Running a single-member LLC means you are the entire company — CEO, accountant, and sometimes even the IT department. The last thing you need is a bank account nickel-and-diming you with monthly maintenance fees. A no-monthly-fee business checking account isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a baseline requirement for lean operations.
But "free" isn't all the same. The best accounts layer on features that actually save you time: seamless integrations with your accounting software, instant invoicing, and fee-free ATM access. We evaluated 15 popular business checking accounts on fee transparency, digital tools, and real-world usability for solo operators. Here are the three that earned our recommendation.
The Things Actually Worth Buying
�� Novo Business Checking
Best overall for single-member LLCs — zero fees, zero minimums, and deep integrations with the tools you already use.
Novo is built for the modern solo business owner. There are no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no transaction limits. What you get instead is a clean digital platform that connects directly to Stripe, Shopify, QuickBooks, and over a dozen other business tools.1
Why it wins: Novo's integrations are the headline. If you run an e-commerce store or freelance operation, your payment processor and accounting software sync automatically — no manual reconciliation. Novo also offers free incoming wire transfers and reimburses ATM fees (up to $7 per month), which is rare at this price point.1
The trade-off: There's no cash deposit option. If you deal in physical currency regularly, you'll need a secondary account.
�� Relay Business Checking
Best for expense management — unlimited accounts, zero fees, and granular spending controls.
Relay lets you open up to 20 separate checking accounts under one login, each with its own debit card and account number. For a single-member LLC juggling multiple income streams or saving for quarterly taxes, this is a game-changer.2
Why it wins: You can label accounts for "Taxes," "Operating Expenses," "Equipment Fund," and more — then set up automated transfers between them. Relay also integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and Gusto, and offers bill pay with no per-transaction fee.2
The trade-off: Relay doesn't support cash deposits, and its ATM network (55,000+ fee-free) is slightly smaller than Novo's.
�� Wise Business
Best for international transactions — hold 40+ currencies and convert at the real exchange rate.
If your single-member LLC works with overseas clients, freelancers, or suppliers, Wise Business is the clear choice. It's not a traditional checking account, but it gives you local bank details in 10 currencies (USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, and more) and converts money at the mid-market rate with no hidden markup.3
Why it wins: The multi-currency capability is unmatched. You can receive payments like a local in multiple countries, hold balances in 40+ currencies, and pay invoices abroad with a single click. There are no monthly fees — you pay only a small, transparent percentage on conversions.3
The trade-off: Wise is not a full-service business bank. You can't deposit cash, and there's no dedicated customer service phone line. It works best as a companion account to a domestic checking account like Novo or Relay.
How They Stack Up
| Feature | Novo | Relay | Wise Business |
|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ATM access | 75,000+ (with $7/mo reimbursement) | 55,000+ | N/A (digital-first) |
| Integrations | Stripe, Shopify, QuickBooks, Xero, Zapier | QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, Plaid | Multi-currency, Xero, QuickBooks |
How to Choose
Pick Novo if you run an e-commerce store, freelance business, or any operation that lives inside Stripe, Shopify, or QuickBooks. The integrations alone save hours per week.
Pick Relay if you want hands-on control over your cash flow — separate accounts for taxes, savings, and operating expenses make quarterly payments painless.
Pick Wise Business if you regularly send or receive money across borders. Use it alongside a domestic account for the best of both worlds.
Why Trust Us
We opened accounts, tested integrations, and reviewed fee schedules for 15 business checking accounts marketed to single-member LLCs. Our evaluation focused on three criteria: true zero-fee access (no hidden maintenance charges), integration depth (does it connect to the tools solo business owners actually use?), and real-world usability (mobile app quality, customer support, ATM access). Every recommendation reflects hands-on testing, not affiliate incentives.
Recomate earns a commission if you open an account through our links — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we've vetted and would use ourselves.
