Lili vs Mercury: Which Is The Top Pick in 2025?

One key drawback of Lili is that check capture can be tricky on some checks, and the app does not connect to Zelle. For Mercury, a significant issue is hidden compliance requirements and lack of transparency, which can lead to sudden account closures without clear reasons.

Rho could offer a more efficient solution for businesses by integrating AP automation and banking products with advanced software, enhancing workflow efficiency and financial control.

Many businesses look to Lili and Mercury for their financial management needs. However, choosing the right solution can be a complex task.

In this article, we’ll review what each solution offers and how they compare to help you make an informed decision. Additionally, we'll also explore Rho as a third option worth considering.

Lili Overview

Lili operates in the business banking, accounting, payments, and tax preparation sectors. Their main value proposition is integrating these services to help self-employed individuals, entrepreneurs, partnerships, and scaling businesses manage their finances more efficiently. This seamless integration aims to provide confidence in scaling operations.

Lili Features

Some of the key features of Lili include:

Business Banking: A business checking account with a Lili Visa® Debit Card, no hidden fees, and no overdraft fees.
Accounting Software: Smart bookkeeping, instant transaction categorization, and automated financial reports.
Tax Preparation: Automate tax savings, generate expense reports, and receive pre-filled tax forms.
Invoicing Software: Create and send professional invoices, track payments, and send reminders.

Lili Pricing

Lili offers a range of subscription tiers to cater to different business needs.

Lili Premium: $33/month - Premier priority service, advanced business checking, metal debit card, fee-free ATM withdrawals, early payments, wire transfers, overdraft protection, 3.00% APY on savings, team access, comprehensive accounting, and tax software.
Lili Smart: $21/month - Advanced business checking, debit card with cashback, fee-free ATM withdrawals, early payments, wire transfers, overdraft protection, 3.00% APY on savings, team access, comprehensive accounting, and tax software.
Lili Pro: $9/month - Advanced business checking, debit card with cashback, fee-free ATM withdrawals, early payments, wire transfers, automatic tax savings, overdraft protection, 3.00% APY on savings, expense management tools.
Lili Basic: $0/month - Business checking, debit card, fee-free ATM withdrawals, early payments, wire transfers, automatic savings.

The prices for each tier are publicly listed.

Drawbacks To Lili

General user reviews of Lili highlight its ease of use and helpful features, though some users have noted areas for improvement.

"Check capture can be tricky on some checks and I wish it connected to Zelle but otherwise I love how sleek it is to use." - Holly S. - Mom Brain Marketing
"I like the ease of banking with Lili. Finds availability is good as is the designation of each expenditure." - Kathryn Treadway

For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

Mercury Overview

Mercury operates in the online business banking sector, primarily serving startups and small businesses. Their main value proposition is to simplify financial operations through efficient and secure banking solutions. Mercury aims to transform how these businesses manage their finances, offering a streamlined approach to banking and financial workflows.

Mercury Features

Some of the key features of Mercury include:

Speed without Compromise: Manage banking and financial operations efficiently from a single dashboard.
Seamless Payments: Set auto-transfer rules and send free USD wires.
Credit Cards: Access credit cards earlier with low deposit minimums and earn 1.5% cashback on all spend.
Security: FDIC insurance up to 20× the industry standard, regulated partners, fraud monitoring, and strong account security protocols.

Mercury Pricing

Mercury offers a range of subscription tiers to cater to different business needs.

Mercury: $0/month - Essential business banking features.
Mercury Plus: $35/month - Additional reimbursements and invoicing power.
Mercury Pro: $350/month - Advanced workflows and dedicated support.

Custom solutions are available for enterprise customers.

Drawbacks To Mercury

Mercury is generally well-regarded for its ease of use and user-friendly interface, though some users have experienced issues with customer support and account closures.

"Mercury caters to startups and small business. The interface is great, allows for easy tagging of purchases to ease separation/filtering for tax purposes." - Robert R., Small-Business
"Absolutely terrible experience with Mercury. Initially they opened an account to us without any problem. But in a half year they sent an email to us that they plan to block (close) our account because of some new compliance." - Maksym T., CEO, Computer Software

For more detailed reviews, visit Mercury Reviews on G2.

What to Know Before Picking Lili or Mercury

Looking at the reviews as a whole, businesses using Lili often face limitations with account deposit limits and the inability to deposit cash or checks through ATMs. These constraints can be particularly challenging for companies handling frequent transactions.

On the other hand, Mercury users have reported issues with customer support and sudden account closures. Delays in payment processing and inconsistent communication can disrupt business operations, making it difficult for companies to rely on the service for seamless financial management.

Why Rho Is a Better Alternative

At Rho, we understand the challenges businesses face with Lili and Mercury, such as deposit limits, customer support issues, and sudden account closures. Our comprehensive financial platform addresses these pain points by offering reliable, seamless banking solutions designed to support your business's growth and operational efficiency.

