Tide vs Wise Business Account – which one should you choose?

But when you dig a little deeper, they start to look quite different. This guide compares Tide’s Free, Plus and Pro accounts with Wise’s Business account – covering everything from features and fees to customer support and who can actually apply.

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 Wise at a glance

If you want the short version, here it is: Tide is built for small UK businesses and focuses on simple domestic banking, while Wise is made for international payments and multi-currency business needs.

Takeaway: Tide is great for small UK-based businesses that want simplicity, while Wise is ideal if you work with clients, suppliers or currencies across borders.

Who are these accounts best for?

⚡ The cheapest

If your business is UK-only and you just need basic payments, Tide’s Free plan will do the job. There’s no monthly fee, and you’ll only pay per transfer or cash deposit. For low transaction volumes, it can work out cheaper overall than paying a monthly subscription.

Wise doesn’t charge a monthly fee either, but you’ll pay a one-time setup cost and per-transfer FX fees, which makes it better suited for businesses that actually need international transfers.

Verdict: Tide is the cheapest choice for purely UK-based businesses.

⚡ Best value for money

When you look at what you get for the price, Wise offers great value for international business owners. Transparent FX rates, local currency accounts, and low-cost transfers make it a cost-effective option for global work.

Tide’s paid tiers add convenience – like more free transfers, phone support and cashback – but for international operations, Wise’s global reach easily wins on value.

Verdict: Wise offers the best value if you deal with clients or suppliers abroad.

⚡ Best for sole traders

Tide’s Free plan is designed with sole traders in mind – you get a UK account number, a debit card, and useful extras like invoicing and expense tracking. You only move up to paid plans when your admin needs grow.

Wise also works well for freelancers and consultants who work with international clients. You can get paid in multiple currencies without losing money on exchange rates.

Verdict: Tide suits UK-based freelancers; Wise suits freelancers with overseas clients.

⚡ Best for limited companies

If your business has multiple team members, Wise stands out. It offers multi-user access, cards for staff, and spending limits. Tide also allows additional expense cards but restricts the number depending on your plan.

Verdict: Wise is more flexible for teams and limited companies with shared finances.

⚡ Best for international businesses

This is where Wise truly shines. You can hold, receive, and send money in more than 40 currencies, with local account details in GBP, EUR, and USD. Tide supports international payments but doesn’t specialise in them.

Verdict: Wise is the clear winner for international payments and multi-currency operations.

Who can open an account?

Tide

• UK-based sole traders, freelancers, and limited companies
• Requires ID and business verification
• No credit check required
• Some industries restricted (e.g. crypto, gambling)

Wise

• Sole traders, limited companies, and partnerships in the UK and abroad
• Verification with company documents and ID
• One-time setup fee of £45
• Global access with local details in multiple currencies
  

Pricing and fees

Tide pricing

Tide offers a Free plan with pay-as-you-go fees, plus optional paid tiers.

• Free plan: £0/month, 20p per UK transfer
• Plus: £9.99/month, includes 20 free transfers and priority support
• Pro: £18.99/month, includes 150 free transfers, cashback, phone support
• Cash deposits via Post Office or PayPoint (fees apply)
• International transfers supported but with partner fees

Wise pricing

Wise charges no monthly subscription.

• One-time setup: £45
• Currency conversion: mid-market rate + small percentage fee
• Sending money abroad: from 0.33% depending on destination
• Receiving in GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, and more: free in most cases
• Cash and cheque deposits: not supported
  

Takeaway: Tide is more affordable for local transactions, while Wise saves money on international transfers.

Features comparison

Payments and transfers

Both support UK Faster Payments, Direct Debits and standing orders.
Wise supports international transfers in 40+ currencies with local account details.

Cards and spend management

Tide provides expense cards for team members on paid plans.
Wise offers multi-user cards and permission controls by default.

Invoicing and integrations

Tide has built-in invoicing and expense management tools.
Wise integrates with major accounting software for seamless reporting.

Lending and overdrafts

Neither offers a traditional overdraft or credit line.

App and user experience

Both Tide and Wise have highly rated apps.

Tide: Clear and practical interface built for small business management.

Source: App store

Wise: Sleek and global, focusing on quick transfers and real-time exchange rates.

Source: App store

Both offer web access, accounting integrations, and quick onboarding – usually within minutes once verification is complete.

You can explore both apps yourself:

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

Customer support and reviews

Tide users praise the app’s simplicity but sometimes mention limited support on the free plan.

Wise users like the transparency and speed, though some report delays in account verification.

Takeaway: Both have strong reputations overall. Tide is popular with small UK businesses for simplicity, while Wise wins with freelancers and international traders thanks to its reliability and clear pricing.

Trustpilot complaints

Tide: Some users mention limited support on the free plan and delays in resolving account queries.

Wise: Occasional complaints about account verification taking longer for new users or businesses with complex international setups.

Tide is praised for its clean design and built-in business tools like invoicing and expense tracking. Wise earns top marks for reliability, international payments and its clear, real-time exchange rate system.

Security and trust

Both are regulated in the UK and safeguard customer funds in separate accounts.
However, neither Tide nor Wise offers FSCS protection, as they are authorised e-money institutions rather than traditional banks.

Which is best for your business?

• UK-only, low-volume businesses: Tide Free plan
• Freelancers with foreign clients: Wise Business
• Companies with teams: Wise Business
• Retailers handling cash: Tide (via Post Office/PayPoint)
• Import/export or global payments: Wise Business

Alternatives to consider

ANNA – your business account and admin sidekick

ANNA is designed to make running your business simpler. It combines smart money management with built-in admin tools, so you can focus on growing your business instead of chasing receipts or worrying about tax deadlines.

Here’s what you get:

• Smart invoicing and payments – create and send invoices in seconds, track what’s been paid and what’s overdue.
• Automatic expense tracking – snap a photo of your receipt and ANNA matches it to your payments.
• Tax and VAT tools built in – calculate and file your VAT or Corporation Tax directly through the app.
• Add your team – share access and cards with staff, accountants or business partners.
• International payments made easy – 4 free SWIFT payments per month on the Big Business plan.
• 24/7 human support – real people available whenever you need help.
• Flexible pricing from £0/month – choose a plan that fits your business stage (see pricing).

Revolut Business

Ideal for international companies working across multiple currencies. Excellent FX rates, but some advanced features are locked behind paid tiers.
How to open Revolut business account →

Starling Business

A solid UK business account with FSCS protection and no monthly fee. Great for traditional businesses operating locally.
How to open Starling business account →

Mettle by NatWest

A free and simple option backed by NatWest. Limited functionality but works for new sole traders or microbusinesses.
How to open Mettle business account →

Verdict: Tide vs Wise

Checklist:

• Simple UK banking with invoicing → Tide
• Global payments and multi-currency tools → Wise
• Built-in admin and tax tools with automation → ANNA

Whichever you choose, your business account should work for you – not just hold your money. Whether it’s international payments, tax automation or just everyday transactions, there’s an option here that fits.