# Lithic vs Unit

Middleware solutions like Unit don’t provide the configurability serious card programs need to grow. Lithic's direct processing infrastructure gives you the control and flexibility to build without limitations.

Businesses that partnered with Lithic over Galileo.

## Compare key capabilities

The capabilities that inform your operations, program control, and developer experience.

- **Direct to Metal Connections**  
  Direct DEX connections to Visa, MIP connections to Mastercard, and American Express lower latency and points of failure.

- **Enterprise Scale**  
  100s of dedicated BINs and 25+ sponsor bank integrations. Clear Graduation Path to self-manage.

- **Authorization Intelligence**  
  Configurable rules across 25+ attributes with AI-powered rule creation, testing, and challenges.

Why our clients love Lithic. From lean startup teams to mature enterprises, businesses choose Lithic for best-in-class payments infrastructure.

### Mercury
> “Card programs look simple on the surface, but there's a lot of complexity underneath. What stood out with Lithic was the depth of their card expertise. They understand the edge cases, the tradeoffs, and the downstream impact of decisions, which makes it much easier for us to move quickly and build with confidence.”  
  
  
  
  **John Mason**  
  Senior Product Manager

### Atlas
> “From day one, the Lithic team felt like an extension of ours. Their platform handled the complexity, so we could focus on designing the best possible card experience. It's been a true partnership built on reliability and trust.