🏠 Business Banking» Best Business Bank Accounts for Freelancers UK (2026)
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Best Business Bank Accounts for Freelancers UK (2026)
Compare UK freelancer bank accounts: real monthly costs, invoicing, MTD tools, FX fees and FSCS protection for sole traders and limited companies. Checked 21 July 2026.
Tide is our overall pick for most freelancers: invoicing built in from day one and the widest software compatibility here, including Sage.
Starling ties Tide closely on price and wins if you send a lot of invoices or move money often, so we weigh that trade-off honestly below. Check your legal structure first too: it decides which accounts you can even open.
Tide, invoicing built in plus the widest accounting integrations, including Sage
Best for zero fees at any volume
Starling, free invoicing and a free HMRC-recognised MTD tool, no transfer fees
Best straightforward free banking
Mettle, free at any volume with native invoicing and bundled FreeAgent
Best for international clients
Wise, mid-market FX rate with fees shown upfront
Best for cashback, cash and cheques
Virgin Money, 0.25% cashback plus branch and in-app cheque support
Everything below explains the rates and trade-offs in full.
Sole trader or side hustle: compare Tide, Starling, Mettle, Monzo, Revolut Pro, Zempler and ANNA PAYG.
Limited company contractor: compare Tide, Starling, Monzo, Zempler, ANNA, Virgin Money and Revolut Business. Mettle only works if you’re the sole account-accessing owner; two of the accounts here shut the door on incorporated businesses entirely.
Comparison scope. We compared ten products across seven providers: Starling, Tide, Mettle, Monzo, Zempler, ANNA, Revolut (Pro and Business separately), Virgin Money and Wise.
We pulled every fee, eligibility and protection claim straight from the provider’s own pricing or product page on 21 July 2026; see the checked date on each provider card and in How We Reviewed.
Commission does not affect which accounts appear or how they are ordered on this page. Some links are affiliate links, see our editorial policy.
Quick Compare
Best Freelancer Business Bank Accounts at a Glance
Best Freelancer Business Bank Accounts at a Glance: Monthly Fee · Best For · Integrations
Data verified against provider pricing and product pages, 21 July 2026. Inclusion and ranking are not affected by commission; see How We Reviewed. Fees and features may change.
Our Picks
A ChatGPT research pass on this exact query settled on Mettle, Starling, Monzo, Tide, Virgin Money and Wise. We tested all six against our own corrected data, then added Zempler, ANNA and the Revolut split only where the numbers earned them a genuine scenario win.
Tide takes Best Overall for its built-in invoicing and the widest accounting integrations of any account here. Starling is the one to switch to if you want that same invoicing for free, with no transfer fees at any volume.
Best Overall
Tide wins here because it puts the freelance day-to-day in one place: invoicing, expense categorisation and receipt scanning, plus the widest accounting integrations of any account on this page.
Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Sage all connect directly, so whatever software your accountant runs, Tide already speaks to it.
The catch: the free plan caps invoicing at 3 a month and gives you only 5 free transfers before charging 20p each.
Invoice often or move a lot of money and you’ll want Tide Smart (£12.49/month, 30 free transfers), or Starling below, which matches Tide’s invoicing for free and never charges to transfer.
Starling is the one to pick when cost matters more than software breadth. Its sole trader account bundles free invoicing with free Accounting Essentials, a built-in, HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital tool.
There’s no monthly fee and no UK transfer fees, however many invoices or payments you send, so your costs don’t creep up as the work does.
Where it falls short: there’s no branch access, and fewer accounting integrations than Tide, with no Sage feed.
The free invoicing and Accounting Essentials are confirmed on the sole trader product specifically, so check the limited company account for feature parity before assuming it matches exactly.
Mettle stays completely free at any transfer volume, with native invoicing (customisable invoices, automatic payment matching) and a bundled FreeAgent subscription, worth roughly £150 a year, at no extra cost.
One thing to weigh: FreeAgent stays free only if you transact at least once a month from the Mettle account, and converting quotes into invoices needs the optional Mettle+ upgrade (£4/month).
Only one owner can access the account, even on a two-owner limited company, so a co-founder is locked out of the day-to-day banking. Mettle also isn’t a Current Account Switch Service participant, so any switch is a manual slog.
Monzo’s Pro plan (£9/month) adds a tax pot that automatically sets aside a percentage of every payment, plus Xero and QuickBooks integrations, on top of an app most freelancers already find the cleanest to use day to day.
The snag: the free Lite plan doesn’t include the tax pot or the accounting integrations. Those are Pro-only, so this is a £9/month pick, not a free one.
Revolut Business (from £10/month) is the account to weigh if you’re incorporated and need multi-currency wallets, team expense cards, or FX inside a monthly allowance: £1,000/month at interbank rate on the Basic plan, then a 0.6% markup.
Where it loses ground: Starling and Tide serve limited company contractors free, invoicing and integrations included, so Revolut Business only earns its subscription if you genuinely need multi-currency accounts or team cards.
UK sole traders can’t open it at all; they’re directed to Revolut Pro instead.
Wise gives freelancers billing overseas clients the most transparent FX pricing here: the mid-market rate with fees from 0.33% + £0.30, shown upfront before you confirm, plus local account details in 10+ countries. It’s open to sole traders, unlike Revolut Business.
The limitation: Wise isn’t a full UK business current account. There’s no overdraft, no FSCS protection (funds are safeguarded, not FSCS-covered), and only one business card, for the account holder.
Pair it with a free UK current account rather than leaning on it as your only account.
Virgin Money’s M Account is the only one here that combines unlimited 0.25% cashback on debit card spend, in-app cheque scanning, branch access, and free UK transfers up to £30,000 per transaction, all with no monthly fee.
What holds it back: it’s only open to businesses with turnover under £1m, its digital tools and integrations lag the fintechs, and international SWIFT transfers cost £17.50 each.
If you never handle cheques or cash and don’t care about branches, Starling or Mettle are the cheaper defaults.
