Explore and find the best business account for your company—compare features, fees, and benefits whether you’re a startup, freelancer, limited company, or growing business.
MoneyZoe is a free service for consumers. Everything we provide—comparison tools, research, news, articles, and reviews—is available at no cost to you. We may receive compensation from some of the companies featured on our website. In most cases, this means we earn a referral fee when you click a link, apply for a product, or sign up with one of our partners. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our work. We only recommend products and services we believe provide value. We strive to keep our information accurate and up to date, but we cannot guarantee that all content is complete or error-free. Please use the site for general information only. We also do not take responsibility for information provided on third-party websites we link to, including banners or ads. MoneyZoe is not involved in any transactions between you and third-party providers. If you have any questions about a company or partner mentioned on our site, feel free to contact us.
Tide lets you open a free business account in minutes with tools for payments, invoicing, and expense management. Enjoy no monthly fees, 24/7 in-app support, and FSCS protection. Earn up to 4.5% AER (variable) with Tide business savings. Depending on your plan or add-ons, you can access Tide Payroll, Tide Accounting, and order a Tide Card Reader.
Multicurrency Support: Tide currently supports payments in GBP and EUR only. Payments in other currencies are rejected. GBP can be received from over 200 countries via SWIFT. Foreign currency card transactions can be made, with FX fees of 2.75% for the free account and 0% for other accounts.
Accounting Integrations: Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, FreeAgent, Kashflow, Crunch and ClearBooks.
Tide Accounting Plans: Flexible options for small businesses and sole traders:
Free – Tide Accounting From From £13.99, send 3 free invoices/month Smart – Tide Accounting From From £13.99, send 3 free invoices/month Pro – Tide Accounting free, send 3 free invoices/month Max – Admin Extra free, unlimited invoices
Cash deposits at the Post Office
Free account: 0.99% (minimum £2.50)
Smart: 0.5% (minimum £2.50)
Pro: 0.5% (minimum £2.50)
Max: 0.5% (minimum £2.50)
Eligible business types: Sole Traders and Limited Companies.
CountingUp combines a business account with built-in accounting and a free 3-month trial. Create invoices, accept card payments, and track late payments automatically. SmartTax AI categorises transactions, estimates tax, and flags tax allowances to save you money. File VAT to HMRC, store receipts, and connect your accountant directly.
1st Tier (3£/monthly) : Total monthly Deposit in £0-£750 2nd Tier (9£/monthly): Total monthly Deposit in £750-£7,500 3rd Tier (18£/monthly): Total monthly Deposit in £7,500+
Cash deposits:
Post Office Cash Load: 0.5% (minimum £2)
Cash Load (PriceSpecification): 3%
Accounting Integrations: Users can connect their accountant directly to their account via the Countingup Accountant Hub, allowing the accountant to access their data.
Multicurrency Support: Countingup accounts don’t currently have an IBAN, so international bank transfers cannot be sent or received directly from the account. However, with the Countingup Member Offer via CurrencyFair, users get 15% off exchange margins, with rates up to 8× cheaper than banks. You can exchange over 20 currencies to 150 countries. Foreign currency card transactions incur a 3% fee per transaction.
Eligible business types: Sole Traders and Limited Companies.
ANNA Money is a business account for startups, freelancers, creatives, and growing businesses. It offers instant invoicing, automatic reconciliation, and smart money management tools. You get a debit card, virtual cards, and up to 40% cashback on 150+ products. Includes international payments with a dedicated IBAN, pots, extra expense cards, and cash deposits at 28,000+ locations.
Accounting Integrations: Share access with your accountant or sync with accounting software like Xero and Sage Cloud
Multicurrency Support: Thanks to Railsr and Currencycloud, ANNA lets you send and receive international payments via SWIFT and SEPA. You can set up a multicurrency IBAN, hold funds in USD, EUR, or CHF, and benefit from low-cost SEPA transfers across Europe. Currency conversion fees are up to 1% per transfer.
