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TL;DR: Get evidence-based insights whenever you need them, with $169 off lifetime access to Consultio Pro. Making good choices in business is easier when you can get expert advice. Normally speaking, this would mean pumping money into consulting fees. But with Consultio Pro, you can access an endless stream of knowledge for one low price. The secret ingredient is AI. Consultio Pro has a range of finely tuned agents that can provide valuable insights into a range of topics. Right now, you can get lifetime access for only $29.99 via TechRepublic Academy. About Consultio Pro In an ideal world, you would talk to a mentor or subject matter expert before making any major decision. Even the greatest minds in business look to SMEs for input. In reality, very few founders and professionals have the budget to get regular advice. That’s because human consultants charge top dollar. In contrast, Consultio Pro gives away endless knowledge for a fixed price. And the insights you receive are based on data from a wide range of sources. It’s like 100 top consultants rolled into one. What’s more, Consultio Pro can handle a wide range of topics: business, technology, finance, market strategy, cybersecurity, HR, and even lifestyle coaching. There are more than 50 different AI experts you can talk to, each offering an impressive depth of knowledge. In his review, the co-founder of NextGen Innovations said, “Consultio is like the entire expertise of Silicon Valley packed into one platform. Our ROI? Skyrocketed.” This deal includes on-demand access on unlimited mobile and desktop platforms. In other words, you can consult your AI experts whenever and wherever you need a little guidance. Order Consultio Pro today for only $29.99 to get your lifetime subscription at about $169 off the regular price. Prices and availability are subject to change. source

TL;DR: Get speedy, secure, and user-friendly cloud storage with a lifetime subscription to the FolderFort 1TB Storage Pro Plan — it’s currently on sale at 76% off for just $59.97 through March 2. Cloud data storage is one of the most useful and convenient developments in technology for businesses. Yet, though it’s certainly been around long enough, plans offering large amounts of storage still tend to be either slow or pricey. Fortunately, you can now get a massive amount of affordable, fast cloud storage with a lifetime subscription to the FolderFort 1TB Storage Pro Plan while it’s on sale for a best-on-web price of only $59.97, down 76% from its usual subscription cost of $251.64 through March 2. About FolderFort FolderFort makes it easy to manage your files with a sleek, user-friendly interface and guarantees 99.99% uptime. However, email and phone support aren’t available 24/7 if you need them. Best of all, it’s blazingly fast, so it will take you mere seconds to upload large files with a good internet connection. Your data is easily accessible from multiple platforms and devices, including modern browsers on Windows and Mac computers, phones and tablets. No installations are needed. The plan also includes unlimited workspaces and users. Additional users don’t have to pay to access workspaces. In fact, they each get their own 1 GB of personal storage for free. Digital content can be shared in a professional environment by creating links to files and folders for quick access. You can choose to make the links public for anyone to use or restricted for only specific users to access. Sharing your files securely is a simple matter because FolderFort provides robust encryption from Backblaze to protect your data without slowing down your processes. This lifetime subscription is perfectly scalable. You can instantly add more storage by just upgrading your account. If you no longer need as much storage, simply contact support about downgrading. Although keeping up-to-date on cutting edge technology such as AI can increase your revenue, saving big on necessary business services is also an excellent way to boost your bottom line. Get a lifetime subscription to the FolderFort 1TB Storage Pro Plan while it’s available through March 2, 2025 for a best-on-web price of just $59.97, a 76% discount off the regular $251.64 subscription price. Prices and availability are subject to change. source

Earlier this month, researchers discovered that a free-to-play game called PirateFi was distributing the Vidar information-stealing malware to users on gaming platform Steam. From Feb. 6-12, as many as 1,500 users downloaded the game before Steam removed it from the platform. The situation should be a wake-up call for all gamers. PirateFi: Before PirateFi: After What Is PirateFi? PirateFi is an immersive survival game involving gathering food and supplies, crafting tools and weapons, and building bases. The game can be played in single-player and multiplayer modes. It received a 9/10 rating and several glowing reviews. While ratings and comments can be fabricated to boost engagement, it looked like PirateFi was on its way to becoming a major hit among gamers, as several people downloaded the game in the short time it was on Steam’s marketplace. Steam Downloads of PirateFi However, gamers were about to find out that PirateFi wasn’t the only thing they downloaded. Users started receiving messages on Telegram about an in-game chat moderator job that paid $17 an hour. The idea of getting paid to play and interact in the game — something they probably would’ve done for free — sounded too good to be true. One user in particular found this to be suspicious and did some digging. Chat log screenshot. First, he noticed the cadence of the messages. He saw that the replies from the “developer” were sent precisely 21 seconds after the previous message. If you’re not paying attention, you will probably miss that detail. However, message replies that are all evenly spaced are clear indicators of a fake and automated account — and you’re more than likely talking to a chatbot. And that’s precisely what was happening: The chat moderator job didn’t exist. The AI chatbot offered gamers the role to get them to download and install the game. So why