In this article, I’ll walk you through the Best Business Bank Accounts For Startups, so you can confidently pick the best financial partner for your new venture.
Whether your priority is minimal fees, a breezy onboarding process, or robust international payment functionality, the right account will simplify your day-to-day tasks and lay a solid foundation for expansion. We’ll dive into the leading choices designed exclusively for emerging companies.
Key Point & Best Business Bank Accounts For Startups
| Platform | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Tide | Designed for small businesses and freelancers with quick account setup. |
| Wise Business | Offers low-cost international payments with real exchange rates. |
| Zempler Bank | Combines banking and payroll solutions tailored for modern businesses. |
| ANNA | Smart invoicing and expense management with 24/7 chat-based support. |
| NatWest | Traditional UK bank with business tools and strong lending support. |
| Airwallex | Multi-currency business accounts with borderless payments and FX control. |
| Santander | Offers a range of business accounts with strong local branch support. |
| Revolut Business | Modern business account with FX, cards, and automation tools built-in. |
| Starling Bank | App-first UK bank with no monthly fees and built-in bookkeeping tools. |
| Barclays | Long-established UK bank with diverse business banking services. |
1. Tide
Tide opened its virtual doors in 2015 and quickly established itself as a go-to fintech in the UK for startups, sole traders, and small businesses eager to streamline banking. Applicants can go from wanting a new account to having one live in minutes, all from a user-friendly app.
Beyond the instant debit Mastercard, users gain automated invoicing, tidy expense categorization, and seamless links to popular accounting packages.
Tide’s free tier covers the basics, while the premium versions, starting at £9.99/month, throw in extras like quicker, dedicated support.
Named one of the Best Business Bank Accounts for Startups, Tide’s zero-fee entry level is a clear draw. Backed by ClearBank for deposit protection, Tide is crafted for founders who value speed and simplicity.
Tide Features
- Open an account in minutes, no monthly charges on the basic plan
- Issue cards tied to expense limits for better spending control
- Create invoices and let the auto-bookkeeping do the heavy lifting
- Get cashback on the upgraded plans
- Works smoothly with Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks
2. Wise Business
Launched in 2011, Wise—previously TransferWise—has built a reputation for low-cost international money transfers. Wise Business empowers companies to hold, send, and receive money in over 40 currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, without hidden mark-ups.
You can set up your account online in minutes, and there’s no monthly fee—just a small, clear fee for each transfer, like 0.43% for GBP to USD. The platform allows for invoicing, batch payments, and direct integration with Xero.
Recommended among the Best Business Bank Accounts for Startups, it’s especially valuable for new ventures that operate globally. Although Wise isn’t a bank, it delivers a powerful multi-currency account that gives you local bank details in multiple regions.
This makes it a perfect fit for e-commerce, freelancers, and any business that needs cost-effective foreign exchange and seamless cross-border banking.
Wise Business Features
- Hold over 40 currencies in a single account
- Get UK account details, plus local numbers in 9 other countries
- Send money abroad for a fraction of the usual cost
- Batch payments and let your team in on the action
- Connect easily with Xero and QuickBooks for accounting
3. Zempler Bank
Zempler Bank, which began life as Cashplus Bank in 2005, is a UK digital bank tailored for small firms, contractors, and freelancers. Opening a business account takes just hours, and clients receive a debit Mastercard right away.
The bank also offers credit facilities, automatic expense logging, and seamless connections to popular accounting packages. The account costs a fixed £9 a month, and there are no surprise charges.
Named one of the Top Business Bank Accounts for Startups, Zempler wins credit for merging a speedy online sign-up with the reliability of a fully FCA-regulated bank.
Its credit-builder card and flexible overdraft options offer fresh ventures a straightforward route to developing credit and smoothing cash-flow gaps.
Zempler Bank Features
- Choose from three plans: Go, Extra, Pro
- Your money’s safe with FSCS cover up to £85,000
- Create pots to budget and save for different goals
- Sync transactions in real-time with your accounting software
- Issue up to 20 extra cards for staff, all with spending limits
4. ANNA
Launched in 2018, ANNA (Absolutely No Nonsense Admin) is a UK fintech that delivers a business current account bundled with invoicing, tax reminders, and expense tracking—all in one place.
It targets sole traders and freelancers who prefer a single platform that handles core admin. The core account is free, with plans starting at £4.90 a month.
Halfway through its lifecycle, ANNA earns a spot on the Best Business Bank Accounts for Startups list by cutting through paperwork with AI-driven, round-the-clock support.
While it lacks a full banking licence, the service is backed by an e-money licence, meaning customer funds are safeguarded and secure.
The standout voice-activated invoicing and receipt-scanning tools give ANNA an edge, positioning it as an intelligent choice for micro-businesses.
ANNA Features
- Merges banking and admin in a single app
- Send invoices, snap receipts, and file VAT
- UK-based support is on call 24/7, quick to reply
- Staff cards come with cashback rewards
- Plays nicely with Xero, Sage, and Shopify
5. NatWest
Founded in 1968, NatWest ranks as one of the UK’s premier legacy banks, dedicated to supporting businesses. Among its offerings, a startup account stands out, granting qualifying new companies 18 months of fee-free banking.
Once this introductory phase concludes, the monthly fee usually settles at about £6.50. In addition to the account, businesses gain seamless accounting software integration, a suite of business credit cards, and flexible overdraft options.
These strengths firmly place NatWest on the shortlist of the Best Business Bank Accounts for Startups. Its widespread branch network, paired with a feature-rich mobile app, delivers the dual access that many entrepreneurs require.
