How our picks stack up against the alternatives.
We compare publicly available pricing, features, eligibility and protection information. The highlighted options are editorial selections for particular use cases, not a claim of personal product use or a guarantee that either provider will suit every founder.
Business bank accounts
| Provider | Monthly fee | Opening speed | Invoicing | Accounting sync | Branches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tide referral code & reviewOur pick | Free | Minutes | |||
| Starling | Free | Hours | |||
| Revolut Business | £0–£79 | Hours | |||
| HSBC Kinetic | £6.50 | 1–2 weeks | |||
| Barclays | £8.50 | 2–4 weeks |
Considering Tide? Read our Tide referral code, current-offer and account review before you apply.
Business credit cards
| Card | Annual fee | Cashback | FX fee | Credit limit | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital on Tap promo code & reviewOur pick | £0 | 1% unlimited | 0% | Up to £250k | 2 min |
| Amex Business Platinum | £650 | Points only | 2.99% | No preset | Days |
| Amex Business Gold | £195 (waived yr 1) | Points only | 2.99% | No preset | Days |
| Barclaycard Select | £32 | None | 2.99% | Up to £25k | 1–2 weeks |
| Metro Bank Business | £0 | None | 0% in EU | Variable | Branch visit |
Considering Capital on Tap? Read our Capital on Tap promo-code, current-offer and credit-card review before you apply.
Tide Business Account
A digital business account with Free, Smart, Pro and Max plans; suitability and protection depend on account type.
Get £75 after spending £100 on the Tide card within 30 days. Get a further £125 by opening an eligible Tide Instant Saver, depositing £5,000 within seven days and maintaining the qualifying balance for 30 days. Eligibility and campaign terms apply.
- Free plan available with no monthly fee
- Up to £200 partner reward: £75 for £100 card spend plus £125 for an eligible Instant Saver balance held for 30 days
- Open and manage the account in the app
- Accounting integrations including Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Sage
- Expense categorisation and receipt capture
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
A UK business credit card offering 1% uncapped cashback, subject to eligibility.
Worth £75. Awarded after your first card transaction within 30 days of sign-up, subject to approval, eligibility and campaign terms.
- 7,500 bonus reward points worth £75 after your first card transaction within 30 days
- 1% uncapped cashback on eligible spending
- No joining fee or annual fee
- Free additional employee cards
- Accounting integrations and spend notifications
How to use this comparison
Start with the operating constraint that matters most. A low-volume sole trader may value a free account and simple payments, while a limited company may need multiple cards, accounting integration or a business credit line. A business holding cash should check the legal protection model rather than assuming that every app-based account is a bank deposit. A business using credit should compare the cost of carrying a balance, not just the headline cashback rate.
Before applying, confirm the provider's current fees, eligibility rules, credit-search process, safeguarding or FSCS position, and promotional terms. Applications can involve identity and credit checks, and approval is always subject to the provider's assessment.
Detailed comparison criteria
The tables above are a starting point. A meaningful provider comparison also needs to cover the legal relationship, protection, eligibility and the cost of making mistakes. These details are more important than a short-term introductory reward because they affect the business after the first month.
| Question | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Who provides the account? | The app brand may not be the authorised bank or e-money institution. | Provider terms, account type, safeguarding and FSCS wording. |
| Who can apply? | A product can be attractive but unavailable to a sole trader, new company or excluded industry. | Legal structure, UK residency, ownership, Companies House status and current exclusions. |
| What does normal use cost? | Monthly fees, transfer charges, FX fees and cash handling can outweigh a headline reward. | A normal-month and busy-month cost model using the provider’s current price list. |
| What happens when cash is tight? | Credit can bridge timing gaps but creates repayment, interest and possible guarantee exposure. | APR, repayment terms, credit-search sequence, late fees and guarantee wording. |
| Can the business operate day to day? | A fast application does not guarantee suitable limits, support or payment features. | Transfer limits, card controls, accounting integrations, support and payment settlement. |
For a small service business, the best option may be the account with the lowest predictable operating cost and reliable accounting export. For a retailer, cash deposits and payment settlement may matter more than an app’s interface. For an international business, foreign exchange and beneficiary controls can dominate the calculation. For a limited company seeking credit, eligibility and repayment capacity come before cashback. These are use-case recommendations, not universal rankings.
Sources checked for the provider pages include Tide pricing and protection, Capital on Tap product information and FSCS protection rules.
Tables reflect public pricing as of May 2026. Check each provider's site for current terms — they update them often.