Anchor vs Relay
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Anchor and Relay are credible business banking tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Anchor - Banking-as-a-service API for Africa.
Choose Relay if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free - $30/mo), a free plan to start on and a higher overall rating (4.5/5). Business banking for small business.
Anchor vs Relay: side by side
| Dimension | Anchor | Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | Free - $30/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Pricing model | Usage-based | Freemium |
| Best for | Africa Fintech, Developers | Small Business |
| Platforms | Web, API | Web, iOS, Android |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5Winner |
Anchor key facts
- Vendor
- Anchor
- Pricing
- Usage-based - Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, API
- Best for
- Africa Fintech, Developers
- Editor rating
- 4.2 / 5
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Lagos, Nigeria
Relay key facts
- Vendor
- Relay
- Pricing
- Freemium - Free - $30/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, iOS, Android
- Best for
- Small Business
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2018
- Headquarters
- Toronto, Canada
Frequently asked questions
Is Anchor better than Relay?
Neither is universally better - Relay edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Anchor or Relay cheaper?
Relay is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free - $30/mo. Anchor starts at custom; Relay starts at free - $30/mo.
Can Anchor replace Relay?
Yes for most teams - both are business banking tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.
Side-by-side software breakdowns and pricing changes - in your inbox monthly.