Starling vs Revolut Business Account: Which Is Better?
Starling wins on regulatory safety and UK banking infrastructure — FSCS-protected, overdraft access, and free FreeAgent for sole traders. Revolut wins on multi-currency and FX rates for businesses that transact internationally.
- Free account with no monthly fee.
- Licensed bank with FSCS protection up to GBP85,000.
- Free FreeAgent inclusion for sole traders.
Compare Starling and Revolut Business Accounts at a Glance
Both Starling and Revolut are free digital business accounts. Starling is a PRA-authorised licensed bank with FSCS protection. Revolut is an FCA-authorised e-money institution with multi-currency wallets. We verified both from provider websites in May 2026.
All Cards at a Glance
Compare key features side by side.
| Provider | Monthly Fee | Best For | Integrations | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Businesses wanting a full-featured free account with overdraft | Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent | View Deal → |
 | Free (Basic plan) | Businesses with international payments or multi-currency needs | Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent | View Deal → |
Fees and features verified against provider websites, May 2026.
Starling vs Revolut: The Core Business Account Trade-Off
Starling and Revolut are both free UK digital business accounts. The trade-off is regulatory model and what that enables.
Starling is a full banking licence holder. Your deposits are FSCS-protected up to GBP85,000, an overdraft is available on application, and FreeAgent is free for sole traders. It is designed as a primary UK current account.
Revolut is an e-money institution — not a bank. Funds are safeguarded but not FSCS-protected. In return, Revolut offers 25+ currency wallets, interbank FX rates, and international payment infrastructure that Starling does not match.
For a UK-domestic business with no international requirements, Starling is the safer and more complete choice at the same zero price. For a business that frequently transacts across currencies, Revolut multi-currency tools are a genuine advantage.
Starling vs Revolut Business Accounts: FSCS Protection and Regulatory Status
Starling holds a full UK banking licence from the PRA. Business deposits are FSCS-protected up to GBP85,000. That protection is automatic — if Starling failed, eligible deposits would be repaid within seven days.
Revolut is authorised by the FCA as an e-money institution. Customer funds are held in segregated accounts at regulated banks — a form of protection, but not the same as FSCS cover. Not the same as a bank guarantee.
For businesses that hold material operating balances, the FSCS protection at Starling is a concrete safety advantage. For businesses that sweep funds regularly and hold minimal balances, the practical difference is smaller.
Starling vs Revolut Business Accounts: Multi-Currency and International Payments
Revolut holds balances in 25+ currencies at interbank +0.4% FX within plan allowances. You can pay suppliers in euros without converting GBP first, hold dollar invoices, or move between currencies at near-market rates.
Starling offers EUR and USD sub-accounts but is primarily a GBP account. International transfers are supported but FX rates use Mastercard rates, which carry a wider margin than Revolut interbank rates.
For a purely domestic business, Starling is sufficient. For any business with regular foreign currency flows, Revolut multi-currency infrastructure is materially better.
Starling vs Revolut Business Accounts: FreeAgent and Accounting Integrations
Starling includes FreeAgent at no extra cost for sole trader accounts. FreeAgent handles invoicing, self-assessment, and VAT returns. It typically costs around GBP150/year if purchased separately. Starling also integrates with Xero and QuickBooks.
Revolut integrates with FreeAgent, Xero, and QuickBooks, but does not include a FreeAgent subscription. You need an active paid FreeAgent account to use the Revolut integration.
For a sole trader who uses FreeAgent, Starling free inclusion saves approximately GBP150/year at zero extra cost.
Starling vs Revolut Business Accounts: Overdraft and Credit Access
Starling offers an overdraft on its business account subject to eligibility. This is a genuine working capital backstop for businesses with variable cash flow.
Revolut does not offer an overdraft on its business account. If credit access is a requirement — even as a fallback — Revolut is not the right primary account.
Who Should Choose Starling for Their Business Account
Choose Starling if FSCS protection matters. As a licensed bank, Starling protects deposits up to GBP85,000 in a way that Revolut, as an e-money institution, cannot match.
Choose Starling if you are a sole trader who uses FreeAgent. Free FreeAgent inclusion saves approximately GBP150/year. Revolut does not include FreeAgent at any tier.
Choose Starling if you need or may need an overdraft. Revolut has no overdraft on its business account.
Who Should Choose Revolut Business Account Over Starling
Choose Revolut if you need multi-currency accounts or international transfers. The free Basic plan gives you 25+ currencies and interbank FX rates that Starling does not match.
Choose Revolut if you need team expense management at scale. Paid plans add team cards with spend limits, expense analytics, and batch payment tools.
Choose Revolut if you use Xero or QuickBooks and do not need FreeAgent or FSCS protection as primary criteria.
How We Compared Starling and Revolut Business Accounts
We verified this comparison against each provider pricing page, terms, and product documentation in May 2026. We did not use comparison site data, press releases, or affiliate aggregators.
We ranked Starling as top pick based on its bank licence, FSCS protection, overdraft access, and free FreeAgent for sole traders. Revolut is the right choice when international payments or multi-currency is the priority.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you open an account through one, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. This does not affect our rankings. See our editorial policy for full details.
Starling vs Revolut Business Account FAQs
Which is safer: Starling or Revolut?
Starling is safer in the regulatory sense. Starling is a PRA-authorised licensed bank with FSCS deposit protection up to GBP85,000 per eligible business. Revolut is an FCA-authorised e-money institution — funds are safeguarded in segregated accounts but are not covered by the FSCS. We verified both statuses from PRA and FCA registers in May 2026.
Does Revolut have FSCS protection like Starling?
No. Revolut is an e-money institution, not a licensed bank. It does not hold a UK banking licence and is not covered by the FSCS. Revolut safeguards customer funds in segregated accounts at regulated banks, which provides protection against Revolut insolvency, but this is not equivalent to the FSCS guarantee at Starling. If FSCS protection is important, Starling (or another licensed bank) is the appropriate choice.
Can you use Starling and Revolut at the same time?
Yes. Many businesses use Starling as their primary GBP account for domestic banking, overdraft access, and FSCS-protected balances, and Revolut for international payments and multi-currency spending. Both are free at the basic tier, so running both costs nothing beyond the overhead of managing two accounts.
Explore More Business Bank Account Comparisons
Looking for more free account or digital bank comparisons? We have more guides below.
- Revolut vs Starling — same comparison from the Revolut perspective
- Starling vs Monzo — two free digital banks compared
- Starling vs HSBC — digital bank vs high street
- Best business bank accounts — full comparison of 15 UK providers