Compare start up
business Accounts
Whether you’re launching your first venture or scaling up, we provide clear comparisons of the top startup accounts, focusing on key features like fee-free banking and online tools.
Promoted Accounts – February 2025
29 Products Compared
-
Monthly Fee
£15 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
20 free per month20 free per month, then 20p per transfer -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash deposits via Post Office (0.5% fee, minimum £2.50) and PayPoint (3% fee)
Product Features
- Create and send invoices for free
- Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
- 1 free expense card included
Eligibility Criteria
- For registered business account: you must be registered with UK Companies House as a director of that company or partnership
- For sole trader account: you must be a UK based sole trader/freelancer
- For all accounts: you must be aged 18+, have a valid UK phone number and address, and hold compatible device registered to a UK App or Google Play store
*Complete the application and spend £500 within 60 days of opening your account to receive a £150 cashback from TIDE. Enter code 150BOOST when you sign up. T&C apply.
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeDirect debits, Faster Payments, BACS: Free | CHAPS and International payments: Fees apply -
Overdraft
Rate is negotiable. -
Access
App/Online/Branch
Product Features
- Free day-to-day online business banking (excluding CHAPS and international payments)
- Earn 0.25% Cashback on debit card purchases. Terms and exclusions apply
- Manage all your business data in one place using Virgin Money’s M-Track insights platform. Link up your business to market leading tools, such as Sage, Xero, Google, Shopify and more, to track them from one simple dashboard
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for eligible businesses with up to £1m annual turnover
- Must be based and operated in the UK (excluding Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland)
- All owners, directors, senior managers and account signatories must be over 18 years old
*excluding CHAPS and international payments
Show More Products From Virgin Money M AccountShow Fewer Products From Virgin Money M Account
-
Monthly Fee
FreeNo monthly fee for first 25 months, then £6.50 thereafter -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeNo fees for first 25 months, excludes international and CHAPS payments -
Overdraft
Rate is negotiable. -
Access
App/Online/Branch
Product Features
- Debit Card Cashback – automatically earn up to £500 per calendar year when using your Debit Card for purchases. Some exclusions apply
- If you’re a new business or just new to Virgin Money, you could qualify for 25 months free day-to-day banking when you open or switch to this business current account
- Digital Money Management Tools – helping you manage cash flow, budgets and invoices
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for eligible businesses with up to £6.5m annual turnover
- Must be based and operated in the UK (excluding Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland)
- All owners, directors, senior managers and account signatories must be over 18 years old
25 months’ fee free day-to-day banking
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
5 free per month- 5 free local transfers per month, then 20p thereafter
- International transfers: £5
-
Overdraft
-
Access
App/OnlineNo cash or cheque facilities
Product Features
- Multi-currency accounts – recieve payments and exchange in 25+ currencies
- Control and monitor team spending with multiple debit and virtual cards, manage permissions and levels of access and more
- Various payment facilities including Tap to Pay on iPhone (fees apply)
- International payments – Send and receive money from 200 countries
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for limited companies, PLCs, LLPs, Partnerships & unlimited companies
- Currently available for companies registered in and with a physical presence within the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, UK and US
Revolut is not a fully licensed bank in the UK. Your money is held in a safeguarded account with a regulated bank or high quality liquid assets. Your savings are deposited with partner banks and eligible deposits are protected up to £85k per bank.
*Monthly plan subscription fees will automatically apply after the trial period.
*Monthly plan subscription fees will automatically apply after the trial period.
Show More Products From RevolutShow Fewer Products From Revolut
-
Monthly Fee
£79 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
1,000 free per month- 1000 free local transfers per month, then 20p thereafter
- International transfers: £5
-
Overdraft
-
Access
App/OnlineNo cash or cheque facilities
Product Features
- Multi-currency accounts – recieve payments and exchange in 25+ currencies
- Control and monitor team spending with multiple debit and virtual cards, manage permissions and levels of access and more
- Various payment facilities including Tap to Pay on iPhone (fees apply)
- Earn annual interest daily with a linked business savings account
- 2 complimentary metal cards
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for limited companies, PLCs, LLPs, Partnerships & unlimited companies
- Currently available for companies registered in and with a physical presence within the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, UK and US
Revolut is not a fully licensed bank in the UK. Your money is held in a safeguarded account with a regulated bank or high quality liquid assets. Your savings are deposited with partner banks and eligible deposits are protected up to £85k per bank.