International Payments (FX Fees):
Pay As You Go: SWIFT payments: £5 each, Currency conversion fee: 1%
Business: 2 free SWIFT payments/month, then £5 each, Currency conversion fee: 1%
Big Business: 4 free SWIFT payments/month, then £5 each, Currency conversion fee: 0.5%
Eligible business types: Sole Traders, Limited Companies and LLP
Airwallex is a financial services company and offers a global multi-currency account with local details to receive payments worldwide. Make fast, low-cost international transfers and access flexible corporate cards for global spending. Connect easily with major software tools and manage FX at competitive rates. Ideal for businesses operating across borders. Their Explore plan* is free if you keep £10k in deposits or balance — otherwise, it costs £19/month.
Multicurrency Support: Airwallex offers fast, cost-effective international money transfers, allowing businesses to pay suppliers and employees in 200+ countries and regions across 60+ currencies. Payments can be received in as little as one business day, with the full amount on delivery guaranteed. Users have access to interbank FX rates, ensuring competitive pricing with no hidden fees, and can streamline payments using batch transfers to send funds to multiple recipients in a single transaction.
Eligible business types:Sole Trader, Limited Companies, LLP and LP
Wise Business is built for companies operating internationally, offering low-cost global payments, local bank details in multiple currencies, and fast transfers. You can invoice clients abroad, pay suppliers efficiently, and manage team spending with full control. The account is designed to simplify international finance while keeping fees transparent.
💼 One-time account opening fee – £45
✅ Domestic bank transfers (UK) – Free
🌍 International transfers – From 0.33% + a small fixed fee
🏧 ATM withdrawals up to £200/month – Free (up to 2 withdrawals)
💳 ATM withdrawals over £200/month – £0.50 + 1.75% per withdrawal
Multicurrency Support: Multicurrency is at the core of Wise Business accounts. You can hold and convert over 40 currencies, and receive local account details in 22 currencies (EUR IBAN, US routing number, GBP account number, and more) so you can invoice and get paid like a local. Send fast global payments, automate batch transfers, and benefit from real mid-market exchange rates. The account includes a multi-currency card for international spending and supports team spending controls and interest-earning balances.
Eligible business types: sole traders and freelancers, limited and public companies, partnerships, charities and trusts in the European Economic Area (EEA), Canada, US, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand
Everest provides modern Mastercard credit cards with instant issuance and full online management. Enjoy digital receipt uploads, real-time expense reports, and detailed transaction oversight. You can freeze cards instantly, manage team spending, and streamline workflows. Includes exclusive Mastercard Airport Security Fast Track access.
Here are the key costs to know:
💶 Monthly subscription – €20/month (includes 3 virtual or physical cards)
🏦 Bank transfers (EUR/SEPA, including UK)*: – Incoming: ✅ Free – Outgoing: 0.3% (min. €1)
🌍 FX fees (non-EUR card transactions) – 0.50%
🏧 ATM withdrawals – €2 + 2% per transaction
💳 Extra cards – €5/month per additional card
📥 Non-SEPA transfers – Incoming: €15 / Outgoing: €30
🧾 Account opening fee – €250(for Luxembourg-registered companies and holding companies in the EEA)
Accounting Integrations:Users can export all historical data to a CSV file and import it into their accounting software.
Multicurrency Support: Everest provides a EUR business account with a dedicated LU IBAN, allowing smooth SEPA transfers across Europe. While you can make and receive international payments, the account does not support holding multiple currencies — all balances remain in EUR, with foreign payments converted when required. This makes Everest suitable for EU-based businesses operating primarily in euros rather than those needing a full multi-currency wallet.
Ampere offers fast onboarding with safeguarded funds and FCA-regulated protection. Get GBP and EUR accounts, low FX rates from 0.35%, and secure UK Faster Payments & SEPA transfers. Access merchant accounts with twice-weekly settlements, apply for business loans up to £500k, and enjoy responsive phone and email support. Designed as an all-in-one financial service for growing businesses.
Accounting Integrations: Ampere doesn’t offer direct accounting software integration, but it allows businesses to add team members or accountants individually, giving them access to view transactions and download data without granting full control.
Multicurrency Support: Ampere lets businesses hold, send, and receive multiple currencies — GBP, EUR, USD, and CHF — all under the same account, without forced conversions. You can make international payments via SWIFT, SEPA, UK Faster Payments, or other local rails depending on the currency and destination. Exchange rates and FX margins are transparent and fixed: 0.35% for GBP/EUR and 0.55% for USD/CHF.
