Aspire vs Mercury.
Aspire (A70/100) 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 Aspire 5-2.
| A Aspire №37 · MAS 70 /100 | M Mercury №32 · FDIC 70 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 70 /100 | 71 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 0.30% | 1.00% |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank MAS | Partner-bank FDIC |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | $250,000 US.FDIC |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 8 countries | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.3 ★ 1k reviews | 4.4 ★ 1k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.6 ★ iOS 4.7 · And 4.5 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Aspire if…
The APAC-first multi-currency business-account platform for SaaS startups and e-commerce sellers — SG-HQ MAS Major Payment Institution with native multi-currency accounts (USD/SGD/EUR/GBP/IDR + HKD/AUD/IDR/MYR) plus local-currency receiving in 30+ countries and local account issuance in 6 jurisdictions (SG, HK, US, UK, EU, AU). Built for APAC startups taking USD revenue who need a SGD operating account without the friction of running Mercury (US) + a SG-bank relationship side-by-side. Stripe + Shopify + Xero integration depth makes Aspire the structural fit for SaaS / e-commerce / fintech operators in the region. MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution status is the structural anchor.
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 Aspire won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Mercury won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Tied
- Best for ux Mercury won 2 of 2
Aspire vs Mercury — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Aspire better than Mercury?
Under our v3 methodology, Mercury leads Aspire 5–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Aspire 70/100 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 Aspire or Mercury cheaper?
Monthly fee — Aspire: €0; Mercury: €0. Card FX markup — Aspire: 0.30%; Mercury: 1.00%. Aspire 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, Aspire or Mercury?
Aspire holds a Partner-bank licence under MAS; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Mercury holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Mercury is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Aspire and Mercury?
Aspire operates in 8 countries; 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.