Best Prepaid Business Expense Cards in the UK

Prepaid business cards offer an array of benefits, including streamlined expense management, enhanced security, and improved cash flow control.

But with a myriad of options in the market, which one should you choose? 

Should you get one as part of a bank account offering or a standalone card from a specialist provider?

This comprehensive guide will explore the range of prepaid cards available to UK businesses, delving into their unique features and benefits and revealing which could be the game-changer your business needs.

(If you’re interested in a current account, read our guide to the best business bank accounts)

Featured Partners

Best For 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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Best For Small Businesses

Tide Free Business Account

Monthly Fee

£0

Get £100 when you sign up with code BCA100

Card Purchases

£0

Bank Transfers

20p

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Best For Expense Management

Wallester Business Account

Monthly Fee

£0

Card Purchases

£0

Bank Transfers

£0

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Best Prepaid Business Cards: An Overview

Card Name	Key Features	Rating	Register
Tide Expense Card	Up to 50 Cards per Account, Fully Integrated to Tide’s App, Free Account Available	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Visit Website
Soldo prepaid Company Card	30-Days Trial, Expense Management Platform	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Visit Website
Pleo Business Expense Card	Unlimited Physical Cards, Up to 15,000 Virtual Cards	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Visit Website
Equals Money Prepaid Business Card	Accepted in 190 Countries, Cashback, Outstanding Customer Support	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Visit Website
Zempler Bank Prepaid Card	Quick Account Opening, Low Fees, Centralised Account Dashboard	⭐⭐⭐⭐★	Visit Website
Wallester Prepaid Card	Unlimited Physical Cards, Up to 15 000 Virtual Cards	⭐⭐⭐⭐★	Visit Website
Wise Card	Cheaper than the Competition, Unlimited Users, 50+ Currencies	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Visit Website
Capital On Tap Card	Seamless Spending between credit and prepaid, No Fees	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Visit Website

The 8 Best Prepaid Business Cards

Tide Expense Card, Best Overall Prepaid Business Card

Card Fee	Monthly Fee	Transaction Fee	ATM Fee	Card Type
£5	£0	£0	£1	Master Card

The Tide expense card is my top choice for businesses, large or small. The key features that make it an attractive option include its ease of use, seamless integration with the Tide app, and the ability to issue up to 50 cards per account. This makes it ideal for small to medium teams.

While many other options work as efficient stand-alone expense cards, it just makes sense to situate this functionality within a working bank account, with all the functionality that adds. As I’ve mentioned in my longer Tide bank account review here, Tide is undoubtedly one of the top accounts in the UK at the moment, offering a well-considered blend of functionality, efficiency and cost.

I have always found their customer service very responsive.

During testing, I found that using the Tide expense card made expense management very easy for our team. The card allows businesses to track, manage, and organise expenses in real time, which makes accounting a doddle. Since keeping receipts is a huge pain point for most staff, this level of automation really works to ease that.

Best of all, the card is also fully integrated with the Tide app. With this app, I can view transactions in real-time, set spending limits, and even freeze or unfreeze cards if necessary. As someone running a small team, I appreciate having a bank account and expense cards in the same place rather than having to transfer funds between the two.

New customers who open a Tide Account through Business Expert using code BCA100 can get £100 cashback

Soldo Prepaid Company Card, Best All-Round Prepaid Business Card

Card Fee	Monthly Fee	Transaction Fee	ATM Fee	Card Type
£0	£6	£0	1%	Master Card

If your business is looking for a hassle-free expense management solution, the Soldo Prepaid Company Card is one of the best I’ve used.

With the Soldo card, you gain effortless control over your business expenses. Each team member can have their own card, allowing you to assign specific budgets and spending limits. This ensures everyone stays within their allocated budgets, eliminating the risk of overspending.