lie about a job? Was it a malicious marketing ploy to boost their download numbers and popularity on Steam? Or was it something more sinister like social engineering or a phishing attack to steal user information or worse? Must-read security coverage A Dangerous Game While users were starting to catch on that something was “fishy” about the chat moderator job, another user found out that it wasn’t the job that was the issue. It was the game itself. This message on the Steam Games forum that we translated with Google shows that a user tried to install the game, but his antivirus software blocked it from being downloaded because it contained a file known as “Trojan.Win32.Lazzy.gen.” Forum post from user Solniwko. Forum post from user Solniwko. After some review, it appeared that the “game” included other software that once PirateFi was installed and launched. A file called Howard.exe would be added to the user’s /AppData/Temp/****/ directory with a parameter called /VERYSILENT. Virus Analysis: Courtesy of Solniwko. This means the action would happen in the background, and the status would not be displayed. It appears that PirateFi was distributing malware. So, what exactly is malware? What Is Malware? Malware is any kind of software designed to harm your computer or steal your information. Think of it like a digital virus. It can do all sorts of nasty things — from slowing down your computer, to stealing your passwords, and even giving hackers control over your entire system. In the case of “PirateFi,” the malware was designed to steal passwords. After reviewing the malware, SECUINFRA identified the malware as a version of the Vidar infostealer and posted this message on social media: “If you are one of the players who downloaded this “game”: Consider the credentials, session cookies, and secrets saved in your browser, email client, cryptocurrency wallets etc. compromised.” Howard.exe file reverse engineered: Courtesy of Solniwko. If you played the game, the login details for your email, social media, banking, or any other online account you log into could have been compromised. Imagine the damage someone could do with that information. For more information about malware and the different types, check out this article. What to Do if You Installed PirateFi This incident highlights several critical points: First, regular social engineering techniques succeed more than fail. However, with AI, the chances of attackers succeeding in their attacks increase significantly. As a result, users must be more aware of online scams and phishing attacks. Also, just because something is on a platform like Steam doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe or should be trusted. Unfortunately, bad actors can sometimes find ways to sneak malicious software into even seemingly reputable places. Several affected users posted warnings on PirateFi’s Steam Community page, telling everyone to stay away from the game because it contains malware. In addition, Steam posted a message confirming the game contained malware and encouraged users to doa “full-system scan.” Steam’s Message: Courtesy of SteamDB If you downloaded “PirateFi,” here’s what you must immediately do: Uninstall the game: Get it off your system right away. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software: This will help detect and remove any remaining malware. If you don’t have antivirus software, get it now! It’s essential. Change your passwords: Change the passwords for all your important online accounts, especially email, banking, and social media. Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your online accounts for suspicious activity. Look for unauthorized logins, strange emails, or anything else out of the ordinary. Tips for Staying Safe In addition to what you need to do to protect yourself immediately, here’s how to protect yourself in the future: Be cautious with free software: Free doesn’t always mean good. Pay close attention to any free software, especially from unknown developers. Do your research before installing anything. Keep your software updated: Install updates and patches on your operating system, web browser, and antivirus software. Updates often contain crucial security patches. Use strong passwords: Use unique and strong passwords for every account. A password manager can help with this. Don’t click on suspicious links: Be wary

Running payroll can be a tedious, time-consuming task if you’re still doing it by hand. Fortunately, payroll software can speed up the process to let HR teams and small business owners focus on the people aspects of human resources. Instead of entering payroll data manually, many business owners use cloud-based software that automates every aspect of payroll, from paying employees via direct deposit to remitting payroll taxes to the IRS. Find out how payroll software works, what key features to look for, and whether payroll software is right for you in our guide below. 1 Paycor Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees) Micro, Small, Medium Features API, Check Printing, Document Management / Sharing, and more 2 Deel Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features 24/7 Customer Support, API, Document Management / Sharing, and more 3 Rippling Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features API, Check Printing, Document Management / Sharing, and more What is payroll software? Payroll software helps you manage, run, and automate payroll. It automatically calculates paycheck amounts for your salaried and hourly employees, including gross pay, deductions (like healthcare premiums and payroll taxes), and net pay. Payroll software solutions can be cloud-based or desktop-based, though the former are more common for small and midsize businesses. It can be standalone software that integrates with your business software systems like accounting or HR programs. Alternatively, they can be part of a wider human capital management system or an all-in-one payroll and HR software platform that lets you manage every aspect of the employee life cycle from one platform. Self-service payroll software Self-service payroll software calculates paycheck