Tide is a strong UK-first starting account, especially with REFER200. But the right alternative depends on your cash takings, currencies, bookkeeping workflow, protection preference and need for branches.
Adam Short is the Editor of Business Account Referral, an independent UK guide to business current accounts, referral offers and account-opening incentives. He reviews provider pricing, product features, eligibility rules and promotion mechanics using official provider material, hands-on journey checks and structured comparison criteria.
Reviewed 12 October 2026 · About the team · How we review
Choose Starling if account protection and a conventional UK bank model come first. Choose Revolut Business if you hold or move several currencies. Choose ANNA if admin automation matters more than a broad banking feature set. Choose Monzo Business if you already use Monzo and value continuity. Choose Mettle if you want a simple, free NatWest-backed option. If the priority is a live cash incentive alongside a UK-first operating account, Tide remains the standout in our tracked set: REFER200 was verified on 12 October 2026.
The comparison below is a decision aid, not a permanent ranking. Fees, allowances, protection models and signup campaigns change. Follow each provider link before applying, and treat the provider's current terms as authoritative.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to compare providers. Checked 12 October 2026.
| Decision | Starling Business | Monzo Business | Revolut Business | ANNA Money | Mettle by NatWest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | £0 on the standard account | Free Lite plan; paid plans add features | Free entry tier; paid plans for higher allowances | Subscription pricing varies by plan | Free account for eligible small businesses |
| Free transfer allowance | Free allowance depends on current account terms | Allowance varies by plan | Plan-based allowance and fair-use limits | Plan allowance and transaction pricing vary | Included allowance and limits depend on current terms |
| Cash deposit method / cost | Post Office cash deposits; fees and limits apply | PayPoint cash deposits; fees and limits apply | Not designed for regular cash deposits | Not the natural choice for cash-heavy trading | Cash handling is not its strongest use case |
| Foreign-card / FX model | Separate pricing for foreign-currency payments and card use | Plan-dependent pricing for international use | Strong multi-currency and foreign-exchange workflow; plan limits apply | Useful for UK-first workflows; compare international pricing separately | UK-first account; compare international fees before switching |
| Invoicing / bookkeeping | Invoicing and accounting integrations; less built-in administration than Tide | Good app experience, invoicing and tax pots on paid plans | Invoicing, integrations and multi-currency controls | Strong invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-administration focus | Simple invoicing and accounting connections, with a narrower feature set |
| Provider model / protection | UK bank model with FSCS protection on eligible deposits | UK bank model with FSCS protection on eligible deposits | UK business account model varies; confirm whether funds are safeguarded or FSCS-eligible | Confirm the current account provider and protection model before holding large balances | NatWest-backed bank model; confirm current eligibility and protection details |
| Signup offer | No standing cashback offer found on its public business-account pages | Promotions vary; no standing REFER200-equivalent found | Campaigns and plan trials vary rather than a standing cash offer | No current offer comparable to REFER200 found in the tracked public material | No standing cashback offer found in the tracked public material |
| Best for | Businesses prioritising a fully licensed UK bank and savings buffers | Sole traders and freelancers already comfortable with Monzo | International businesses receiving or paying in several currencies | Service businesses that want automation around invoices and tax tasks | Sole traders who want a straightforward no-frills account |
Primary sources: Tide pricing, Starling Business, Monzo Business, Revolut Business, ANNA Money and Mettle. Product terms remain authoritative.
Best for: Businesses prioritising a fully licensed UK bank and savings buffers
What to check: Invoicing and accounting integrations; less built-in administration than Tide
Primary source: www.starlingbank.com/business-account. Checked 12 October 2026.
Best for: Sole traders and freelancers already comfortable with Monzo
What to check: Good app experience, invoicing and tax pots on paid plans
Primary source: monzo.com/business-banking. Checked 12 October 2026.
Best for: International businesses receiving or paying in several currencies
What to check: Invoicing, integrations and multi-currency controls
Primary source: www.revolut.com/business. Checked 12 October 2026.
Best for: Service businesses that want automation around invoices and tax tasks
What to check: Strong invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-administration focus
Primary source: anna.money. Checked 12 October 2026.
Best for: Sole traders who want a straightforward no-frills account
What to check: Simple invoicing and accounting connections, with a narrower feature set
Primary source: www.mettle.co.uk. Checked 12 October 2026.
Start with Starling, Monzo and Tide because they publish physical cash-deposit routes, then calculate the percentage fee, minimum fee and monthly cap against your takings. If most revenue arrives by card or bank transfer, a cash-friendly account may matter less than transfer allowances and bookkeeping.
Compare Revolut Business and Wise Business first for currencies and FX. Tide can remain useful as a UK operating account, but avoid assuming a free monthly plan means low-cost foreign payments. Price the exact currencies and monthly volume.
For a first account, compare Tide Free, Mettle and Monzo Lite on the work you actually do: invoices, receipts, tax pots, support and transfer volume. Tide is particularly attractive if you are eligible for REFER200 and will complete the conditions without moving money you need for working capital.
Prioritise accounting integrations, clean exports, team access and a clear provider model. Tide, Starling and Monzo are sensible first comparisons; then check whether the accountant already prefers a specific feed into Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent.
Digital-first providers are not a substitute for a branch relationship. Check high-street business accounts or a cash-focused provider if you regularly need in-person deposits, face-to-face support or a relationship manager. Tide's app-first model is a feature for some businesses and a deal-breaker for others.
Tide is still compelling for a new UK business that wants a usable Free plan, built-in invoicing and expense tools, and the option to add up to £200 through REFER200. It is less obvious for a cash-heavy retailer, a multi-currency operation or a business that wants branches. Read the full Tide review, compare the best UK business accounts, and check the provider sources before you apply.
Starling Business is the clearest alternative when a fully licensed UK bank and FSCS protection are the priority. Revolut Business is stronger for multi-currency work, ANNA for invoice and tax administration, Monzo for existing Monzo users, and Mettle for a simple free account.
Starling, Monzo and Tide all publish cash-deposit routes, but fees and limits differ. Compare the provider's current Post Office or PayPoint pricing against your actual monthly cash takings rather than choosing from the headline account fee.
Revolut Business is usually the first comparison for multi-currency balances and FX workflows. Wise Business is another useful benchmark. Tide can suit a mostly-GBP business, but regular overseas payments deserve a live fee comparison.
As of 12 October 2026, no tracked alternative publishes a standing cashback offer comparable to Tide's REFER200, worth up to £200 for eligible new applicants. Short campaigns can change, so check the provider's own signup page.
Yes. Many businesses use Tide for a UK operating account and REFER200, then keep a second account for savings, branch access or foreign-currency work. Keep clear records and ask your accountant how to record any cashback.
Ready to open your Tide business account?
Start with Tide’s £0/month plan, payments, invoicing and expense tools—then add REFER200 at sign-up for up to £200 cashback.
Open a modern business account with payments, invoicing and expense tools—then add REFER200 as you apply.
REFER200Offer verified 12 October 2026. Up to £200 cashback for eligible new Tide business-account customers. Tide terms and eligibility apply.
Independent introducer disclosure: this site is not Tide and is not operated by Tide. If you sign up using our link or the code REFER200, we may receive a referral reward. Tide controls account approval, eligibility and cashback validation. This is not financial advice. Always check the latest Tide terms before applying. Last checked 12 October 2026.