What is the Best International Business Bank Account?

The right international business account is essential for UK SMES trading globally. In 2023 alone, small businesses lost an estimated $800 million to hidden fees, while 49% said complex international payments prevented expansion (source).

Traditional banks often add costs and delays through inflated FX rates, high transfer charges, and limited currency options. The difference adds up quickly: a £10,000 USD transfer with a 1% markup costs £100, compared to just £33 with Wise at 0.33%.

This guide reviews the best international business bank accounts UK companies can open in 2025, focusing on transparent pricing, strong multi-currency support, and FCA-regulated providers. Starling offers FSCS protection for deposits, while fintechs like Wise, Revolut, and Airwallex safeguard client funds under FCA rules. Trustpilot ratings also highlight differences in customer experience, from Wise’s praised transparency to Payoneer’s complaints about fee complexity.

Whether invoicing overseas clients, paying international suppliers, or managing revenue in multiple currencies, the right account can reduce costs, cut delays, and support global growth.

Featured Partners

International Transfers

Airwallex Business Account

Monthly Fee

£19

£0/month if you deposit at least £10k per month or hold a minimum balance of £10k with Explore Plan

Card Purchases

£0

Bank Transfers

£0

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Expense Management

Wallester Business Account

Monthly Fee

£0

Card Purchases

£0

Bank Transfers

£0

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Multicurrency

Revolut Business Basic Account

Monthly Fee

£10

Card Purchases

£0

Bank Transfers

20p

10 free per month

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What Are the Best International Business Bank Accounts? Our Verdict

For most UK SMEs trading internationally, Wise is the best overall choice. Its use of the mid-market rate with fees from 0.33% makes it consistently cheaper and more transparent than rivals. A £10,000 transfer costs about £33, compared with £60 via Revolut once its allowance is used, or £100+ with providers adding a 1% markup such as Tide. Wise supports 40+ currencies with local account details and is FCA-regulated, though it lacks FSCS protection.

Revolut is the next strongest option for businesses wanting app-based budgeting tools and tiered allowances. Its Grow plan gives £15,000 of fee-free FX, but costs rise to £60 per £10,000 beyond this, and £160 at weekends with the 1% surcharge. While flexible, it’s less transparent than Wise for high-volume users.

Starling Bank offers the safest home for deposits. As a fully licensed UK bank, it provides FSCS protection for up to £85,000, which is unique in this comparison. However, its Euro and USD accounts (£2–£5/month) and 34-country coverage are far narrower than Wise or Revolut.

Airwallex is best suited to scaling tech-driven firms. With interbank FX plus a 0.5–1% markup, a £10,000 transfer typically costs £50–£100, competitive at scale but less predictable for SMEs. Its API-driven platform appeals to larger firms, though some users report slower onboarding and occasional account freezes.

Best International Business Bank Accounts Compared

Brand Name	Best For	Standout Featrues	FSCS/ Safeguarding	Pricing	Learn More
Wise	SMEs needing transparent multi-currency support	Mid-market FX (from 0.33%), 40+ currencies, local account details in US/EU/Asia	FCA-regulated e-money, safeguarded funds (no FSCS)	£45 setup, no monthly fee, FX from 0.33%	Visit Wise
Revolut	Fast-growing firms wanting budgeting tools with FX allowances	Tiered plans, expense management, and an intuitive app	FCA-regulated e-money, safeguarded funds (no FSCS)	Monthly fees from £10, fee-free FX allowance from £1,000, 0.6% after, +1% weekends	Visit Revolut
Starling	UK firms prioritising deposit protection	Full UK bank licence, FSCS cover, Euro & USD add-ons (£2–£5/m)	FSCS-protected up to £85k	Free GBP account, Euro £2/m, USD £5/m	Visit Starling
Airwallex	Scaling, tech-driven businesses with high-volume global payments	API-driven treasury, interbank FX + 0.5–1% markup, payouts to 120+ countries	FCA-regulated e-money, safeguarded funds (no FSCS)	No monthly fee if you meet conditions, pay-per-transaction FX (0.5–1%)	Visit Airwallex
ANNA Money	Freelancers & micro-businesses needing admin + banking in one app	Invoicing, receipt capture, 24/7 UK support	FCA-regulated e-money, safeguarded funds (no FSCS)	Free basic plan, paid tiers from £19.90/m, FX 0.5% to 1% via SWIFT	Visit ANNA Money
Payoneer	Freelancers & marketplace sellers needing global payouts	Receiving accounts in 10 currencies, accepted on Amazon, Fiverr, Upwork	FCA-regulated e-money, safeguarded funds (no FSCS)	Free setup, no monthly fee, card FX up to 3.5%, $29.95 inactivity fee	Visit Payoneer
Tide	Small UK firms with simple GBP/EUR needs	Fast onboarding, strong accounting integrations	FCA-regulated e-money, safeguarded funds (no FSCS)	Free basic plan, transfers 20p, FX 1.5% (0.5% on paid plans)	Visit Tide