amounts and deductions. While it typically pays your employees via direct deposit or other methods, it does not remit payroll taxes to the IRS or other tax agencies on your behalf. Instead, it calculates how much to deduct, draws up pre-filled tax forms, and reminds you about quarterly tax-filing deadlines, leaving the final submission up to you. Full-service payroll software Full-service payroll software includes comprehensive tax administration. It calculates payroll taxes based on the employee information you input, and the software will then automatically deduct tax payments from your employees’ paychecks and remit those taxes to the appropriate tax bureau on a quarterly basis. More payroll coverage What are the key features of payroll software? Key features of payroll software include payroll processing, payroll tax administration, time tracking, direct deposit, employee self-service (often through a mobile payroll app), payroll compliance tools, and reporting. However, the exact features can vary by provider. The following features are fairly typical of most payroll software systems, though it’s worth noting that the more features your payroll software has, the more expensive it’s likely to be. Time and attendance tracking If you have hourly employees, you need a reliable way to track their work hours and correctly compensate them for their time and labor each pay period. Most payroll software either syncs with third-party time and attendance software or includes a built-in time tracker. This makes paying hourly employees straightforward, helping you save time and reduce errors. Payroll tax administration Full-service payroll software calculates, deducts, and remits each of your employee’s income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes to the appropriate tax agency. Most payroll software handles federal and state tax administration, while some also manage local payroll tax for an additional fee. As an employer, you are required to match your employees’ Social Security and Medicare tax contributions (collectively called FICA taxes). You must also pay a federal unemployment tax (or FUTA tax) based on your number of employees. At the very least, your payroll software should generate financial reports showing your tax liabilities based on employee- contributions. However, the best payroll software automatically deducts employer FICA and FUTA tax payments from your company’s bank account to remit to the federal government along with your employees’ payroll taxes. Additionally, the best full-service payroll software companies, such as our top overall payroll pick, Gusto, will generate and file end-of-year tax forms for you and your employees, including Form W-2 and Form 1099. However, some providers charge a fee for end-of-year tax form preparation. Most payroll software tools also charge you an extra fee if you want to print and mail hard copies of tax forms to your employees and contractors. Direct deposit Most payroll software, including self-service software, calculates employee paychecks and then automatically pays your employees via direct deposit. Some payroll software offers direct deposit only, but paper checks, prepaid debit cards, app-based payments (for instance, Venmo or Square’s Cash App), and other on-demand pay options are all common alternatives to direct deposit. Employee benefits administration Some employee benefits are deducted directly from employees’ paychecks, including employee contributions to employer-sponsored healthcare plans. If you offer benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, find payroll software that deducts benefits contributions from your employees’ paychecks and automatically distributes those funds to the appropriate parties. Employee self-service portals Most payroll software should include an employee-facing platform where your employees can view pay stubs and tax information. The most fleshed-out employee self-service portals include features that let your employees upload tax documents, choose benefits, request time off, and clock in or out. Payroll reports Payroll reports provide you with an overview of key payroll-related financial data, such as payroll tax contributions and workers’ compensation premiums. At a minimum, your payroll software should generate these reports. The best payroll software either integrates with popular accounting software options or includes a general ledger report to help you seamlessly sync payroll data with your financial systems. Compliance audits Strict rules and regulations govern workplace employment and employee pay. Penalties for issues like miscategorizing employees as contractors or failing to pay the employer portion of FICA taxes can be severe. You can catch these clerical errors and make crucial payroll updates by performing regular

LastPass is a popular choice for managing passwords and sensitive information for individuals and businesses. However, its recent security breaches have raised concerns. While the tool still enjoys global patronage, it’s not a bad idea to consider other password managers that can serve as worthy alternatives to LastPass. Here, we look at the top LastPass alternatives and competitors for 2025. NordPass Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Activity Log, Business Admin Panel for user management, Company-wide settings, and more Dashlane Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Automated Provisioning ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Access Management, Compliance Management, Credential Management, and more Star rating Encryption Two-factor authentication Cross-platform support Password autofill Starting price 1Password 4.3 out of 5 stars AES-256-bit Yes Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Yes $2.99/month Keeper 4.4 out of 5 stars AES-256-bit Yes Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Yes $2/month Dashlane 4.6 out of 5 stars PBKDF2 Yes Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Yes $4.99/month Bitwarden 4.6 out of 5 stars AES-CBC 256-bit and PBKDF2 SHA-256 Yes Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Yes $1/month NordPass 4.6 out of 5 stars XChaCha20 