Revolut Pro is a fee-free profile inside the personal Revolut app for sole traders, freelancers and side-hustlers who aren’t registered in the business registry.
We confirmed it comes with its own IBAN and debit card, native invoicing and payment links, no incoming-transfer fee, and cashback tiered to your personal Revolut plan (up to 1%, plus boosters).
The trade-off: card and payment-acceptance fees apply despite the £0 subscription, 1.5%-2.8% depending on method, and it’s not open to limited companies.
It’s not a Current Account Switch Service participant either, and Revolut stays silent on the Pro product page about whether your balance is protected. Read your in-app terms before you park any real money there.
Each card states which legal forms can open the account, what kind of product it actually is (bank account, e-money account, or a sub-account inside a personal app), and the date we last checked its facts directly against the provider.
Starling Bank Business Current Account
Starling Bank Business Current Account
Free UK transfers, free ATM withdrawals and an optional overdraft make Starling the most complete free digital account for a business that wants a proper bank, not just a payments app.
Best for: Free banking with built-in invoicing and an overdraft; MTD accounting is a paid add-on
Watch out: No branch access and limited human support options. International SWIFT transfers cost 0.4% currency conversion plus £5.50 delivery fee each. The free invoicing and Accounting Essentials features are confirmed on Starling’s sole trader account; verify feature parity before assuming an identical set on the limited company account.
Not ideal if: Businesses that need face-to-face banking, complex lending, or Sage integration
Monthly feeFree
UK bank transfersFree
Native invoicingFree (sole trader account)
MTD for Income TaxHMRC-recognised, built into Accounting Essentials, free
Accounting integrationsXero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Penfold, SumUp, all free
FX rateMastercard exchange rate
International SWIFT transfers0.4% currency conversion + £5.50 delivery fee per payment
OverdraftAvailable (subject to eligibility)
Multi-currency accountsEuro and USD sub-accounts available
CASS switchingSupported for business accounts
FSCS protectionYes, up to £120,000
Eligible entitiesSole traders, limited companies, LLPs (general partnerships not supported)
Eligibility: UK sole traders, limited companies, and LLPs are eligible. General partnerships are not currently supported. Standard identity and business verification required. FSCS protection up to £120,000 applies to eligible deposits.
Not ideal if: Businesses that need face-to-face banking, complex lending, or Sage integration
Watch out: No branch access and limited human support options. International SWIFT transfers cost 0.4% currency conversion plus £5.50 delivery fee each. The free invoicing and Accounting Essentials features are confirmed on Starling’s sole trader account; verify feature parity before assuming an identical set on the limited company account.
Completely free with no monthly fees and no UK transfer fees
Free invoicing and free Accounting Essentials (HMRC-recognised MTD tool) on the sole trader account
Free integrations with Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent
FSCS protected up to £120,000
App scored 86% for online service (Ipsos 2026)
Overdraft available subject to eligibility
Supports the Current Account Switch Service
No branch access
Limited human support options
Free invoicing/Accounting Essentials confirmed for the sole trader account; verify parity on the limited company account
Overdraft not guaranteed
Free business current account with no transaction fees
Free native invoicing and free Accounting Essentials (HMRC-recognised MTD for Income Tax)
FSCS deposit protection up to £120,000
Overdraft facility (subject to eligibility)
Euro and USD sub-accounts
Current Account Switch Service participant
Tide Free Business Account
Tide Free Business Account
A free, app-based business account with built-in invoicing and a direct Sage bank feed.
Watch out: After the first 5 free transfers each month, every bank transfer in or out costs 20p, and the free plan caps invoicing at 3 a month. Overseas card use carries a 2.75% FX fee on the free plan (0% on paid plans).
Not ideal if: Businesses needing an overdraft, branch access, or a multi-currency account that holds foreign-currency balances
Free plan£0/month. 5 free transfers in or out per month, then 20p each. 3 free invoices per month.
Smart plan£12.49/month (or £99.99/year). 30 free transfers then 20p each.
Pro plan£27.49/month (or £219.99/year). Unlimited transfers.
Max plan£69.99/month (or £559.92/year). Unlimited transfers and invoicing.
FX fee (free plan)2.75% on overseas card use
FX fee (paid plans)0% on overseas card use
International paymentsSend and receive supported (SEPA and SWIFT); not a multi-currency holding account
FSCS protectionYes, up to £120,000 (new accounts via ClearBank)
Eligible entitiesSole traders and freelancers, and UK limited company directors (not partnerships or LLPs)
Eligibility: UK sole traders and freelancers, and directors of UK limited companies. Partnerships, LLPs, CICs and charities are not eligible. Fast online application with photo-ID and selfie verification; standard KYC checks apply. New accounts are provided by ClearBank and are FSCS-protected up to £120,000. Some legacy accounts issued before the ClearBank switch remain on an e-money safeguarding model.
Not ideal if: Businesses needing an overdraft, branch access, or a multi-currency account that holds foreign-currency balances
Watch out: After the first 5 free transfers each month, every bank transfer in or out costs 20p, and the free plan caps invoicing at 3 a month. Overseas card use carries a 2.75% FX fee on the free plan (0% on paid plans).
No monthly fees on free plan
New accounts FSCS-protected up to £120,000 via ClearBank
Best for: Genuinely free banking for sole traders, with native invoicing and free FreeAgent
Watch out: FreeAgent stays free only if you make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account; the optional Mettle+ upgrade (£4/month) is needed to convert quotes into invoices. Not a CASS participant, so switching in or out is a manual process.
Not ideal if: Businesses needing overdraft, multi-owner access, or CASS switching
Standard planFree. No monthly fee, no transaction fees.
FSCS protectionUp to £120,000 (provided by NatWest)
CASS switchingNot a participant; manual migration required
Eligible entitiesSole traders, limited companies (up to two owners; one account holder only)
Eligibility: Sole traders, LTDs with up to two owners (only one owner can access the account).
Not ideal if: Businesses needing overdraft, multi-owner access, or CASS switching
Watch out: FreeAgent stays free only if you make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account; the optional Mettle+ upgrade (£4/month) is needed to convert quotes into invoices. Not a CASS participant, so switching in or out is a manual process.
