Melio vs Stripe: Which Is The Top Pick in 2025?

Many businesses look to Melio and Stripe for their payment processing 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, helping you make an informed decision. Additionally, we'll also explore Rho as a third option worth considering.

Melio Overview

Melio operates in the accounts payable and receivable space, targeting businesses across various industries like professional services, food & beverage, and construction. Its main value proposition is to streamline bill payments and receivables, aiming to save time and improve cash flow for businesses through automation and a user-friendly dashboard.

Melio Features

Some of the key features of Melio include:

• Accounts payable: Pay vendors, contractors, and any business bill.
• Accounts receivable: Send invoices and receive payments online.
• Mobile app: Send and track payments on the go.
• ACH bank transfers: Pay vendors online by using bank transfers.

Melio Pricing

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

• Go Plan: $0/month - 5 free ACH transfers, 10 QuickBooks syncs, multiple payment methods.
• Core Plan: $25/month - 20 free ACH transfers, unlimited QuickBooks syncs, batch payments.
• Boost Plan: $55/month - 50 free ACH transfers, 2-day ACH transfers, advanced workflows.

The prices for each tier are not publicly listed.

Drawbacks To Melio

General user reviews of Melio highlight its ease of use and integration with accounting software. However, some users are dissatisfied with slow payment processing and high fees.

• "Melio allows our business to process invoices automatically. The software is user-friendly, simple to install, and offers automated PO matching." - Dylan N J.
• "At times, they take a long time to process a payment, which can be annoying if you're short on time." - Ankit S.

For more details, visit the Melio Reviews on G2.

Stripe Overview

Stripe operates in the payments and financial infrastructure space, offering solutions for enterprises, startups, ecommerce, SaaS, and retail businesses. Its main value proposition is to provide a fully integrated suite of financial products that help businesses reduce costs, grow revenue, and run more efficiently.

Stripe Features

Some of the key features of Stripe include:

• Online Payments: Solutions for accepting payments online, including credit cards, debit cards, and other payment methods.
• In-person Payments: Tools for accepting payments in physical locations using card readers and tap-to-pay options.
• Fraud Prevention: Tools to prevent and manage fraud, including machine learning and advanced fraud protection.
• Subscriptions and Billing: Tools for managing recurring billing and usage-based pricing, including automated invoicing and reporting.

Stripe Pricing

Stripe offers both standard and custom pricing packages.

• Standard Pricing: 2.9% + 30¢ per successful transaction for domestic cards.
• Billing: Starting at $620/month or 0.7% of billing volume.
• Invoicing: 0.4% per paid invoice.
• Tax: Starting at $90/month or 0.5% per transaction for no-code integration.

Drawbacks To Stripe

Overall, Stripe is well-regarded for its ease of use and integration capabilities, though some users have concerns about fees and customer support.

• "Stripe makes creating subscriptions, plans and payment links easy. The free billing portal allows clients to amend their plan type with us in a few simple clicks." - Oliver B.
• "My experience with Stripe has been incredibly frustrating. My account was suddenly closed due to claims of 'unauthorized payments,' which were factually incorrect." - Khalid M.

For more details, visit the Stripe Payments Reviews on G2.

What to Know Before Picking Melio or Stripe

Looking at the reviews as a whole, businesses using Melio often face delays in payment processing and high fees for credit card transactions. Additionally, integration issues with multiple accounting platforms can be a significant hurdle.

On the other hand, Stripe users frequently report high fees and poor customer support. Issues like unexplained account blocks and complex tax obligations also pose challenges, making it difficult for businesses to manage their finances efficiently.

Why Rho Is a Better Alternative

At Rho, we understand the challenges businesses face with payment processing. Our platform addresses common pain points like slow payment processing, high fees, and poor customer support. By offering seamless integration, transparent pricing, and reliable service, we provide a more efficient and user-friendly solution compared to Melio and Stripe.

Rho Features

• AP Automation: Our platform allows you to pay hundreds of vendors in minutes with zero platform fees, solving the problem of slow and costly payment processing faced with Melio.
• Expense Management: We eliminate the hassle of manual expense reports by capturing every receipt, ensuring compliance and saving time, unlike the cumbersome processes often encountered with Stripe.
• Rho Treasury: Safeguard your idle cash and earn interest, optimizing your cash management strategy, a feature not typically offered by Melio or Stripe.
• Corporate Credit Cards: Our cards offer real-time spend monitoring and custom controls, preventing non-compliant spending and providing better financial oversight compared to Stripe's offerings.
• 24/7 Private Banking Support: We provide round-the-clock customer support, ensuring you have access to help whenever needed, addressing the common issue of poor customer support reported by Stripe users.
• Rho Integrations: Seamlessly integrate with your existing accounting, HR, and T&E software, simplifying financial management and reducing the integration issues often faced with Melio.
• Rho Platinum: Earn up to 2% cashback¹ on banking and card usage, offering financial incentives that enhance your business's bottom line, a benefit not provided by Melio or Stripe.

Rho Pricing

We offer a straightforward and transparent pricing structure that sets us apart from Melio and Stripe. Our pricing is simple, with many essential services available at no cost, making it easier for businesses to manage their finances without worrying about hidden fees.

• $0 Same-Day ACH fees: No charges for same-day ACH transactions.
• $0 Wire fees: No charges for wire transfers, with some exceptions for international wires.
• $0 Monthly plans: No monthly subscription fees for accessing our services.
• $0 Support fees: Free live support from day one without any additional charges.
• $0 Subscription fees: No recurring 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 charges per user for accessing the platform.
• 1% Foreign currency transfer fee: A flat 1% 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.

• "It is easy to use, it saves time and eliminates stress." - Sean F. (Chief Financial Officer, Mid-Market)
• "Rho offers our users a one-touch experience for reporting company expenses on a corporate card." - Tyler M. (Chief Financial Officer, Small-Business)
• "Rho has worked very well for my company to help us properly communicate and regulate what we need and when we need it." - Kevin K. (Director of Marketing and Analytics, Mid-Market)

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

Which Platform Is Right for Your Business?

Each platform—Melio, Stripe, and Rho—has its strengths. Melio excels in accounts payable and receivable, while Stripe offers robust online and in-person payment solutions. However, both have drawbacks like high fees and slow processing times.

This is where Rho comes in. We offer zero platform fees, seamless integrations, and 24/7 private banking support. Our transparent pricing and comprehensive features like AP automation and corporate credit cards make us a superior choice for businesses seeking efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Make the Smarter Choice with Rho Today

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