Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Mercado Pago vs PagBank
PagBank
Mercado Pago
Higher score in this comparison
Where Mercado Pago and PagBank differ
| Compare | Mercado PagoReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | PagBankReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | R$0Lower | R$1 |
| Access terms | Money usable at any time, no IOF, accrues daily on business days, no minimum balance | Daily liquidity, redeem whenever you want |
| Monthly fee | R$0 | R$0 to R$75 |
| Headline rate | 105% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Rate type (Variable), Account kind (Easy access).
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Key differences
- Mercado Pago scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.9.
- Mercado Pago is available in 2 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Mercado Pago: R$0 vs R$1.
- Support channels: only PagBank offers Email, Chat.
Our verdict on each
Mercado Pago
Mercado Pago pays a headline rate of 105% on money that stays usable at any time, with a monthly fee of BRL 0 and a minimum deposit of BRL 0, which suits businesses and teens who want a balance that earns while it sits. The rate is variable, so the return can move.
PagBank
PagBank suits Brazilian businesses and freelancers who want a free everyday account with instant Pix payouts and a savings option on the side.
Score breakdown
| Area | Mercado Pago | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherA monthly fee of BRL 0 and a minimum deposit of BRL 0 on an easy access account. | 8.6Cost score rests on BRL 0 to BRL 75 monthly charges, BRL 0 for cash withdrawals and 5% for card conversion. |
| Offer | 9.2A headline rate of 105% on money that stays available, credited on business days with no minimum balance. | 9.2Offer score rests on variable savings, Daily liquidity, redeem whenever you want and payouts to bank and wallet. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.8 |
How they place
| Ranking | Mercado Pago | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 150 of 1420 | 28 of 1420 |
| Business bank accounts | 55 of 563 | 16 of 563 |
| Money transfer services | 114 of 1564 | 14 of 1564 |
| Online banks | 35 of 402 | 11 of 402 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Mercado Pago | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee |
| Legal entity | Mercado Pago Instituicao de Pagamento Ltda. | PAGSEGURO INTERNET INSTITUIÇÃO DE PAGAMENTO S/A |
| Headquarters | Brazil | Brazil |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2006 |
| Support channels | Help centre, Phone | Email, Phone, Help centre, ChatCovers more |
Everyday accounts
| Fact | Mercado Pago | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 5% |
| Currencies | 2 | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Business, Teen | Business, Freelancer |
| Features | Digital only | Free ATM, Digital only, No credit checkCovers more |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | R$0 |
| Transfer fee | Free | Free (unlimited TED and Pix to any bank) |
Money transfer
| Fact | Mercado Pago | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery time | Instant | Within minutes: cross-border payouts cleared in minutes to Pix or a PagBank account; Pix transfers instant 24/7 |
| Payout methods | Not confirmed | Bank, Wallet |
| Fee to send 1,000 | ARS 0 | R$0 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Mercado Pago | PagBank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 105%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 3.25% |
| Minimum deposit | R$0lowest quarter | R$1at the median | R$1 |
| Monthly fee | R$0at the median | R$0 to R$75at the median | R$0 |
Median across 658 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
Mercado Pago
Pros
- A headline rate of 105%, placed 1 of 473 on headline rate here.
- A monthly fee of BRL 0 and a minimum deposit of BRL 0, so nothing is listed to pay for holding the balance.
- Money stays usable at any time, accrues daily on business days, with no IOF charged on the balance.
Cons
- The rate is variable, so the return can move rather than being set in advance.
- Support runs on help centre and phone only, a narrower set of routes than a branch counter.
- The account is digital only, so there is nothing to visit in person.
PagBank
Pros
- Transfers to any bank are Free (unlimited TED and Pix to any bank), which covers both Pix and TED.
- Cash access carries an allowance of BRL 0, so withdrawals do not add to the bill.
- Payouts reach bank and wallet, and cross-border money clears in minutes to Pix or a PagBank account.
Cons
- Currency conversion on the card costs 5%, which ranks 304 of 312 and sits above the site median of 0.5%.
- The service is digital-only, as free atm, digital only and no credit check shows, so it suits people comfortable running money from an app.
- Savings pay a variable rate, so returns can move.
Who each suits
Mercado Pago
Who it suits
- Businesses that park sales money in the account and want it to earn between payments.
- Teen users opening a first account: the audience is listed as business and teen and the minimum deposit is BRL 0.
- Anyone who needs a balance that can be spent on the same day it accrues interest.
Who should look elsewhere
- PayPal Colombia, listed at 3.3% on headline rate, for anyone who wants a far lower advertised figure.
- Readers who want a rate fixed in advance, since the rate here is variable. Plazo ES lists 24.19% and AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito 21.59% for a side-by-side check.
PagBank
Who it suits
- Brazilian sole traders and small companies that bill and pay in Pix
- Freelancers who want an everyday account with an easy access CDB alongside
- Anyone happy to manage the account from a phone
Who should look elsewhere
- Skrill, if a wallet outside Brazil fits better: its monthly fee is €0
- Plazo ES, if a Spanish product suits you instead: its monthly fee is €0
- PayPal Colombia, if a wallet for cross-border online payments is the job: its monthly fee is $0
Current offers
Mercado Pago
Current offer
Bonus
Cofrinhos yield 120% of CDI with Meli+: 120% of CDI on Cofrinhos
Active Meli+ subscription; Cofrinhos are part of the Mercado Pago account
Source, checked September 26, 2026
PagBank
Current offer
Discount code
Taxa 0% para novos clientes (0% merchant rate on card readers): 0%
New customers of the Conta PJ PagBank; card reader without rental fee
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Moderninha ProFit com 90% off (Super Max): R$ 83,88 à vista (12x de R$ 6,99)
Super Max plan; promotional price valid under campaign terms
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Mercado Pago | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Yes | No |
| Mexico | Yes | No |
| Brazil | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Mercado Pago
What rate does Mercado Pago pay on the balance?+
The account pays a headline rate of 105%. The rate type is variable, so the figure can move rather than staying set for a term. Interest accrues daily on business days and the money remains usable at any time.
Is there a monthly fee to pay?+
The monthly fee is BRL 0 and the pricing model is no monthly fee, so there is no recurring charge to keep an eye on. Money also leaves without a listed charge, at ARS 0 per transfer.
PagBank
What does PagBank charge to hold an account?+
The monthly fee runs BRL 0 to BRL 75, and the account is built around no monthly charge. PagBank ranks 1 of 500 on monthly fee across the site, the site median is €0, and the top of the site range reaches €449.
Are Pix and TED transfers really free?+
Transfers to any bank are Free (unlimited TED and Pix to any bank), and the Pix transfer charge is BRL 0. Pix is instant around the clock, and cross-border payouts clear in minutes to Pix or a PagBank account, with payouts landing on bank and wallet.
Other options to compare
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Related by the facts
PagBank
Mercado Pago