name: Melio FinOps Framework
description: >-
  FinOps cost management reference for the Melio Payments API, aligned with
  the FinOps Foundation FOCUS (FinOps Open Cost and Usage Specification) 1.0
  standard. Covers cost visibility, optimization, and governance for teams
  integrating the Melio B2B payments platform.
specificationVersion: "1.0"
focusVersion: "1.0"
url: https://meliopayments.com/pricing/
created: "2026-06-13"
modified: "2026-06-13"

provider:
  name: Melio
  url: https://meliopayments.com/
  category: B2B Payments / FinTech

costModel:
  type: Subscription + Transaction
  description: >-
    Melio uses a hybrid model combining monthly subscription fees with
    per-transaction fees. API access is available only on the Platinum
    (custom/invite-only) tier. Most transaction costs vary by payment
    method and delivery speed.

focusDimensions:
  - dimension: BilledCost
    description: Monthly subscription fee plus per-transaction fees incurred.
    components:
      - SubscriptionFee: Monthly plan fee (Go $0, Core $25, Boost $55, Unlimited $80, Platinum custom)
      - TransactionFee: Per-payment fee based on method and speed
      - UserFee: Additional user seats on Core and Boost plans ($10/user/month)

  - dimension: ListUnitPrice
    description: Published per-transaction prices before any volume discounts.
    examples:
      - ACH transfer: $0.50 per transaction (when over plan-included quota)
      - Check: $1.50 per transaction
      - Credit card: 2.9% of payment amount
      - Same-day wire: 1% (min $10, max $75)
      - International ACH: $20 flat

  - dimension: EffectiveUnitPrice
    description: >-
      Actual cost after plan-included free transactions. Core includes 20 free
      ACH/month, Boost includes 50 free ACH/month, Unlimited includes
      unlimited free ACH. Platinum customers receive custom negotiated pricing.

  - dimension: PricingCategory
    value: Subscription + On-Demand
    description: >-
      Base subscription unlocks included transaction allowances; additional
      usage is billed on-demand per transaction.

  - dimension: SkuId
    values:
      - go-free: Free tier, 1 user, 5 ACH/month
      - core-monthly: $25/month base
      - core-annual: $20/month billed annually
      - boost-monthly: $55/month base
      - boost-annual: $44/month billed annually
      - unlimited-monthly: $80/month base
      - unlimited-annual: $64/month billed annually
      - platinum-custom: Custom enterprise pricing

  - dimension: ServiceName
    value: Melio Payments API
    subServices:
      - ACH Payments
      - Check Payments
      - Wire Transfers
      - International Payments
      - Card Payments
      - Pay Over Time (Financing)
      - Accounts Receivable
      - Webhook Notifications

costOptimization:
  recommendations:
    - name: Annual Billing Discount
      description: >-
        Switch to annual billing to save 20% on subscription fees across
        Core ($25 to $20/month), Boost ($55 to $44/month), and Unlimited
        ($80 to $64/month) plans.
      savingsPotential: Up to 20%

    - name: Plan Right-Sizing
      description: >-
        Select the plan tier that matches your monthly ACH volume. If
        you send fewer than 5 ACH payments per month, the Go free plan
        suffices. If you send fewer than 20, Core is cost-efficient.
        At 50+ ACH payments, Boost or Unlimited reduces per-transaction
        overage costs.

    - name: ACH vs Card
      description: >-
        Prefer ACH transfers over credit card payments when timing allows.
        ACH costs $0.50 or is free (on higher tiers) versus 2.9% for credit
        card payments, representing significant savings on large invoices.

    - name: Batching Payments
      description: >-
        Use batch payments (available on Core and above) to consolidate
        multiple vendor payments into single runs, reducing operational
        overhead and ensuring efficient use of monthly ACH allowances.

    - name: Avoid Express Fees
      description: >-
        Fast check ($20) and overnight check ($50) add significant per-
        transaction fees. Plan payment schedules to use standard delivery
        and avoid premium delivery surcharges where possible.

governance:
  apiAccess:
    description: >-
      API access is gated behind the invite-only Platinum tier, requiring
      a partnership agreement. Internal governance should ensure API usage
      is tracked per the partnership agreement terms.
    tier: Platinum (invite-only, $300K+/month credit card volume)

  costAllocation:
    description: >-
      Assign Melio subscription and transaction costs to appropriate cost
      centers based on business unit, vendor category, or project. Use
      Melio's accounting software sync (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite) to
      map payments to GL accounts for accurate cost allocation.

  budgeting:
    description: >-
      Establish monthly budgets for subscription fees and estimated
      transaction volumes. Monitor ACH usage against plan-included quotas
      to anticipate overage charges. Account for international payment
      flat fees ($20 per transaction) in cross-border payment budgets.

  tagging:
    description: >-
      Map Melio payment categories to internal cost tags using accounting
      software integrations. Tag by vendor type, department, or project
      to enable granular FinOps reporting.

contact:
  - FN: Melio Partnerships (API/Enterprise)
    url: https://meliopayments.com/partners/
  - FN: Melio Support
    email: support@melio.com
    url: https://help.melio.com/hc/en-us