Looking at Melio's free plan? It's genuinely useful: you can send unlimited ACH bank transfers for free to pay vendors, contractors and bills, and even pay by card where cards aren't normally accepted (Melio pays the vendor by bank or check for you). There's no coupon or discount to invent — the value is that the core payment flow costs nothing.
This page lays out what's free, the fees that do apply (card payments and expedited transfers), who Melio is best for, and the main alternatives — so you can start free and only pay for what you actually use.
Current Melio offer
The Melio free plan lets you pay any US business by free ACH bank transfer, schedule payments, and sync with QuickBooks or Xero — with no monthly fee for the core workflow. You can also pay vendors by credit or debit card even if they don't take cards, which is a real cash-flow lever (defer payment, earn card rewards) for a small fee.
The fees to know: card payments carry roughly a 2.9% fee, and instant/expedited transfers cost extra versus standard (a few business days) ACH, which is free. Melio also offers paid subscription tiers with more users, approvals and controls for growing teams — but most small businesses run on the free plan.
Expiration: The free plan is ongoing, but fees and plan features are set by Melio and can change. Always confirm current pricing and fees on Melio's official site. Source: Melio's official pricing page.
How to claim the Melio deal
- 1Open the official offerUse the “Get started with Melio” button on this page to sign up for Melio's free plan.
- 2Add a vendor or billEnter who you need to pay — Melio handles delivery by bank transfer or check.
- 3Choose how to payPay for free by bank transfer, or by card (small fee) to defer cash and earn rewards.
- 4Sync your accountingConnect QuickBooks or Xero so payments reconcile automatically.
- 5Upgrade only if you need itAdd a paid tier when you need more users, approvals or controls — otherwise the free plan is enough.
Melio pricing
Pricing as described on Melio's plans in July 2026. Sending payments by bank transfer (ACH) is free; fees apply to card payments and expedited transfers. Always confirm current fees on Melio's site.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free (Go) | $0 | No monthly fee | Unlimited free ACH bank transfers, pay by card (fee), QuickBooks/Xero sync |
| Card payments | ~2.9% fee | Per transaction | Pay vendors by credit/debit card even where cards aren't accepted |
| Instant / expedited | Small fee | Per transaction | Faster delivery than standard (free) ACH |
| Paid tiers | Subscription | — | More users, approval workflows and controls for growing teams |
What is Melio?
Melio is a B2B payments and accounts-payable tool for small businesses. You pay vendors, contractors and bills from one place — by free bank transfer or by card — and Melio delivers the money the way the recipient wants (bank deposit or a mailed check), even if they don't take cards.
Its appeal is cash-flow flexibility with no software cost: pay on your terms (use a card to defer payment and earn rewards while the vendor still gets a bank transfer), keep everything reconciled with QuickBooks or Xero, and skip the monthly fee entirely.
Melio features
Melio pros & cons
Who Melio is best for
Melio vs the alternatives
How Melio compares with the tools small businesses weigh against it for paying bills.
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Free small-business AP | Mid-market AP/AR | Global payments |
| Monthly fee | Free (core) | Subscription | Free account |
| Free bank transfers | Yes (ACH) | Included in plan | Low FX fees |
| Pay by card | Yes (~2.9%) | Yes | No |
| International | Limited | Yes | Best (multi-currency) |
| Accounting sync | QuickBooks, Xero | Deep (QBO, NetSuite) | QuickBooks, Xero |
Melio alternatives
Melio deal — frequently asked questions
Is Melio really free?
Yes — Melio is free to start with no monthly fee, and sending payments by ACH bank transfer is free. You only pay fees for card payments (around 2.9%) and for instant/expedited transfers; standard bank transfers cost nothing.
What does the Melio free plan include?
Unlimited free ACH bank transfers to pay any US vendor, the ability to pay by card even where cards aren't accepted (for a fee), scheduled and recurring payments, check delivery, and two-way sync with QuickBooks and Xero — all with no monthly cost.
How does Melio make money if it's free?
Melio charges fees on card payments (about 2.9%) and on instant/expedited transfers, and offers paid subscription tiers with more users, approvals and controls. The free plan covers standard bank-transfer payments at no cost.
Can I pay vendors by credit card with Melio?
Yes — even if the vendor doesn't accept cards. You pay with your card (for a ~2.9% fee) and Melio delivers the money to the vendor by bank transfer or check. It's a common way to defer cash flow or earn card rewards.
Is Melio good for international payments?
Melio is US-focused and best for paying US vendors and bills. If international payments are your main need, a tool built for cross-border transfers like Wise will be cheaper and more capable.