Relay vs Novo: Which The Top Pick in 2025?

One key drawback of Relay is its tendency to unlawfully withhold funds, causing significant operational harm to businesses. Novo, on the other hand, suffers from poor customer support, including no live support and slow response times.

Rho could offer a more efficient solution for businesses by combining AP automation and banking products with advanced software to streamline financial management.

Many businesses look to Relay and Novo 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, helping you determine which is the best fit for your business. Additionally, we'll also explore Rho as a third option worth considering.

Relay Overview

Relay operates in the business banking category, primarily serving small business owners, accountants, and bookkeepers. Its main value proposition is providing users with complete control over their earnings, spending, and savings. This makes it a practical choice for those needing streamlined financial management without the frills.

Relay Features

Some of the key features of Relay include:

Up to 20 individual checking accounts: Allows businesses to organize and allocate funds across multiple accounts for different purposes.
Physical and virtual cards for team members: Enables businesses to issue both physical and virtual cards to employees for business expenses.
Direct integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero: Facilitates seamless synchronization of transaction data with popular accounting software.
Payments via ACH transfer, wire, and check: Supports various payment methods, making it easy to manage and execute transactions.

Relay Pricing

Relay offers two main subscription tiers, each catering to different business needs:

Relay: $0/month - Includes no account fees, up to 20 checking accounts, and integration with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
Relay Pro: Starting at $30/business/month - Adds faster ACH, free domestic wires, and bill payment approvals.
Relay Pro for Accountants & Bookkeepers: Starting at $30/client/month - Includes all Relay Pro features tailored for accountants.

The prices for each tier are not publicly listed.

Drawbacks To Relay

General user reviews of Relay highlight a mix of positive and negative experiences. While many users appreciate the customer service and features, some frequent complaints include issues with ACH timelines and delays in fund transfers.

"Not trustworthy, ACH timelines are a mess, customer service is great (during business hours) but the banking which is the core product is questionable..." - S Menon
"Unlawfully Withholding $5,692.18 for 53 Days – Avoid This Predatory Fintech..." - Tony Peacock

For more detailed reviews, visit Relay Financial Reviews.

Novo Overview

Novo operates in the online business banking category, targeting small businesses, self-employed individuals, freelancers, and consultants. Its main value proposition lies in offering flexible and forward-thinking banking tools designed to help these customer types manage their finances efficiently and grow their businesses.

Novo Features

Some of the key features of Novo include:

Free Business Checking Account: A no-fee checking account designed for small businesses.
Reserves Options: Allows users to allocate funds for specific purposes, aiding in financial organization.
Integrations: Connects with various business tools to streamline financial management.
Invoicing: Provides tools for creating and sending invoices efficiently.

Novo Pricing

Novo's pricing structure is straightforward, with no subscription tiers or packages.

Drawbacks To Novo

Novo has a mixed consensus with an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. While some users appreciate its features and ease of use, others have significant complaints about customer support and payment issues.

"The thing that I enjoyed most about Novo was how many features it has in comparison to a traditional brick and mortar bank." - Ken A.
"It takes a longer time than acceptable for payments to be deposited, and for disputes to be resolved." - Melissa A.

For more detailed reviews, visit Novo Reviews on G2.

What to Know Before Picking Relay or Novo

Looking at the reviews as a whole, businesses using Relay often face issues with inconsistent ACH timelines and delays in international wire transfers. These problems can disrupt cash flow and create operational stress.

On the other hand, Novo users frequently report delays in payment processing and challenges with customer support. These issues, including rejected deposits and ineffective dispute resolution, can significantly impact business operations and financial management.

Why Rho Is a Better Alternative

At Rho, we understand the frustrations businesses face with inconsistent ACH timelines and poor customer support. Our platform is designed to address these pain points by offering reliable transaction processing and exceptional customer service, ensuring smoother financial operations. Discover how we provide a more dependable and efficient banking experience.

Rho Features

Rho Platinum: Our Rho Platinum card offers up to 2% cashback¹, providing financial incentives that reduce overall costs, unlike Relay and Novo which do not offer similar rewards.
Expense Management: We eliminate the hassle of manual expense reports by capturing every receipt automatically, saving businesses time and reducing errors, a feature that is more advanced compared to Relay and Novo.
AP Automation: Our platform allows you to pay hundreds of vendors in minutes with zero platform fees, streamlining the payment process and saving time, unlike the more time-consuming methods offered by Relay and Novo.
Rho Treasury: We safeguard your idle cash and offer dynamic yield rates, optimizing your financial management and providing returns on idle funds, a service not available with Relay and Novo.
24/7 Private Banking Support: Our round-the-clock customer support ensures you have access to assistance whenever needed, enhancing reliability and addressing the limited support hours often reported by Relay and Novo users.

Rho Pricing

We offer a straightforward and transparent pricing structure that sets us apart from Relay and Novo. 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 processing 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: A 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.

"Rho is easy to use, it saves time and eliminates stress." - Sean F. (Chief Financial Officer, Mid-Market)
"Centralized system that is easy to use for all levels of the organization with exceptional customer service." - Tyler M. (Chief Financial Officer, Small-Business)
"Rho offers our users a one-touch experience for reporting company expenses on a corporate card." - 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—Relay, Novo, and Rho—has its strengths, catering to different business needs. Relay offers robust account management, while Novo provides flexible tools for freelancers and small businesses. However, both have limitations in customer support and transaction processing.

This is where Rho comes in. We offer 24/7 private banking support, up to 2% cashback¹ with Rho Platinum, and advanced expense management. Our transparent pricing and AP automation streamline financial operations, making us a more reliable and efficient choice.

Make the Smarter Choice with Rho Today

Curious to see what Rho can do for you? Discover how our platform can streamline your financial operations. 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.