Choosing a business banking platform is about more than holding funds; it influences how you manage cash flow, payments, and growth. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or running a multi-employee business, choosing the right financial infrastructure can streamline operations, strengthen stability, and unlock long-term value.
If you’ve started searching for a business banking account, chances are you’ve come across two names repeatedly: Lili and Bluevine. Lili and Bluevine are both modern business banking solutions, but their approaches are distinct.
- Lili is an online business banking platform built specifically for U.S. small businesses. It provides business checking, fast payments, high-yield savings, credit solutions, and 7 days a week human support – all designed to work together to help business owners manage their finances with clarity and control.
- Bluevine offers a business checking experience centered on interest earning balances and account structure, with sub accounts and payment options for businesses that want to organize operating cash.
This guide compares key differentiators across platform capabilities, savings potential (APY), credit-building tools, invoicing features, international payments, and support—so you can choose the solution that fits your business best.
What is Lili?
Lili is an award-winning online banking platform built specifically for small businesses. It is designed for business owners who need speed, control, and clear visibility into their finances, without hidden fees or unnecessary complexity.
While Lili offers paid plans for businesses that need additional tools, the Lili Core plan comes with no monthly fees and includes the full set of essential banking capabilities. This includes business checking, high-yield business savings earning up to 4.00% APY, fast money movement, integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and Shopify, and up to $3 million in FDIC insurance through partner bank networks.
What is Bluevine?
Bluevine is a business checking solution that emphasizes earning interest on operating balances and organizing funds through sub accounts.
It is often used by businesses that prioritize account structure and day to day payment workflows, rather than broader built in financial infrastructure.
Bluevine offers three checking tiers with different APY levels depending on plan and eligibility requirements
Differences between Lili and Bluevine
Lili
Lili is built for small businesses and lean teams that prioritize speed, yield, and access to real support. Designed for solo founders and teams of up to 10 employees, it offers expedited mobile check deposits, with around 80% of checks made available the same day, helping businesses keep cash moving. On the savings side, Lili stands out with up to 4.00% APY, allowing growing businesses to earn more on idle cash. This is reinforced by extended customer support, with live assistance 7 days a week, extended phone hours, and 24/7 AI support.
Bluevine
Bluevine takes a different approach, focusing on account flexibility for larger teams. It is typically better suited for businesses with 10+ employees, offering savings APYs that vary by plan and balance tier, usually ranging from 1.3% to 3.25%. Mobile check deposits follow standard processing timelines, and customer support is available during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm ET)—making it a fit for companies that prioritize account segmentation over speed and always-on access.
Lili vs. Bluevine: Comparison Chart
| Feature | Lili | Bluevine |
| Type of businesses served | Small businesses, LLCs, startups, teams of up to 10 employees, and non-US founders with U.S.-based businesses | Small businesses, LLCs, startups, and larger teams (typically 10+ employees) |
| Checking accounts | 1 primary checking account with multi-user access and role-based permissions | 1 primary checking + up to 20 sub-accounts (plan-dependent) |
| Savings with APY | ✅ 2.25% APY up to $500K, 4.00% APY from $500K–$1M | ✅ 1.3%–3.25% APY depending on plan |
| No hidden fees | ✅ | ✅ |
| No minimum balance | ✅ | ✅ |
| No overdraft fees | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile check deposits | 80% of checks disbursed same day, others between 1-5 business days | Standard processing |
| Debit cards | Physical and virtual debit cards to all authorized business owners. | Multiple physical and virtual cards for team members |
| Team access & permissions | ✅ (Granular role-based permissions for internal & external users) | ✅ (Granular role-based permissions for internal & external users) |
| Invoicing | ✅ Built-in invoicing with tracking & reminders and payment links | ✅ Built-in invoicing + payment links |
| Bill pay / AP automation | ✅ Full AP automation with approvals, scheduling & tracking | Full AP automation with approvals, scheduling & tracking |
| Auto-categorization | ✅ (Smart Bookkeeping) Available on Lili Pro, Smart and Premium. | ❌ Via accounting integrations |
| Real-time reporting | ✅ (In-app P&L, cash flow, insights) | ❌ Requires integrations (QuickBooks, Xero) |
| Tax tools | Built-in tax prep, pre-filled forms | ❌ Requires integrations |
| Credit-building | ✅ (BusinessBuild Card reporting to D&B) | ❌ |
| International wires | ✅ Send and receive payments in 140+ currencies across 30+ countries. | ✅ Send money abroad via partners + receive international wires in USD |
| Customer support | 7-day live support via email, extended business hours for phone + 24/7 AI | Phone, email & chat during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm ET) |
| FDIC insurance | Up to $3M | Up to $3M |
| App integrations | ✅ Built-in tools + QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, etc. | ✅ QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, etc. |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 | 4.5 |
Platform & Tools
Lili is a complete financial operating system including banking, savings, invoicing, bill pay, bookkeeping, tax tools, and reporting – built in. Ideal for owners who want everything in one place.
Bluevine is a powerful banking and payments platform optimized for ACH, wires, international payments, sub-accounts, invoicing, and AP automation. Great for teams with complex cash-flow needs.
APY & Savings
Lili
- 2.25% APY on balances up to $500,000
- 4.00% APY on balances $500,000–$1,000,000
- Available on all plans
Bluevine
- 1.3% APY (Standard plan, with activity requirements)
- 2.0% APY (Plus plan)
- 3.25% APY (Premier plan, up to $3M)
Support
Lili
Email: 7 days a week (Mon–Fri 9am–8pm, Sat–Sun 9am–6pm)
Phone: Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm EST
24/7 in-app AI chat
Bluevine
Phone, email, and chat: Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm ET
Credit & BusinessBuild
Lili
Includes a secured BusinessBuild Card that reports to Dun & Bradstreet and a credit dashboard for real-time insights.
Bluevine
Does not offer credit-building tools.
Lili vs. Bluevine: Which Is Better?
Choose Lili if you want a business banking platform that gives you full core banking coverage without added complexity, including business checking, high-yield savings, fast money movement, access to credit, team access with permission controls, and FDIC insurance designed for growing businesses.
Choose Bluevine if your primary focus is earning interest on checking balances and managing cash through sub-accounts and payment workflows.
Both platforms support small businesses, but they are built for different priorities.
If you’re looking for business banking that supports day-to-day operations and scales with your business – Lili is the stronger fit.