Completely free, no monthly fees, no transaction fees
Native invoicing included free, with automatic payment matching
Free FreeAgent subscription included (subject to a monthly-transaction condition)
FSCS protected (backed by NatWest)
Simple, no-frills interface
No hidden charges
FreeAgent stays free only if you transact at least once a month from the Mettle account
Converting quotes to invoices needs the paid Mettle+ upgrade (£4/month)
Not a CASS participant, switching is a manual process
No overdraft facility
Only one owner can access the account, even on a two-owner LTD
Genuinely free business banking with zero transaction fees
Best for: Clean mobile banking with smart budgeting
Watch out: Free plan is very basic; most useful features require Pro (£9/month, first month free). Incoming foreign currency payments incur a 1% conversion fee (capped at £1,000 per transaction) on all plans.
Not ideal if: Businesses needing branch access or complex lending products.
Lite plan£0/month. Unlimited free UK bank transfers. Very basic feature set.
Pro plan£9/month (first month free). Adds invoicing, Xero and QuickBooks integrations, and multi-user access.
FX on card spendMastercard exchange rate; fee-free abroad on paid plans
Incoming FX payments1% conversion fee (capped at £1,000 per transaction) on all plans
Cash deposits£1 per deposit via PayPoint. Monthly limit: £3,000 (sole trader), £10,000 (limited company).
Accounting integrationsXero, QuickBooks (Pro plan only). FreeAgent (Lite plan, via Monzo’s partnership).
FSCS protectionUp to £120,000 on eligible deposits (Monzo Bank Ltd, all plan tiers)
CASS switchingFull participant
Eligible entitiesSole traders, limited companies
Eligibility: Sole traders, LTDs
Not ideal if: Businesses needing branch access or complex lending products.
Watch out: Free plan is very basic; most useful features require Pro (£9/month, first month free). Incoming foreign currency payments incur a 1% conversion fee (capped at £1,000 per transaction) on all plans.
Regulated UK bank account, FSCS protected up to £120,000 on eligible deposits (all plan tiers)
Budgeting pots; app scored 90% for online service (Ipsos 2026)
Tax pot automatically sets aside estimated tax
Free Lite plan available
Instant spending notifications
Fee-free spending abroad on paid plans
Free plan is very basic
Most useful features require Pro (£9/month)
1% conversion fee on incoming foreign currency payments (capped at £1,000 per transaction)
Overdraft subject to eligibility; not guaranteed
No branch access
Pots for ring-fencing tax, savings, and expenses
Tax pot with automatic percentage set-aside
Integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent
Fee-free spending abroad (paid plans)
Zempler Bank Business Go Account
Zempler Bank Business Go Account
One of the few digital banks to offer an overdraft facility on a free account, alongside built-in accounting, invoicing and Making Tax Digital tools that most app-only accounts charge for or don’t offer.
Best for: Free banking with built-in accounting and an overdraft option
Watch out: Only 3 free bank transfers a month on the free Business Go plan, then 35p each (20 free on Extra, 500 on Pro). Built-in accounting, invoicing and Making Tax Digital tools are free; third-party integrations are fewer than Tide or Starling.
Not ideal if: Businesses needing deep third-party accounting integrations like Xero or QuickBooks
Business Go (free)£0/month. 3 free UK bank transfers/month, then 35p each.
Business Extra£9/month. 20 free transfers/month, then 35p each.
Business Pro£19/month. 500 free transfers/month, then 35p each. Includes 0.5% interest-earning savings pot.
Card purchasesFree
OverdraftUp to £10,000 subject to eligibility. Limited companies can apply at account opening; sole traders qualify after 3 months. First £5 interest-free.
Built-in bookkeepingYes, free on all plans: receipt scanning, invoicing, expense categorisation
MTD for Income TaxBuilt in on all plans
Tap to PayFree in-app via Stripe (iPhone XS+ / Android NFC). No Zempler fee; standard Stripe rate applies.
Cash depositsPost Office: £4 minimum or 0.55% of deposit, whichever is greater
FSCS protectionUp to £120,000 (Zempler Bank Ltd)
Phone supportUK line on all plans: 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat, closed Sun. Lost or stolen cards 24/7.
Eligibility: Sole traders, LTDs, LLPs, partnerships
Not ideal if: Businesses needing deep third-party accounting integrations like Xero or QuickBooks
Watch out: Only 3 free bank transfers a month on the free Business Go plan, then 35p each (20 free on Extra, 500 on Pro). Built-in accounting, invoicing and Making Tax Digital tools are free; third-party integrations are fewer than Tide or Starling.
Built-in accounting, invoicing and MTD tools at no extra cost
FSCS protected up to £120,000
No monthly fees
Overdraft facility available, rare for a digital bank
UK phone support on every plan, including the free Business Go tier
Free in-app Tap to Pay for accepting contactless card payments, no separate reader or Zempler fee
Only 3 free bank transfers/month on the free Business Go plan, then 35p each
Third-party accounting integrations more limited than Tide or Starling
Fewer digital features than Tide or Starling
Relatively small user base
Free business current account with built-in accounting, invoicing and MTD tools
FSCS deposit protection up to £120,000
No monthly account fees
Free payments a month by plan: 3 on Business Go, 20 on Extra (£9), 500 on Pro (£19), then 35p each
In-app Tap to Pay (via Stripe) to accept contactless card payments, free of any Zempler fee
ANNA Money Pay As You Go Account
ANNA Money Pay As You Go Account
ANNA scans your receipts and works out your tax as you go, so it suits sole traders who would rather the bookkeeping ran itself than log into a separate tool.
Watch out: 20p per transfer after the first 20 free each month; international SWIFT payments cost £5 plus 1% currency conversion.
Not ideal if: Businesses making many daily transactions or needing FSCS deposit protection
Pay As You Go (PAYG)£0/month. 20 free transfers/month, then 20p each. 0.95% commission on all incoming payments other than transfers from your own accounts. £5 per SWIFT payment.
