Holdings vs Brex
If you're a VC-backed startup that needs corporate cards, expense management, and treasury yield on large cash balances, Brex is hard to beat.
Feature comparison
See how Holdings stacks up against Brex
| Feature | Holdings | Brex |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 (Essentials); $12/user/mo (Premium) |
| Min. Balance | $0 | $0 |
| APY (Checking) | 1.75% | 0% (checking funds don't earn interest) |
| APY (Savings/Treasury) | 1.75% | ~3.34% via money market fund (Treasury — not FDIC insured) |
| FDIC Insurance | Up to $3M | Up to $6M (Checking via ICS); Treasury is NOT FDIC insured |
| Free Transactions | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Sub-Accounts | Unlimited, free | Budget-based organization |
| Built-in Accounting | Yes, free | No (integrates with QBO, Netsuite, etc.) |
| Auto-Categorization | Yes | Yes (expense management) |
| Nonprofit Features | Yes | No |
| Physical Debit Cards | Free | Free (corporate cards) |
| Virtual Cards | Free | Unlimited virtual cards |
| Domestic ACH | Free | Free |
| Domestic Wire | Free | Free |
Why choose Holdings over Brex
FDIC-insured interest on all deposits
Holdings pays 1.75% APY on every dollar, fully FDIC insured. Brex's checking account earns 0% interest. To earn yield with Brex, you must invest in their Treasury product (money market fund), which is NOT FDIC insured — you could lose money.
Built-in accounting software included free
Holdings replaces QuickBooks/Xero entirely. Brex integrates with accounting tools but doesn't include them — meaning you'll pay $30–$180/month for separate accounting software.
Purpose-built for nonprofits
Holdings offers fund accounting, restricted fund tracking, and nonprofit-specific features. Brex is designed for startups and mid-market companies — nonprofits aren't their target customer.
Radically simpler
Holdings is one product: banking + accounting. Brex is a platform with corporate cards, spend management, expense policies, reimbursements, travel, bill pay — powerful but complex. If you don't need all that, you're paying for overhead.
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When Brex might be the better choice
Brex may be a better fit if you need Corporate card infrastructure, Higher yield on large balances (with risk), or Enterprise expense management.
Frequently asked questions
Is Holdings or Brex better for nonprofits?
Holdings. Brex doesn't target nonprofits and lacks fund accounting, restricted fund tracking, or donation management features.
Can I switch from Brex to Holdings?
Yes. You can transfer funds via ACH or wire. Holdings' onboarding team can help with the transition.
Does Brex have nonprofit banking features?
No. Brex is designed for startups and mid-market companies. Their underwriting model often requires venture funding or significant revenue.
Which has lower fees — Holdings or Brex?
Both have free base tiers, but Brex Premium is $12/user/month and doesn't include accounting software. Holdings is $0 with accounting included.
Is Brex Treasury FDIC insured?
No. Brex Treasury invests in money market funds (DGVXX). These are securities, not deposits — they're FINRA/SIPC protected but you can lose money. Brex Checking (via Column N.A.) and Vault (at partner banks) are FDIC insured.
Ready to switch?
Open your Holdings account in minutes. Keep your current bank during the transition — move at your own pace.
1.75% APY† • Zero fees^ • FDIC insured to $3M*