Eligible business types:Limited Companies and LLP and LP
MultiPass provides multi-currency virtual IBANs with local UK, EU, and US account details. Send and receive payments in 70+ currencies across 200+ countries with wholesale FX rates. Manage up to 15 business cards (virtual or physical), fully online, with real-time controls. Exchange currencies instantly and keep multi-currency balances to avoid unnecessary conversions.
Accounting Integrations: MultiPass does not currently offer a direct accounting-software integration, but it allows businesses to add team members (e.g., accountants) individually, assigning them view-only or limited permissions so they can access transaction history and financial data. Additionally, users can export account statements and CSV files, enabling manual import into accounting software.
Multicurrency Support: Multicurrency is at the core of a Multipass account, allowing businesses to send, receive, and hold multiple currencies in the same account. Payments can be made via SWIFT or 20+ local payment methods. Exchange rates are fixed and transparent, with fees that can be waived depending on transaction volumes, making international payments and currency management straightforward.
Eligible business types: Limited Companies, LP and LLP
MultiPass Global Business Account Pricing
Free: Online banking, relationship manager, extra IBANs
Onboarding: From £500 (one-time account setup)
Monthly Fee: From £100 (for account maintenance) + Card £10/month
Minimum Balance: Must maintain 3× monthly fee, or pay £100/month
UK Transfers: Free incoming, £1 outgoing
SEPA Transfers: €2 incoming, from 0.10% outgoing
SWIFT Transfers: £20–£60
Extra Fees: £500 for missing documents; account closure from 3× monthly fee
Tide is a comprehensive business finance platform that serves over 10% of all SMEs in the UK. The platform helps more than 1 million contractors, freelancers, and scaling businesses worldwide manage their finances efficiently. Tide offers an all-in-one solution for business banking and financial management. Users can open a free business account in minutes and access powerful finance management tools. The platform aims to help business owners focus on what they love by simplifying financial operations.
Open your business account completely free with no setup costs or hidden charges
Make and receive payments faster using integrated payment tools
Manage business expenses and create invoices all in one place
Get 24/7 in-app chat support with FSCS protection and no monthly fees
ANNA is a business banking service designed specifically for small businesses and limited companies. You can open an account in under 10 minutes and receive a physical card within 3-4 days. The service includes expense management, invoicing tools, and tax handling features. ANNA provides both virtual and physical debit cards for immediate use. Over 100,000 business owners currently use their services.
Multiple card options – Get a virtual card instantly when you sign up, plus a physical card delivered in a few days. You can also provide employee cards with spending limits to avoid expense reimbursements.
Built-in tax management – ANNA automatically calculates VAT returns, Corporation Tax, and PAYE, then files directly to HMRC. The system includes bookkeeping assistance and integrates with accounting software like Xero and Sage.
Cashback and payment features – Earn up to 40% cashback on select business expenses like travel and furniture. Accept payments through invoices, QR codes, or payment links, and make international transfers with competitive currency conversion rates.
Automatic expense tracking – Take photos of receipts or forward them by email, and ANNA automatically matches them to your transactions. All expenses get categorized for tax purposes and stored digitally for easy searching and exporting.
Countingup combines a business bank account with accounting software in one simple app. You can open an account in minutes and get a contactless Mastercard with all the usual banking details. The app automatically handles your bookkeeping by categorizing transactions and capturing receipts. It also creates profit and loss reports and estimates your tax obligations. Plus, you can send invoices directly through the app and get real-time business insights.
Flexible pricing based on your deposits – Monthly fees range from £3-£18 depending on how much money goes into your account, so costs adjust with your business performance
Complete financial picture in one place – Get instant profit and loss reports, tax estimates, and invoice tracking without switching between different apps or systems
Quick setup with full banking features – Apply in 3-4 minutes using just ID and a selfie, then receive your contactless Mastercard with sort code and account number
Built-in automation saves time – Transactions get categorized automatically, receipts are captured through your phone, and invoices can be created and sent in seconds
Ampere provides an all-in-one financial service designed specifically for businesses. The platform allows UK and EEA registered companies to open business accounts quickly through their mobile app. Users get complete control over their funds with access to low exchange rates and fast transactions. The service includes business banking, corporate cards, payment processing, and loan options. Currently, only UK and EU-based directors with properly registered enterprises can apply for accounts.