Top 7 International Business Accounts Reviewed

Revolut Business Account Review

Revolut Business Basic Account

Monthly Fee

£10

Bank Transfers

20p

10 free per month

Card Purchases

£0

Overdraft

No

FSCS Protection

No

Our Rating

Accessibility

Access your Revolut account via the web or mobile app

Open Account

On Revolut’s Website

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Revolut is one of the best UK multi-currency accounts for SMEs that want flexibility and strong budgeting tools without the complexity of a traditional bank. It offers borderless GBP, USD, and EUR accounts and tiered FX allowances that scale as your business grows.

Compared with Wise, Revolut is less transparent on fees: a £10,000 transfer after your allowance costs £60 at 0.6%, while the same with Wise costs £33 at 0.33%. On weekends, Revolut adds a 1% surcharge, making that same £10,000 transfer £160, nearly five times that of Wise. Against Starling, Revolut wins on digital tools but lacks FSCS protection, offering only FCA safeguarding. Compared with Airwallex, Revolut is easier to use but less powerful for high-volume, API-driven payments.

» MORE Read our full Revolut Business Review

Wise Business Account Review

Wise Business Account

Monthly Fee

£0

Bank Transfers

Variable

Card Purchases

Variable

Overdraft

No

FSCS Protection

No

Trustpilot Score

231,710 Reviews, average rating of 4.3/5

Accessibility

Access your Wise account via the web or mobile app

See Deal

On Wise’s Website

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Wise is our top pick for UK SMEs prioritising cost transparency and global reach. Unlike many banks or fintechs that hide fees in inflated exchange rates, Wise uses the real mid-market rate and adds a transparent, low fee of 0.33%. On a £10,000 transfer, Wise costs around £33, compared with £60 at Revolut once the free allowance ends, or £150 with Tide’s 1.5% markup.

Wise also supports over 40 currencies, lets you hold balances across regions, and provides local account details in GBP, EUR, USD, AUD and more—helping businesses get paid as if they had a domestic account. Compared to Starling, it lacks FSCS protection but offers far broader international functionality. Against Airwallex, Wise is simpler to set up and use, though less API-driven for enterprise-level automation.

Wise remains the clearest all-around choice for SMEs that want predictable fees, wide currency coverage, and FCA-regulated safeguarding.

MORE Read our full Wise International Business Account Review

Starling Business Account Review

Starling Bank Business Current Account

Monthly Fee

£0

Bank Transfers

£0

Card Purchases

£0

Overdraft

Yes

Eligible customers can apply for an overdraft between £1,000 and £50,000.

FSCS Protection

Yes

Our Rating

Accessibility

Access your Starling Bank account via the web or mobile app

Open Account

On Starling Bank’s Website

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Starling is the only fully licensed UK bank among the providers compared, making it unique in offering FSCS protection up to £85,000 on GBP deposits. This is a clear differentiator for SMEs that want peace of mind and traditional banking safeguards. Its mobile-first app is sleek and user-friendly, and its customer service is frequently praised for being more responsive than fintech competitors like Tide or Payoneer.

