Tide
E-money institution (EMI), not a bank
- Monthly fee
- Free plan £0 (20p per outgoing UK transfer)
- Best for
- Sole traders and small businesses wanting built-in invoicing, accessible with no hard credit check
Business bank reviews
Each review covers fees, regulatory status, the real pros and cons, and who the account is actually a good fit for.
Starling Bank
Full UK bank (PRA-authorised, FCA & PRA regulated)
- Monthly fee
- £0
- Best for
- The strongest free all-round UK business account for sole traders, freelancers and contractors with good credit
Monzo Business
Full UK bank (Monzo Bank Ltd, PRA-authorised, FCA reg 730427)
- Monthly fee
- Lite £0
- Best for
- Sole traders and limited companies wanting a free FSCS-protected account with pots-based budgeting and MTD tools
Revolut Business
Revolut Bank UK Ltd holds a full UK banking licence as of 11 March 2026 (PRA & FCA). Migration from the former EMI entity is phased over several months.
- Monthly fee
- Basic £0
- Best for
- Businesses moving money across currencies or running teams on expense cards
Mettle (by NatWest)
Bank account provided by National Westminster Bank plc trading as Mettle — FSCS-protected. NOT an EMI.
- Monthly fee
- £0
- Best for
- Sole traders and small limited companies wanting genuinely free banking plus free FreeAgent
Zempler Bank
Full UK bank (own banking licence, bank since 2021, FCA-regulated). Formerly Cashplus Bank, rebranded 9 July 2024.
- Monthly fee
- Business Go £0
- Best for
- Newly registered sole traders and limited companies with no trading history or poor credit who want FSCS protection without a credit check