*Monthly plan subscription fees will automatically apply after the trial period.
*Monthly plan subscription fees will automatically apply after the trial period.
-
Monthly Fee
£19 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
100 free per month- 100 free local transfers per month, then 20p thereafter
- International transfers: £5
-
Overdraft
-
Access
App/OnlineNo cash or cheque facilities
Product Features
- Multi-currency accounts – recieve payments and exchange in 25+ currencies
- Control and monitor team spending with multiple debit and virtual cards, manage permissions and levels of access and more
- Various payment facilities including Tap to Pay on iPhone (fees apply)
- Earn annual interest daily with a linked business savings account
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for limited companies, PLCs, LLPs, Partnerships & unlimited companies
- Currently available for companies registered in and with a physical presence within the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, UK and US
Revolut is not a fully licensed bank in the UK. Your money is held in a safeguarded account with a regulated bank or high quality liquid assets. Your savings are deposited with partner banks and eligible deposits are protected up to £85k per bank.
*Monthly plan subscription fees will automatically apply after the trial period.
*Monthly plan subscription fees will automatically apply after the trial period.
-
Monthly Fee
£8.50*12 months free, £8.50 per month thereafter -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
100 electronic payments out free per month***- *UK Bank Transfers out – First 100 electronic payments out free.
- UK Bank Transfers in – Free.
-
Overdraft
Subject to status and credit checks -
Access
Full
Product Features
- Digital banking with no account fee for 12 months*
- Free invoicing and accounting software available to business account holders. T&Cs Apply**
- Bank in whatever way suits your business – online, with our mobile app, over the phone or in branch
- Support from our UK-based relationship team
Eligibility Criteria
- To qualify for this account you need to be a sole trader, partner or company director
- You must have a turnover of less than £25m
- Must be 18 years old or over
- Must not already have a Lloyds Bank business account for this business
- Credit facility: Debit interest is charged monthly and monthly usage or annual fees will apply depending on your credit limit. Unauthorised borrowing charges will apply.
- All lending is subject to status. Security may be required. A guarantee may be required for Limited Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships
*After 12 months, there’s a monthly fee of £8.50. Some fees and transaction charges will apply as soon as the account is open. This offer only applies to the business’s first current account
**You must be registered for Online for Business or Commercial Banking Online. UK based businesses only
***100 electronic payments out free per month, 20p thereafter
**You must be registered for Online for Business or Commercial Banking Online. UK based businesses only
***100 electronic payments out free per month, 20p thereafter
Show More Products From Lloyds BankShow Fewer Products From Lloyds Bank
-
Monthly Fee
Free**Free banking means no account maintenance fee and all day-to-day, standard transactions are free on your primary current account, any additional or secondary accounts will be charged in line with the Small Business Banking Account. -
Card Purchases
FreeNon-Sterling Transaction fee – 2.99% of the
sterling amount of the transaction, minimum
£3. Cash Fee – 2.99% of the amount advanced,
minimum £3. -
Bank Transfers
Free- Direct Debits & Internal Transfers: Free
- CHAPS: £20 to another HSBC Group bank
account, £30 to a non-HSBC Group bank
account via by phone or in-branch banking.
-
Overdraft
-
Access
FullOnline, app, call, branch, Post Office®
Product Features
- Free banking for 12 months*, £8 thereafter
- Free accounting tools to stay on top of invoices, cashflow and tax.
- Business borrowing solutions to suit you. T&Cs and fees apply.
Eligibility Criteria
- Sole traders, limited companies, unlimited companies, partnerships, limited liability partnerships and non-charitable clubs/associations/societies can all apply
- Must be a tax resident in the UK but not the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
- The HSBC Small Business Bank Account is for small businesses with a maximum turnover of £6.5million
*Free banking means no account maintenance fee and all day-to-day, standard transactions are free on your primary current account, any additional or secondary accounts will be charged in line with the Small Business Banking Account.