Yes Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web Vault Yes $1.69/month ManageEngine Password Manager Pro 3.7 out of 5 stars AES-256-bit Yes Windows, macOS, Linux Yes Contact vendor for a quote 1Password: Best overall LastPass alternative Image: 1Password 1Password caters to personal, business, enterprise, and developer use cases. It is popular for its unique features and well-rounded security. For instance, it generates a 34-character secret key locally on a user’s device, which is added to the user’s account passwords to enhance authentication and encryption. It secures its users’ data in transit using the Secure Remote Password handshake protocol without sending the data over the internet. It is worth mentioning that 1Password has undergone 26 security audits on its security and features as of January 2025, showing its commitment to regular security checks. For added security against onlookers and browser-based threats, 1Password reveals or fills data only when prompted by the user. There is also a Watchtower feature that allows users to monitor their password health and alerts them when there is any security incident on their account. Why I chose 1Password I identified 1Password’s dedication to user privacy and security, as seen with its Fastmail and privacy integration for creating masked emails and its SRP (offline) features. I also chose it as my best overall, as it provides a strong balance between ease of use and high-level security — two features I know former LastPass users will appreciate. Pricing 1Password comes in five payment plans, with annual and monthly options for each. Below is a summary of its annual pricing: Individual: $2.99/month (billed annually). Families: $4.99/month for five family members (billed annually). Teams Starter Pack: $19.95/month for 10 team members. Business: $7.99/month (billed annually). Depending on the organization’s size, a custom quote can be requested. Enterprise: Quote available on request. Note: All plans except for Enterprise have a 14-day trial period. Features Travel mode feature. Fastmail and privacy integration for email masking. Phishing protection. Secrets Automation. Clipboard management. 1Password Watchtower. Image: 1Password 1Password pros and cons Pros Cons SRP handshake protocol. No free version. Works only on verified websites. No dedicated customer support for its Business plan. 14-day free trial. Watchtower security and breach alerts. Great mobile application. If you want to learn more, read our full 1Password review. Keeper: Best for large businesses Image: Keeper Keeper is a cloud-based password manager with features appealing to both small and enterprise-level businesses. It comes with three major blocks of features: Enterprise password management for passwords and metadata protection. Secrets management for securing CI/CD pipelines and other critical infrastructure. Connection management for secure access (without VPN) to your infrastructure. Keeper is equipped with AES-256-bit encryption and features a zero-trust and zero-knowledge architecture, all contributing to the safety and privacy of personal and business information. Its secure storage capabilities and multiple encrypted vault entries, especially in the business options, make it ideal for password security and safeguarding large credentials and critical systems. Keeper recently introduced a passwordless authentication system, offering a better alternative to remembering one’s master password (or forgetting the master password and losing one’s account/vault entirely). With passwordless authentication, biometrics or face recognition can access a password vault. Why I chose Keeper Keeper made it to my list because of its advanced security and customizable vault that stores passwords and safeguards sensitive personal and business data against cybercriminals. Pricing Keeper has two subscription tiers: Personal and Business. Below are the plan options you have for each. Personal and family plan Personal: $2.92/month and $34.99 billed annually. Family: $6.25/month and $74.99 billed annually for five users. Business plan Business Starter: $2/month per user, with 10 users max (billed annually at $24). Business: $3.75/month per user (billed annually at $45), ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Enterprise: Contact Keeper for pricing. There is a 14-day free trial for the Business and Enterprise plans and a 30-day free trial for the Personal and Family plans. Students may be eligible to receive a 50% discount. Features Multi-factor authentication. Customizable vaults for its users. Connection management. Zero-trust and zero-knowledge policy. Secrets management. Keeper vault. Image: Keeper Keeper pros and cons Pros Cons Free family plan for all Keeper Business users. Autofill feature can be inconsistent. Cross-platform compatibility across multiple devices and all browsers. Non-technical users may find the user interface less intuitive. Advanced reporting and alerts. Secrets manager capability. If you want to learn more, read our full Keeper review. Dashlane: Best for multi-platform integration and secure sharing Image:

Virtual private networks have risen from obscurity to become the frequently preferred method of linking private networks. Although VPNs became popular because they enabled using the Internet to secure network connections, thereby eliminating the need for expensive dedicated circuits, VPN adoption skyrocketed because the technology also proved relatively simple, reliable, and secure. Considering VPNs foolproof, however, leads to a false sense of security. Following state-sponsored attacks that used compromised VPNs to enable exploitative attacks, organizations received a wake-up call that VPN accounts require close monitoring and safeguarding, too. With proper security practices, VPNs continue to effectively fulfill an essential need to reliably and securely connect remote employees, branch offices, authorized partners, and other systems. Yet VPN connection errors continue to inevitably arise. Often, Windows server-powered VPN connection issues that arise often fall into one of four categories: The VPN connection is rejected. An