Honest comparison
How our picks stack up against the alternatives.
We recommend Tide and Capital on Tap because we've used them and they win for new UK founders. Here's the side-by-side so you can decide for yourself.
Business bank accounts
| Provider | Monthly fee | Opening speed | Invoicing | Accounting sync | Branches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TideOur pick | Free | Minutes | |||
| Starling | Free | Hours | |||
| Revolut Business | £0–£79 | Hours | |||
| HSBC Kinetic | £6.50 | 1–2 weeks | |||
| Barclays | £8.50 | 2–4 weeks |
Business credit cards
| Card | Annual fee | Cashback | FX fee | Credit limit | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital on TapOur 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 |
Business Banking
Tide Business Bank Account
The UK's most popular digital business bank account — free, opens in 5 minutes.
£200reader bonus
Free cash when you spend £100 in your first 30 days + deposit £5k in a Tide Instant Saver.
Code:REFER200
- Free business current account — no monthly fee
- £200 free cash (spend £100 in 30 days + deposit £5k)
- No credit check required to open
- Open your account in under 5 minutes
- Free bank transfers for your first year
Claim £200 with Tide →4.3/5 from 20,000+ reviews
Business Credit
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
The UK's highest-rated business credit card — 1% cashback, up to £250k credit, no annual fee.
7,500 pointsreader bonus
Worth £75. Awarded after your first card transaction within 30 days.
Code:SETTINGUP
- 7,500 bonus reward points (worth £75) on first transaction within 30 days
- 1% uncapped cashback on every pound you spend
- Credit limits from £1,000 to £250,000
- No joining fee or annual fee
- Free additional employee cards
Claim 7,500 points with Capital on Tap →4.7/5 from 10,000+ reviews
Tables reflect public pricing as of May 2026. Check each provider's site for current terms — they update them often.