Show More Products From HSBCShow Fewer Products From HSBC
-
Monthly Fee
£25 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
Free -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online/Phone- Postal facility for cheques
- Cash paid in at PayPoint (£1 fee)
Product Features
- Expense Cards
- Bulk Payments
- Access for up to 15 team members
- Set payment approval limits
- Plus everything included in our Pro and Lite accounts
Eligibility Criteria
- First 6 team members are included with Team Account, then it’s an extra £5/month per team member.
- Only sole traders or limited company directors in the UK can apply.
- Monzo Business Team starts from £25/month. Ts&Cs apply.
Monzo Business Team customers get the cloud accounting platform for 8 months free, up to £472 value.
*Limited time offer, apply by 31 March 2025. After that, Team starts at £25 a month. New customers only. Ts&Cs apply.
*Limited time offer, apply by 31 March 2025. After that, Team starts at £25 a month. New customers only. Ts&Cs apply.
-
Monthly Fee
£9 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
Free -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online/Phone- Postal facility for cheques
- Cash paid in at PayPoint (£1 fee)
Product Features
- Automatically put money aside for tax
- Connect accounting tools
- Auto-export transactions, invoices and statements
- Virtual cards, access for 3 team members, invoicing and more
- Plus everything included in our Lite Account
Eligibility Criteria
- Only sole traders or limited company directors in the UK can apply.
- Monzo Business Pro is £9/month. Ts&Cs apply.
Monzo Business Pro customers get the cloud accounting platform for 6 months free, up to £354 value.
*Limited time offer, apply by 31 March 2025. After that, Pro is £9 a month. New customers only. Ts&Cs apply.
*Limited time offer, apply by 31 March 2025. After that, Pro is £9 a month. New customers only. Ts&Cs apply.
-
Monthly Fee
Free*£19 p/month or £0 p/month if you deposit at least £10,000 per month or hold a minimum balance of £10,000. -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeSWIFT payments vary £10-£20 -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online
Product Features
- Open multiple accounts per entity. Collect and hold in 20+ currencies
- Expense management for cards and reimbursements
- Free local transfers to 120+ countries and domestic transfers. Access to interbank FX rates and batch transfers
- Multi-currency and employee cards with zero international fees
- Includes 5 free employee card users and up to 10 company cards
- Online card and local payment method acceptance globally
- Bank feeds sync with Xero. ApprovalMax, WorkflowMax by BlueRock Integrations
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Be a sole trader, partner in a partnership, or company
- Your business is registered in the UK. More markets are available with different Airwallex entities. Details can be found on the Airwallex website.
*10% cashback on your first $1,000 USD equivalent in eligible international card spend.
Show More Products From AirwallexShow Fewer Products From Airwallex
-
Monthly Fee
Custom**contact sales for custom pricing -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeSWIFT payments vary £10-£20 -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online
Product Features
- High-volume businesses
- Custom API implementations
- Embedded finance integrations to launch your own financial products
- Dedicated account management support
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Be a sole trader, partner in a partnership, or company
- Your business is registered in the UK. More markets are available with different Airwallex entities. Details can be found on the Airwallex website.
*10% cashback on your first $1,000 USD equivalent in eligible international card spend.
-
Monthly Fee
£999 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeSWIFT payments vary £10-£20 -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online
Product Features
- Consolidated Finances across global entities
- Single sign-on (coming soon)
- Netsuite integration including expenses and bills sync
- HRIS platform integrations (coming soon)
- Dedicated account manager and onboarding support
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Be a sole trader, partner in a partnership, or company
- Your business is registered in the UK. More markets are available with different Airwallex entities. Details can be found on the Airwallex website.
*10% cashback on your first $1,000 USD equivalent in eligible international card spend.
-
Monthly Fee
£49**One month free trial -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeSWIFT payments vary £10-£20 -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online
Product Features
- 5 free active spend users per month and up to 50 free company cards
- Track cards and reimbursements with Expense Management
- Manage domestic and international bills with Bill Pay
- Automated receipt and bill data extraction and customisable, multi-layer spend approvals
- Xero expenses and bills integration
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Be a sole trader, partner in a partnership, or company
- Your business is registered in the UK. More markets are available with different Airwallex entities. Details can be found on the Airwallex website.
*10% cashback on your first $1,000 USD equivalent in eligible international card spend.
