Starling vs Monzo vs Revolut Business Account – which one should you choose?

But once you look past the surface, the differences start to show. This guide compares the free business accounts from Starling, Monzo, and Revolut, covering everything from features and fees to eligibility, support, and usability.

And because we’re ANNA, we’ll also show you how we stack up – especially if you’d prefer your business account to come with admin support, smart tax tools, and real humans on hand 24/7.

Starling vs Monzo vs Revolut at a glance

If you just want the summary: Starling keeps things simple with one free plan that includes most essentials, Monzo splits features between its free “Lite” and paid “Pro” tiers, while Revolut offers international tools but holds back some features unless you pay.

Takeaway:
Starling offers the best set of core tools for free, Monzo adds flair and usability but hides extras behind Pro, while Revolut is strong for international business but weaker on protection and UK coverage.

Who are these accounts best for?

⚡ The cheapest

Starling stands out for one simple reason: its business account is genuinely free. No monthly fees, no basic features locked away – just straightforward everyday banking with optional paid add-ons.

Monzo’s Lite plan is also free but lacks essentials like invoicing and accounting integrations, both available only in the £5/month Pro tier. Revolut’s free plan, while functional, is limited in local business use – you’ll need to upgrade to Grow (£19/month) for multiple users or integrations.

Verdict:
Starling is the cheapest and most complete option for small UK businesses.

⚡ Best value for money

When you look at what’s included, Starling again offers strong long-term value. You get integrations, cash deposits, and overdrafts without subscription fees.

Monzo’s £5/month Pro tier adds virtual cards and invoicing, while Revolut’s paid plans bring extra currencies, team cards, and higher transfer limits. But for most UK-based SMEs and freelancers, those features aren’t essential day-to-day.

Verdict:
Starling delivers the best value for domestic business use, while Revolut suits companies trading internationally.

⚡ Best for sole traders

If you’re a freelancer or sole trader, Starling is the easiest to set up and use without monthly costs. You can link it to accounting software, deposit cash at Post Offices, and even access overdrafts.

Monzo Lite is usable but minimal; you’ll need to pay for Pro if you want invoices or multi-user access. Revolut’s free account can work for global freelancers but lacks FSCS protection and local cheque/cash support.

Verdict:
For most sole traders, Starling offers the smoothest start with no hidden fees.

⚡ Best for limited companies

Limited companies often need multiple users or approval workflows. This is where Monzo Pro and Revolut Grow take the lead. Monzo Pro supports team access and expense cards, while Revolut’s Grow plan includes multi-user controls and integrations.

Starling, however, restricts account access to directors, which can be limiting for larger teams.

Verdict:
Monzo Pro or Revolut Grow are better for limited companies that need shared access and spending controls.

Check our business account for Limited companies for comparison.

⚡ Best for international business

If your business trades across borders, Revolut wins hands down. Its built-in multi-currency accounts, competitive exchange rates, and international transfers make it ideal for global freelancers or exporters.

Starling offers limited EUR/USD accounts and SWIFT transfers, while Monzo relies on Wise for international payments (and only via Pro).

Verdict:
Revolut is the strongest choice for international payments and currency flexibility.

Who can open an account?

All three focus on small UK businesses, but the details differ slightly.

Verdict:
Starling and Monzo are ideal for UK-based businesses, while Revolut covers international entities but with stricter verification.

Pricing and fees

Money matters. All three start with free tiers, but paid plans unlock very different things.

Starling pricing

One free plan includes most features. Optional Business Toolkit for £7/month adds VAT tracking, invoicing, and tax tools.

Monzo pricing

Free “Lite” for basics, or Pro (£5/month) for invoicing, multi-user access, and accounting integrations.

Revolut pricing

Free plan for individuals and small teams, or Grow (£19/month) and Scale (£79/month) for higher transfer limits, team access, and priority support.

Verdict:
Starling offers the clearest, most affordable setup for UK use; Revolut’s fees pay off only if you frequently trade overseas.

Verdict:
Starling’s free account is most feature-complete. Monzo offers simplicity with paid extras. Revolut provides strong global tools but lacks FSCS protection.

App and user experience

Interface

Monzo and Revolut both offer sleek, colourful apps with consumer-style design, while Starling’s interface is cleaner and more traditional.

Monzo

App Store / Google Play

Source: App store

Starling

App Store / Google Play

Source: App store

Revolut

App Store / Google Play

Source: App store

Web access and exports

Starling and Revolut offer full web dashboards for business management, while Monzo remains largely mobile-first.

Onboarding speed

All three allow fast sign-up through the app. Starling supports the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) for easy migration.

Verdict:
Monzo and Revolut win for app design, Starling for stability and traditional reliability.

Customer support and reviews

Verdict:
Starling offers the strongest, most responsive customer service – especially by phone.

Security and trust

FSCS protection

Both Starling and Monzo are fully licensed UK banks, protecting funds up to £85,000 under FSCS. Revolut, as an e-money institution, doesn’t provide FSCS coverage.

Fraud prevention and controls

All three offer SCA, biometrics, and instant card freezes.

Reputation

Starling and Monzo are FCA-regulated banks with established UK credibility; Revolut remains unregulated as a bank in the UK (as of now).

Verdict:
Starling and Monzo are safer choices if FSCS protection matters to you.

Which is best for your business?

• Freelancers and sole traders: Starling – easy setup, no fees, full UK coverage.
• Limited companies: Monzo Pro – great for team access and shared controls.
• International traders: Revolut – unbeatable for multi-currency and FX.
• Cash-based businesses: Starling – Post Office deposits and overdrafts.
• Tech-forward entrepreneurs: Monzo or Revolut for sleek app experience.

Alternatives to consider

ANNA – your business account and admin sidekick

Here’s where we do things differently.

ANNA isn’t just a business account – it’s your admin assistant in your pocket. You get smart financial tools plus human support around the clock.

• Create and send invoices in seconds
• Capture receipts and auto-categorise expenses
• File VAT and Corporation Tax automatically
• Add your team, not just co-directors
• 4 free SWIFT payments a month on the Big Business plan
• Real humans, 24/7, on every plan

And yes – ANNA starts at £0/month.

Other options

Wise Business – best for holding and receiving foreign currencies.

Tide – quick setup, strong for startups and sole traders.
How to open Tide business account →

Mettle by NatWest – solid free account backed by a major bank, though limited in features.
How to open Mettle business account →

Whichever you choose, your business account should do more than hold money. Whether you value simple domestic banking, international reach, or built-in admin tools, there’s a clear winner for every kind of business.

Disclaimer: All info accurate as of October 2025. Always check official websites for the latest details.