🏠 Business Banking» Best Online-Only Business Bank Accounts (2026)
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Best Online-Only Business Bank Accounts (2026)
Tide leads on features at zero monthly cost: invoicing, receipt scanning, and accounting integrations in one app. Starling is genuinely free with no per-transaction charges and UK banking-licence deposit protection.
We ranked eight accounts on what matters if you are running a digital-first business: real monthly cost (not headline pricing), per-transaction fees, cash deposit route, and whether FSCS protects your balance. Every provider on this list operates without branches.
Tide leads on feature breadth at zero monthly cost. Starling is the only genuinely free option for domestic payments at any volume. Revolut wins for multi-currency operations. Zempler pays interest under a UK banking licence.
If you transact digitally and handle cash only occasionally, any provider on this list works. If cash is daily operational reality, you probably need a different primary account; the two-account approach below covers it. Verified April 2026.
Quick Compare
Best Online-Only Business Bank Accounts at a Glance
Best Online-Only Business Bank Accounts at a Glance: Monthly Fee · Best For · Integrations
Fees, features, and cash deposit routes verified against provider websites, April 2026. Account terms may change. Verify directly before opening.
Our Top Online-Only Business Account Picks
Best Overall
Pick Tide for the broadest online-only feature set: invoicing, receipt scanning, expense categorisation, and native Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent integrations.
Free plan costs nothing; Tide Smart at £12.49/month lifts the free-transfer allowance to 30 a month, though on transfer fees alone it never undercuts the free plan. We rate it the strongest all-in-one digital account.
Starling is the only genuinely free online-only option at any volume: no monthly fee, no per-transaction charge, no minimum balance. UK banking licence so deposits are FSCS-protected up to £120,000.
If volume is high and features are secondary, Starling costs less than every other provider on this list.
Revolut wins for multi-currency operations: hold GBP, EUR, USD in one account with interbank FX. Basic costs £10/month with 10 free UK payments, then 20p each.
Grow removes per-transfer fees and adds higher FX allowances, at £35/month billed monthly or an effective £30/month if you pay £360 for the year. We rate it best if you run 10+ international transfers monthly, and only worth pre-paying if you are sure you will stay.
Zempler holds a UK banking licence (FSCS-protected) and pays interest on your business balance, a combination no other provider offers. If your working balance exceeds £10,000 monthly, the interest earned can offset the monthly fee on paid tiers. Worth modelling against your cash position.
A Closer Look at Each Online-Only Business Account
We assessed each provider on five criteria: real monthly cost at typical volumes, accounting integrations, cash deposit route and fee, app support quality, and FSCS protection status. All eight operate without branches.
The focus is what differentiates them from each other, not from traditional banks.
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: 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
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
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: 3 free bank transfers per month, then 35p each. 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
Eligibility: Sole traders, LTDs, LLPs, partnerships
Not ideal if: Businesses needing deep third-party accounting integrations like Xero or QuickBooks
Watch out: 3 free bank transfers per month, then 35p each. 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
Personal phone support
Free in-app Tap to Pay for accepting contactless card payments, no separate reader or Zempler fee
Only 3 free bank transfers/month, 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
3 free UK bank transfers/month, then 35p each
In-app Tap to Pay (via Stripe) to accept contactless card payments, free of any Zempler fee
Counting Up Business Account
Counting Up Business Account
Counting Up combines business banking with automated bookkeeping and real-time tax estimates.
Best for: Full-featured free account with built-in invoicing, MTD tools and overdraft
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
Award-winning mobile app
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)
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.
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)
Excellent app UX with pots for budgeting
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)
Mettle Business Bank Account
Mettle Business Bank Account
Backed by NatWest, Mettle offers completely free banking with native invoicing and a free FreeAgent subscription included.
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
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
Free FreeAgent accounting software subscription (conditional on monthly account activity)
FSCS deposit protection (NatWest-backed)
Optional Mettle+ (£4/month) for quote-to-invoice conversion
What Online-Only Business Accounts Really Cost
Headline “free” pricing hides per-transaction fees that compound with volume. We modelled actual cost at 100 UK faster payments a month across all eight providers and confirmed the numbers from each provider’s published pricing in April 2026.