unauthorized connection is accepted. Locations beyond the VPN server prove unreachable. A tunnel cannot be established. Here’s how to resolve these common Windows Server-powered VPN connection errors. Semperis Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Advanced Attacks Detection, Advanced Automation, Anywhere Recovery, and more ESET PROTECT Advanced Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Advanced Threat Defense, Full Disk Encryption , Modern Endpoint Protection, and more ManageEngine Log360 Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Activity Monitoring, Blacklisting, Dashboard, and more Working with the Windows Server Routing and Remote Access console Once a VPN is set up using a Windows Server, connection issues occasionally occur, even when a connection previously worked properly. Troubleshooting often involves working with Windows servers’ Routing and Remote Access console snap-in tool, which is where Microsoft concentrates many VPN configuration settings. The Routing and Remote Access snap-in lives within the Microsoft Management Console, known as the MMC. There are multiple ways to access the MMC. You can select the console from the Start menu’s Programs options, within the Administrative Tools folder within Windows server’s Control Panel or by typing mmc at a command prompt. You can also reach the MMC by pressing the Windows key and the letter R simultaneously and entering mmc and pressing the Enter key. While the actual user interface and menu options occasionally change subtly between specific server versions, administrators should be able to navigate the various consoles — whether working with an older version or the current Windows Server 2022 iteration — using the same approach. How to fix the four biggest problems with failed VPN connections 1: The VPN connection is rejected. Having a VPN client’s connection rejected is perhaps the most common VPN problem. Part of the reason this problem is so common is that many issues can cause a connection to be rejected. If the Windows server-powered VPN rejects client connections, you first need to confirm that the Routing and Remote Access Service is actually running on the Windows server. You can check by opening the Windows server’s Services console, which you can access by clicking Start | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services. With the Services console open, navigate within the list of services to the Routing and Remote Access entry to ensure its service is running. The Services console displays the status of the Routing and Remote Access entry. With the Routing and Remote Access entry highlighted within the Services console, you can click Start the Service or right-click the entry and select Restart. If the RRAS service was set to Manual or Disabled, you can open the entry, change the Startup Type to Automatic, and then click Start and OK. More about Cloud Security After confirming the RRAS service is running, it’s a good idea to test the connection by pinging the VPN server first by IP address and then by its fully qualified domain name. If you encounter errors, a DNS problem is likely occurring, and you can turn your attention to resolving that issue. If the VPN server pings work, though, and you still have connection issues, address a potential authentication mismatch. Sometimes, the VPN client and VPN server are set to use different authentication methods. Confirm whether an authentication error is the problem by opening the server console. Yet another method of accessing the MMC is to type Control+R to open a command prompt in which you can type mmc and hit Enter or click OK. With the console open, navigate to the Routing and Remote Access entry. If the entry isn’t present, click File, select Add/Remove Snap-in, choose the Routing and Remote Access option from the choices, and click Add, then OK. With the Routing and Remote Access snap-in added, right-click on the VPN server and click Properties. Then, review the Security tab to confirm the authentication method. Windows Authentication is the most common, although a different option, such as RADIUS may be in place. Ensure the VPN client is set to the authentication method specified within the Security tab. More things to check Typically, the items just reviewed are responsible for most VPN connection refusal errors. But other fundamentals must be correct, too. For example, if the Windows Server hosting the VPN hasn’t joined the Windows domain, the server cannot authenticate logins. You’ll first have to connect the server to the domain. IP addresses are another fundamental element for which administration must be properly set. Each Web-based VPN connection usually uses two different IP addresses for the VPN client computer. The first IP address is the one that the client’s ISP assigned. This is the IP address that’s used to establish the initial TCP/IP connection to the VPN server over the Internet. However, once the client attaches to the VPN

As a Shopify store owner, choosing the right financial provider is crucial for the smooth operation and growth of your business. It’s important to select a bank that not only integrates seamlessly with Shopify but also offers minimal transaction fees and robust support for payment processing. As your business expands, opting for a bank with additional features, such as financing options and the ability to handle international transfers, becomes essential. Our list highlights both traditional banks and fintech companies, each offering key features and tools to help your Shopify store thrive. Here is the list of the eight best bank accounts for Shopify stores. Best bank accounts for Shopify stores quick comparison Below is a summary of the top features I considered for the eight best bank accounts for Shopify stores. U.S. Bank Platinum Business Checking: Best overall bank account for Shopify Stores My rating: 4.23 out of 5 Image: U.S. Bank U.S. Bank Member FDIC.  is a traditional bank offering business accounts online with three checking tiers. The Silver Business Checking has no monthly fees, 125 free transactions, and a $2,500 cash deposit allowance monthly. The Gold and Platinum