involving non-US owners, but their requirements differ.

Mercury: Supports eligible US companies founded by people around the world.

Relay: Supports eligible US businesses owned by non-US citizens or residents, subject to operating-presence, address and country requirements.

Lili: Specifically promotes remote US business banking for eligible international founders and says eligible non-US residents can use a passport and EIN instead of an SSN.

2. ACH Payments

All three platforms provide ACH-related business payment functionality, subject to their respective account and eligibility requirements.

ACH can be useful when your US business needs to:

Receive customer payments
Pay US vendors
Pay contractors
Transfer money between accounts
Connect payment platforms

For many international entrepreneurs, ACH is one of the most important reasons to establish a US business account.

3. Domestic Wires

Mercury, Relay and Lili all offer domestic wire functionality, subject to account terms and eligibility.

Domestic wires can be useful when your US LLC needs to send or receive larger business payments within the United States.

4. International Payments

International payment capabilities vary by provider and product.

Mercury supports international payment functionality for eligible businesses.

Relay also supports international wires, but its international wire receiving capability involves an additional activation/review process. Relay says its payments partner reviews business and beneficial-owner information before enabling inbound international wires.

Lili promotes international wire transfers and payments involving 140+ currencies for eligible customers.

If your business regularly receives international payments, this should be one of the questions you ask before choosing a provider.

5. Multiple Business Accounts

This is one area where Relay stands out.

If your business wants to divide its money into multiple buckets, Relay’s multiple-checking-account structure can be useful.

For example:

$10,000 revenue

→ $2,000 Tax
→ $1,000 Payroll
→ $1,500 Marketing
→ $500 Software
→ $5,000 Operating/Profit

Instead of keeping everything in one account, a business can organize its cash according to purpose.

This can be particularly useful for agencies, consultants and businesses with multiple recurring expenses.

6. Accounting Integrations

Modern business banking is increasingly connected to accounting software.

Mercury provides accounting and business-finance integrations.

Relay supports QuickBooks Online and Xero.

Lili also promotes direct QuickBooks and Xero integrations.

For a business owner working with an accountant remotely, these integrations can reduce manual bookkeeping work.

7. Shopify, Stripe and PayPal

For ecommerce and digital businesses, payment integrations can be important.

Lili specifically promotes integrations with:

Shopify
Stripe
PayPal
QuickBooks
Xero

for international founders.

Relay also supports payment connections involving platforms such as Stripe, PayPal and Square.

Mercury also provides integrations and financial tools for businesses using ecommerce and other digital platforms.

However, having a banking account does not automatically mean every payment processor will approve your business.

Stripe, PayPal and other providers conduct their own reviews.

8. Debit Cards

Mercury, Relay and Lili provide business debit-card functionality for eligible customers.

This can allow a US LLC to give authorized users access to business spending without giving everyone unrestricted access to the main account.

The exact card features, limits, rewards and eligibility depend on the provider and account type.

9. Business Expense Management

Expense management becomes increasingly important as a company grows.

Mercury provides expense and card-management tools.

Relay provides financial controls and account organization.

Lili provides business financial-management functionality aimed at small businesses.

If you have employees, contractors or multiple team members, don’t compare providers only on whether they offer a debit card.

Look at:

User permissions
Spending controls
Transaction visibility
Card management
Accounting integrations
Approval workflows

Mercury vs Relay vs Lili for Different Types of Businesses

There is no universal winner.

Instead, consider the business model.

Business type	Provider to investigate
SaaS startup	Mercury
Technology startup	Mercury
Venture-backed startup	Mercury
Digital agency	Mercury / Relay / Lili
Consultant	Mercury / Relay / Lili
Freelancer	Lili / Mercury
Ecommerce business	Mercury / Lili / Relay
Multiple-budget business	Relay
International founder	Lili / Mercury / Relay, subject to eligibility
Business needing multiple checking accounts	Relay
Small international LLC	Lili / Mercury

This table is a starting point, not a guarantee of eligibility or approval.

Your country of residence, business activity, ownership structure, address and documents can change which providers are available to you.

Why You Should Check Eligibility Before Applying

This is one of the most important points for non-resident entrepreneurs.

Many people make the following mistake:

Form LLC → Find banking provider → Apply immediately

A better process is:

Form LLC → Assess eligibility → Review documents → Match provider → Prepare application → Apply

Why?

