THE UK BUSINESS ACCOUNT FIELD GUIDE · 2026
Compare banks and payment providers before you open a business account online in the UK. Sends leads our editorial shortlist; review features, costs and eligibility side by side.
Sources checked 23 September 2026
15 / 15 providers shown
| # | Provider | What it offers | Published price reference | Before you apply | Visit official website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Sendssends.co ↗No. 1 in our editorial shortlist | Payment / e-money Online business payment account with GBP, EUR and USD, and SEPA, SWIFT and UK payment routes. | £0 monthly advertised; setup fee to confirm | UK-only and UK/EU eligibility wording coexist on the product page. Confirm your company, owners and tariff before applying. | Open an account with Sends ↗ |
| 02 | Starling Bank | Bank account UK business current account with app and online banking. | £0 monthly account fee | Check director residency and business eligibility. Cash deposits and additional services can carry fees. | Source ↗ |
| 03 | Wise Business | Payment / e-money Receive, hold and convert currencies for international business. | £50 one-time for full business features | Transfer and conversion charges depend on currency and route. Account details are subject to eligibility. | Source ↗ |
| 04 | Revolut Business | Bank account Business current account with currency sub-accounts and team spend tools. Current UK terms name Revolut Bank UK Ltd. | Basic: £10/month | Check the legal entity on your agreement and each plan’s FX and payment allowances. | Source ↗ |
| 05 | Tide | Platform + partner bank Business finance platform; its current account is powered by ClearBank. | Free plan: £0/month; usage fees | Tide itself is not a bank. Check the provider named in your account terms, transfer and cash fees. | Source ↗ |
| 06 | Monzo Business | Bank account App-led UK business banking with optional paid tools for growing teams. | Lite: £0/month; Pro: £9/month | Check supported company types, UK residency and which tools need a paid plan. | Source ↗ |
| 07 | HSBC UK | Bank account Small-business account combining digital banking with a wider banking relationship. | Small Business account: no monthly fee | Product eligibility and extra-service fees apply. A free subscription does not make every transaction free. | Source ↗ |
| 08 | Barclays | Bank account Business banking with online and app account management. | Check the applicable business tariff | The product page was not fully accessible during this review. Opening route and current fees need direct confirmation. | Source ↗ |
| 09 | NatWest | Bank account Separate account propositions for start-ups and established UK businesses. | Varies by account and business stage | Compare ongoing charges after any introductory period and the eligibility for the particular account. | Source ↗ |
| 10 | Lloyds Bank | Bank account UK business current accounts and a published document checklist for account opening. | Check current account tariff | Ownership structure, UK operations and named individuals matter. Extra information may be requested. | Source ↗ |
| 11 | Mettle | Bank account NatWest’s digital business account focused on everyday finances and accounting connections. | Free business account | Check business structure, UK trading requirements and international payment capabilities before choosing. | Source ↗ |
| 12 | ANNA Money | Payment / e-money Business account with invoicing and administrative tools. | Free-to-open options; plan and usage fees apply | Check the underlying e-money provider, VAT on plan fees and optional accounting services. | Source ↗ |
| 13 | Zempler Bank | Bank account Online business banking with Post Office cash deposits and paid-plan upgrades. | Business Go: £0/month | Go includes three outgoing payments or transfers a month, then 35p each. Cash deposits cost extra. | Source ↗ |
| 14 | Metro Bank | Bank account Business current account with store access and digital account management. | Balance and transaction conditions apply | Confirm the opening route directly; online banking does not necessarily mean an entirely online application. | Source ↗ |
| 15 | Virgin Money | Bank account Business current account with a published introductory everyday-banking offer. | Eligible introductory offer; then £6.50/month | Check the 25-month offer’s eligibility, exclusions and the ongoing transaction tariff. | Source ↗ |
No matches. Try another name or clear the filters.
Monthly fees are not total costs. “Free” may exclude transfers, FX, cash handling, setup fees and VAT. Scroll horizontally on small screens.
Check incorporation, trading address, director and beneficial-owner residency, sector and business stage. An online application is useful only if the provider accepts the applicant. An unresolved condition stays unresolved; it is not a positive score.
Read the account agreement to distinguish a bank deposit from e-money, and a platform from its partner bank. Match the legal entity and permissions in the FCA Register. We cite published terms; this is not a regulatory certification.
List salary payments, supplier transfers, direct debits, cash deposits and accounting access. Ask for confirmation of any essential feature missing from the product page. We do not treat a blank field as an available feature.
Combine subscription, setup, chargeable transactions, FX and extras for your volumes. Introductory offers belong in a separate first-year calculation. Compare only quotes covering the same services and assumptions.
Company registration number, legal name and trading address
Ownership chart and directors’ / beneficial owners’ details
Identity and address documents requested by the provider
Many providers accept online applications. Identity checks, business eligibility and requests for further evidence still apply. A provider with online banking may use an assisted opening process.
No. Providers also assess owners, directors, activities, countries and expected transactions. A company registration certificate is only part of an application.
Compare eligibility, supported currencies, account and transfer fees, payment features, limits, and support with the other options. Check the current terms directly with each provider before applying.
Not necessarily. Setup, outgoing payments, cash and currency exchange may be charged. Check a complete tariff for the services you actually use.