With decades of reliability coupled with modern digital solutions, NatWest earns the confidence of new ventures that value both tradition and innovation.
NatWest Features
- Choose from several account types; Mettle is free
- New startups enjoy free banking for up to two years
- FreeAgent accounting software inclusive
- Business loans, overdrafts, trade finance facilities
- Personal relationship managers available
6. Airwallex
Launched in Melbourne in 2015, Airwallex delivers a global financial platform finely tuned for rapidly scaling businesses. Companies can open local accounts in a wide range of currencies, enabling them to collect and disburse payments worldwide from a single dashboard.
Pricing is clear: no monthly maintenance fees, plus foreign exchange spreads that routinely sit 0.3–0.6% above the mid-market rate. Teams can invite collaborators, sync with popular accounting tools, and issue virtual debit cards that double as spending controls.
Recommended by guides as one of the Best Business Bank Accounts for Startups, the platform enables new ventures to operate internationally from day one.
Although not a bank, Airwallex holds licenses across key jurisdictions, making it a trusted partner for e-commerce, subscription software, and freelance businesses that need a frictionless, scalable finance stack without the usual hidden charges.
Airwallex Features
- Global account with multi-currency wallets
- Borderless virtual and physical cards available
- FX rates near interbank wholesale
- API for seamless automation and integration
- Supports intl. payments and eCommerce
7. Santander
Santander is an international bank that began operations in 1857 and now provides an array of business banking products in the UK. Its startup account programme offers 18 months of banking without monthly fees; after that, the charge is £7.50 a month.
Customers benefit from online and mobile banking, access to an overdraft facility, and optional integration with accounting software.
With a nationwide branch network and attentive support, Santander ranks among the Best Business Bank Accounts for Startups. The bank complements its account offering with business loans and asset finance.
Santander’s established presence and nationwide distribution allow new businesses to enjoy the comfort of traditional banking combined with contemporary financial services, making it a strong partner for firms that anticipate rapid growth or require ongoing access to credit.
Santander Features
- Classic banking with business loans and overdrafts
- Tiered pricing on business accounts
- International trade and export backing
- FSCS deposit protection
- Online and branch banking options
8. Revolut Business
Revolut Business debuted in 2017, offering flexible multi-currency accounts tailored for companies. Key features include cross-border payments, prepaid cards, and a fully programmable API.
The entry-level account is free, and premium tiers begin at £25 per month, unlocking priority customer support and larger foreign exchange allowances. Praised as a leading account for emerging companies, Revolut gives access to over 25 currencies at interbank rates.
While not a licensed bank in every territory, it is regulated by the FCA and provides safeguarded accounts. Tech and digital-sector startups frequently choose Revolut for its seamless links to Slack, QuickBooks, and bespoke workflows.
The platform’s speed, clear pricing, and granular controls solidify its place as a preferred choice for digital-native businesses.
Revolut Business Features
- Multi-currency accounts with attractive FX rates
- Expense management and team cards included
- Tools for invoicing, payroll and analytics
- API for automation and integration
- Tiered plans that grow with your business
9. Starling Bank
Established in 2014, Starling Bank is a fully regulated digital bank in the UK, delivering award-winning business accounts with zero monthly fees. Clients benefit from instant notifications, mobile cheque deposits, round-the-clock support, and seamless links to Xero and FreeAgent.
These strengths earned Starling the title of Best Business Bank Account for Startups, where regulatory credibility meets fintech speed. Serving sole traders and limited companies alike, it provides both overdrafts and small-business loans.
The intuitive app, free from hidden fees, appeals to entrepreneurs and growing companies. Starling’s eco-conscious debit cards and the Marketplace for third-party integrations position it as both contemporary and ethically minded, perfectly aligned with startup needs.
Starling Bank Features
- Free business account, no monthly fee
- Real-time notifications and budgeting features
- Expense cards and team access available
- FSCS protection on deposits
- Overdrafts and loans for SMEs on request
10. Barclays
Barclays, one of the UK’s founding banking institutions (established 1690), delivers a rounded suite of business banking options. Their startup business account kicks off with a full year of zero fees, then transitions to a monthly charge beginning at £6.50.
Customers enjoy both digital and physical branch access, a named relationship manager, and a pathway to business lending. Recognised in the Best Business Bank Accounts for Startups category, Barclays combines a time-honored pedigree with modern digital capability.
Founders also benefit from mentoring, no-cost invoicing tools, and a set of apps designed to ease cash-flow oversight.
With a network of over 1,600 branches nationwide, Barclays continues to attract new ventures that value tailored support, dependable financial solutions, and the reassurance of a well-respected brand.
Barclays Features
- Comprehensive full-service banking
- Business accounts, loans, and overdrafts offered
- Dedicated support and business advisors
- FSCS protection for peace of mind
- Digital banking coupled with in-person service
Conclusion
Picking the right business bank account is a key milestone for any startup that wants to keep its finances in order and grow with assurance. Digital-first services like Tide, Revolut Business, and Starling Bank compete with traditional giants like Barclays, NatWest, and Santander, and each brings its own set of perks designed for different business models.
Whether your main goal is to open an account in minutes, keep international fees low, link seamlessly to accounting software, or tap into borrowing options, the best options for startups blend affordability, user-friendly design, and helpful financial tools in a single package.
Founders should evaluate their future operational footprint, expected transaction volume, and the level of customer support they’ll need before settling on a bank. A well-suited account does more than organize daily finances; it lays the groundwork for long-term success.