What Online-Only Business Accounts Really Cost
Provider
UK transfer (100/mo)
FX markup
Paid tier
Starling
Free (£0)
~0.5% (Wise rails)
None
Tide Free
20p (£20)
~0.5% (Wise rails)
Smart £12.49 (30 free transfers/mo)
Revolut Basic
10 free, then 20p (£18)
0.4% to 1%
Grow £35/mo (£30/mo paid annually)
Monzo Business Lite
Free
~0.5% (Wise rails)
Pro £9 (Xero / QuickBooks)
Mettle
Free
n/a
None
ANNA
Pay-as-you-go
n/a
n/a
CountingUp
From £3/mo
n/a
n/a
Verified 23 April 2026.
Traditional UK banks charge 1.5% to 3% on the same FX conversion, which is why Revolut pays back fast for regular international payments.
We modelled a £10,000 monthly USD-to-GBP conversion: Revolut costs £40 to £100, a traditional bank £150 to £300. Over a year that is £1,200 to £2,400 in avoidable FX markup.
Starling has no paid tier and its free plan covers the basics. If you need invoicing or receipt scanning, a Tide Smart or Monzo Pro account alongside Starling beats switching.
Cash Handling With Your Online-Only Business Account
Cash handling is the biggest practical limit of online-only banking. Every provider routes cash deposits through PayPoint or the Post Office network, or refuses cash entirely. We verified deposit routes and fees with each provider in April 2026.
Cash Deposit Routes by Provider
Tide accepts cash at PayPoint at 3% of the deposit; Monzo at £1 per deposit. Starling uses the Post Office network at 0.7% of the deposit (minimum £3). ANNA supports Post Office deposits. Revolut does not accept cash deposits at all.
For providers supporting cash, you generate a paying-in slip in the app before visiting the deposit location. The process takes minutes but only works at participating locations. Check coverage near your trading address before picking a provider.
Break-Even Cash Volume
At £500 of cash a month, Starling costs £3.50 (0.7%, minimum £3 per deposit), Tide costs around £4 (four bags). Negligible against zero monthly fees. At £5,000 a month, Starling’s 0.7% reaches £35, above the £8/month traditional bank fee. The break-even is roughly £3,500 a month in cash deposits.
If your cash volume sits below that, online-only is cheaper than a high-street account. Above it, either accept the premium for digital features or run the two-account approach.
The Two-Account Approach
For businesses with daily cash takings, the cleanest setup is two accounts: online-only as the primary for digital income and accounting; a traditional bank account for cash deposits that sweeps weekly to the online-only account. Starling and Tide both allow multiple accounts without restriction.
Which Features Matter Most for Online-Only Business Accounts
Features that matter at a traditional bank (branch access, relationship manager, wet-signature forms) are unavailable by definition. What matters instead is app quality, integration depth, and whether FSCS protects your balance when something goes wrong.
App Quality and In-App Support
Tide, Starling, Revolut, and Monzo all offer real-time in-app chat with priority response on paid plans. We rate Monzo highest on UX polish, Starling tightest on banking basics, Tide broadest on business features, and Revolut most feature-dense (which can overwhelm if you only need basic banking).
If your support escalation routes matter (disputed transactions, fraud, card replacements), the banking-licence providers (Starling, Monzo, Zempler, Mettle) offer statutory dispute pathways that e-money providers do not.
Accounting Integrations
Tide, Starling, and Monzo Pro integrate directly with Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent. Revolut covers Xero and QuickBooks. Mettle includes a free FreeAgent subscription as an NatWest-backed benefit.
If your accountant reconciles monthly, pick a provider with native depth; manual CSV imports each month cost founder time you do not have.
FSCS Protection vs E-Money Safeguarding
Starling, Monzo, Mettle, and Zempler hold UK banking licences, so deposits are FSCS-protected up to £120,000 per eligible depositor. Revolut joined them in March 2026: new accounts are FSCS-protected, existing ones as Revolut migrates them across.
Tide, ANNA, and Counting Up hold e-money licences; funds are safeguarded in ring-fenced accounts but are not directly FSCS-covered.
The practical difference matters if a provider fails. Safeguarding returns your balance, but without the government guarantee or the statutory seven-working-day payout most depositors get from FSCS. If your working balance regularly exceeds £50,000, a banking-licence provider is the safer primary.
How to Choose the Right Online-Only Business Account
The right account depends on four things in this order: your cash deposit volume, your payment volume, whether you trade multi-currency, and which accounting integrations your books need.
Choose by Cash Volume
Under £500 of cash monthly: any provider on this list works, fee impact is negligible. £500–£3,500: Tide or Monzo via PayPoint keeps deposit costs below traditional bank monthly fees. Above £3,500: either a traditional bank primary, or the two-account approach covered above.