Because financial providers may ask questions about:

Business activity
Source of funds
Ownership
Beneficial owners
Business address
Personal address
US operations
Countries of operation
Expected transaction volume
Website
Customer base
Suppliers
Business documents

Mercury, for example, says it collects information about business activity, source of funds, US operations and beneficial owners, and requires supporting business documentation.

Relay similarly asks applicants about source of funds, countries of operation, US nexus, transaction volume, account purpose, industry and business description.

Lili also asks for personal, business and ownership information and may request additional documentation.

How Activate Global Limited Helps Non-Residents Open a US Bank Account

This is where the process can become much easier for an international founder.

Activate Global Limited helps eligible non-residents navigate the process of setting up a US business bank account remotely.

Instead of simply sending you a list of banking providers, our process is designed around eligibility assessment, provider matching and document preparation.

Step 1: We Check Your Eligibility

Before recommending a banking provider, we review information such as:

Country of residence
Company formation state
LLC or corporation structure
Business activity
Ownership structure
US operations
Business address
Expected transaction volume
Source of funds
Payment requirements

The objective is to determine which available provider may be appropriate to investigate based on the information you provide.

This does not guarantee account approval.

The final decision always belongs to the banking or fintech provider.

Step 2: We Match You With a Suitable Banking Partner

Not every business needs the same banking platform.

For example:

SaaS Company

A technology startup may prioritize:

ACH
Wires
Cards
Expense management
Accounting integrations
Startup-friendly financial tools

Ecommerce Business

An ecommerce company may prioritize:

ACH
Payment integrations
Stripe
PayPal
Shopify
International payments

Consultant

A consultant may prioritize:

Simple business checking
ACH
Wires
Debit card
Accounting
Low administrative complexity

International Founder

A non-US resident may prioritize:

Remote application
Passport-based verification where supported
EIN compatibility
International transfers
Cross-border payments
Clear eligibility requirements

This is why provider matching can be more useful than simply choosing the most famous name.

Step 3: We Assess Your Company Documents

A banking application can become complicated when the information across your documents doesn’t match.

Activate Global Limited can help review your available company documentation before you submit your banking application.

Depending on the provider and your circumstances, documents may include:

Certificate of Formation
Articles of Organization
EIN confirmation
Operating Agreement
Passport
Proof of residential address
Business address documentation
Website
Business description
Ownership information
Source-of-funds information

For example, Relay’s current documentation lists EIN, formation documents, ownership information, identity documents and business-address information among its application requirements.

Mercury also says applicants need business documents and information about owners and operations.

Step 4: We Identify Potential Documentation Issues

Small inconsistencies can create additional questions during financial-provider onboarding.

For example:

Company name: ABC Technologies LLC

But the uploaded document says:

ABC Technology LLC

Or:

Business activity: Software development

But the website describes:

Crypto trading

Or:

Business address: One address

But the application provides another without explanation.

These issues may result in additional review.

Our document-assessment process is designed to identify inconsistencies and missing information before the application is submitted.

Step 5: We Help Prepare Your Banking Application

Once the provider has been selected based on your profile, Activate Global Limited can help you organize the information needed for the application.

This can include:

Company information
Owner information
Business description
Website information
Expected transaction volume
Source-of-funds information
Customer information
Supplier information
Banking purpose
Supporting documents

The goal is to make the application clear, consistent and complete.

Step 6: Remote Banking Setup

You do not necessarily need to travel to the United States simply to apply for a US business banking account.

Mercury states that eligible international founders can apply without being physically located in the United States.

Lili also promotes a 100% remote application for eligible international founders.

Relay operates its onboarding process online as well.

However, remote application does not mean that identity verification or compliance checks are skipped.

You still need to provide genuine information and complete the provider’s verification process.

Get Your US Banking Eligibility Checked Before You Apply

Don’t apply blindly to multiple banking providers.

A rejection or failed application can create additional delays and require further documentation.

Activate Global Limited can help you assess your profile first and identify potentially suitable banking options.

Our US banking assistance can include:

✓ Eligibility assessment
✓ Banking-provider matching
✓ Company-document assessment
✓ Ownership review
✓ Business activity review
✓ Address assessment
✓ Application preparation
✓ Remote application assistance
✓ Banking onboarding support

👉 Check Your US Bank Account Eligibility

Tell us your country, business activity and US company details to begin.

