Grasshopper vs Mercury.
Grasshopper (G72/100) and Mercury (M70/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Mercury leads Grasshopper 3-2.
| G Grasshopper №29 · OCC 72 /100 | M Mercury №32 · FDIC 70 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 72 /100 | 71 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | 1.00% |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank OCC | Partner-bank FDIC |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | $250,000 US.FDIC | $250,000 US.FDIC |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | 4.4 ★ 1k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.2 ★ iOS 4.3 · And 4.0 | 4.6 ★ iOS 4.7 · And 4.5 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Grasshopper if…
The OCC-chartered US national bank for startups — the structural distinction from Mercury / Brex / Bluevine / Rho is that Grasshopper IS the bank. Direct FDIC cover at the chartered-bank level, multi-bank Cash Sweep extending to $25M. Free business checking with API access. The structural fit for US-incorporated startups wanting a real bank relationship rather than a partner-bank fintech.
Pick Mercury if…
Pick if you run a US LLC or C-Corp and want $5M sweep FDIC coverage. Personal accounts not supported.
- Best for fees Grasshopper won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Tied
- Best for reach Mercury won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Mercury won 2 of 2
Grasshopper vs Mercury — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Grasshopper better than Mercury?
Under our v3 methodology, Mercury leads Grasshopper 3–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Grasshopper 72/100 vs Mercury 70/100. Mercury is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Grasshopper or Mercury cheaper?
Monthly fee — Grasshopper: €0; Mercury: €0. Card FX markup — Grasshopper: Interbank; Mercury: 1.00%. Grasshopper wins more fee rows (1 of 4). See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, Grasshopper or Mercury?
Grasshopper holds a Partner-bank licence under OCC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Mercury holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Both score equally on regulatory protection rows.
Where can I use Grasshopper and Mercury?
Grasshopper operates in 1 country; Mercury operates in 1 country. Check each provider's signup page for the live country list — eligibility depends on residency, not just the licence footprint.
Want a 3- or 4-way comparison?
The dynamic compare picker handles up to four banks. Add this pair plus one or two more and we'll resolve every row.