Business plan£22.90/month + VAT. 60 free local transfers/month, then 20p each.
Big Business plan£59.90/month + VAT.
+Taxes add-on£29.00/month + VAT. For limited companies only.
Incoming-payment cost exampleA freelancer receiving £5,000/month in client payments on PAYG pays £47.50 in incoming-payment commission alone (0.95%), before any other fees.
FX fee1% currency conversion on card payments abroad
International SWIFT transfers£5 per payment
Accounting integrationsBuilt-in tax and expense tools (limited third-party integrations)
OverdraftNot available
FSCS protectionNo on the main account (e-money, safeguarded under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011). ANNA’s separate Griffin easy-access savings account is FSCS protected up to £120,000.
Eligibility: UK sole traders, limited companies, and LLPs are eligible. Fast app-based setup. Standard KYC and identity checks apply. ANNA is an e-money account (not a bank), so funds are safeguarded at partner banks rather than covered by FSCS.
Not ideal if: Businesses making many daily transactions or needing FSCS deposit protection
Watch out: 20p per transfer after the first 20 free each month; international SWIFT payments cost £5 plus 1% currency conversion.
AI-powered receipt scanning and tax calculations
Automatic expense categorisation
Built-in invoicing with payment chasing
Company formation through the app
Pay As You Go pricing suits low-volume businesses
0.95% commission on incoming payments on PAYG makes it expensive for freelancers with regular client revenue: £47.50/month on £5,000 of receipts
20p per transfer after the first 20 free each month on PAYG
No FSCS protection on the main account (e-money safeguarded; only the separate Griffin savings account is FSCS protected)
Not a Current Account Switch Service participant
Limited third-party integrations
No overdraft facility
AI receipt scanning, photograph and auto-categorise expenses
Integrated invoicing with automatic payment reminders
Automatic VAT and self-assessment preparation
Revolut Pro
Revolut Pro
Revolut Pro is not a standalone business bank account: it’s a fee-free profile inside the personal Revolut app for sole traders, freelancers and side-hustlers, with its own IBAN, debit card, invoicing, payment acceptance and tiered cashback.
Best for: UK sole traders, freelancers and side-hustlers who want invoicing and card/payment acceptance without opening a full business account
Watch out: Only for people not registered in the UK business registry (i.e. unincorporated sole traders/side-hustlers): limited companies use Revolut Business instead. Card and payment-acceptance fees apply even though there’s no subscription: 1.5% on Terminal/Lite Terminal card payments, 1.7% on Tap to Pay, and £0.20 + 1% (domestic) or £0.20 + 2.8% (international/commercial cards) on online payment links and invoices. Protection status (FSCS vs safeguarded e-money) is not stated on Revolut’s own Pro product page; check your in-app terms for your contracting entity before holding a material balance.
Not ideal if: Limited companies (use Revolut Business), freelancers who want a full standalone current account with FSCS certainty, or anyone needing a business account separate from a personal Revolut relationship
Subscription fee£0, no additional monthly fee on top of your personal Revolut plan
Incoming bank transfersNo fee
Terminal / Lite Terminal card payments1.5% (all card types)
Terminal hardwareOne-off £169 (Revolut Terminal) or £129 (Lite Terminal)
CashbackTiered by personal plan: 0.4% (Standard/Plus), 0.6% (Premium), 0.8% (Metal), 1% (Ultra), plus boosters up to +1% extra (capped £100/month)
Account detailsSeparate IBAN and debit card, distinct from the user’s personal Revolut account
Eligible entitiesUK sole traders, freelancers, side-hustlers not registered in the business registry
CASS switchingNot supported
Protection statusNot stated on Revolut’s Pro product page; confirm your contracting entity and protection status (FSCS vs e-money safeguarding) in-app before relying on it
Eligibility: Available to individuals not registered in their local business registry: UK sole traders, freelancers and side-hustlers. Requires an existing personal Revolut account; incorporated businesses, partnerships and other registered legal entities must use Revolut Business instead.
Not ideal if: Limited companies (use Revolut Business), freelancers who want a full standalone current account with FSCS certainty, or anyone needing a business account separate from a personal Revolut relationship
Watch out: Only for people not registered in the UK business registry (i.e. unincorporated sole traders/side-hustlers): limited companies use Revolut Business instead. Card and payment-acceptance fees apply even though there’s no subscription: 1.5% on Terminal/Lite Terminal card payments, 1.7% on Tap to Pay, and £0.20 + 1% (domestic) or £0.20 + 2.8% (international/commercial cards) on online payment links and invoices. Protection status (FSCS vs safeguarded e-money) is not stated on Revolut’s own Pro product page; check your in-app terms for your contracting entity before holding a material balance.
No additional subscription fee
No fee on incoming bank transfers
Own IBAN, debit card and tiered cashback (up to 1% plus boosters)
Native invoicing and payment links
Sits inside an app many freelancers already use for personal banking
Not available to limited companies or other registered legal entities
Card and payment-acceptance fees (1.5%-2.8% depending on method) apply despite no subscription
Protection status (FSCS vs e-money safeguarding) is not stated on the product page
Not a Current Account Switch Service participant
No accounting-software integrations
Not a substitute for a full standalone business current account
Fee-free profile inside the personal Revolut app for sole traders and side-hustlers
Separate IBAN, debit card and invoicing tools
Card and payment-link acceptance with published per-transaction fees
Cashback tiered to the user’s personal Revolut plan
Revolut Business Basic Account
Revolut Business Basic Account
Revolut suits incorporated businesses that pay across borders: interbank FX inside a monthly allowance, multi-currency accounts, and team expense cards with per-person limits.
Best for: Incorporated UK businesses that want one account for UK banking, multi-currency wallets, team expense cards, and FSCS protection
Watch out: UK sole traders cannot open Revolut Business and are directed to Revolut Pro instead. Revolut is phasing accounts onto the FSCS-covered bank entity; some new signups still open on the e-money side. Check your terms to confirm which entity holds your money.