What Documents Should a Non-Resident Prepare?

Before starting a US business bank account application, it is useful to organize your documents.

Company Documents

You may need:

Certificate of Formation
Articles of Organization
EIN confirmation
Operating Agreement
Ownership information

Personal Documents

You may need:

Passport
Proof of residential address
Date of birth
Contact information
Additional identity-verification information

Business Information

You may also need:

Company website
Business description
Industry
Customer countries
Supplier countries
Expected monthly revenue
Expected transaction volume
Source of funds
Purpose of the account

The exact requirements vary by provider.

What If I Don’t Have an SSN?

This is one of the most common questions from international entrepreneurs.

A non-resident does not automatically need an SSN simply because they own a US LLC.

However, each banking provider has its own onboarding requirements.

Lili currently says eligible non-US residents can use a foreign passport and EIN instead of an SSN.

Relay has specific identity and address requirements for non-US owners.

Mercury also supports eligible international founders but conducts its own review of the company and applicant.

Therefore, don’t assume that one provider’s requirements apply to another provider.

Can a Non-Resident Open a US Business Bank Account Remotely?

Yes, eligible non-residents can apply remotely with certain providers.

But three things are important:

1. Your US company must be legitimate

The company should be properly formed and maintained.

2. Your information must be consistent

Your LLC documents, EIN, website, business activity and ownership information should accurately describe the same business.

3. You must meet the provider’s eligibility requirements

A US LLC alone does not guarantee banking approval.

This is why eligibility assessment can be valuable before submitting an application.

What About US Banking and Taxes?

Opening a US business account does not eliminate tax or reporting obligations.

If you are a foreign owner of a US LLC, your tax and information-reporting obligations depend on the structure and circumstances.

For example, the IRS states that a foreign-owned US disregarded entity can have Form 5472 reporting obligations and may need to file a pro forma Form 1120 with Form 5472 attached.

Therefore:

US bank account ≠ tax-free business

and

US LLC ≠ automatic zero tax

Your US and home-country tax obligations should be reviewed with an appropriately qualified tax professional.

Mercury vs Relay vs Lili: Which One Should You Choose?

There is no universal answer.

Instead, consider what your business actually needs.

Mercury may be worth investigating if:

You operate a SaaS company
You run a technology business
You operate an agency
You expect your business to grow
You need business financial tools
You want startup-oriented banking infrastructure

Relay may be worth investigating if:

You want multiple checking accounts
You want to separate taxes and operating expenses
You use QuickBooks or Xero
You have a small business
You need cash-management tools
You want team financial controls

Lili may be worth investigating if:

You are an international founder
You operate a small US LLC
You don’t have an SSN
You need remote banking
You operate an ecommerce business
You use Stripe, PayPal or Shopify
You want international payment functionality

Again, these are potential use cases, not guarantees of eligibility or approval.

Why Banking Provider Matching Matters for Non-Residents

Imagine you have a US LLC and live in India.

You find Mercury online and apply.

Your application may then ask about:

Your physical address
US operations
Business activity
Source of funds
Beneficial owners
Company documents
Website
Countries where you operate

If your documentation doesn’t clearly demonstrate your business model, the provider may request additional information or determine that the business isn’t eligible.

Now imagine another business owner in the UAE operating a SaaS company.

Their circumstances may be completely different.

That’s why one banking provider cannot be automatically recommended to every non-resident LLC owner.

The better process is:

Understand the business → Check eligibility → Review documents → Match provider → Prepare application → Apply

Activate Global Limited: US Bank Account Assistance for Non-Residents

Activate Global Limited helps international entrepreneurs navigate the process of establishing US business banking remotely.

We are not the bank.

We do not make the final account-opening decision.

Instead, our role is to help you understand the requirements, assess your profile, identify potentially suitable providers and prepare your application information.

Our process focuses on four areas:

1. Eligibility Check

We review your country, company, business activity, ownership and banking requirements.

2. Banking Partner Matching

We compare your requirements with available banking options rather than automatically sending every client to the same provider.

3. Company Document Assessment

We help review your formation documents, EIN information, ownership details and other supporting documentation.

4. Remote Application Assistance

We help you organise the application and navigate the on-boarding process remotely.

Ready to Open a US Bank Account as a Non-Resident?