Account Setup and Fees: Business accounts cost £35 to set up (includes first month maintenance and card delivery) with £20 monthly maintenance, while private accounts cost £25 to set up with £10 monthly maintenance.
Transaction Costs: Local transfers in GBP and EUR are free, international SWIFT transfers cost £25, and currency exchange rates are 0.35% for GBP/EUR and 0.55% for USD/CHF
Corporate Card Pricing: Card transactions are free with no monthly fees, but ATM withdrawals cost 2% + £1.50, foreign currency transactions have 0.55% markup, and replacement cards for lost/stolen cost £15
Payment Processing Rates: Merchant services start from IC++0.35% for low-risk businesses in GBP/EUR/USD, with no setup fees and rolling reserves of 5-10% held for 120 days depending on risk level
Business Loan Options: Available after 3 months of trading with Ampere, offering up to double your monthly turnover, flexible repayment terms, and funding within 2 business days once approved
Airwallex Business Account provides companies with a single platform to manage international payments and finances. Businesses can open multi-currency accounts with local bank details across different countries without traditional banking paperwork. The platform allows companies to send and receive money globally at interbank exchange rates with transparent pricing. Organizations get corporate cards that operate in multiple currencies and integrate with existing accounting systems. It eliminates the need for multiple banking relationships and expensive traditional transfer services.
Global Multi-Currency Accounts: Companies can open business accounts with local bank details in 120+ countries and receive payments in customers’ preferred currencies, avoiding forced conversion fees and lengthy setup processes.
Interbank FX Rates: Businesses access wholesale exchange rates typically reserved for large banks, with transparent pricing and no hidden charges on international transfers and currency conversions.
Corporate Card Management: Organizations can issue unlimited virtual and physical Visa cards to employees with real-time spending limits, automatic expense categorization, and direct payment from multi-currency wallet balances.
Batch Transfer Operations: Companies can send payments to up to 1,000 recipients across different countries and currencies simultaneously, with customizable approval workflows and automatic accounting software integration.
Local Payment Network: Businesses use Airwallex’s proprietary network to operate like local companies anywhere in the world, with faster settlement times and lower costs than traditional correspondent banking relationships.
Monthly Fee
£19
£0/month if you deposit at least £10k per month or hold a minimum balance of £10k
The Everest Business Account offers companies a modern banking solution with a 20€ monthly fee. It targets businesses registered in Luxembourg or other EEA holding companies. The account comes with three Mastercard credit cards included in the base price. Companies can manage everything through an online dashboard with real-time controls. Additional cards cost just 5€ each when teams need to expand.
Optional account opening fee of 250€ applies only for Luxembourg companies and EEA holding companies that choose this service
The service provides true credit cards rather than debit cards, offering 35-day grace periods and flexible repayment options up to 45 days
Users get exclusive Mastercard Airport Security Fast Track access and can access over 1,000 airport lounges in more than 120 countries
The platform includes automated expense management with receipt scanning, spending limits per card, and CSV export for accounting purposes
Monthly Fee
€20
Bank Transfers
SEPA €0
Outgoing: 0.3% of the volume (minimum fee applied: 1€)
Wise offers business accounts that help companies manage money across different countries without the usual banking hassles. You get real exchange rates and transparent fees for everything you do. The account works like a regular business account but handles multiple currencies easily. You can send payments worldwide, receive money from customers, and give your team spending cards. Setting up takes minutes and there are no monthly charges to worry about.
Multiple currency accounts – Hold and manage money in over 40 currencies from one account, with free conversions between balances you already have
International payments from 0.33% – Send money to 70+ countries with upfront fees and real exchange rates, no hidden markups or surprise charges
Free business debit cards – Give your team cards that work worldwide without foreign transaction fees, plus set individual spending limits for each card
Local account details in 23 currencies – Get bank details that let customers pay you like a local business, even when they’re on the other side of the world
MultiPass is a digital banking solution designed for businesses that need to handle international payments and multi-currency transactions. The platform provides virtual IBANs for different regions including the UK, EU, and US. Companies can manage their finances across 70+ currencies from a single dashboard. MultiPass also offers corporate cards and batch payment features for streamlined business operations. The service aims to simplify cross-border banking for growing businesses.
