Software Review
Melio Review — Is It Worth It for Your LLC?
Melio lets LLCs and small businesses pay vendors via bank transfer or credit card — even if they don’t accept cards — with free ACH options. We tested pricing, fees, and features to see if it’s the best free bill pay alternative to BILL.
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict After Testing Melio
Bottom line: Best free bill pay for small LLCs that want to float cash with a credit card.
Melio’s Go plan gives you 5 free ACH payments/month and lets you pay any vendor by card (2.9% fee) to earn rewards and extend float. Core and Boost add accounting sync, user roles, and automation as you grow.
Try Melio Free →Who It’s For
Who Melio Is Best For
Melio is ideal for LLCs, freelancers, and small teams paying under 50 bills/month who want free ACH and the option to pay via credit card. It’s not built for large firms needing multi-entity controls like BILL Corporate.
✅ Pros
- Go plan free with 5 free ACH/month
- Pay any vendor with credit card (earn rewards)
- Flat pricing, not per-user like BILL ($25/$55 vs $45/$55)
- QuickBooks & Xero 2-way sync on Core+
- Simple UI, fast setup for LLC owners
- First 2 checks free each month
❌ Cons
- ACH fees after free limit on Go plan
- 2.9% fee for credit card payments
- No procurement or multi-location (needs BILL Corporate)
- Additional users $10/mo on Core/Boost
- Support can be slower than BILL
Pricing
Melio Pricing Plans
Flat monthly pricing, not per-user like BILL. Save ~20% with annual billing. Transaction fees: ACH free within limits, 2.9% card, $1.50 check after free 2.
- ✅ 5 free ACH payments/mo
- ✅ Pay via card (2.9% fee)
- ✅ 2 free checks/mo, then $1.50
- ✅ Basic accounting sync
- — No approval workflows
- — 1 user only
- ✅ Unlimited ACH
- ✅ 2-way QuickBooks/Xero sync
- ✅ Bill capture & auto entry
- ✅ Payment approval workflows
- ✅ +$10/mo per extra user
- ✅ Duplicate detection
- ✅ Everything in Core
- ✅ Advanced approvals & roles
- ✅ Auto bill capture
- ✅ Unlimited users option available
- ✅ Batch payments & scheduling
- ✅ Priority support
Features Tested
What You Actually Get With Melio
Pay With Card
Pay vendors who don’t take cards. Melio charges your card (2.9%), pays vendor via ACH/check. You keep points.
Bill Capture
Forward bills, OCR extracts details. Core+ auto-syncs to QuickBooks/Xero.
Approvals
Core and Boost let you set approval chains so partners can approve without bank access.
Accounting Sync
2-way sync with QuickBooks Online/Desktop, Xero. Keeps vendors and bills in sync.
Float & Scheduling
Schedule payments for due date, extend float up to 45 days by using card.
Checks & ACH
First 2 checks free each month, then $1.50. ACH free within plan limits.
How It Works
Getting Started With Melio
Connect Accounting
Connect QuickBooks or Xero. Vendors and chart of accounts import in one click.
Add Bills
Forward invoices to Melio or upload. OCR captures amount, due date, vendor.
Choose Payment Method
Pay via bank transfer (free) or card (2.9% fee to earn rewards). Vendor gets ACH or check.
Approve & Sync
Approvers get notified. Once paid, Melio syncs back to accounting — no double entry.
Comparison
Melio vs BILL vs Bank Bill Pay
| Factor | Melio | BILL | Bank Bill Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | $0-$55 flat/mo, not per user | $45-$89 per user/mo | Free |
| Pay via credit card | Yes, 2.9% fee, any vendor | Yes, 2.9% fee | No |
| Accounting sync | 2-way (Core+) | 2-way auto (Team+) | None |
| Approval workflows | Core+ standard | Advanced & custom | None |
| Best for | Small LLCs wanting free + card float | Growing firms, multi-entity | Solos with 2-3 bills |
Final Checklist
Should You Use Melio?
Ready to Get Free Bill Pay + Card Float?
Join 100k+ businesses using Melio to pay vendors free via ACH or via card to earn rewards, with QuickBooks sync.
Start With Melio Free →FAQ
Melio Review FAQ
Is Melio really free?
Go is free forever: 5 free ACH payments/month, first 2 checks free then $1.50 each. Pay via card is 2.9%. Core is $25/mo ($20 annual) for unlimited ACH + 2-way sync.
Can I pay rent with a credit card via Melio?
Yes. Melio charges your card and sends your landlord an ACH or check. You earn card rewards. 2.9% fee applies — worth it if rewards > fee or you need float.
Is Melio better than BILL?
For small LLCs wanting free bill pay + card float, Melio is cheaper (flat $0-$55 vs $45-$89 per user). For firms needing advanced approvals and multi-entity, BILL is stronger.
Does Melio work with QuickBooks?
Yes, 2-way sync with QuickBooks Online and Desktop, Xero, and FreshBooks on Core plan and up.