Choose by Payment Volume
Under 68 outgoing payments a month: Starling free or Tide free (20p each). 68–100: Tide Smart at £12.49/month or stay on Starling. 100+: Starling stays free regardless of volume, no other provider matches that at scale without a paid tier.
Choose by Accounting Needs
Xero or QuickBooks user: Tide, Starling, Monzo Pro, or Revolut. FreeAgent user: Tide, Starling, or Mettle (free subscription included). Want native invoicing and VAT tracking without a separate accounting app: ANNA or CountingUp, more expensive, but the bundle replaces a £10–25/month subscription.
How to Switch to an Online-Only Business Account
Switching from a traditional bank to an online-only provider adds complexity that a like-for-like switch does not: CASS coverage varies, cash deposit routes change, and some historic direct debits need re-authorising. Plan the switch over 30–60 days, not a weekend.
Which Providers Support CASS
Starling, Monzo, Revolut, Tide, and Zempler participate in the Current Account Switch Service: direct debits, standing orders, and incoming payments migrate within seven working days. Mettle, ANNA, and Counting Up do not participate in CASS; you migrate payment mandates manually.
For a non-CASS switch, export your existing direct debits list and update each one by hand. Budget 2–4 hours for the admin; this is the single most-skipped step in business account switches and the usual cause of missed payments.
Running Both Accounts in Parallel
Keep the old account open for 30–60 days after the switch. Occasional direct debits trigger late, and some clients take weeks to update vendor records. A parallel window catches these without service interruption.
If you are switching primarily for lower fees, model the saving against the one-off admin cost. For most active businesses, Starling or Tide pays back the switch effort within 2–3 months.
Updating Clients and Suppliers
Update your invoice template before sending the next batch. For outstanding invoices, email each client with the new account details and ask them to update their payment records. Payroll is the highest-risk mandate: update HMRC and your payroll provider before the first cycle after the switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online-only business bank accounts FSCS protected?
Only the banking-licence providers. Starling, Monzo, Mettle, and Zempler are authorised UK banks, so eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per banking licence. Tide, Revolut, ANNA, and Counting Up hold e-money licences rather than banking licences. The money you hold with them is safeguarded in a ring-fenced account separated from the provider’s own funds, but it does not carry the same statutory government guarantee as an FSCS-protected bank.
Can you get a business loan from an online-only bank?
Most online-only providers do not offer traditional business loans or overdrafts. Tide provides access to funding through a lending marketplace. You apply in the app and connect with suitable lenders. Starling offers an overdraft subject to eligibility, but it is the exception among digital providers. Revolut, Monzo, ANNA, Mettle, and Counting Up do not offer business lending. If you need an overdraft or term loan built into your banking, Starling is your most realistic digital option, or a traditional bank for larger facilities.
How do you deposit cash with an online-only business account?
Tide accepts cash deposits via PayPoint at 3% of the deposit; Monzo charges £1 per deposit. Starling uses the Post Office network at 0.7% of the deposit amount (minimum £3). ANNA supports Post Office deposits. Revolut does not accept cash deposits. For providers that support cash, you generate a paying-in slip through the app before visiting the deposit location. We verified this process with each provider in April 2026.
How quickly can you open an online-only business bank account?
Most online-only providers (Tide, Starling, Revolut, Monzo, and ANNA) open accounts within minutes to a few hours using app-based ID verification. You upload a photo ID, complete a selfie check, and receive an account decision in the app. Some applications trigger manual review and take 1–2 business days. Traditional banks typically take 5–10 working days including an appointment or video call.
Can a limited company open an online-only business bank account?
Yes. Tide, Starling, Revolut, and Monzo all accept limited companies. You need to provide your Companies House registration number, proof of identity for directors, and confirmation of your registered address. Mettle is the exception. It only accepts sole traders and single-director LTDs and does not support companies with multiple directors or shareholders.
How we reviewed Best Online-Only Business Bank Accounts
Ranking criteria. We ranked providers on cost, eligibility, features, and ease of access. Cost and protection carry the heaviest weight because these matter across every business type and rarely change with reader preferences.
How we tested. We opened accounts with the providers that let us and ran each app through the everyday jobs, transfers, cash handling, and accounting sync, to see how they hold up.
Pricing and terms were checked in April 2026, and the FCA register cross-checked for regulatory status.
Update cadence. We re-verify every provider on this page regularly, and whenever a provider changes pricing, eligibility, or terms. The verification date on the page reflects the most recent full review. Some links on this page are affiliate links, see our editorial policy.