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
Free -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online/Phone- Postal facility for cheques
- Cash paid in at PayPoint (£1 fee)
Product Features
- Free, instant UK bank transfers
- 24/7 customer support
- Mobile and web access
- The Monzo banking essentials
Eligibility Criteria
- Only sole traders or limited company directors in the UK can apply. Ts&Cs apply.
*Limited time offer, apply by 31 March 2025. After that, Pro is £9 a month & Team starts at £25 a month. New customers only. Ts&Cs apply.
Show More Products From MonzoShow Fewer Products From Monzo
-
Monthly Fee
FreePlus a one-off card issue fee of £9.95 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
3 free per month3 free per month, then 35p thereafter -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash paid in via Post Office (0.5% fee)
Product Features
- 24/7 app and online account facilities
- FSCS protection – up to £85,000
- UK-based customer services team
- Invoicing tools that allow you to create and send invoices easily
Eligibility Criteria
- Available to UK registered companies or UK-based sole traders
- Application made by UK Director
- UK Director 18 years old plus
Show More Products From ZemplerShow Fewer Products From Zempler
-
Monthly Fee
Free**£50 per year -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
Free -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online
Product Features
- Budgeting tools
- Manage multiple currencies
- Make tax preparation easy
Eligibility Criteria
- Available to Limited Companies, Sole Traders and Partnerships
- You must be 18+ and a UK resident.
Show More Products From Equals Money StartUpShow Fewer Products From Equals Money StartUp
-
Monthly Fee
Custom**Prices based on volumes. Contact Equals Money Sales to find out more. -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
Free -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online
Product Features
- Dedicated account management and compliance resource will support you through onboarding
- 38 different currencies
- Multi currency IBAN
- Faster settlements
Eligibility Criteria
- Available to Limited Companies, Sole Traders and Partnerships
- You must be 18+ and a UK resident.
-
Monthly Fee
Free**£50 per year -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
Free -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online
Product Features
- Use up to 100 physical cards
- Unlimited users, no monthly fees
- £10 per physical card – one-off fee but free virtual cards
- Free to use in 20 major currencies
Eligibility Criteria
- Available to Limited Companies, Sole Traders and Partnerships
- You must be 18+ and a UK resident.
-
Monthly Fee
FreeFree for 12 months, £5 per month thereafter -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeFees apply for cash, CHAPS, SWIFT and SEPA transactions. -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online
Product Features
- 2.50% AER variable (2.47% gross p.a.) for balances up to and including £25,000, and 0.25% AER variable on balances above £25,000 (0.25% gross p.a.).
- Make international payments in up to seven major currencies, with option to open EUR or USD accounts.
- Customise workflows for account management and transaction approvals requiring more than one account user to sign-off.
- Bulk payment processing.
- Online application for businesses with up to 10 directors.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a sole trader, partnership, limited liability partnership (LLP) or limited company (LTD)
- Must be registered and eligible to pay tax in the UK
- Have a maximum of 10 directors
*The £5 monthly fee is waived for 12 months for new Business Current Account openings. The offer is available for a limited time only. Cynergy Bank reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any time. T&Cs apply.
Show More Products From Cynergy BankShow Fewer Products From Cynergy Bank
-
Monthly Fee
£12.50Plus one-off £55 application fee -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
From 30p- Direct Debits: 30p
- Faster Payments (next day online): 30p
- Faster Payments (instant online): £7.50
- CHAPS: £30
-
Overdraft
-
Access
App/OnlinePay in cash and cheques via Barclays branches
Product Features
- No credit checks or signatures required
- Up to 4 additional cards for business use
- UK-based customer support.
- International payments in a range of currencies
Eligibility Criteria
- Available to Limited Companies, Sole Traders and Partnerships
- Your business must be registered in the UK and have an annual turnover of less than £2m
- You must be 18+ and a UK resident. Card One Money need to be able to verify your identity & residency.
- Card One Money is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. See product FAQs for more info
Open an account on the same day you apply with no credit checks.