Where Starling lags in its international scope, transfers are supported to around 34 countries, with Euro (£2/month) and USD (£5/month) business accounts available. However, these add-ons have limited availability and are not always open to new applicants. Compared to Wise, Starling is far narrower. Wise supports 70+ countries and 40+ currencies. Against Revolut, Starling lacks advanced budgeting tools and tiered FX allowances, but it avoids Revolut’s 1% weekend surcharge and hidden markups. For businesses prioritising security and stability over breadth of global coverage, Starling is the strongest choice.

MORE Read our full Starling Business Review

ANNA Money Business Account Review

ANNA Money Pay as You Go Account

Monthly Fee

£0

Bank Transfers

20p

Card Purchases

£0

Overdraft

No

FSCS Protection

No

Our Rating

App Access

Access your ANNA Money account via the web or the mobile app

Open Account

On ANNA Money’s Website

opens a new window

ANNA Money is designed for freelancers, sole traders, and micro-businesses that value simplicity and admin support as much as banking. Rather than focusing on heavy cross-border payments like Wise or Airwallex, ANNA combines a current account with invoicing, receipt capture, and tax tools to act as an all-in-one financial assistant.

Its 24/7 UK-based in-app support and automation of tasks such as invoice reminders and expense categorisation stand out. Compared with Revolut, ANNA lacks broad FX functionality but feels less intimidating for smaller businesses. Against Starling, it doesn’t have FSCS protection but compensates with unique tax and invoicing tools. And compared with Tide, ANNA leans towards creative professionals and admin-heavy freelancers who want built-in software-style features.

ANNA is suitable for businesses making only occasional international payments. But if you frequently send or receive funds in multiple currencies, providers like Wise or Airwallex are more cost-effective and transparent.

MORE Read our full Anna Money Account Review

Airwallex Business Account Review

Airwallex Business Account

Monthly Fee

£19

£0/month if you deposit at least £10k per month or hold a minimum balance of £10k with Explore Plan

Bank Transfers

£0

Card Purchases

£0

Overdraft

No

FSCS Protection

No

Our Rating

Accessibility

Access your Airwallex account via the web and mobile app

Open Account

On Airwallex’s Website

opens a new window

Airwallex is designed to scale businesses with high international volumes and complex payment needs. Its strength lies in its developer-friendly API, which enables businesses to integrate payments directly into platforms and automate treasury functions. It offers one of the widest global reaches, with local accounts in GBP, USD, AUD, and CAD, plus payouts to 120+ countries.

A £10,000 transfer via Airwallex at 0.5% costs ~£50, versus £33 with Wise at 0.33%. Airwallex can offer customised discounts for high-volume scale-ups, making it competitive with Wise for large transfers.

Compared to Wise, Airwallex is less straightforward but more powerful for bulk payments and embedded finance. Against Revolut, it delivers deeper FX functionality and global coverage, though Revolut’s app is easier for SMEs to navigate. Unlike Starling, Airwallex lacks FSCS protection; it is an FCA-regulated e-money institution that safeguards client funds.

MORE Read our full Airwallex Account Review

Payoneer Business Account Review

Payoneer Business Account

Monthly Fee

£0.00

Bank Transfers

Varies

Ranges from up to £4 for transfers to another Payoneer user in the same country to up to 3% for transfers to non-Payoneer users.

Card Purchases

£0.00

Up to 1.18% cross-border purchase fee if merchant’s country differs from card’s.

Overdraft

No

A Capital Advance is available, subject to eligibility.

FSCS Protection

No

Trustpilot Score

57,888 Reviews, average rating of 3.8/5

Open Account

On Payoneer’s Website

opens a new window

Payoneer is one of the best international accounts for freelancers, eCommerce sellers, and small businesses earning through global platforms. It provides local receiving accounts in 10 currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD and more), allowing clients and marketplaces to pay you as if you had a domestic bank account in those regions. This makes it the go-to choice for payouts from Amazon, Fiverr, Upwork, eBay, and Airbnb.

Its greatest strength is global coverage: Payoneer supports payouts to 190+ countries, far beyond Revolut, Starling, or ANNA. The trade-off, however, is higher and less predictable fees. Currency conversions can cost up to 3.5%, and withdrawals to bank accounts carry variable charges. By comparison, a £5,000 payment via a Payoneer card could cost ~£175 in FX fees, whereas the same amount would cost ~£16.50 with Wise at 0.33%.