accounts offer more transactions and higher deposit limits. U.S. Bank also provides savings products and lending solutions, including lines of credit, quick loans, and term loans, making it a flexible choice for businesses of all sizes. Read our U.S. Bank business checking review to learn more about its fees and features. Why I chose it U.S. Bank Platinum Business Checking is my top recommendation for the best business bank account for Shopify stores. With high fee-free transactions and cash deposit limits, it offers significant savings. The bank provides robust mobile and online banking tools to help you track transactions and manage bill payments. Additionally, you can use the free cash flow forecast tool to keep your finances in check and integrate with QuickBooks to easily manage bills and invoices. Earn a $500 bonus when you open a Silver Business Checking account or $900 when you open a Platinum Business Checking account online (promo code: Q1AFL25) and meet qualifying activities, subject to certain terms and limitations. The offer is valid through March 31, 2025. Member FDIC. Monthly fees Silver Business Checking: $0 Gold Business Checking: $20; waivable by having any of these: A U.S. Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Banking account $10,000 average collected balance $20,000 combined average collected business deposit balances $50,000 combined average collected business deposits and outstanding credit balances Platinum Business Checking: $30; waivable by having any of these: A U.S. Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Banking account $25,000 average collected checking balance $75,000 combined average collected business deposits and outstanding credit balances Features Cashflow tools QuickBooks and ADP integrations Overdraft protection In-person and online banking options High-yield money market accounts Check fraud prevention services Fee-free withdrawals at the MoneyPass network Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, lines of credit, and term loans Pros and cons Pros Cons Up to $900 welcome offer No monthly fee for basic tier checking Free cash flow forecast tool Low interest for interest-bearing checking products Steep balance requirement to waive the monthly fees of high-tier accounts $100 initial deposit Mercury Business Checking: Best for fee-free wire transfers and subaccounts My rating: 4.20 out of 5 Image: Mercury Mercury Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust®️; Members FDIC. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. is an ideal fintech choice for Shopify entrepreneurs, offering a business checking account with no monthly fees, unlimited transactions, and seamless integrations with Shopify and QuickBooks. With FDIC coverage Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Deposits in checking and savings accounts are held by our banking services partners, Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust®️; Members FDIC. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through insurance to apply.  of up to $5 million through partner banks, your funds are well-protected. As your business grows, you can upgrade to Mercury Plus or Pro for advanced automated accounting features. Check out our comprehensive Mercury business checking review to learn if it suits your business needs. Why I chose it Mercury business checking is one of my best Shopify bank accounts, particularly those running global operations or frequently working with international suppliers. Its fee-free domestic and international wire transfers help you save on cross-border payments. Additionally, Mercury’s 14 subaccounts make it easy to track customer payments and allocate funds for specific expenses like marketing and shipping. This level of organization and flexibility makes Mercury a top choice for eCommerce businesses. Monthly fee Mercury Business Checking: $0 Features Physical and virtual debit cards QuickBooks, NetSuite, and Xero accounting software integration Compatible with Shopify, Stripe, Square, Zapier, Amazon, and PayPal payment processors IO corporate card has auto cash back rewards Savings account available Customized account access Advanced accounting automation is available under a subscription plan Mercury investor database Pros and cons Pros Cons No opening deposit, minimum balance requirement, or monthly fee Fee-free wire transfers 14 subaccounts No cash deposit support Sole proprietorship and trust accounts cannot be opened Non-interest earning checking account Novo Business Checking: Best for fee-free ACH transfers and express payments My rating: 4.13 out of 5 Image: Novo Novo Provider is a fintech platform, not a bank. It provides FDIC insurance and deposit services through a partnership with Middlesex Federal Savings. , a fintech supporting Shopify stores, offers a business checking account with no monthly fees, unlimited transactions, and fee-free standard ACH transfers. Through its partnership with Wise, Novo allows you to send international payments at a low cost. You also enjoy up to $7 in monthly ATM fee refunds, applicable to both local and international debit card transactions. Additionally, Novo lets you access your Stripe payouts early, providing quicker access to your funds for better cash flow management. Read our Novo business checking review to discover its key features and pricing. Why

