Relay vs Tide
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Relay and Tide are credible business banking tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Relay if you want a higher overall rating (4.5/5). Business banking for small business.
Tide — Business banking & admin for small businesses.
Relay vs Tide: side by side
| Dimension | Relay | Tide |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $30/mo | Free – $9.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Small Business | Uk Smb, Freelancers |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.5/5Winner | 4.2/5 |
Relay key facts
- Vendor
- Relay
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $30/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Small Business
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2018
- Headquarters
- Toronto, Canada
Tide key facts
- Vendor
- Tide
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $9.99/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Uk Smb, Freelancers
- Editor rating
- 4.2 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- London, UK
Frequently asked questions
Is Relay better than Tide?
Neither is universally better — Relay edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Relay or Tide cheaper?
Relay is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $30/mo. Relay starts at free – $30/mo; Tide starts at free – $9.99/mo.
Can Relay replace Tide?
Yes for most teams — both are business banking tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.