Payoneer is also known for account freezes and slower support response times, which are similar issues flagged with Tide and Airwallex. For businesses reliant on fast-moving cash flow, this can be disruptive. Still, Payoneer is often indispensable for sellers embedded in international marketplaces.

MORE Read our full Payoneer Account Review

Tide Business Account Review

Get £100 when you sign up with code BCA100

Tide Free Business Account

Monthly Fee

£0

Get £100 when you sign up with code BCA100

Bank Transfers

20p

Card Purchases

£0

Overdraft

No

FSCS Protection

Yes

Our Rating

Accessibility

Access your Tide account via the web or the mobile app

Open Account

On Tide’s Website

opens a new window

Eligibility Criteria

– You must be at least 18 years old.
– You must have a valid UK phone number.
– You must have a device that can access the UK Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
– You must be either the director of an active company registered with UK Companies House or a sole trader/freelancer registered with HMRC.
– Charities/trusts and other high-risk industries are not eligible.
– Businesses operating from outside the UK are excluded.

Tide is built for start-ups, freelancers, and small UK firms wanting quick, low-cost business account access. Its all-digital onboarding takes as little as 10 minutes and is one of the fastest in the market. The app is simple and user-friendly and comes with integrated invoicing, receipt capture, and accounting connections, giving small firms essential admin tools without extra software.

Where Tide falls short is international coverage. It supports only GBP and EUR, with inbound GBP payments via SWIFT and outbound EUR transfers via SEPA. Payments in other currencies are rejected. Tide is highly restrictive compared to Wise (40+ currencies) or Airwallex (payouts to 120+ countries).

A £10,000 EUR transfer with Tide on its free plan incurs a 1.5% FX markup (~£150). The payment costs £33 with Wise (0.33%) and £60 with Revolut (0.6%). This is fine for small domestic-first firms, but costs increase fast for internationally trading SMEs.

Like Payoneer and Airwallex, Tide has a history of account freezes, which some users report as disruptive. Many highlight the smooth sign-up on Trustpilot (3.5/5) but criticise slow customer support and hidden charges.

Offer: Use code BCA100 when you open a Tide Business Bank Account to get £100 cashback.

MORE Read our full Tide Account Review

The Importance of Multi-Currency Support

For UK businesses trading internationally, a multi-currency business account in the UK isn’t just a convenience; it directly protects margins. Without one, incoming payments are automatically converted to GBP, often at unfavourable exchange rates, leading to unnecessary costs on every transaction.

Reducing Conversion Costs – Cheapest Way to Send Money Abroad for Businesses

Multi-currency accounts let businesses match income with expenses in the same currency. For example, if you receive $20,000 from US clients and pay $15,000 to US suppliers, using a USD balance with Wise or Airwallex means no conversion is needed. By contrast, Tide forces conversion into GBP and back to USD, adding 2–3% in hidden FX costs equal to £300–£600 lost on those payments.

A £5,000 supplier payment in USD costs ~£16.50 with Wise (0.33%), while via Payoneer’s card conversion at 3.5% it’s ~£175.

Better Control Over Exchange Timing

Holding funds in multiple currencies gives businesses the flexibility to convert when exchange rates are favourable. For instance, delaying the conversion of €50,000 until GBP strengthens by 2% saves around £1,000. Wise and Airwallex both support this, while Revolut allows fee-free monthly allowances before adding surcharges.

Professionalism and Speed – Best UK Multi-Currency Accounts for Client Payments

Local account details improve the client experience by making payments faster and cheaper. Wise issues ACH (US) and SEPA (EU) account details, while Payoneer offers 10 local receiving accounts for marketplace sellers (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, and more). Starling provides Euro and USD accounts, but availability is limited and capped at £2–£5/month.

Supporting Long-Term Growth

As firms expand, flexibility becomes critical. Airwallex lets scale-ups open new currency accounts rapidly via API, supporting growth into Asia-Pacific and North America. Tide and ANNA, by contrast, restrict businesses to GBP and EUR, making them unsuitable for long-term global expansion. 