Cash management accounts are held at non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), investment firms, fintechs, payment processors, or brokerages. Generally, those needing cash management accounts have other investments housed at these depositories, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit (CDs), or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Cash management accounts can be set up for personal or business use, depending on your needs. This product is used as an all-in-one general account that simultaneously acts as a checking account and a savings account. Most cash management accounts allow for deposits, withdrawals, debit card transactions, and the use of bill pay. Each institution has its own perks and benefits. It’s also a good way to monitor larger investments by linking cash management and investment accounts together through online portals. Here is a list of the best seven cash management accounts for 2025: Best overall for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large corporations: Ramp Ramp Business Corporation is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Bank deposit services provided by First Internet Bank of Indiana, Member FDIC. Securities products and brokerage services are provided by Apex Clearing Corporation. Apex Clearing Corporation is an SEC-registered broker-dealer, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Best for high-growth startups with substantial cash reserves: Mercury Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC. Treasury accounts are advised by Mercury Advisory LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“Mercury Advisory”), and are custodied by Apex Clearing Corporation, a registered broker dealer and Member FINRA/SIPC. Treasury accounts are not FDIC insured. High-liquidity, lower-risk portfolios are powered by J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley. Exclusively for Mercury account holders. Best for startups, growth-stage businesses, and world-class enterprises: Rho Rho is a financial technology company, not a bank. Checking account and card services are provided by Webster Bank, N.A., member FDIC. Savings account services are provided by American Deposit Management Co. and its partner banks. Securities based portfolios do not have FDIC insurance. Best for businesses operating online, eCommerce marketplaces, or those collecting peer-to-peer payments: Stripe Stripe Treasury Accounts are eligible for FDIC pass-through deposit insurance if they meet certain requirements. The accounts are eligible only to the extent pass-through insurance is permitted by the rules and regulations of the FDIC, and if the requirements for pass-through insurance are satisfied. The FDIC insurance applies up to 250,000 USD per depositor, per financial institution, for deposits held in the same ownership capacity. Stripe is not a federally insured deposit institution. FDIC insurance applies only in the event of the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Best for business and personal investors looking for a cash management account to keep investment funds and spendable funds separated: Fidelity Your tooltip content goes here. Best for individuals searching for a high-yield cash management account for short-term investments: Vanguard The Vanguard Cash Plus Account is a brokerage account offered by Vanguard Brokerage Services, a division of Vanguard Marketing Corporation, member FINRA and SIPC. Under the Sweep Program, Eligible Balances swept to Program Banks are not securities: they are not covered by SIPC, but are eligible for FDIC insurance, subject to applicable limits. Money market funds held in the account are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC, but are securities eligible for SIPC coverage. Best for individuals looking for an account with a high FDIC deposit limit across partner relationships and high APY: Wealthfront Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“Wealthfront Brokerage”), a Member of FINRA/SIPC. Neither Wealthfront Brokerage nor any of its affiliates are a bank, and Cash Account is not a checking or savings account. Funds are conveyed to partner banks that accept and maintain deposits, provide the interest rate, and provide FDIC insurance. Investment management and advisory services — which are not FDIC insured — are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC (“Wealthfront Advisers”), an SEC-registered investment adviser. Financial planning tools are provided by Wealthfront Software LLC (“Wealthfront”). The Stock Investing Account is a limited-discretion investment product offered by Wealthfront Advisers LLC. Best seven cash management accounts quick comparison If you’re searching for a fintech for general business banking needs and also looking for interest-earning options, you may want to consider Bluevine. For a full roundup of its features, you can read our Bluevine Business Checking Review. Ramp: best overall for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large corporations Image: Ramp Ramp Treasury is my top overall pick for a business cash management account with all the bells and whistles. It’s a unique account that allows investors to cut the wait time down significantly without the high fees. Many cash management accounts offer speed or no fees. With Ramp, you don’t have to choose. Compromise is not an option. It also has fully integrated workflows every step of the way and plenty of software integrations to make financial management a breeze. Why I chose it Ramp pays one of the highest APYs with the lowest risk on its cash management account. Currently, this rate is at 2.5% and is FDIC-backed by First Internet Bank of Indiana. It also has no fees, no minimum deposits, no transfer caps, unlimited ACH, and it can be linked to your investment accounts so you can see and manage all your finances from one login. Due to its relationship with partner banks and the Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) service provided by IntraFi, FDIC coverage can be extended up to tens of millions of dollars per depositor, as stated on its website. Features Free unlimited ACH High FDIC coverage through the ICS/IntraFi program High APY without risky investments Easy funds transfer through online portal Automatic alerts when funds are low or if the current balance will not cover bills Integrates with Ramp corporate cards Pros and cons Pros Cons No fees No minimum balance requirement Same-day ACH is free Automatic alerts No transfer caps Cash deposits not accepted Fewer banking products compared to traditional banks No physical locations Mercury: best for

