Tide vs Starling business account – which one should you choose?

This guide compares Tide's Free, Smart, Pro and Max accounts with Starling's free business account (and optional Business Toolkit). We’ll explore pricing, features, eligibility, customer support, and overall value for money – so you can see which one fits your business best.

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, tax tools, and real humans on hand 24/7.

Tide vs Starling at a glance

If you just want the quick version: Starling is a fully licensed UK bank offering a free account with most features included. Tide is an e-money service (not a bank) with fast onboarding and tiered plans – the more you pay, the more you get.

Takeaway: Starling offers full banking functionality for free, while Tide gives faster onboarding and tiered pricing plans (Free, Smart, Pro, Max) with additional features on paid tiers.

Who are these accounts best for?

⚡ The cheapest

If you’re after a genuinely free account with all the essentials, Starling wins hands down. It’s a full business bank account with no monthly fee and no charge for standard UK transfers or card payments.

Tide's free plan looks attractive at first but can get expensive if you're active – 20p per transfer after 20 free ones, plus cash deposits at £2.50 per £500. Since there's no overdraft, you may quickly hit its limits for certain use cases.

Verdict: Starling is the cheapest long-term choice – a free account with no per-transaction surprises.

⚡ Best value for money

When you weigh what you actually get, Starling still edges ahead. Tide's Smart (£12.99/month), Pro (£24.99/month) and Max (£69.99/month) plans add perks like expense cards, priority support, team access, and enhanced features – but most businesses don't need to pay for features that Starling includes for free.

Starling's free plan already covers accounting integrations, SWIFT payments, and overdrafts. Tide supports SEPA payments for EU transfers but doesn't offer overdrafts. Unless you specifically need Tide’s in-app admin tools, Starling gives more for less.

Verdict: Starling offers the better long-term value without monthly tiers or hidden fees.

⚡ Best for sole traders

Sole traders love simplicity – and both banks deliver it, but in different ways. Tide’s quick signup and automated invoicing make it easy to start managing business income from day one. However, the free plan’s transaction fees can add up fast.

Starling’s free business account includes everything most freelancers need: bank transfers, accounting links, cheque deposits and optional tax tools via the £7/month Business Toolkit. You can start free and upgrade only if your bookkeeping gets complex.

Verdict: Starling is more cost-effective for sole traders who want full banking without extras. Tide is great if you prioritise quick setup and light admin tools.

⚡ Best for limited companies

For limited companies managing a team or shared access, Tide's paid plans (Smart, Pro or Max) become more appealing. You can assign expense cards to team members, track spending, and manage permissions in-app.

Starling, on the other hand, limits account access to company directors. That works fine for small businesses but not for larger teams with finance staff or multiple employees needing expense control.

Verdict: Tide Pro is better suited for growing limited companies that need multi-user access.

⚡ The smartest app

Both are app-first platforms with slick design. Tide’s app feels light and focused on admin – fast, functional, with helpful spending insights. It’s ideal if you like simple dashboards and instant categorisation.

Starling’s app is more complete, with traditional banking features like overdrafts, foreign payments and cheque deposits all handled seamlessly. It feels slightly more robust and professional, while Tide feels more lightweight and startup-friendly.

Verdict: Tide’s app is snappier for day-to-day admin; Starling’s feels more complete for banking.

Who can open an account?

Both focus on UK-based small businesses, but Starling – as a bank – has stricter ID checks and residency requirements. Tide is faster to open, but remember it’s not a full bank.

Tide

• Sole traders, freelancers and limited companies.
  Instant verification through the app.
• No credit checks.
• Some industries are restricted (e.g. crypto, adult, gambling).

Starling

• Sole traders, freelancers and limited companies.
• Requires ID, proof of business activity, and a quick video.
• All persons with significant control (PSCs) must live in the UK.
• Industry exclusions apply.

Pricing and fees

Money matters – and the differences are clear: Starling stays simple, while Tide charges per tier and transaction.

Starling pricing

• One free account with most features included.
• Optional Business Toolkit for £7/month (invoicing, VAT tracking, tax tools).
• No transaction fees for UK transfers or card payments.

Tide pricing

• Free: £0/month, but 20p per transfer after 20 free transfers.
• Smart: £12.99/month – includes 25 free transfers, priority support and 1 expense card.
• Pro: £24.99/month – adds unlimited free transfers, enhanced features, built-in accounting and 2 expense cards.
• Max: £69.99/month – includes 0.5% cashback on debit card spend, higher savings rates, unlimited transfers and advanced features.
• SEPA (EUR) payments supported for EU transfers.
• No overdrafts available.

