Best UK Business Bank Accounts: GoSolo vs Starling, Tide & More

Why your business account choice matters

Selecting the right business current account is one of the most important decisions when you set up or scale a company. The account you choose affects everything from how much you pay in fees to how quickly you can get paid and even whether you can start a company in the UK in the first place.

This guide compares GoSolo – a modern all‑in‑one platform that helps founders register a UK company, get a business address, open an account and accept card payments – against other popular UK business banking and payment providers, including Starling, Tide, Barclays, Stripe and several traditional banks. It also highlights which accounts work best for different business types such as start-ups, sales-heavy businesses, non-UK residents, and creatives. The information below is based on publicly available pricing and feature data as of July 2025.

How we compared the accounts

The comparison focuses on four key areas:

Monthly account cost and free transaction allowances

Some providers charge a monthly fee or a per‑payment fee, while others offer a completely free account. We indicate whether there are introductory free periods or if the account remains free permanently.

Acquiring or card‑payment fees

If a provider offers payment links or merchant services, we summarise the typical per‑transaction charges for accepting Visa/Mastercard payments. The charges vary widely: flat‑rate models charge the same percentage for every card, while the “Interchange Plus” model (I++) passes on the card issuer’s wholesale fee plus a fixed margin.

Account features

We note whether the provider offers company formation, a business address, invoicing, accounting integrations, lending and other value‑added services. We also note whether the account is available to non‑UK residents.

Suitability for different business types

Using the categorisation from the attached document, we outline which accounts are ideal for start-ups, sales-focused businesses, non-UK residents, professionals, tradespeople, and creators.

Summary of key providers

GoSolo (powered by Adyen)

All‑in‑one platform – GoSolo goes beyond banking by helping users register a UK company, providing a professional business address, opening a UK business account and giving access to payment links and invoicing tools. This means founders can set up and run their company entirely online.

Transparent Interchange Plus pricing – For card payments, GoSolo passes through the actual interchange fee and adds a 0.5 % + 20 p markup per transaction; there are no monthly subscription fees and no volume thresholds. The provider claims this saves money versus flat‑rate competitors; for example, a £1,000 sale costs around £10.80 with GoSolo compared with ~£15 for Tide or Stripe.

Built for sales – Businesses can create reusable payment links, customise expiry rules and accept Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Payments settle almost instantly and there are no extra fees for international cards. GoSolo also provides invoicing tools and real‑time sales analytics to help businesses grow, which is why the attached document positions it as a sales‑first platform.

Available to non‑UK residents – GoSolo accepts directors from the EU, US and Australia, making it one of the few UK providers that allows non‑resident owners to open a business account and register a company remotely (document).

Starling Bank

Free UK business banking – Starling’s business account has no monthly fees and no charges for UK payments, plus 24/7 customer support.

Money management tools – The account offers spending categorisation, receipt capture and integration with popular accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent.

Merchant services via partners – Starling doesn’t operate its own acquiring; instead users integrate with third‑party providers (SumUp or Zettle) which means costs can vary. Starling’s offering is therefore banking‑focused rather than sales‑focused.

FSCS protection – Customer deposits are protected up to £85,000.

Tide

Low‑cost banking tiers – Tide offers four plans. The Free account has no monthly fee but charges 20 p per transfer. The Smart plan costs £12.49/month and includes 25 free transfers; Pro and Max plans provide unlimited transfers. All plans charge around 2.75 % for foreign card transactions and a fee for cash deposits.

Payment links and card acceptance – Tide’s payment links (powered by Adyen) cost 1.5 % + 9 p per transaction on a pay‑as‑you‑go basis or 0.79 % + 9 p with the £6.99 “Sell More Online” subscription. Settlement takes 1–3 business days and there is an optional fast payout for £2.99 per month.

Company formation – Tide can incorporate a company for free and refund the £50 Companies House fee after you pay a subscription, but its acquiring fees are flat‑rate and higher than GoSolo’s.

Barclays (Barclaycard Merchant Services)

Traditional banking with higher fee – Barclays offers business current accounts and merchant services. For card payments, the example transaction fee for a £50 in‑person debit card transaction is 0.7 % plus a 3 p authorisation fee, while telephone credit‑card payments are charged 2.05 % + 3 p. Independent reviews show that small businesses can pay 1.75 % for debit cards and 2.05 % for online or phone transactions, plus a minimum monthly service charge and PCI‑DSS.

Higher account costs – Barclays accounts typically have monthly account fees and transaction charges; the exact cost depends on turnover and plan. Small businesses may also need to rent card readers and pay an additional gateway fee.

Branch network – Unlike challenger banks, Barclays provides branch services and lending. However, its fee structure is complex and less transparent compared with GoSolo.

Stripe

Developer‑friendly payments – Stripe is a leading payment processor but does not provide a UK business account. Businesses must already have an account with another bank and simply use Stripe to accept card payments.