Not ideal if: UK sole traders, businesses that need branch access, cash deposits, or an overdraft, and anyone whose monthly FX volume regularly spikes above the plan allowance
Basic plan£10/month (no annual discount)
Grow plan£35/month billed monthly, or £30/month effective on annual billing (£360/year)
Scale plan£125/month billed monthly, or £90/month effective on annual billing (£1,080/year)
FX allowance (Basic)£1,000/month at interbank rate, then 0.6% markup
FX allowance (Grow)£15,000/month at interbank rate, then 0.6% markup
FX allowance (Scale)£60,000/month at interbank rate, then 0.6% markup
Currencies held25+
Local account detailsGBP, EUR, USD
Team cardsYes (physical and virtual, with spend limits and controls)
FSCS protectionUp to £120,000 on eligible deposits held by Revolut Bank UK Ltd. Check your account terms for your contracting entity.
Eligible entitiesLimited companies, LLPs, partnerships (UK sole traders not eligible)
Eligibility: Limited companies, LLPs, and partnerships registered in the UK are eligible for Revolut Business. UK sole traders are not eligible and are directed to Revolut Pro, a fee-free account in the personal Revolut app. Revolut is also available to businesses in many EU and EEA countries. Restricted and prohibited industries include gambling, adult content, and certain financial services. Standard KYC and company document checks apply on opening. FSCS protection up to £120,000 applies to eligible deposits held by Revolut Bank UK Ltd; some accounts may still be on the older Revolut Ltd e-money entity during the phased migration. Check your in-app terms to confirm your contracting entity.
Not ideal if: UK sole traders, businesses that need branch access, cash deposits, or an overdraft, and anyone whose monthly FX volume regularly spikes above the plan allowance
Watch out: UK sole traders cannot open Revolut Business and are directed to Revolut Pro instead. Revolut is phasing accounts onto the FSCS-covered bank entity; some new signups still open on the e-money side. Check your terms to confirm which entity holds your money.
FSCS protection up to £120,000 on bank entity accounts
Interbank FX rate inside the monthly allowance
Team expense cards with per-card spend limits and controls
Invoicing on every plan including Basic
API access on Grow and Scale plans
UK sole traders cannot open Revolut Business
Grow is £35/month and Scale is £125/month when billed monthly
FSCS protection is not guaranteed on day one: some new signups still open on the e-money entity
No overdraft facility
FX carries a 0.6% markup above the monthly allowance
Multi-currency accounts with interbank FX inside monthly allowances
Team expense cards with custom spending limits and merchant controls
Batch payment processing for payroll and supplier runs
Invoicing on every plan; card payments via separate Merchant account
Virgin Money M Account for Business
Virgin Money M Account for Business
Virgin Money’s M Account pairs free everyday banking with unlimited 0.25% cashback on debit card spend, in-app cheque scanning and branch access, a combination most digital-only freelancer accounts don’t offer.
Best for: Free banking with cashback, cheque handling and branch access
Watch out: Only available to businesses with annual turnover under £1m. Digital tools and integrations lag behind fintech competitors. International SWIFT transfers cost £17.50 each; cash-deposit tariffs are set out in Virgin Money’s separate Tariff Guide and haven’t been independently re-verified here.
Not ideal if: Businesses with turnover above £1m, or those wanting advanced invoicing, multi-currency features, or frequent international payments.
Monthly feeFree
UK bank transfersFree (up to £30,000 per transfer)
Cashback0.25% on debit card spend (0.5% on trade supplies)
Cash depositsBranch (tariff applies; see Virgin Money Tariff Guide)
EligibilityTurnover under £1m; sole traders, LTDs, LLPs, partnerships
Cheque depositsIn-app cheque scanning
Eligibility: UK-based sole traders, limited companies, LLPs and partnerships with annual turnover under £1m. Excludes clubs, charities, and businesses based in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Northern Ireland.
Not ideal if: Businesses with turnover above £1m, or those wanting advanced invoicing, multi-currency features, or frequent international payments.
Watch out: Only available to businesses with annual turnover under £1m. Digital tools and integrations lag behind fintech competitors. International SWIFT transfers cost £17.50 each; cash-deposit tariffs are set out in Virgin Money’s separate Tariff Guide and haven’t been independently re-verified here.
Free business banking with no monthly fees
Unlimited 0.25% cashback on debit card spend (0.5% on trade supplies)
In-app cheque scanning
Branch access across the UK
Xero free for 6 months on signup
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (combined with Nationwide holdings)
Overdraft available subject to eligibility
Free UK bank transfers up to £30,000 per transaction
Only available to businesses with turnover under £1m
Digital tools and integrations lag behind fintechs
International SWIFT transfers cost £17.50 each
Fewer business lending options than major banks
Smaller branch network than HSBC or Barclays
Free M Account for business with no monthly charges
Unlimited 0.25% cashback on debit card spending
In-app cheque scanning
Branch access for in-person banking
FSCS deposit protection up to £120,000
Business overdraft (subject to eligibility)
Wise Business Account
Wise Business Account
Wise gives UK businesses the real mid-market exchange rate with the fee shown before you send, 40+ currencies under one login, and no monthly fee.
Best for: Businesses that send or receive in foreign currencies regularly and want the exact FX cost on screen before they send
Watch out: Not a full UK bank account: no overdraft or lending, no cash or cheque handling, and funds are e-money safeguarded rather than FSCS-protected. Full receiving features need a one-off £50 setup.