Show More Products From Card One MoneyShow Fewer Products From Card One Money
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
From 20p- Domestic: 20p per bank transfer
- International: £5 per SWIFT transaction (+1% currency conversion fee)
- Free direct debits
-
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash accepted via PayPoint (1% commission fee)
Product Features
- 1 debit card included (£3 per extra card) – 1% cashback on selected categories
- Personal payment link for accepting payments online (1% commission)
- Instant invoice generator and savings pots facility (fees apply)
- Landlords / property investors get a free 12 month subscription to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)
- FastTrack to Credit – Boost your credit score and get access to credit after 3 months activity
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a Sole Trader, Director of a Limited Company (and listed on Companies House), or a Partner in a Limited Liability Partnership
- Business must be located within the UK and you also need to have a UK residential address
- Not available to charities
ANNA Business comes with invoice generator tools, HMRC recognised Tax calculator and filing. Automate your bookkeeping with ANNA.
Show More Products From Anna MoneyShow Fewer Products From Anna Money
-
Monthly Fee
£49.90
£49.90 + VAT per month
Or £499 a year +VAT if billed annually
-
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
From free- Domestic: unlimited free transfers
- International: 4 free SWIFT payments per month, then £5 per payment
-
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash accepted via PayPoint with no fees
Product Features
- Unlimited free debit cards – 1% cashback on selected categories
- Personal payment link for accepting payments online with no fees
- Instant invoice generator and savings pots facility
- Landlords / property investors get a free 12 month subscription to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)
- FastTrack to Credit – Boost your credit score and get access to credit after 3 months activity
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a Sole Trader, Director of a Limited Company (and listed on Companies House), or a Partner in a Limited Liability Partnership
- Business must be located within the UK and you also need to have a UK residential address
- Not available to charities
ANNA Business comes with invoice generator tools, HMRC recognised Tax calculator and filing. Automate your bookkeeping with ANNA.
-
Monthly Fee
£14.90- £14.90 + VAT per month
- or £149 + VAT a year if billed annually
-
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
50 free per month- Domestic: 50 free per month, then 20p thereafter
- International: 1 free per month, then £5 per SWIFT transaction (+1% currency conversion fee)
- Free direct debits
-
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash accepted via PayPoint (£300 per month free, then 1% commission fee)
Product Features
- Up to 5 debit cards included (£3 per extra card) – 1% cashback on selected categories
- Personal payment link for accepting payments online (£200 per month free, then 1% commission fee)
- Instant invoice generator and savings pots facility (fees apply)
- Landlords / property investors get a free 12 month subscription to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)
- FastTrack to Credit – Boost your credit score and get access to credit after 3 months activity
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a Sole Trader, Director of a Limited Company (and listed on Companies House), or a Partner in a Limited Liability Partnership
- Business must be located within the UK and you also need to have a UK residential address
- Not available to charities
ANNA Business comes with invoice generator tools, HMRC recognised Tax calculator and filing. Automate your bookkeeping with ANNA.
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeDirect Debits, BACS, Faster Payments: Free
CHAPS: £25 via phone; £15 via online banking -
Overdraft
-
Access
Full
Product Features
- Ideal for start ups and growing businesses who bank digitally
- Free everyday digital business banking. No monthly fee. No charges for all automated credits, cash withdrawals and debit card purchases
- Integrate your accountancy software like Xero, Sage or Quickbooks within your online banking
- Online and in-person banking including mobile, instant secure messaging, UK based contact centre, and in branch
- Most receive their account details within three days
- Co-operative Bank business customers get free, unlimited access to the Go Get Paid app – the fast, simple and secure way to get paid
- Customers can also access selected Clover payment terminals for £1 a month for their first 12 months (fees apply).
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a UK resident with a business address in the UK
- Must be 18 or over
Charges apply for cash and cheque transactions and other special services e.g. foreign and CHAPS payments. You can deposit cash in branch and in the Post Office for £1.50 per cheque or £1.50 per £100 of cash deposited.
An overdraft arrangement fee applies and where security is required, additional security fees may apply.
Application subject to status (including credit checks and an assessment of your financial circumstances), eligibility and T&Cs.
* For new customers who register for Online Banking. Min. balance and transactional criteria apply for the first 3 months. Subject to eligibility, T&Cs apply. Offer may be withdrawn at any time.
An overdraft arrangement fee applies and where security is required, additional security fees may apply.