Understanding International Transaction Fees

International business payments often carry multiple hidden costs. To pick the right multi-currency business account in the UK, it’s crucial to understand how these fees are structured. Even a fraction of a per cent compounds into hundreds or thousands of pounds over time.

Key Fee Types to Watch

• Exchange Rate Markup: Some providers, like Wise, use the mid-market rate and add a small, transparent fee (from 0.33%). Others hide charges within inflated exchange rates. For example, Tide’s free plan adds a 1.5% FX margin, making a £10,000 transfer cost £150 more than Wise’s ~£33 fee.
  
• Flat Transfer Fees: Banks and EMIs may charge per transaction. Airwallex applies £10–£20 on SWIFT transfers, while Payoneer charges up to 3% for some bank withdrawals. In contrast, Starling doesn’t add flat fees on card use abroad, making it cheaper for smaller transactions.
  
• SWIFT vs Local Payment Rails: Payments via SWIFT can be slow and expensive because intermediary banks take a cut. Providers like Wise, Revolut, and Airwallex avoid this by using local payment networks (SEPA in Europe, ACH in the US), making transfers cheaper and faster.
  
• Additional Bank Charges: Some accounts carry extra costs. Payoneer adds a $29.95 annual inactivity fee. ANNA applies 0.5% to 1% on SWIFT conversions. Starling charges £2–£5/month for Euro or USD add-ons, though GBP accounts remain free. A £10,000 transfer sent through Revolut at weekends incurs the 1% surcharge (~£100), compared with ~£33 via Wise at 0.33%, or £50–£100 with Airwallex at 0.5–1%.

How to Minimise Costs – Cheapest Way to Send Money Abroad for Businesses

✅ Choose providers with transparent FX rates (Wise, Airwallex)
✅ Use local bank details to avoid SWIFT where possible (Wise, Payoneer)
✅ Match plan to usage, Revolut is fine for modest FX needs, Wise is cheaper for high volume
✅ Watch for hidden or inactivity fees (Payoneer $29.95, ANNA SWIFT 1%)
✅ Consider deposit protection, only Starling offers FSCS cover up to £85,000

How to Choose the Right International Business Bank Account

Picking the right international business account in the K depends on how your company trades abroad. The wrong fit can mean hidden fees, frozen funds, or delays; the right one can cut costs and smooth global growth.

Transaction Fees and FX Costs – Cheapest Way to Send Money Abroad for Businesses

If you make frequent cross-border payments, consider mid-market FX rates with low fees. Wise charges from 0.33%, a £10,000 EUR transfer costs ~£33, compared to £150 with Tide’s 1.5% markup. Revolut is cheaper on its Grow plan (£60 at 0.6%) but adds a 1% surcharge on weekends, making the same payment ~£100.

For occasional transfers, a pay-as-you-go model like Starling’s free GBP account (with £2–£5/month Euro/USD add-ons) may be more cost-effective if most business is UK-based.

Currency Coverage and Local Account Details – Best UK Multi-Currency Accounts

If you sell into multiple markets, choose providers with broad multi-currency support. Wise supports 40+ currencies, while Payoneer offers 10 local receiving accounts (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD and more). Both help you avoid costly SWIFT transfers by letting clients pay you like a local.

By contrast, Tide and ANNA only support GBP and EUR, making them unsuitable for exporters outside Europe.

Additional Services and Scalability

Beyond payments, check what extras are included:

• Airwallex → API-driven automation for scaling businesses.
  
• ANNA and Tide → invoicing and expense tools built into the app.
  
• Revolut → budgeting features and team expense management.

These tools can save admin time and justify slightly higher FX costs.

Support and Risk Management – Safety vs Speed

Starling is the only fully licensed UK bank, offering FSCS protection up to £85,000 on GBP deposits. Wise, Revolut, Airwallex, ANNA, Payoneer, and Tide are all FCA-regulated e-money institutions, which means client funds are safeguarded but not covered by FSCS.

On Trustpilot, Wise (4.3/5) and Starling (4.4/5) are praised for reliability and service. Payoneer (4.2/5) and Tide (3.5/5) face frequent complaints about slow support or account freezes.

International Business Account FAQs