Choosing the right financial platform is a big decision for any business owner—especially if you want your money to work harder, your team to move faster, and your finances to stay organized as you grow. Holdings and Brex are two of the most advanced options for modern businesses, but they’re built for different needs. Here’s a side-by-side look at what each offers, who they’re best for, and how Holdings stacks up against other top business banking competitors.
Quick Comparison Table
Feature | Holdings | Brex |
|---|---|---|
Interest/APY | Tiered: up to 3.0% APY for large balances | Treasury yield (recently ~4.2% on MMF), no APY on Vault |
Monthly Fees | None | None for Essentials; $12/user/mo for Premium |
FDIC Insurance | Up to $3M | Up to $6M (Vault) |
Core Focus | SMBs of all types | Startups, VC-backed, scaling tech companies |
Account Types | Integrated banking + accounting | Global checking, treasury, and vault accounts |
Accounting Integration | Built-in, automated, plus QuickBooks integration | Integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, ERPs |
Bookkeeping | Optional full-service bookkeeping | Not included |
Corporate Cards | Debit cards, ATM access, mobile wallet | Physical & virtual cards, high limits, rewards |
Expense Management | Included with accounting | Advanced spend controls, AI-powered |
Bill Pay & Invoicing | Unlimited, included | Automated bill pay, no built-in invoicing |
Travel & Rewards | Not included | Travel booking, points, global spend |
Cash Deposits | Supported | Not supported |
Minimum Balance | None | $25,000+ for credit line |
What Makes Holdings Stand Out?
High-Yield, Tiered APY: Earn up to 3.0% APY on large balances—no need to invest in money market funds or move money around.
Truly Fee-Free: No monthly fees, no transaction fees, no wire/ACH fees, and no minimum balance requirements.
All-in-One Financial Platform: Banking, accounting, invoicing, bill pay, and even optional full-service bookkeeping—no more juggling disconnected tools.
Cash-Friendly: Deposit cash at supported locations, a feature Brex doesn’t offer.
Automation for Busy Owners: Automated reporting, reconciliation, and financial management built right in.
Ideal for SMBs: Designed for small and mid-sized businesses, not just VC-backed startups.
Where Brex Shines
Startup & Scaleup Focus: Built for venture-backed startups and high-growth companies, with features tailored for rapid scaling.
Treasury & Vault Accounts: Allocate funds between checking, treasury (money market fund), and vault (FDIC-insured up to $6M) for advanced cash management.
Corporate Cards & Rewards: High-limit physical and virtual cards, spend controls, and points for travel and business expenses.
Expense Management & Automation: AI-powered tools for GL coding, expense categorization, and spend policy enforcement.
Global Capabilities: Multi-currency support, international payments, and travel booking.
No Monthly Fees (Essentials): Core banking features are free; Premium unlocks advanced automation for $12/user/month.
Who Should Choose Which?
Holdings is best for:
SMBs and entrepreneurs who want to maximize interest on their deposits with tiered rates up to 3% APY
Businesses seeking a truly fee-free, all-in-one banking and accounting solution
Companies that need cash deposits, unlimited free wires/ACH, and integrated invoicing
Owners who value automation and optional full-service bookkeeping
Teams that want to keep things simple and scalable as they grow
Brex is best for:
Startups and VC-backed companies, especially those scaling quickly or operating globally
Businesses that want advanced spend management, corporate cards, and travel booking
Companies with large cash reserves needing up to $6M in FDIC insurance
Organizations that need multi-entity, multi-currency, and global payment support
Teams that want AI-powered automation for expense management and bill pay
What About Fees and Limits?
Holdings: No monthly fees, no transaction fees, no wire/ACH fees, unlimited free money movement, and no minimum balance requirements. Optional subscription for advanced accounting and bookkeeping.
Brex: No monthly fees for Essentials; $12/user/month for Premium (advanced automation). No APY on Vault, but treasury yields available. No cash deposits. Credit line requires $25,000+ in cash.
Compare Holdings to Other Top Business Banks
Curious how Holdings stacks up against other leading business banking solutions? Explore these in-depth comparisons:
The Bottom Line
Both Holdings and Brex offer powerful, digital-first financial platforms—but they serve different business needs. Holdings is ideal for SMBs that want a truly fee-free, high-yield, all-in-one banking and accounting solution with cash deposit support and automation. Brex is a top choice for startups and VC-backed companies that need advanced spend management, global payments, and a robust corporate card program.
Ready to see how Holdings can help your business grow? Explore our full suite of comparisons above, or get started today