Value for money

• Sole traders: Starling gives more for free.
• Small limited companies: Tide's paid plans (Smart, Pro or Max) are good for shared access and additional features.
• Startups: Tide’s instant onboarding is convenient but adds costs over time.

Bottom line: Starling wins for traditional banking and low costs. Tide makes sense for startups prioritising ease and admin simplicity.

Features comparison

Both tick the basics, but Starling includes more out of the box – Tide unlocks extras with paid plans.

Payments and transfers

Both offer UK Faster Payments, Direct Debits and standing orders.
Tide adds invoicing and automatic categorisation in its paid tiers.

Cash and cheque handling

Starling: deposit via Post Office, 0.7% (min £3); cheque deposits free by app or post.
Tide: PayPoint deposits at £2.50 per £500; cheque deposits available via app.

Cards and spend management

Starling: one debit card per director, Apple/Google Pay support.
Tide: expense and virtual cards available from Plus tier.

Invoicing and integrations

Starling: via Business Toolkit (£7/month), integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent.
Tide: invoicing built into all plans, more advanced features on Pro and Max.

Lending and credit

Starling: overdrafts available; business loans available.
Tide: no overdrafts; offers loans via partners like Iwoca.

App and user experience

A good app makes or breaks your daily workflow.

App interface

Tide’s interface is bright, simple and admin-driven – with invoices, spending categories and expense capture right up front.

Source: App store

Starling’s app feels more “bank-like” – clean, professional, and focused on transactions and balances.

Source: App store

You can explore both apps yourself:

• Starling on the App Store / Google Play,
• Tide on the App Store / Google Play.

Web access and APIs

Starling offers robust web access and exports for bookkeeping.
Tide is mostly app-based, though offers limited desktop login for paid tiers.

Onboarding speed and switching

Tide can open your account in minutes.
Starling takes slightly longer but supports the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) for seamless migration from another bank.

Customer support and reviews

Support channels

App Store / Google Play ratings

Both average above 4.5★. Tide often praised for simplicity; Starling for reliability.

Trustpilot score

Common complaints

• Starling: limited team access, occasional slow business verification.
• Tide: transaction fees on free plan, restricted support hours on lower tiers, and occasional account verification delays.

Security and trust

FSCS protection

Starling: deposits protected up to £85,000 under FSCS.
Tide: eligible funds are FSCS protected up to £85,000; funds held in safeguarded accounts via ClearBank under FCA rules.

Fraud prevention and controls

Both offer 3D Secure, biometric logins, and instant card freezes.

Bank stability and licensing

Starling: licensed UK bank, profitable and regulated.
Tide: FCA-regulated e-money provider; funds held in safeguarded accounts.

Which is best for your business?

• Freelancers & sole traders: Starling offers the best all-round free option.
• Startups & micro-businesses: Tide Free or Smart is quick to open and simple to manage.
• Growing limited companies: Tide's paid plans (Smart, Pro, Max) offer team access and enhanced features.
• Cash-heavy or traditional businesses: Starling’s Post Office deposits are cheaper and easier.
• International traders: Tide supports SEPA (EUR) payments; Starling offers global SWIFT payments.

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 admin support in your pocket. You get smart banking and built-in tools to handle all the admin tasks no one tells you about when you start a business.

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

And yes – ANNA starts at £0/month.

Revolut Business

Ideal for global companies and freelancers. Excellent FX rates and multi-currency support, but not a licensed UK bank – no FSCS protection.

Wise Business

Best for cross-border invoicing. Low fees and global account details in multiple currencies.

Mettle by NatWest

A free, basic account backed by NatWest. Reliable but limited in features.

Monzo Business

Polished app and strong budgeting tools, but most business features are behind the £5/month Pro plan.

Verdict: Tide vs Starling

Checklist:

• Solid free banking and FSCS protection → Starling
• Instant setup and team access → Tide paid plans (Smart/Pro/Max)
• Built-in admin and tax automation → ANNA Money

Whichever you choose, your business account should make running your company simpler – not harder.

Whether it’s team access, tax filing, or just smooth everyday banking, there’s an option here that fits your business perfectly.

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