Flat‑rate fees – Standard UK cards are charged 1.5 % + 20 p, premium cards 1.9 % + 20 p, and European cards 2.5 % + 20 p. Payments via Stripe payment links cost around 1.2 % + 20 p for UK cards. There are no setup fees or monthly fees, but charges for currency conversion and chargebacks apply.

Global reach – Stripe supports 135+ currencies and offers subscription billing, customisable payment pages and a robust API. However, because you need a separate business account, it isn’t a one‑stop solution like GoSolo.

Other digital and high‑street providers

Mettle (NatWest) – Mettle is a free digital account for sole traders or limited companies with up to two directors. It offers a free bank account, free invoicing and bookkeeping, FSCS protection and automated reconciliation. The account has no monthly fee and no transaction fees, but does not support international payments and lacks multi‑user access. A paid add‑on (Mettle+) costs £4 per month and adds quote‑to‑invoice functionality.
Monzo Business – Monzo’s Lite account is free and includes digital banking with unlimited UK bank transfers, while the Pro account costs £9 per month and adds features like Tax Pots, integration with accounting software, multi‑user access and invoicing.
NatWest Business – The NatWest Start‑up account charges no monthly maintenance fees and free everyday transactions for the first two years. Established businesses can opt for NatWest’s standard business account which also has no maintenance fee on the standard tariff but charges for certain transactions. FreeAgent accounting software is included.
Revolut Business – Sole traders can choose plans from £0 to £45/month. Incorporated businesses pay £10/month for the Basic plan, which includes 10 free local transfers and charges 20 p thereafter; there is no cash or cheque deposit facility.
Metro Bank – New customers enjoy 31 months with no account maintenance fee and no charges on eligible transactions, plus fee‑free cash deposits/withdrawals up to £10,000 per month.
Santander Business – The Classic account has no monthly fee for 12 months, after which a £9.99 monthly fee applies. Cash deposits over £1,000 per month cost £1.25 per £100 and cheque deposits cost 70 p.
TSB Business Plus – Offers 30 months of free day‑to‑day banking (no monthly fee or transaction charges) then a £5 monthly fee. After the free period, cheques cost 70 p and cash deposits cost 70 p per £100.
Co‑operative Bank – The Business Directplus account is free for 30 months when your balance stays above £1,000, then costs £7 per month. The Business Current Account has no monthly fee and unlimited Faster Payments; other accounts cost around £10 per month.
Zempler Bank (Cashplus) – The Business Go account has no monthly fee, includes three free payments per month then charges 35 p per transaction, plus cash deposit fees and a £9.95 card fee. Business Extra (£9/month) offers 20 free payments and 0.5 % cashback; Business Pro (£19/month) offers 500 free payments and 1 % cashback.
Wise Business – Wise’s multi‑currency account charges a one‑time £45 set‑up fee with no monthly fee. Sending money starts at 0.33 % and receiving local payments is free. Wise is ideal for international invoicing and expense management but does not provide a traditional UK sort code.
ANNA Money – Three tiers: Pay‑As‑You‑Go (no monthly fee) with unlimited free outgoing payments, Business (£14.90/month) with 50 free outgoing/incoming payments and 20 p thereafter, and Big Business (£49.90/month) with unlimited free payments. ANNA offers invoicing, expense categorisation and 24/7 in‑app support but, like Revolut and Wise, is an e‑money institution rather than a bank.

Comparison table – account fees and payment processing

The table below summarises the monthly account fees, per‑transaction bank transfer fees and payment‑processing rates for major UK providers. Use it to compare costs quickly. Where a provider offers multiple plans, we show the most popular entry‑level plan. (For simplicity, “–” indicates the provider does not offer its own card‑payment solution.)