I appreciate the real-time expense tracking and categorisation. The accompanying mobile app and web dashboard provide a clear overview of all transactions made by your employees. The system even automatically categorises expenses, making it simple to generate accurate reports and gain insights into spending patterns. Say goodbye to tedious manual expense tracking and hours spent reconciling receipts.

What’s more, Soldo enables you to issue virtual cards instantly. This feature is handy for online purchases or subscriptions, as you can create virtual cards with unique details for each vendor. This enhances security and prevents unauthorised transactions. Setting time-limited virtual cards ensures easy management and termination of subscriptions when needed.

Read my detailed Soldo review

Pleo Business Expense Card, Best for Expense Management

Card Fee	Monthly Fee	Transaction Fee	ATM Fee	Card Type
£0	£6	£0	£4	Master Card

Pleo prepaid cards provide a seamless financial solution for businesses, combining innovative technology with simple and effective features that prioritise control, integration, and insights. Here’s how Pleo cards can be an excellent choice for your business:

Pleo’s interface is designed to integrate seamlessly with popular accounting and business software. This means you can easily synchronise your Pleo account with your existing infrastructure, allowing smoother workflows and minimising administrative time. Transactions using Pleo cards are automatically matched with receipts and categorised, saving valuable time and reducing errors.

With Pleo, you’re in full control of your team’s spending. You can set individual spending limits for each card, ensuring budget compliance across your organisation. Pleo also provides real-time notifications of transactions, allowing managers to monitor spending and make adjustments as necessary. Additionally, the Pleo app lets cardholders capture receipts and categorise expenses instantly, reducing the hassle of expense reporting.

Every transaction made with a Pleo card is tracked and recorded, creating a wealth of data that can be used to optimise your company’s spending habits. With Pleo’s user-friendly dashboard, you can visualise your company’s spending in real-time, identify trends, and make informed decisions that can result in substantial savings.

✅ Free Account Option

✅ Easy App Integration

✅ Performant Spending Control

✅ Useful Data and Insights

✅ Up to 1% Cashback on Annual Billed Plans

Read my detailed Pleo Review 2025

Equals Money Prepaid Business Card, Best Card for International Use

Card Fee	Monthly Fee	Transaction Fee	ATM Fee	Card Type
£10	£0	£0	£1.50	Mastercard

If your business operates across borders, Equals Money stands out as one of the strongest prepaid card options, not because it ticks every box, but because it handles international spending better than most.

Its biggest strengths are its global reach and currency flexibility. Accepted in over 190 countries, the card helps teams sidestep currency conversion headaches and often reduces the sting of foreign transaction fees. That’s a major plus for companies with roaming sales teams, international contractors, or remote workers who are expensing costs abroad.

Another win is top-up flexibility. You can load funds in real time, which gives finance teams more control than traditional cards, especially helpful if you’re managing multiple employees or departments with changing needs.

That said, real-time transaction monitoring and 24/7 customer support are now baseline features in this market. Equals does both well, but it’s not where the card differentiates. Where it does shine is in empowering global teams to spend with fewer fees and better control.

Drawback? There’s no credit facility, so it’s not ideal if you’re looking to build business credit or need breathing room on cash flow. But for businesses spending their own money, especially across currencies, it’s one of the smarter prepaid choices out there.

✅ Use your Card in More than 190 Countries

✅ Up to 3.5% Cashback on Top Brands

✅ High Flexibility on Deposit

✅ 24/7 Customer Support

✅ Dedicated Account Manager

Zempler Prepaid Card: Best Card for Small Businesses

Card Fee	Monthly Fee	Transaction Fee	ATM Fee	Card Type
£6	£0	3 free p/m then 35p	£0	Mastercard

Zempler Bank Prepaid Card, formerly known as Cashplus, is an exceptional choice for businesses that value simplicity, ease of use, and quick account opening. Here’s why:

With the Zempler Bank Prepaid Card, businesses can access straightforward banking services, eliminating the complexity often associated with traditional banking solutions. The prepaid card simplifies expenditure tracking and ensures financial discipline, as it only allows you to spend what you’ve loaded onto the card.

