Relay vs Brex for Wyoming LLC (2026)

Relay vs Brex for Non-Resident LLC Owners

Relay accepts most non-resident LLCs at the formation stage. Brex requires VC funding or $100K+ revenue to qualify. So for early-stage and bootstrapped founders, Relay wins by default. Brex only enters the conversation once your LLC scales past $100K annual revenue or raises priced equity. For everyone else, Relay handles primary banking with up to 20 sub-accounts for Profit First operations.

Side-by-side

Dimension	Relay	Brex
Eligibility	Any non-resident LLC at any stage	VC-funded ($1M+) or $100K+ revenue typical
Non-resident approval rate	~50%	Uneven for non-residents
Sub-accounts	Up to 20	Limited
Credit cards	Debit only	Corporate credit cards, $50K-$1M+ limits for qualified startups
Monthly fee	$0	$0
Treasury yield	No	Yes, Brex Cash sweep
Approval time	3-7 business days	1-3 business days for qualifying applications
Best fit	Early-stage non-resident LLCs, Profit First	Funded or revenue-qualified startups

Eligibility differences

Relay's underwriting is built around small and mid-sized businesses. There is no revenue threshold or funding requirement. Most non-resident LLCs in the formation stage clear Relay's review.

Brex requires either VC funding ($1M+ raised) or $100K+ annual revenue. Bootstrapped or pre-revenue LLCs are typically rejected. Brex also prefers US-resident operating teams or US-based principals.

When Relay wins

You are pre-revenue, bootstrapped, or under $100K annual revenue
You want sub-account depth (up to 20) for Profit First budgeting
You are a non-resident with a non-US operating profile
You want one consolidated US bank covering ACH, wires, debit cards across multiple LLCs

When Brex wins

Your LLC has $100K+ revenue or $1M+ in priced equity
You spend heavily on ads, SaaS, or operating costs and want corporate credit limits in the $50K-$500K range
You qualify for Brex Rewards (higher cashback tiers than debit cards)
You want spend management software bundled with the card program

Sub-accounts vs corporate cards

Relay's defining feature is sub-account depth. Up to 20 named accounts under one LLC, useful for Profit First budgeting and multi-LLC operations.

Brex's defining feature is corporate credit. High-limit cards ($50K-$1M+) for qualifying startups, integrated spend management, and rewards tiers tied to spend categories. Neither is a substitute for the other; they solve different problems.

Application timeline

Relay: 3-7 business days for non-resident applications
Brex: 1-3 business days for qualifying startups; longer or rejected for early-stage non-residents
WyomingLLC sequences Relay first, Brex later once revenue qualifies

Frequently asked questions

Which is better for non-residents: Relay or Brex?

It depends on your country profile and primary use case. Relay has broader acceptance and more features. Brex has different strengths. WyomingLLC introduces you to both.

Do both accept Stripe payouts?

Yes. Both Relay and Brex provide US routing and account numbers that Stripe accepts for ACH payouts.

Can I have accounts at both?

Yes. Many founders open accounts at multiple banks for redundancy. Each requires its own application but uses the same LLC and EIN.

Are both FDIC insured?

Chartered US banks are FDIC insured (usually via partner banks). Wise Business is custodial, not FDIC insured. Check each bank's specifics.

How do I switch from one to the other?

Open the new account, transfer funds via ACH (free) or wire, update Stripe payout settings, then close the old account. The LLC's EIN and Wyoming SoS registration stay the same.

What if both reject me?

WyomingLLC moves you to Wise Business (95% acceptance). Combined success rate across Mercury, Relay, and Wise is approximately 99%.

Do these banks require US residency?

No. Both accept non-resident applications with passport ID and EIN. No US visit required.

How long do approvals take?

3-7 days for Relay, 1-3 days for Brex. Extended KYC review for certain country profiles can take 2 to 3 weeks.