Application subject to status (including credit checks and an assessment of your financial circumstances), eligibility and T&Cs.
* For new customers who register for Online Banking. Min. balance and transactional criteria apply for the first 3 months. Subject to eligibility, T&Cs apply. Offer may be withdrawn at any time.
Show More Products From The Co-operative BankShow Fewer Products From The Co-operative Bank
-
Monthly Fee
£8.50No monthly account fee for the first 12 months, for new customers, then £8.50 per month. T&Cs apply. -
Card Purchases
FreeCharges for some bank transfers and card payments apply. -
Bank Transfers
FreeCharges for some bank transfers and card payments apply. -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online/Branch
Product Features
- No monthly account fee* plus access to discounted services via key partners to help you set up and run your business effectively, worth over £5000**
- A UK-based team of business managers to help you manage and grow your business
- Simple and secure online banking with group payments and cash collection booking tools
Eligibility Criteria
- Businesses with existing Barclays business current accounts aren’t eligible for this offer. After 12 months, you’ll pay £8.50 per month. Fees and charges will apply in line with the business account tariff which may be subject to change.
- Your turnover must be between £400,000 and £6.5 million per year
- Must be over 18, a UK resident and a sole trader or the director of a limited company
- Overdrafts are subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history.
*Businesses with existing Barclays business current accounts aren’t eligible for this offer. After 12 months, you’ll pay £8.50 per month. Fees and charges will apply in line with the business account tariff which may be subject to change.
**Terms and conditions apply per partner, see partner website for details
**Terms and conditions apply per partner, see partner website for details
Show More Products From Barclays High Value SwitchersShow Fewer Products From Barclays High Value Switchers
-
Monthly Fee
£8.50No monthly account fee for the first 12 months, for new customers, then £8.50 per month. T&Cs apply. -
Card Purchases
FreeCharges for some bank transfers and card payments apply. -
Bank Transfers
FreeCharges for some bank transfers and card payments apply. -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online/Branch
Product Features
- No monthly account fee* plus access to discounted services via key partners to help you set up and run your business effectively, worth over £5000**
- A UK-based team of business managers to help you manage and grow your business
- Simple and secure online banking with group payments and cash collection booking tools
Eligibility Criteria
- Businesses with existing Barclays business current accounts aren’t eligible for this offer. After 12 months, you’ll pay £8.50 per month. Fees and charges will apply in line with the business account tariff which may be subject to change.
- Must be over 18, a UK resident and a sole trader or the director of a limited company
- Overdrafts are subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history.
*Businesses with existing Barclays business current accounts aren’t eligible for this offer. After 12 months, you’ll pay £8.50 per month. Fees and charges will apply in line with the business account tariff which may be subject to change.
**Terms and conditions apply per partner, see partner website for details
**Terms and conditions apply per partner, see partner website for details
-
Monthly Fee
£8.50No monthly account fee for the first 12 months, for new customers, then £8.50 per month. T&Cs apply. -
Card Purchases
FreeCharges for some bank transfers and card payments apply. -
Bank Transfers
FreeCharges for some bank transfers and card payments apply -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online/Branch
Product Features
- No monthly account fee* plus access to discounted services via key partners to help you set up and run your business effectively, worth over £5000**
- A UK-based team of business managers to help you manage and grow your business
- Simple and secure online banking with group payments and cash collection booking tools
Eligibility Criteria
- Businesses with existing Barclays business current accounts aren’t eligible for this offer. After 12 months, you’ll pay £8.50 per month. Fees and charges will apply in line with the business account tariff which may be subject to change.
- Your turnover must be between £1,000 and £400,000 per year
- Must be over 18, a UK resident and a sole trader or the director of a limited company
- Overdrafts are subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history.
*Businesses with existing Barclays business current accounts aren’t eligible for this offer. After 12 months, you’ll pay £8.50 per month. Fees and charges will apply in line with the business account tariff which may be subject to change.