Not ideal if: Businesses that only transact in pounds, or that need cash and cheque handling, an overdraft, or FSCS deposit protection
Monthly feeFree (one-off £50 setup unlocks full features)
FX rateMid-market rate, no markup
FX conversion feeFrom 0.33% (shown upfront before you confirm)
Currencies held40+
Account details to receive22 currencies (free domestic receipt in 9)
Business and employee cardsYes. Employee expense cards from £3 each with spending controls
Getting paid by cardYes. 1% UK cards, 2.9% international; invoices, links and QR codes
Accounting and APIXero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent; free API; batch payments up to 1,000
Overdraft or lendingNot available
FSCS protectionNo. Funds are e-money safeguarded under FCA rules, not FSCS-protected
Eligible entitiesSole traders, limited and public companies, partnerships
Eligibility: UK sole traders and freelancers, limited and public companies, and partnerships can all apply. No minimum turnover. Supported countries vary, and unsupported industries include gambling, adult content and certain high-risk financial services. Verification covers business details, directors and anyone owning 25% or more.
Not ideal if: Businesses that only transact in pounds, or that need cash and cheque handling, an overdraft, or FSCS deposit protection
Watch out: Not a full UK bank account: no overdraft or lending, no cash or cheque handling, and funds are e-money safeguarded rather than FSCS-protected. Full receiving features need a one-off £50 setup.
Real mid-market exchange rate with the fee shown upfront from 0.33%
Hold and convert 40+ currencies; account details to receive in 22
Invoices, payment links, card acceptance, batch payments and a free API
Open to sole traders and freelancers (Revolut Business is not)
No monthly fee on the account
Not a full UK bank account: no overdraft or lending
No FSCS deposit protection (e-money safeguarded only)
No cash or cheque handling
Full receiving features need a one-off £50 setup
Multi-currency account: hold and convert 40+ currencies
Real mid-market rate with the fee shown upfront from 0.33%
Account details to receive in 22 currencies (free domestic receipt in 9)
Invoices, payment links and card acceptance (1% UK, 2.9% international)
Free API, batch payments up to 1,000, and Xero/QuickBooks/FreeAgent
What These Accounts Really Cost
Every account here starts at £0 a month. The real cost shows up in incoming-payment commission, per-transfer charges, FX, and cash or cheque handling. We work through each below, then run six real freelancer scenarios so you can match your own volumes against the table.
Incoming-Payment Charges
ANNA is the one we’d flag hardest. Its Pay As You Go plan skims 0.95% commission off every incoming payment other than transfers from your own accounts, on top of £0.20 per transfer after the first 20 free each month.
A freelancer taking £5,000 in client payments a month hands over £47.50 in commission alone, before any other fee. None of the other nine accounts here charge you a penny to receive a payment.
ANNA’s Business plan (£22.90/month + VAT) removes the incoming-payment commission entirely.
We worked the breakeven from the 0.95% rate: PAYG only stays cheaper than Business below roughly £2,900 of monthly incoming payments. Above that, the flat monthly fee costs less, so run the sum on your own typical receipts before picking PAYG on the strength of its £0 headline.
Transfer and FX Costs
Transfer and FX Costs
Provider
UK transfers
FX / international
Starling
Free
0.4% conversion + £5.50 delivery per SWIFT payment
Tide Free
5 free/mo, then 20p
2.75% on overseas card use (0% on paid plans)
Mettle
Free
Mastercard rate, standard fees
Monzo Lite
Free
1% on incoming FX, capped £1,000/transaction
Zempler
3 free/mo, then 35p
Standard fees
ANNA PAYG
20 free/mo, then 20p; 0.95% on incoming
1% conversion + £5 per SWIFT
Revolut Pro
No fee on incoming transfers
Card/payment-link fees only (1.5%-2.8%)
Revolut Business (Basic)
Free within allowance
Interbank rate to £1,000/mo, then 0.6%
Virgin Money
Free up to £30,000/transaction
£17.50 per SWIFT transfer
Wise
From 0.33% + £0.30
Mid-market rate, no markup
Verified 21 July 2026.
For pure UK invoicing, Starling, Mettle, and Revolut Pro carry no transfer cost. For genuine international billing, Wise’s mid-market rate is the cheapest we found; Starling’s 0.4% is a reasonable single-account alternative if you’d rather not run a second app.
Cash and Cheque Handling
Most digital-only accounts here don’t take cheques at all. Virgin Money is the exception, with in-app cheque scanning and branch counters alongside its free everyday account.
That matters if a client or agency still pays you by cheque. Cash-deposit tariffs are set per provider and per account type, so the figure quoted on a personal account rarely carries across to the business one.
Cost at Real Freelancer Volumes
The scenarios below use the fee figures verified above. Where a cost depends on the value of payments received rather than just the count, we’ve used an illustrative revenue figure, stated explicitly, rather than claiming it as a typical freelancer’s income.
Cost at Real Freelancer Volumes
Scenario
Cheapest fit
Why
Low-volume UK freelancer 5 incoming payments, 10 outgoing transfers/month
Starling or Mettle, £0
15 total transfers stays under Tide’s 5 free (10 × 20p = £2/month) and Zempler’s 3 free (12 × 35p = £4.20/month); Starling and Mettle charge nothing at any count.
Starling or Mettle, £0 (Mettle +£4 if you need quote conversion)
60 transfers a month pushes Tide onto Smart (£12.49/month) to get enough free transfers and stay under its invoicing cap; Starling and Mettle’s free native invoicing has no such cap.
International freelancer £5,000 received in a foreign currency, 10 UK transfers
Wise, from ~£16.50 on the FX alone
Wise’s 0.33% mid-market rate beats Starling’s 0.4%, ANNA’s 1% + £5 SWIFT, and Revolut Business’s £10/month subscription plus 0.6% above its £1,000 allowance.
Cash- or cheque-taking freelancer two £500 cash deposits, 20 transfers/month
Virgin Money
The only account here with in-app cheque scanning; confirm its current cash-deposit tariff directly before relying on a figure.
MTD sole trader over the £50,000 qualifying-income threshold
Starling, £0
The only account here with a native, HMRC-recognised MTD for Income Tax tool included free; others rely on bundled or integrated third-party software.
Limited-company contractor one monthly client payment, salary/dividend/admin payments
Starling or Tide, £0 (Revolut Business from £10/month if you need multi-currency or team cards)
Both serve limited companies free with invoicing and accountant integrations included; Revolut Business only earns its fee if you specifically need its multi-currency or team-card features.
