Best Business Bank Accounts UK: Top 10 For 2026
A business bank account is one of the first things you set up, and one of the hardest to change later once suppliers, customers and your card machine are all pointed at it. The right one depends on how you're paid, whether you handle cash, and how much you value a branch.
We've compared 10 popular UK business accounts on their published fees, checked October 2026. We haven't been paid to include or rank any of them.
Quick comparison
| Account | Monthly fee (checked October 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Starling Bank | Free | All round value from a digital bank |
| Tide | Free plan, paid plans £12.49 to £69.99 | Sole traders who want card payments built in |
| Monzo Business | Lite free, Pro £9 | Easy app and budgeting tools |
| Mettle | Free, Mettle+ £4 | Free banking backed by NatWest |
| Revolut Business | Basic £10, Grow £30, Scale £90 | International payments and card acquiring |
| Countingup | £5, £12 or £20 by deposit volume | Built in bookkeeping |
| NatWest | 24 months free, then no monthly fee but 35p per automated payment | Branch access with a long free period |
| Barclays | £8.50 after 12 free months | Branch and cash heavy businesses |
| Lloyds | £10 after 12 free months | Lloyds Cardnet users |
| Santander | Classic £9.99, first 12 months free | Branch banking with a straightforward tariff |
What to look for in a business bank account
Monthly fee and free period
Many high street banks offer 12 or 24 months free, then charge a monthly fee. Digital banks often have a free plan forever, with paid upgrades. Look at the cost after the free period ends, not just the headline.
Transaction fees
Some accounts include everyday payments in the monthly fee. Others charge per transfer, per Direct Debit or per cash deposit. If you make lots of small payments, these add up fast.
Cash handling
If you take cash, this is often the deciding factor. Branch deposits are usually easiest with a high street bank. Digital banks rely on the Post Office or PayPoint, and charges vary.
Card payment links
Some banks own card machine brands: NatWest has Tyl, Lloyds has Cardnet and Barclays has Barclaycard. Tide and Revolut have their own readers. Using the same company for both can mean faster payouts and one app, but always compare card fees separately.
Accounting integrations
Most accounts connect to Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent. If you already use one, check the connection is supported and reliable.
Protection
UK banks are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. E-money accounts protect money through safeguarding instead, which works differently if the firm fails.
How we chose
We looked at the published monthly fee, free periods, how you deposit cash, whether there's a branch, and how well the account works with card payments. We focused on accounts open to sole traders and limited companies with a simple online application. Interest rates, overdrafts and loans aren't included because they depend on your circumstances.
1. Starling Bank
Starling's business account has no monthly fee, a well rated app and full UK banking licence protection. You can deposit cash at the Post Office for 0.7% of the amount, with a £3 minimum. It has integrations with accounting software and a marketplace of add ons.
Pros: free, full bank, good app Cons: no branches, cash deposits cost 0.7%
Who it's for: most sole traders and small limited companies who don't handle much cash.
2. Tide
Tide's Free plan has no monthly fee, with paid plans at £12.49 (Smart), £27.49 (Pro) and £69.99 (Max) for more features. Its big draw for retailers is the Tide card reader, which pays into your account. Card fees on its readers start at 1.5% plus 5p on pay as you go for domestic consumer debit. Read our Tide card reader review.
Pros: free plan, card payments built in, invoicing Cons: transaction fees on the free plan, fees change on 1 December 2026
Who it's for: sole traders and small shops who want banking and card payments in one app.
3. Monzo Business
Monzo Business Lite is free, and Pro is £9 a month with tax pots, integrations and invoicing. It's known for its clean app and real time notifications.
Pros: easy to use, free option, tax pots on Pro Cons: no branches, cash deposits via PayPoint come with a fee
Who it's for: freelancers and small online businesses.
4. Mettle
Mettle is a free business account from NatWest Group, with Mettle+ at £4 a month for extra features. It's aimed at sole traders and small limited companies.
Pros: free, backed by NatWest Group, simple Cons: fewer features than bigger rivals, no branches
Who it's for: sole traders who want a simple, free account.
5. Revolut Business
Revolut Business plans cost £10 (Basic), £30 (Grow) or £90 (Scale) a month. It's strong on currency accounts and international transfers, and its card reader charges from 0.8% plus 2p on UK consumer cards. See our Revolut card reader review.
Pros: multi currency, low card fees, good tools Cons: monthly fee on every plan, no cash deposits
Who it's for: businesses with overseas suppliers or customers.
6. Countingup
Countingup combines a business account with bookkeeping. Its fee depends on how much you pay in: £5, £12 or £20 a month.
Pros: bookkeeping and receipts built in Cons: fees rise with deposits
Who it's for: sole traders who want to cut accounting time.
7. NatWest
NatWest offers 24 months with no monthly fee for new start ups. After that there's no monthly fee, but each automated payment costs 35p. You get branch access and the option of Tyl card machines. See our Tyl by NatWest review.