The card has a simple and easy to use interface on both physical and digital platforms. You can effortlessly manage your finances, track transactions, and check balances from the comfort of your office or on the go. In addition, the Zempler Bank Prepaid Card is accepted globally wherever MasterCard or Visa (depending on your card type) is accepted, making it an excellent choice for businesses with international operations.

One of the standout features of the Zempler Bank Prepaid Card is the quick and seamless account opening process. Businesses can open an account within a few minutes without the lengthy documentation process typically associated with traditional banks. This feature is especially beneficial for startups and small businesses, which may not have the resources to navigate cumbersome banking procedures.

Other advantages include robust security measures that keep your funds safe, 24/7 customer service, and advanced online banking features. The Zempler Bank Prepaid Card can also be integrated with various accounting software, simplifying your financial management and reducing administrative burdens.

✅ Quick Account Opening

✅ Low Fees

✅ Up to 20 Extra Cards

✅ Free EUR and USD Deposits

✅ Centralised Account Dashboard

✅ Free Account Option

Wallester Prepaid Card, Best Expense Card for Large Businesses

Card Fee	Monthly Fee	Transaction Fee	ATM Fee	Card Type
£0	£0	£0	2%	VISA

Wallester stands out for one reason: scale. If you’re running a fast-growing business or managing complex spend across teams, departments, or even countries, its infrastructure is built for you.

Unlike many competitors, Wallester offers up to 300 virtual cards and unlimited physical cards on its free plan, with the ability to scale to 15,000 virtual cards on higher tiers. That makes it one of the most flexible options for teams that need to issue cards at volume without spiralling costs.

For larger companies, that flexibility is backed by real-time spend tracking, multi-currency support, and API access for building custom workflows or integrations. Whether you’re managing payroll cards for freelancers, ad budgets for marketing teams, or department-level spend, Wallester gives you centralised control without the manual hassle.

What sets it apart from platforms like Tide or Soldo is how much infrastructure you get at no cost. But it’s not perfect, there’s a 2 percent FX fee outside the Eurozone, and it lacks the advanced automation you’d find on tools like Payhawk or Pleo.

✅ Free Plan Available

✅ Unlimited Number of Physical Cards

✅ Up to 15,000 Virtual Cards

✅ Easy Multi-Currency Transactions

✅ Fully Integrated into Accounting Software

✅ Detailed Spending Reporting

Read our full Wallester review

Wise, Best Prepaid Expense Card for Low-Cost International Payments

Card Fee	Monthly Fee	Transaction Fee	ATM Fee	Card Type
£7	£0	£0	1.75%	VISA / Master Card

The Wise Prepaid Card presents a value proposition for businesses seeking cost-effective global transactions.

Wise charges significantly lower fees compared to traditional banks. Their transparent pricing model eliminates any hidden costs associated with international transactions, making it a more affordable option for businesses.

The Wise prepaid card allows businesses to hold and manage money in over 50 currencies. This functionality can be especially useful for businesses operating in multiple countries or dealing with international clients and partners.

Wise uses the real, mid-market exchange rate for currency conversion. This practice ensures businesses get the most value out of their money, and they are not subject to unfavourable exchange rates set by banks.

The time it takes to process international transactions is significantly reduced with Wise. The online platform is user-friendly, and the mobile app provides convenience for businesses on the go.

✅ Significantly Cheaper than Most International Banks

✅ More than 50 Currencies Available

✅ Unlimited Number of Users (Flat Fee of £3 per Person)

✅ Quick Transfer Execution

✅ 1% Cashback on Eligible Transactions

Capital on Tap Free Business Credit Card, Most Flexible Card

Card Fee	Monthly Fee	Transaction Fee	ATM Fee	Card Type
£0	£0	£0	£0	VISA

First things first, Capital on Tap does not offer a prepaid card but rather a business credit card with the capacity for prepaying, which is available through their Preloading feature.