**Terms and conditions apply per partner, see partner website for details
**Terms and conditions apply per partner, see partner website for details
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
Free for one year*Free bank transfers for one year, 20p thereafter -
Overdraft
-
Access
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash deposits via Post Office (0.5% fee, minimum £2.50) and PayPoint (3% fee)
Product Features
- Create and send invoices for free
- Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
- Automated 30-day cash flow forecasts
Eligibility Criteria
- For registered business account: you must be registered with UK Companies House as a director of that company or partnership
- For sole trader account: you must be a UK based sole trader/freelancer
- For all accounts: you must be aged 18+, have a valid UK phone number and address, and hold compatible device registered to a UK App or Google Play store
*Complete the application and spend £500 within 60 days of opening your account to receive a £150 cashback from TIDE. Enter code 150BOOST when you sign up. T&C apply.
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Types of business bank accounts available
How to compare business bank accounts…
Step One
Understand your requirements
How you do business will effect the type of account you need. How many transactions will you have each month? Do you need to pay in cash? Do you need a local branch?
Step Two
Check eligibility
Most providers have a range of business accounts to suit different types of businesses. Check the eligibility of each account to make sure if suited to your business.
Step Three
Compare the latest deals and offers
There are numerous offers and deals to attract new customers which can be compared with our handy tool above. Always consider the cost of the account once the free period ends
Start up Business Bank Accounts
Starting a business in the UK is an exciting endeavour, full of possibilities and growth opportunities. As an entrepreneur, you’ll have a long to-do list to ensure your venture’s success, and at the top of that list should be setting up a business bank account. While it might seem like a minor administrative task, having a separate bank account for your business is crucial for several reasons.
Professionalism and Brand Image: Having a dedicated business account solidifies your image as a serious and professional entity. Whether you’re dealing with suppliers, investors, or customers, payments coming from a business-named account will inherently carry more weight and trustworthiness than those coming from a personal account.
Simplified Accounting: Mingling personal and business finances can quickly become a bookkeeping nightmare. By keeping business finances separate, you’ll have a clearer picture of your company’s cash flow, profits, and expenses. Come tax season, having a distinct record of all business-related transactions will save you a lot of time and reduce the risk of errors.
Legal and Tax Implications: If your start-up is registered as a limited company in the UK, it’s legally required to have its own bank account. Additionally, a separate business bank account helps ensure that you meet all HMRC requirements regarding record-keeping for tax purposes. The last thing you want is to face complications with the tax authorities because of commingled finances.
Enhanced Credit Profile: In the future, you might want to take out a business loan or access other financial products. Having a business bank account can help you build a credit profile for your company, distinct from your personal credit.
Additional Features: Business bank accounts often come with features tailored to the needs of businesses, such as higher withdrawal limits, merchant services, business credit cards, and specialized customer support.
Given the clear benefits of having a business bank account, the next question is: how does one choose the right one?
Comparing Business Bank Accounts:
Different banks offer varying features, terms, and fee structures. Therefore, comparing these is essential to find the right fit for your start-up.
Fees and Charges: While some banks offer fee-free periods for start-ups, others might charge for transactions, monthly maintenance, or other services. Ensure you understand all potential fees and how they might change as your business grows. Our brief guide to understanding business banking fees provides further information on this topic.
Introductory Offers: Some banks attract new businesses with promotional offers, such as no fees for the first 12 months or discounted merchant services. While these can be enticing, make sure to also consider the account’s long-term suitability.
Online and Mobile Banking: In today’s digital age, a seamless online and mobile banking experience is crucial. Ensure the bank’s digital platforms are user-friendly, secure, and offer the features your business needs.
Customer Service: Good customer support can make a significant difference, especially if you encounter issues or have queries. Check reviews or seek recommendations to gauge the bank’s reputation in this area.
Additional Services: Think about the future needs of your business. Some banks provide integrated accounting software, business mentorship, or preferential loan rates for account holders.
Local Branch Access: While much of banking is now done online, having a local branch can be beneficial for certain transactions or consultations.
A business bank account is more than just a place to store your start-up’s earnings; it’s a foundational tool for financial management, compliance, and growth. By comparing the options available, you can select a bank that not only meets your current needs but also supports your business as it reaches new milestones. As with all financial decisions, thorough research and due diligence are key.
About This Information
Our articles, guides & reviews are provided as generic information only. Any expressed view, product or service mentioned within these does not constitute as financial advice or recommendation by us.
Be mindful that information may have changed since publication.