Multi-currency accounts – Businesses receive dedicated account details for UK (sort code and account number), EU (IBAN), and US (routing and account number) to accept local payments from customers in each region.
Corporate card management – Companies can issue up to 15 virtual or physical Mastercard business cards to employees, with full online control over issuing, blocking, and spending limits.
Wholesale exchange rates – The platform offers bank-beating currency conversion rates with instant 24/7 exchange capabilities between the 70+ supported currencies.
Batch payment processing – Businesses can upload CSV files to send multiple international payments at once, with team-based approval workflows for accounting staff and executives
A business bank account supports your company’s financial operations in the UK. Studies indicate 65% of small businesses experience financial management issues. Selecting the appropriate business bank account reduces these difficulties through dedicated business banking tools and services.
Making the Right Choice for Your UK Business
UK regulations require limited companies to use a business bank account for all company transactions. This guide helps you select a business bank account that matches your company’s needs in 2025.
Our research examines:
Interest rates and fees
Online banking features
Mobile app capabilities
Transaction limits
UK-based customer support
Integration with UK accounting software
We analyzed leading UK business bank accounts to create this guide. The information helps you compare different accounts and select one that fits your business requirements.
Our comparison includes both traditional UK high street banks and digital challengers. Each option offers distinct benefits for different types of businesses, from sole traders to large corporations.
Business banking impacts:
Daily financial management
Payment processing
Expense tracking
Tax compliance
Business growth potential
What This Guide Covers
This guide presents detailed reviews of UK business bank accounts. We examine account features, costs, and benefits to help you make an informed choice.
The analysis includes:
Account opening requirements for UK companies
Monthly fee structures
Transaction allowances
International payment options
Integration with HMRC services
Mobile and online banking features
Essential Factors for UK Business Bank Account Selection
The choice of a business bank account affects your daily operations and financial management. Consider these key elements when selecting your account:
Account Opening Process
UK business bank accounts require specific documentation during setup:
Companies House registration documents
VAT registration (if applicable)
Proof of UK business address
Directors’ identification documents
Annual company turnover details
Most UK banks restrict account access to UK residents who serve as company directors. Some businesses face limitations, including holding companies, dissolved entities, and companies in liquidation.
Software Integration
Modern business bank accounts connect with UK business software:
Xero accounting platform
FreeAgent business management
QuickBooks financial tracking
Companies House direct filing
HMRC Making Tax Digital services
These connections automate financial data flows and reduce manual tasks. Regular updates ensure continued compatibility with new software versions.
Customer Service Standards
UK business banking support varies between providers:
Service hours for phone support
Response time guarantees
In-app chat functions
Branch access options
Dedicated account managers
Digital banks often provide 24/7 support through apps, while traditional banks offer branch-based services during business hours.
Financial Management Tools
Account features help track business spending:
Real-time transaction updates
Automated expense categories
Digital receipt storage
Spending analysis reports
Budget tracking systems
Multi-user access controls
These tools create accurate financial records for tax filing and business planning.
Security Systems
UK business accounts include security measures:
Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)
Payment verification steps
Fraud detection systems
Transaction monitoring
Data encryption
Regular security updates
Banks follow FCA guidelines and UK data protection laws to protect business accounts.
Additional Services
Consider extra features that support business growth:
International payment services
Currency exchange rates
Merchant payment processing
Credit facilities
Business insurance options
Savings accounts
Choose services that match your current needs while supporting future expansion.
Best Free Business Bank Accounts in the UK for 2025
Tide Business Account
Tide provides a basic business account without monthly fees. The account includes:
Digital banking through mobile and web platforms
Account details delivery within 24 hours of approval
Integration with Xero and QuickBooks accounting software
FSCS protection up to £120,000
Contactless business debit card
Account features support standard business transactions and digital banking needs. Tide focuses on fast account setup and digital accessibility.
Free Business Bank Account Comparison 2025: Fees and Features
Each UK business bank account offers different services, fees, and features. The following comparison shows the specific details of free business bank accounts to help select the right one for your business needs.
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Monthly Fee£0Bank Transfers20pATM withdrawals£1FX Fees2.75%FSCS ProtectionYes
Monthly Fee£0*Bank TransfersFreeATM withdrawals–FX Fees0.5% – 1%FSCS ProtectionNo