Disclaimer: To access this, you must apply for Capital on Tap’s business credit card, which includes the Preloading feature. 

Once approved, you can top up your credit limit with your own funds and still receive 1% cashback across all card spending.

Combining your preloaded funds with your credit limit also means you have more flexibility in managing your cash flow, and you won’t have to be limited by your own funds as their credit limits can be up to £250,000.

Capital on Tap’s Free Business Credit Card has a variable Purchase Rate and Representative APR of 36.19%, but based on your credit history, you may be able to get rates as low as 15.22% APR (variable).

Capital on Tap also offers an extremely fast account setup process, you can get a decision in as little as 2 minutes.

Lastly, Capital on Tap offers a range of features such as integration with Sage, Xero and more, personalised spending limits, and customisable access for every user on your account.

✅ Credit card with pre-pay options

✅ Little-to-no fees

✅ Fast application process

✅ 1% cashback on all transactions

✅ Unlimited free cards

What Are Prepaid Business Cards?

Prepaid business cards, or corporate expense cards, are a type of payment tool designed for businesses. Unlike credit cards, these cards are preloaded with a specific amount of money, which can then be used for various business-related expenses. Once the funds on the card are depleted, more money can be added, or the card can be discarded.

Just like regular prepaid cards, prepaid business cards can be used anywhere debit or credit cards are accepted. They are ideal for managing employee expenses, as they allow businesses to control the amount of money spent. These cards can also simplify the process of tracking and managing business expenses, making accounting and tax preparation easier.

Prepaid Business Expense Cards: 8 Key Benefits for Finance Teams

1. Real-Time Visibility Into Spend
Prepaid cards provide instant insight into where company money is going. Every transaction is logged in real time, eliminating the need for receipt-chasing or spreadsheet reconciliation. This allows finance teams to stay ahead of budget issues and identify spending trends early.

2. Granular Control Over Employee Purchases
You can set daily, weekly, or monthly spending limits by user or team, and restrict card use by category (e.g. travel, meals, software). This keeps budgets on track and prevents misuse—without slowing teams down with manual approvals.

3. Smarter Cash Flow Allocation
Because cards are preloaded, they enforce discipline by capping spend at the amount allocated. This helps preserve working capital and aligns spending with short-term cash flow priorities, especially useful for lean or fast-growing teams.

4. Lower Exposure to Fraud
Unlike credit cards, prepaid cards aren’t linked to the main business account. If a card is lost or misused, the exposure is limited to its balance. Built-in controls also flag suspicious transactions instantly, helping reduce financial risk.

5. Instant Reimbursements—Without the Paperwork
Employees can make approved purchases directly, removing the need to front personal funds and wait weeks for reimbursement. This improves morale, speeds up workflows, and cuts down admin time for both staff and finance.

6. Easier Audit Trails and Tax Compliance
Every card transaction is time-stamped, categorised, and stored in the system—creating a clean digital record for VAT claims, HMRC audits, and internal reviews. This reduces compliance headaches and streamlines end-of-year reporting.

7. Transparent Spend Across the Organisation
From junior staff to senior teams, all company expenses are visible and traceable. This reduces the risk of shadow spend and helps leadership understand where money is being used—and wasted—across departments.

8. Flexible and Scalable
Prepaid cards work online, in-store, and internationally. They’re ideal for distributed teams or companies with remote workers, and they scale easily with your headcount. Topping up is simple, and cards can be issued or deactivated instantly.

Are Prepaid Cards the Same as Business Credit Cards?

While prepaid business cards and business credit cards may seem similar, they function differently. A prepaid business card is pre-loaded with funds and can only be used until the funds are depleted. In contrast, a business credit card extends a line of credit to the business, allowing it to borrow money up to a certain limit.

Business credit cards often come with rewards and benefits, such as cashback or travel rewards, that can be beneficial for businesses. They also allow businesses to build credit, which can be useful for securing loans or other lines of credit in the future.