Provider	Monthly account fee*	UK bank transfer fee**	Card‑payment/acquiring fee	Notable extras
GoSolo	£0 – account free; includes company formation and address	Free Faster Payments and BACs transfers	Interchange Plus (I++ + 0.5 % + 20 p) with no monthly subscriptiongosolo.net	Company registration, business address, invoicing, instant settlement, accepts non‑UK directors
Starling	£0	Free domestic transfersstarlingbank.com	– (requires third‑party integration)	Free accounting integrations, spending insights, FSCS protection
Tide	£0 (Free plan); £12.49/mo for Smart with 25 free transferstide.co	20 p per transfer on Free plan	1.5 % + 9 p or 0.79 % + 9 p with subscriptiontide.co	Payment links, company registration, optional paid modules
Barclays	Varies – fees apply (often £6–£8/month or part of turnover)	Fees for UK transfers	0.7 % + 3 p in‑person; 2.05 % + 3 p for online/phone	Branch network, lending, card machines
Stripe	£0 (payment processing only)	– (no bank account)	1.5 % + 20 p UK; 2.5 % + 20 p EU; premium cards 1.9 % + 20 p	135+ currencies, robust API, subscription billing
Mettle	£0 – free account with no transaction fees	Free Faster Payments	– (no acquiring)	Invoicing, bookkeeping, FSCS up to £85k, FreeAgent integration
Monzo (Lite/Pro)	£0 for Lite; £9/mo for Pro	Free transfers (Lite & Pro)	– (no acquiring)	Tax Pots, multiple users, integrated invoicing
NatWest Start‑up	£0 – free for two years	Free transfers during free period	– (no acquiring)	FreeAgent integration, 24/7 support, FSCS protection
Revolut Business	£0 (sole trader); £10/mo for Basic corporate	10 free transfers then 20 p	– (uses Stripe/Checkout.com)	Multi‑currency account, app‑based support, no cash deposits
Metro Bank	£0 – free for 31 months	Free within free period	– (no acquiring)	Branch network, cash deposits up to £10k per month
Santander Classic	£0 for 12 months, then £9.99/mo	Free within free period; fees after	– (no acquiring)	Cheque and cash deposit allowances, branch network
TSB Business Plus	£0 for 30 months, then £5/mo	Free within free period, then pay‑per‑item	– (no acquiring)	Credit/debit cards, branch network
Co‑operative Bank	£0 for 30 months (balance >£1k), then £7/mo	Free Faster Payments	– (no acquiring)	Ethical bank, FSCS protection, branch network
Zempler (Cashplus)	£0 (Business Go); £9/mo (Extra); £19/mo (Pro)	35 p per transfer beyond allowance	– (no own acquiring)	Cashback on paid plans, FSCS protection
Wise Business	One‑off £45 set‑up, then £0	Small percentage (0.33 %+) per transfer, receiving local payments free	– (no merchant acquiring)	Multi‑currency account, currency exchange at mid‑market rates
ANNA Money	Pay‑as‑you‑go: £0; Business: £14.90/mo; Big Business: £49.90/mo	Unlimited free outgoing payments (PAYG); allowances on paid plans	– (no acquiring)	Invoicing, expense tracking, 24/7 support

* Introductory free periods are noted where applicable.

** Bank transfer fees refer to Faster Payments/online transfers. Additional charges may apply for CHAPS, cheques or cash deposits.

Which provider is right for your business?

Every business is different. Below is a quick guide showing which providers may suit specific business types, based on the features, costs and eligibility criteria from the attached document and independent sources. Bear in mind that all accounts come with their own terms and conditions and that eligibility may depend on your company’s structure and trading history.

Business type	Recommended providers	Why
UK start‑ups	GoSolo, Starling, NatWest Start‑up, Mettle	GoSolo offers company formation, business address, payment links and sales portal, making it a one‑stop shop. Starling and NatWest provide free banking with FSCS protection, while Mettle gives sole traders a free account with no transaction fees.
Sales‑driven businesses	GoSolo, Tide, Stripe	GoSolo’s I++ pricing and payment‑link analytics minimise acquiring costs and maximise revenue. Tide and Stripe offer established payment platforms; however, their flat‑rate fees (1.5 % + 9p and 1.5 % + 20p respectively) are higher, especially for large transactions.
Non‑UK resident directors	GoSolo, Wise	GoSolo accepts directors based in the EU, US and Australia and provides company formation and a UK business address (document). Wise offers a multi‑currency account without a UK sort code but can work as a holding account for international businesses.
Professional services	GoSolo, Starling, Monzo Pro	GoSolo’s invoicing and payment links help consultants and freelancers bill clients easily, while its transparency ensures predictable costs. Starling integrates with accounting tools and has no monthly fee. Monzo Pro (£9/mo) adds tax pots, virtual cards and enhanced reporting.
Tradespeople/Construction	GoSolo, Tide, Metro Bank	Tradespeople need simple payment acceptance and cash‑flow management. GoSolo’s payment links let them invoice customers instantly; Tide offers accessible banking and payment links, though with higher fees. Metro Bank provides 31 months of fee‑free banking and cash deposits at branches.
Creators & freelancers	GoSolo, ANNA, Mettle	GoSolo’s customisable payment links and low fees maximise profits. ANNA’s Pay‑As‑You‑Go plan costs nothing and includes unlimited payments with 24/7 support, and Mettle offers free invoicing and FreeAgent integration.

Final thoughts

Choosing a business account isn’t just about the bank’s logo – it’s about how the account aligns with your goals. Traditional high‑street banks like Barclays, Santander and TSB offer branch access and lending, but their fee structures can be complex and expensive. Digital challengers such as Starling, Tide, Monzo and Mettle provide simple online banking at little to no cost, but most require separate payment processors for card acceptance. Payment specialists like Stripe excel at online sales but don’t provide a UK bank account or company formation support.

GoSolo stands out by combining all of these elements. It helps you register a company, opens a business current account and allows you accept card payments in person and online with transparent Interchange Plus pricing. For start‑ups, sole traders and international founders who want an easy way to launch and grow, GoSolo can reduce fees and administrative overhead while putting sales and profitability first. As always, compare the fine print and consider your own business model before making a decision.

Compare the Best Business Bank Accounts in the UK