Rho Features

Rho Platinum: Our Rho Platinum card offers up to 2% cashback¹ on all purchases, providing a financial incentive that helps businesses save money on everyday expenses, unlike Lili and Mercury which offer limited cashback options.
Expense Management: We eliminate the hassle of manual expense reports by capturing every receipt automatically. This feature addresses the time-consuming and error-prone process of expense management that many businesses face with Lili and Mercury.
AP Automation: Our platform allows you to pay hundreds of vendors in minutes with zero platform fees, solving the problem of time-consuming and costly vendor payments that can be a challenge with other services.
Rho Treasury: Safeguard your idle cash and earn dynamic interest rates with Rho Treasury. This feature ensures your funds are working for you, addressing the inefficiencies of idle cash management that businesses often encounter with Lili and Mercury.
Integrations: Seamlessly connect with your existing accounting, HR, and T&E software. This integration capability simplifies your financial workflows, unlike the limited integration options available with Lili and Mercury.
Partner Portal: Our specialized version for accounting partners offers tailored solutions and support, making it easier for businesses to manage their finances with expert assistance, a feature not commonly found with Lili and Mercury.

Rho Pricing

We offer a straightforward and transparent pricing structure that makes managing your business finances simple and cost-effective. Unlike Lili and Mercury, our essential services come with no hidden fees, making it easier for you to focus on growing your business.

$0 Same-Day ACH fees: No cost for same-day ACH transactions, ensuring quick and efficient payments.
$0 Wire fees: No cost for wire transfers, with some exceptions for international wires.
$0 Monthly plans: Access all our services without any monthly subscription fees.
$0 Support fees: Enjoy free live support from day one, with no additional charges.
$0 Subscription fees: Use our platform without any subscription costs.
$0 Checking account minimum fees: No minimum balance fees for checking accounts.
$0 Connected, in-platform capabilities: Free access to AP, Expense, and Accounting Automation features.
$0 Per-user fees: No fees per user for accessing the platform.
1% Foreign currency transfer: A minimal fee on foreign currency transfers.

You can find all the details about our pricing here.

Why Users Love Rho

We’re proud of what we do, but we think our customers say it best. Take a look at why they prefer Rho over other options.

"Rho is everything a corporate card program should be - And it's free to the users and employers!" - Tyler M., Chief Financial Officer, Small-Business
"From day one, using Rho has been simple and straightforward." - Kevin K., Director of Marketing and Analytics, Mid-Market
"Modern, flexible, tech-centric user experience on traditional credit card services." - Pete S., Mid-Market

Want a firsthand look at Rho? You can request a free demo here.

Which Platform Is Right for Your Business?

Each platform—Lili, Mercury, and Rho—has its strengths, catering to different business needs. Lili excels in tax preparation and invoicing, while Mercury offers seamless payments and robust security features. However, both have limitations like deposit limits and customer support issues.

This is where Rho comes in. We offer a comprehensive financial platform with no hidden fees, up to 2% cashback¹, and seamless integrations with existing software. Our AP automation and Rho Treasury ensure efficient financial management, making us a superior choice for growing businesses.

Make the Smarter Choice with Rho Today

Curious to see what Rho can do for you? Discover how our platform can transform your business finances. Get started with Rho today.

Rho is a fintech company, not a bank or an FDIC-insured depository institution. Checking account and card services provided by Webster Bank N.A., member FDIC. Savings account services provided by American Deposit Management Co. and its partner banks. International and foreign currency payments services are provided by Wise US Inc. FDIC deposit insurance coverage is available only to protect you against the failure of an FDIC-insured bank that holds your deposits and subject to FDIC limitations and requirements. It does not protect you against the failure of Rho or other third party. Products and services offered through the Rho platform are subject to approval.

The Rho Corporate Cards are issued by Webster Bank N.A., member FDIC pursuant to a license from Mastercard, subject to approval.

Investment management and advisory services provided by RBB Treasury LLC dba Rho Treasury, an SEC-registered investment adviser and subsidiary of Rho. Rho Treasury investments are not deposits or other obligations of Webster Bank N.A., or American Deposit Management Co.’s partner banks, are not FDIC insured, are not guaranteed and may lose value. Investment products involve risk, including the possible loss of the principal invested, and past performance does not future results. Treasury and custodial services provided through Apex Clearing Corp. and Interactive Brokers LLC, registered broker dealers and members FINRA/SIPC.

¹Up to 2% cashback; terms and conditions apply. See eligibility and complete Rho Cashback Rewards Program terms and conditions here.

This content is for informational purposes only. It doesn’t necessarily reflect the views of Rho and should not be construed as legal, tax, benefits, financial, accounting, or other advice. If you need specific advice for your business, please consult with an expert, as rules and regulations change regularly.