Verified 21 July 2026.
When a Paid Plan Beats Free
Tide Smart (£12.49/month, 30 free transfers) starts to beat Tide Free once you clear roughly 68 transfers a month at 20p each.
Monzo Pro (£9/month) is only worth it if you actually use its tax pot and accounting integrations, features the free Lite plan doesn’t include at all.
And as we found above, ANNA’s Business plan overtakes PAYG once your monthly incoming payments pass roughly £2,900.
Eligibility and Account Requirements
Neither UK law requires it, but the two legal forms are treated very differently by the providers on this page, and that shapes which accounts you can even open.
Eligibility and Account Requirements
Legal form
Position
Sole trader / side hustle
Not legally required to hold a separate business account. You can use a personal account for business transactions, though the account’s own terms may prohibit business use, and mixing the two makes self-assessment and record-keeping harder.
Limited company
A limited company is a separate legal entity. Its banking must be kept separate from the director’s personal banking; see our accounts for sole traders guide for the full legal-structure explanation.
Verified 21 July 2026.
Sole Traders and Side Hustles
Starling, Tide, Mettle, Monzo, Zempler and ANNA all accept sole traders on day one of self-employment, no trading history required.
Revolut Pro is built specifically for people not registered in the business registry, freelancers, sole traders and side-hustlers, inside the personal Revolut app.
Revolut Business is not available to UK sole traders at all; they’re directed to Revolut Pro instead.
Limited Company Contractors
Starling, Tide, Monzo, Zempler, ANNA, Virgin Money (turnover under £1m) and Revolut Business all accept newly incorporated limited companies with zero trading history.
Mettle is restricted to companies with up to two owners, and only one owner can access the account, so it fits a single-director contractor PSC but not a co-founded limited company.
We’d confirm feature parity (invoicing, Accounting Essentials) on Starling’s limited company product rather than assuming it matches the sole trader account exactly.
Partnerships
Tide, Zempler, Wise and Virgin Money accept partnerships and LLPs. Starling accepts LLPs but not general partnerships. Monzo, Mettle, ANNA and both Revolut products don’t support partnership structures on their freelancer-relevant offerings.
Credit Checks and Application Criteria
Starling, Tide, Mettle, Monzo, Zempler, ANNA and both Revolut products use identity verification or soft checks rather than a hard credit search on freelancer applications.
If you have CCJs or defaults, these digital accounts are the practical route. Virgin Money, as a mainstream bank, may apply standard underwriting, so confirm directly before applying if your credit file is thin or poor.
Business Bank Account Features That Matter Most
Freelancing is admin time you’re not billing for. These are the features that remove steps from your invoicing and tax workflow, weighted by how much they actually save you.
Accounting Integrations
Starling and Tide connect free to Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent; Tide adds Sage on top, the only account here that does.
Monzo connects to Xero and QuickBooks, but only on the paid Pro plan. Mettle integrates via a free (conditional) FreeAgent subscription. Zempler leans on its own built-in tools rather than third-party connectors.
ANNA covers Xero and QuickBooks with no Sage feed. Revolut Business and Wise both connect to Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent.
Virgin Money offers Xero, free for 6 months on signup, plus Sage and QuickBooks. Revolut Pro has no accounting integrations at all.
Invoicing Tools
Starling and Tide both include free native invoicing, though Tide caps the free plan at 3 a month.
Mettle includes native invoicing with automatic payment matching; converting a quote into an invoice needs the optional Mettle+ upgrade (£4/month). Zempler has built-in invoicing on its free tier.
ANNA includes invoicing on Business, Big Business and +Taxes; PAYG needs the paid upgrade for the fuller feature set.
Revolut Pro and Revolut Business both include native invoicing and payment links. Monzo and Virgin Money leave invoicing to your accounting software.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
MTD for Income Tax phases in by qualifying income: over £50,000 from 6 April 2026, over £30,000 from 6 April 2027, and over £20,000 from 6 April 2028. Once you’re in scope, you keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC through compatible software.
Starling is the only account here with a native, HMRC-recognised MTD tool built in free, Accounting Essentials. Zempler markets built-in MTD tools on its free tier.
Mettle covers it through bundled FreeAgent, conditional on monthly account activity. Tide, Monzo, ANNA and Virgin Money rely on third-party integrations, Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, or Sage, rather than a native MTD tool. Neither Revolut product nor Wise offers an MTD tool.
Interest and Overdrafts
Starling offers an overdraft subject to status. Monzo advertises sole trader overdrafts up to £3,000 and business loans up to £25,000, both subject to eligibility.
Zempler offers an overdraft up to £10,000, available at application for limited companies, or after three months for sole traders.
Its free Business Go tier pays no interest on the current account balance. Interest sits on the paid Business Pro plan’s savings pot (0.5%) instead, correcting an earlier claim on this page.
Virgin Money offers an overdraft subject to eligibility. Tide, Mettle, ANNA, Wise and both Revolut products don’t offer overdrafts.
App and Day-to-Day Banking
All the digital-first providers offer in-app chat, instant card freeze, and push notifications on every transaction. We rate Starling and Tide the most polished for daily use. Virgin Money adds branch access most of the others don’t have, at the cost of a less refined app.
How to Choose the Right Freelancer Business Bank Account
Four questions whittle the field down fast: who pays you, how often, whether you bill overseas, and how much admin you want the bank to absorb.
Choose by Client Mix and Payment Method
UK clients paying by invoice: Starling, Mettle or Tide. Clients paying by card or in person: Revolut Pro or Zempler’s free in-app Tap to Pay. Clients billing in USD, EUR or other foreign currency: Wise, or Starling’s 0.4% FX if you’d rather not run a second account.
Choose by Invoice and Transaction Volume
Under roughly 30 transfers a month, any of the free accounts work. Above that, Starling and Mettle stay free at any volume, while Tide’s 20p-per-transfer fee keeps adding up. Tide Smart (£12.49/month) never claws that back on transfer fees alone, so at higher volume the free accounts win.