If you already have a US LLC and need business banking, don’t start by applying everywhere.

Start with your eligibility.

Activate Global Limited can help you determine which banking options may fit your business profile and prepare your documentation before you apply.

Get assistance with:

Eligibility Check
Banking Provider Matching
Company Document Assessment
Application Preparation
Remote Banking Setup

👉 Apply for US Bank Account Assistance

You don’t need to visit the United States simply to begin the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mercury, Relay or Lili best for non-residents?

There is no universal best option. Each provider has different features and eligibility requirements. The appropriate option depends on your country of residence, company structure, business activity, address, ownership and banking requirements.

Can non-residents open a US business bank account?

Yes, eligible non-residents can apply for certain US business banking platforms if they meet the provider’s requirements.

Can I open a US bank account without visiting America?

Eligible applicants can often complete the application process remotely. However, identity verification and compliance checks are still required.

Do I need an SSN to open a US business bank account?

Not necessarily. Requirements depend on the provider and applicant. Lili, for example, currently says eligible non-US residents can apply using a foreign passport and EIN rather than an SSN.

Can I use a registered-agent address for my US bank account?

It depends on the provider. Mercury states that a registered-agent address cannot be used as the principal place of business.

Relay has its own address requirements and may request an operational address and supporting documentation.

Can Activate Global Limited guarantee my bank account?

No. Activate Global Limited can assist with eligibility assessment, provider matching, documentation and application preparation, but the final account-opening decision is made by the banking or financial provider.

Can Activate Global Limited choose the right banking provider for me?

Activate Global Limited can assess your business profile and banking requirements and help identify potentially suitable providers. The final decision about whether to apply and whether an account is approved remains with the provider.

Can you review my company documents before I apply?

Yes. Activate Global Limited can help assess relevant company documents and identify missing or inconsistent information before the banking application is submitted.

Can I open a US bank account if my LLC was formed in Wyoming?

Potentially, yes. The LLC’s state of formation is only one part of the eligibility assessment. The banking provider may also consider business activity, ownership, address, US operations and other factors.

Can I open a US bank account if my LLC was formed in Delaware?

Potentially, yes. Delaware LLCs can apply for eligible US business banking services, subject to each provider’s requirements.

Can I use my US bank account to receive payments from US customers?

Depending on the provider and account functionality, US business accounts can provide payment capabilities such as ACH and wires.

Can I connect Stripe and PayPal to a US business account?

Some providers support connections with Stripe and PayPal, but approval by the payment processor is separate from approval by your banking provider.

Can I use my US bank account for international payments?

Many US business banking platforms support international payment functionality, but availability, currencies, fees and eligibility vary by provider.

How does Activate Global Limited help non-residents?

Activate Global Limited can assist with eligibility assessment, banking-provider matching, company-document assessment and remote application preparation for eligible non-resident entrepreneurs.

Final Thoughts: Mercury vs Relay vs Lili

The Mercury vs Relay vs Lili comparison isn’t really about finding one universal winner.

It is about finding a banking platform that fits your business.

Mercury may be relevant to startups, technology companies, agencies and growing businesses.

Relay can be particularly useful for businesses that want strong cash-management features and multiple checking accounts.

Lili has a strong focus on small businesses and international founders, including eligible non-US residents.

But before choosing any provider, check:

Your country of residence
Your company structure
Your business activity
Your ownership structure
Your physical address
Your US business presence
Your expected transaction volume
Your source of funds
Your company documents
Your payment requirements

Most importantly, don’t assume that having a US LLC automatically means you qualify for every US banking provider.

A better approach is:

Eligibility → Provider Matching → Document Assessment → Application Preparation → Banking Setup

That is exactly where Activate Global Limited can help.

Need a US Bank Account as a Non-Resident?

You can start the process remotely.

Activate Global Limited helps eligible international entrepreneurs assess their banking eligibility, identify potentially suitable US banking providers, review company documentation and prepare for the application process.

US Banking Assistance for Non-Residents

✓ Eligibility Assessment
✓ Banking Provider Matching
✓ Company Document Assessment
✓ Business Profile Review
✓ Application Preparation
✓ Remote Setup Assistance
✓ Ongoing Support

👉 Get Started With a US Bank Account for Non-Residents

Tell us your country of residence, business activity and US company details to begin your eligibility assessment.