Updated: August 1st 2026
The best business accounts of 2026 compared
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Promo
Tide Business Bank Account
- Open in minutes
- Companies House registration via Tide
- Earn up to 4% AER with a Tide instant saver account
- Take payments with your smartphone
- Access business insurance
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- Open in minutes
- Companies House registration via Tide
- Earn up to 4% AER with a Tide instant saver account
- Take payments with your smartphone
- Access business insurance
| FSCS protection |
|
|---|---|
| Limit FSC Protection | £120,000 |
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 900843. FSCS protected. Tide Business accounts are provided by ClearBank |
| Disclaimer | *No monthly account fee. Other charges may apply. Check provider terms. |
| Best for | Fast-growing startups, SMEs that operate internationally |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | LTD |
| Documents required | Personal identity, residential proof, and business verification documents etc |
| Monthly fee & plans | Free |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | Free |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | N/A % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| Card included | Up to 3 per team member |
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | +30 currencies |
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- Get paid in 20+ currencies like a local (GBP, USD, EUR) across 70+ countries to avoid SWIFT fees.
- 0% Foreign Txn Fees: Use Visa corporate cards globally without any international transaction markups
- Sync transaction data with Xero & QuickBooks
- Convert money at real-time market rates with small, transparent markups
| FSCS protection |
|
|---|---|
| Limit FSC Protection | N/A |
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 900876 |
| Best for | UK businesses operating internationally especially startups, SMEs, and scaling companies that need global accounts |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | Limited Companies, LLPs, Limited/General Partnerships, and Sole Traders |
| Documents required | Find more info here: https://help.airwallex.com |
| Monthly fee & plans | £0 or £19/month |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | Free |
| International / SWIFT payments | For major currencies: 0.5% |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | N/A % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| Card included | Free issuance for up to 10 company cards on Explore account |
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | 20+ currencies |
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- Send, spend, exchange 30+ currencies
- Accountancy integrations
| FSCS protection |
|
|---|---|
| Limit FSC Protection | £120,000 |
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 900562 |
| Promotion | *Get a £100 welcome bonus when you sign up through our link and add at least £0.01 to your new account by 31/12/2026. Fees, promotion terms and T&Cs apply |
| Disclaimer | **Other charges may apply, including transaction fees, cash deposits, card fees, international payments, FX charges or paid add-ons. Check the provider’s terms before applying. |
| Best for | Fast-growing startups, SMEs that operate internationally |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | Ltd, LLP, Partnership |
| Documents required | Personal identity, residential proof, and business verification documents etc |
| Monthly fee & plans | £10 |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | **10 month free, then 20p |
| International / SWIFT payments | International starting from £5 |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | - % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| Card included | Up to 3 per team member |
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | 30+ currencies |
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- Free business IBAN account
- Global Currency Accounts
- Unlimited virtual & physical cards
- Free 24/7 exchange in 10 currencies
- Free expense management tools
- Payroll & team cards – up to 1500 transactions in one click
| FSCS protection |
|
|---|---|
| Limit FSC Protection | N/A |
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 1040163 |
| Disclaimer | *No monthly account fee. Other charges may apply. Check provider terms. **Other charges may apply, including transaction fees, cash deposits, card fees, international payments, FX charges or paid add-ons. Check the provider’s terms before applying. |
| Best for | Any size of company |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | Ltd, LLP, Partnership |
| Documents required | Personal identity, residential proof, and business verification documents etc |
| Monthly fee & plans | · Free: All features available for 0 euros · Premium: 199 euros/month (0.066 euros/month per card) · Platinum: 999 euros/month (0.056 euros/month per card) |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | Free |
| International / SWIFT payments | 2% markup + Visa exchange rate (applies only to card transactions |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | No % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| Card included | Up to 18,000 cards included, depanding on the plan |
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | 10 currencies |
The MoneyCompare Recap for
Business Current Accounts
Monthly fee
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Any questions?
Most providers let you apply online in minutes. You'll usually need proof of ID, your business details and, for companies, your Companies House registration number. Many accounts can be opened the same day, though some ask for extra checks.
Compare monthly fees, free transaction allowances, cash-handling charges and any accounting integrations you need. The right account depends on your size and how you bank, so weigh costs against the features that matter most.
Yes, some providers charge no monthly fee, though 'free' often means a limited number of free transactions or no cash deposits. Check the fee schedule carefully, as charges can apply once you go over set limits.
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We work with trusted UK providers
Any doubt?
No. Sole traders and freelancers are not legally required to have a separate business account — you can use a personal one. A limited company, however, is a separate legal entity and must keep its money separate, so it does need a dedicated business account. Even for sole traders, a separate account makes bookkeeping, tax returns and Making Tax Digital far simpler.
Opening an account may involve identity, fraud-prevention and eligibility checks. Some providers may carry out a soft credit search. A hard credit search may be carried out if you request an overdraft or another credit facility. Check the provider's terms before applying.
You'll typically need proof of identity, proof of address, and details of your business activity and expected turnover; limited companies also need their Companies House number and director/PSC details. Digital-first providers can approve you in minutes to 24 hours fully online, while high-street banks usually take several days to a few weeks. For a limited company, allow up to around 72 hours after registering with Companies House before applying.
Deposits held with a UK banking licence are FSCS-protected up to £120,000 per banking licence (since 1 December 2025); many app-based 'e-money' accounts are not FSCS-protected but safeguard your money in separate accounts. There's no limit on how many business accounts you can hold, and because cover is per licence, spreading large balances across separate licensed banks increases your total protection.
It varies. Many app-based accounts don't accept cash at all, while others let you pay in at the Post Office or PayPoint for a fee (often a percentage with a minimum charge). If your business is cash-heavy — for example hospitality or retail — check the cash deposit limits and fees carefully, or choose a provider with branch or Post Office access.