Pros: long free period, branches, Tyl integration Cons: per transaction charges after the free period
Who it's for: new businesses who want a high street bank.
8. Barclays
Barclays gives 12 months free, then charges £8.50 a month on its standard tariff. You get branches and access to Barclaycard card machines. Read our Barclaycard card machine review.
Pros: branches, strong brand, cash deposits in branch Cons: monthly fee after a year
Who it's for: cash handling businesses that want a branch nearby.
9. Lloyds
Lloyds offers 12 months free, then £10 a month. It works neatly with Lloyds Cardnet card machines.
Pros: branches, Cardnet integration Cons: £10 a month after year one
Who it's for: businesses planning to use Lloyds Cardnet. See our Cardnet review.
10. Santander
Santander's Business Current Account Classic costs £9.99 a month after a first year with no monthly fee.
Pros: branches, straightforward tariff Cons: monthly fee after 12 months
Who it's for: businesses who want a high street bank with a simple fee.
Cost over two years
| Account | Fees over 24 months (standard plan) |
|---|---|
| Starling Bank | £0 |
| Tide (Free plan) | £0 |
| Monzo Business Lite | £0 |
| Mettle | £0 |
| NatWest | £0 monthly, transaction fees may apply |
| Barclays | £102 |
| Lloyds | £120 |
| Santander Classic | £119.88 |
| Countingup (lowest tier) | £120 |
| Revolut Business Basic | £240 |
This ignores transaction fees, cash fees and paid plan upgrades, which can make a big difference.
The best account by business type
- Sole trader starting out: Starling, Tide Free or Mettle. No monthly fee and quick setup.
- Café, shop or market stall taking cash: a high street bank with a nearby branch, or Starling if you only bank cash occasionally.
- Freelancer or consultant: Monzo Business or Starling for the apps and tax tools.
- Business with overseas customers or suppliers: Revolut Business for currency accounts.
- Owner who hates bookkeeping: Countingup.
- New limited company wanting a high street name: NatWest for its long free period.
Business accounts and card payments
If you take cards, think about where the money lands. Some providers pay faster into their own accounts, such as Tide's readers and Teya's next day weekend payouts into the Teya Business Account. Others, like SumUp and Square, pay into any account. Our guide to next day settlement explains the options.
Cash deposits
If you take cash, check how you'll pay it in. High street banks let you deposit in branch, and most digital banks use the Post Office or PayPoint, usually for a fee. Starling, for example, charges 0.7% with a £3 minimum. Our cash handling cost calculator shows what deposits really cost.
Opening an account: what you'll need
- Photo ID such as a passport or driving licence
- Proof of address, usually checked digitally
- Business details, including your Companies House number if you're a limited company
- An idea of your turnover and what the business does
- Details of other directors or owners with a significant share
Digital banks usually check all of this in the app. High street banks may ask for extra documents or a call, especially for limited companies with several owners.
Mistakes to avoid
- Choosing on the free period alone. Two years free is great, but check the cost in year three.
- Ignoring cash. If you take cash, a free digital account can end up dearer than a high street one once deposit fees are added.
- Forgetting your card machine. Changing account means updating your payout details with your card provider, your payment gateway and any Direct Debit provider.
- Mixing personal and business money. Even as a sole trader, a separate account saves you hours at tax time.
How to switch business bank account
Many banks support the Current Account Switch Service for small businesses, which moves payments and closes your old account. Check eligibility with the new bank before you apply, and remember to update your card machine payout details.
Pros and cons of digital vs high street
Digital banks
Pros: free or cheap, fast setup, great apps Cons: no branches, cash deposits cost more
High street banks
Pros: branches, relationship managers, easier cash handling Cons: monthly fees after the free period, slower setup
Our verdict
For most small businesses, Starling is the best all rounder: free, a full bank and easy to use. Tide is the pick if you want a card reader built into your banking. If you handle a lot of cash or want a branch, NatWest's long free period makes it the strongest high street option, with Barclays and Lloyds worth a look if you plan to use their card machines. Whichever you choose, check the fees you'll actually pay after any free period ends, not just the headline price.
FAQs
Do I need a business bank account as a sole trader?
It isn't a legal requirement for sole traders, but it makes bookkeeping and tax much easier. Limited companies need a separate account.
What's the best free business bank account?
Starling, Tide's Free plan, Monzo Business Lite and Mettle all have no monthly fee. Starling is the most complete.
Which business account is best for cash?
A high street bank with a nearby branch, such as Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest or Santander, is easiest for regular cash deposits.
Can I use any bank with my card machine?
Most card machine providers pay into any UK business account, though some offer faster payouts into their own.
Are digital business accounts safe?
Accounts from UK licensed banks are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to its limit. Some providers are e-money institutions, which protect your money differently, so check before you open one.
How long does it take to open a business bank account?
Digital banks can open accounts in a day or two. High street banks can take longer.