Updated October 14, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
bunq vs Mercury
bunq
Higher score in this comparison
Mercury
What sets them apart
| Compare | bunqReviewVisitVisit | MercuryReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.01% | 3.5%Higher |
| Deposit protection | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 | FDIC up to USD 250,000 |
| Access terms | Withdraw any amount free up to 2 times a month, rising to 3 free monthly withdrawals after 12 months; interest paid weekly | On-demand access: unlimited USD wires, ACH, real-time payments and checks between personal, joint and trust accounts |
| Monthly fee | €0 | $0 |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
Same on both: Rate type (Variable), Account kind (Easy access).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- bunq scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
- Founded is lower at bunq: 2012 vs 2017.
- bunq is licensed in 6 more countries.
- bunq is available in 6 more countries.
- Headline rate is higher at Mercury: 3.5% vs 3.01%.
Our verdict on each
bunq
bunq suits savers who want an easy-access euro account that costs nothing to keep and pays a variable rate with weekly interest, protected by an EU guarantee. The rate of 3.01% is solid rather than remarkable, and support runs on email, chat and help centre only.
Mercury
Mercury in the United States is a fintech business-account platform with cards, invoicing, bill pay and spend management. It offers team access roles and syncs transactions with QuickBooks Online, Xero and NetSuite; partner banks remain distinct from Mercury.
Score breakdown
| Area | bunq | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Monthly fee of €0 on a no monthly fee account, with a currency conversion fee of 3% on the free plan. | 9.1Monthly fees of $0 and a minimum deposit of $0; the site conversion median is 0.5% and Mercury's is 1%. |
| Offer | 9.1Rate of 3.01% that is variable, close to the savings median of 3%. | 9.2HigherAn easy-access easy access balance for business and freelancer, paying 3.5% that is variable, with free ATM use and joint accounts. |
| Trust | 8.7Higher | 8.3 |
Licences and countries
| Country | bunq | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Not confirmed | |
| France | Not confirmed | |
| Germany | Not confirmed | |
| Ireland | Not confirmed | |
| Italy | Not confirmed | |
| Netherlands | Not confirmed | |
| Spain | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for bunq: 7. Additional countries for Mercury: 1.
Choosing between them
Pick bunq if trust matter most.
Pick Mercury if headline rate matter most.
Also worth a look
eToro has headline rate at 3.8%, against 3.01% for bunq and 3.5% for Mercury.
eToro reviewSources behind this comparison
bunq
- bunq.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.bunq.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- dnb.nl: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Mercury
- mercury.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | bunq | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 6 of 1420 | 472 of 1420 |
| Business bank accounts | 3 of 563 | 201 of 563 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | bunq | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee |
| Legal entity | bunq B.V. | Mercury Technologies, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2017 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Everyday accounts
| Fact | bunq | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 3% | 1%Lower |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 40 |
| Audience | Expats, Travelers, Business, Student | Business, Freelancer |
| Features | Joint account, Digital only | Free ATM, Joint account |
| Local account details | IBAN | Us ACH |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Transfer fee | Not confirmed | ACH and domestic wires free; USD international wires free, OUR option $15; non-USD international wires 1% FX fee |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | bunq | Mercury | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.01%below the median | 3.5%above the median | 3.25% |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 658 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
bunq
Pros
- The monthly fee is €0 and the pricing model is no monthly fee, so keeping the account open costs nothing each month.
- Interest is paid weekly and the rate type is variable, so money keeps earning between withdrawals without a term to serve out.
- Balances are covered by EU DGS up to EUR 100,000, so there is a payout route if the provider fails.
Cons
- The rate type is variable, so the return follows the base rate and the account ranks 240 of 473 brands on the headline rate.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, which leaves phone callers with a narrower route in.
- Features list joint account and digital only, so the service is digital only and there is no branch counter.
Mercury
Pros
- Business tools and accounting integrations are described.
Cons
- Mercury is a fintech platform, not itself a bank
- partner-bank protections are not platform guarantees.
Who each suits
bunq
Who it suits
- People who want an easy-access euro account that pays interest weekly and costs nothing to hold.
- Travellers and expats, part of the expats, travelers and business bunq targets, who convert currency and want a local IBAN.
- Students and savers who value EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 over a higher rate.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone chasing a top fixed rate, since 24.19% at plazo pays far more.
- Customers who need a phone helpline, as support runs on email, chat and help centre only.
- Anyone wanting a branch counter, because features list joint account and digital only and the service is digital only.
Mercury
Who it suits
- US businesses comparing account-management, team-access and accounting-sync tools.
Who should look elsewhere
- Businesses requiring Mercury itself to be the deposit-taking bank or a platform-level protection guarantee.
Current offers
Mercury
Current offer
First period offer
Mercury Plus first month waived on annual pricing: $35/mo waived until Dec 31, 2026
Mercury Plus plan billed annually (15% off)
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Xero and Amazon gift card with Mercury Plus and Pro: 6 months free Xero + $100 Amazon gift card
Mercury Plus or Mercury Pro plan; Xero/Amazon terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Mercury Personal included with any business plan: $240/year Personal subscription covered
Requires an active Mercury business account in good standing
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | bunq | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Ireland | Yes | No |
| Italy | Yes | No |
| Netherlands | Yes | No |
| Spain | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
bunq
What does bunq charge to keep a savings account?+
The monthly fee is €0 and the account is priced on a no monthly fee basis, so there is no recurring charge to keep it open. The one cost to watch when you spend abroad is currency conversion at 3% on the free plan. Interest is still paid weekly with no fee deducted.
How much interest does the account pay?+
The rate is 3.01% and the rate type is variable, so the figure follows the base rate instead of being fixed to a term. Across the savings accounts on the site, the median headline rate is 3%, which puts bunq near the middle. Interest is credited weekly rather than monthly.
Is my money protected if the provider fails?+
Yes. Deposits are covered at EU DGS up to EUR 100,000, so eligible balances sit under the EU deposit guarantee scheme. bunq is also supervised in the Netherlands by De Nederlandsche Bank, with authorisations in several other European markets, so there is a named regulator behind the account.
Can I take money out whenever I want?+
Withdrawals are free of charge within a monthly allowance, and any amount can be taken out rather than in set instalments. The number of free withdrawals allowed each month rises after the account has been open for a year, so the limit loosens over time. The account is easy access in kind, so there is no term and no notice period to serve.
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