Key takeaways: A POS system streamlines the transaction process and provides accurate, real-time data to improve business operations. The features of a modern POS system allow businesses to provide faster checkout and a variety of payment options for customers. The right POS system depends on the POS hardware, software, and payment processing tools that match your business requirements. The initial cost of POS systems can range from free to up to $2,000, depending on your chosen hardware setup, POS software features, and payment processing needs. What is a POS system? A point-of-sale (POS) system is a set of tools that allow businesses to process and complete transactions. It is a combination of hardware and software that captures and maintains updated records of all products (or services) and payment exchange at “the point of sale.” In the early days, businesses processed transactions using cash registers. Modern POS systems include business tools for reporting, inventory, and customer relationship management. They are also built to seamlessly integrate with additional features, such as staff and payroll management, loyalty and marketing, order fulfillment, and accounting. Types of POS systems POS systems can be categorized into: Legacy POS systems replaced the traditional cash register. Nowadays, they are primarily used for open-source POS that businesses can customize. Data is stored on-site in physical servers. Modern POS systems, developed by third-party providers, use software with less bulky proprietary hardware and/or popular mobile devices. POS data is stored on cloud-based servers, making it more accessible. For this guide, we focus on the four types of modern POS systems. Desktop POS Like its predecessors, the desktop or countertop POS setup consists of a cashier display, cash drawer, thermal printer, and payment terminal. It is set up at a fixed section of a brick-and-mortar store where customers line up to check out and pay for their purchases. A complete POS system from Lightspeed [Image: Lightspeed] Mobile POS A mobile POS system uses software that works on portable devices such as smartphones, tablets, and handheld POS terminals. An app-based POS can use either Android or iOS software. Of course, the iOS POS app works on iPhones and iPads, while the Android POS app can run on any Android tablet or smartphone. Alternatively, other mobile POS software was developed exclusively for proprietary handheld POS terminals. These all-in-one devices are equipped with a built-in screen, keypad, card reader (magstripe and NFC), barcode reader, and thermal receipt printer. Tablet stand and handheld POS from Square [Image: Square] See: Best Mobile POS Systems Self-service kiosk A self-service kiosk is an unmanned, fixed POS setup. Customers or sales staff can check out their purchases at the station. Self-service kiosks usually have a touch-screen display, payment terminal, and thermal receipt printer. There are optional barcode scanners and weighing scales, such as in supermarkets. Restaurant kiosk POS from Clover [Image: Clover] Multichannel POS A multichannel POS system comes with one POS software that operates on some or all the abovementioned types. A significant addition is the ecommerce channel, where the same POS software and payment gateway are built into an online platform (online POS system). Most multichannel POS also have omnichannel features that allow businesses to sync their POS data and access it from a single platform. See: 6 Best Cloud-based POS Systems Parts of a POS system There are three major components of a POS system. POS hardware The POS hardware captures and displays POS data. It comprises different parts that, together, complete the transaction process. Register: The register consists of a display and keyboard (like a desktop computer). The display shows the current activity being processed in the POS system, while the keyboard allows users to input or edit displayed data. Barcode scanner: The barcode scanner is an input device that captures inventory barcode data on products, which is then displayed on the register. Payment terminal: The payment terminal (also known as a POS terminal) captures the customer’s payment information via card reader methods (magstripe, EMV chip reader, NFC scanner) and a keypad for entering price or PIN code. Receipt printer: The receipt printer generates transaction slips that cashiers can issue to customers. It displays the complete transaction record, including the customer’s payment method and merchant information. Cash drawer: The cash drawer is integrated into the POS software, allowing the system to monitor cash transactions. Copies of transaction receipts for card payments are also stored in the cash drawer. Customer display: An optional customer-facing display shows the price and outstanding amount as products are scanned. Advanced models come with a card reader and an interface where customers can affix their signature or even leave feedback. POS software The POS software is the program that allows users to organize POS data, process sales, and generate reports. Equally important is the software’s ability to integrate other programs, particularly the payment processing service, to complete a POS transaction. POS software can be simple or industry-specific. The capabilities programmed into a POS software makes it possible to have different types of POS systems and platforms. POS payment processor The POS payment processor is an integral part of the POS system. Without this, it’s impossible to complete a customer’s transaction. The payment processing service is provided by a third party that can be integrated into POS software. Once connected, the payment software can receive transaction data and request payment from the customer’s source of funds (like a credit card). How does a POS system work? A POS system stores inventory data before any transactions with customers. Once this stage is complete, the systemise ready to process transactions. The diagram below shows how inventory and transaction data are processed in a POS system. During a transaction, the POS system uses hardware to capture transaction data while the software processes the information to accept payments. The integrated payment processor sends the entire transaction data to the customer’s bank to approve the payment. Once done, the POS software updates inventory data and creates a sales record. Features of a POS system Each part of

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