However, business credit cards often come with high interest rates, and if not managed carefully, they can lead to significant debt. In contrast, prepaid business cards do not allow businesses to spend more than the amount loaded on the card, thereby minimising the risk of overspending or incurring debt.

Are Prepaid Employee Expense Cards the Best Credit Cards for Business Expenses?

The best credit card for business expenses will depend on the specific needs and operations of your company.

While prepaid employee expense cards can offer certain benefits, they may not always be the most suitable option for all businesses. Let’s consider how they stack up against business credit cards:

	Prepaid Employee Expense Cards	Business Credit Cards
Control Over Expenses	High – The company preloads a specific amount, restricting the spending capacity	Depends on the credit limit, and can be higher, increasing the potential for overspending
Interest Charges	None – As the money is prepaid, no interest charges apply	Can be high – If the balance is not paid in full each month, interest charges can accrue
Expense Management	Often comes with expense management software	Some come with expense tracking, but not all
Credit Building	None – These cards do not help in building a company’s credit profile	Yes – Regular and responsible usage can help build a company’s credit profile
Rewards and Benefits	Usually none or very few	Often offer rewards like cash back, airline miles, purchase protection, and other perks
Fraud and Purchase Protection	Usually less than traditional credit cards	Typically offer more comprehensive protection against fraud and for purchases
Cash Flow Management	Not applicable – As money is prepaid, it does not aid in cash flow management	Yes – Can help with short-term borrowing and managing cash flow
Potential for Overspending	Low – Limited to the preloaded amount	High – Depends on credit limit
Fees	Typically lower, but can include reload or monthly fees	Can be higher, including annual fees, late fees, foreign transaction fees, etc.

Alternatives to Prepaid Business Cards

There are several alternatives to prepaid business cards. These include:

1. Business Debit Cards: These are linked directly to a business’s bank account, and transactions are automatically deducted from the account’s balance. These cards do not allow you to spend more than you have in the account, much like a prepaid card.
2. Business Credit Cards: As mentioned earlier, these cards extend a line of credit to the business, allowing it to borrow money up to a certain limit.
3. Charge Cards: These are similar to credit cards but require the balance to be paid in full at the end of each billing cycle. This can help to avoid interest charges and the potential accumulation of debt.
4. Expense Management Software: This software can help to track and manage business expenses. Some even offer integrated cards for employee use.

Prepaid Business Cards – FAQs

These cards work on a load-and-spend basis. The cardholder or business loads the card with a certain amount of money, which can then be spent anywhere that accepts cards. Once the balance is depleted, it can be reloaded again for further use.

Business prepaid cards can help with budgeting, as spending is limited to the amount loaded on the card. They can also simplify expense management since card usage can be tracked and controlled. Additionally, prepaid cards can be safer than carrying cash, and they’re typically easier to replace if lost or stolen.

Some providers charge fees for services such as card issuance, reloading money onto the card, ATM withdrawals, monthly maintenance, and more. The fee structure depends on the card provider, so it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully.

Most business prepaid cards come with a PIN and can be blocked immediately if lost or stolen. Moreover, many card providers offer fraud protection to safeguard the funds loaded on the card. However, as with any financial product, users should be mindful of potential scams or fraudulent activity.

You can get a business prepaid card by applying through the card provider, either online or in person. The process usually requires basic business information and, depending on the provider, may also require a credit check.

Yes, many business prepaid cards can be used internationally. However, foreign transaction fees may apply, so it’s important to check the terms and conditions of the card.

The balance can be checked through various means, such as online portals, mobile apps, calling customer service, or sometimes even ATM machines. The options depend on the card provider.

Yes, many card providers offer the option to issue multiple cards linked to the same account. This can be a useful tool for managing employee expenses.

Yes, most business prepaid cards allow you to withdraw cash at ATMs, but this might be subject to fees. Always check the card’s terms and conditions for specific information.