Choose by Tax Prep Approach
Want the MTD tool built into your bank, free: Starling. Your accountant runs FreeAgent: Mettle or Starling. Want a tax pot that automatically sets money aside: Monzo Pro. Your accountant runs Sage: Tide is the only account here that connects to it.
Choose by Legal Structure and Accountant’s Software
Sole trader or side hustle wanting invoicing plus card acceptance: Starling, Mettle or Revolut Pro. Limited company keeping it simple: Starling or Tide, both free.
Limited company needing multi-currency wallets or team expense cards: Revolut Business is worth its £10/month. Otherwise, it’s an unnecessary subscription.
How to Switch Freelancer Business Bank Accounts
Freelancers typically switch for one of three reasons: the free plan stopped fitting their volumes, their accountant changed platforms, or a cleaner tax tool appeared elsewhere.
Which Providers Support CASS
Which Providers Support CASS
Provider
Business CASS support
Starling
Yes
Monzo
Yes
Tide
Yes (via ClearBank)
Zempler
Yes
Mettle
No, manual migration
ANNA
No, manual migration
Revolut (Pro and Business)
No, only listed for personal accounts on the CASS directory
Virgin Money
Not independently re-verified in this pass; confirm on the current CASS directory
Verified 21 July 2026.
When to Switch Mid-Tax-Year
Avoid switching in the three months before self-assessment if you can. Mid-January is the worst time; reconciling two partial-year exports costs you or your accountant the equivalent of a day’s billable time. April to July, at the start of the new tax year, is the cleanest window.
How to Avoid Disruption
Keep the old account open for at least 60 days after switching. HMRC direct debits and some SaaS billing occasionally miss the CASS redirection.
Reconcile both accounts for the first month so any payment that didn’t redirect shows up before it becomes an overdue bill. CASS doesn’t reliably catch every payment type; we’ve seen Stripe payouts slip through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do freelancers need a separate business bank account?
Not legally, if you’re a sole trader. HMRC doesn’t require sole traders to hold a separate business account, and you can use a personal account for business transactions, though the account’s own terms may prohibit business use. A limited company is a separate legal entity and its banking must be kept apart from the director’s personal finances. Even for sole traders, mixing accounts makes self-assessment harder, and free options (Starling, Mettle, Tide) remove the cost argument for keeping them separate.
What is the difference between Revolut Pro and Revolut Business?
Revolut Pro is a fee-free profile inside the personal Revolut app, built for freelancers, sole traders and side-hustlers who aren’t registered in the business registry: its own IBAN, debit card, invoicing and payment acceptance, with no incoming-transfer fee (card and payment-link fees still apply). Revolut Business starts at £10/month and is for incorporated companies, LLPs and partnerships, with multi-currency accounts, team expense cards and an FX allowance. UK sole traders cannot open Revolut Business at all; they’re directed to Revolut Pro instead.
Is ANNA’s Pay As You Go plan really free?
The monthly fee is £0, but that headline hides a catch: PAYG skims 0.95% commission off every incoming payment other than transfers from your own accounts, plus 20p per transfer after the first 20 free each month. On £5,000 of client payments in a month, that’s £47.50 gone in commission alone. ANNA’s Business plan (£22.90/month + VAT, no incoming-payment commission) works out cheaper once your monthly incoming payments pass roughly £2,900.
Does Starling really include free invoicing now?
Yes. Starling’s sole trader account currently advertises free invoicing and free Accounting Essentials, a built-in, HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital for Income Tax tool, along with free integrations to Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent. That’s a change from Starling leaving invoicing to third-party software; check the equivalent limited company product for feature parity before assuming it matches exactly.
When do freelancers have to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?
MTD for Income Tax phases in by qualifying income level. Sole traders and landlords over £50,000 must comply from 6 April 2026; over £30,000 from 6 April 2027; and over £20,000 from 6 April 2028. Once in scope, you keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software. Starling includes a native, HMRC-recognised tool for this free; other providers rely on bundled or integrated third-party accounting software.
Are these accounts FSCS protected?
Most are. Eligible deposits with Starling, Tide (new accounts via ClearBank), Monzo, Zempler, Virgin Money and Revolut Business (on its bank-entity accounts) are protected up to £120,000 per eligible person or entity, per UK-authorised firm. A sole trader’s personal and business balances with the same firm are combined for that limit; a limited company can be a separate eligible depositor. ANNA and Wise operate as e-money institutions, so their main account funds are safeguarded rather than FSCS-protected (ANNA’s separate Griffin savings account is FSCS protected). Revolut stays silent on Pro’s protection status on its product page, so check your in-app terms before you hold a real balance there.
Which account is cheapest for freelancers with international clients?
Wise, on FX cost: a mid-market rate with fees from 0.33% + £0.30, shown upfront. It isn’t a full UK business current account though, no overdraft, no FSCS protection, and just one business card. Starling’s 0.4% conversion rate is a reasonable single-account alternative if you don’t want to run Wise alongside your main account.
How we reviewed business bank accounts
Ranking criteria. We rank accounts on five factors: true monthly cost at realistic freelancer transaction volumes, eligibility by legal structure, invoicing and Making Tax Digital tooling, deposit protection, and ease of switching.
Cost and protection carry the heaviest weight because these matter across every freelancer setup and rarely change with reader preferences.
Data sources. Every provider’s pricing page, terms, and product docs were checked directly on 21 July 2026. No comparison sites, no press releases, no affiliate material. FCA register and the Current Account Switch Service directory cross-checked for regulatory and CASS status.
Update cadence. We re-verify every provider on this page at least monthly, and whenever one changes pricing, eligibility, or terms. The verification date at the top reflects the most recent full review. Some links on this page are affiliate links, see our editorial policy.
Starling Bank Business Current Account
Tide Free Business Account
Mettle Business Bank Account
Monzo Business Lite Account
Zempler Bank Business Go Account
ANNA Money Pay As You Go Account
Revolut Pro
Virgin Money M Account for Business
Wise Business Account