Tide Logo
Tide Logo

Start Your Business

Business Accounts

Business Tools

Borrow

Support


Tide Logo


START-UP BANK ACCOUNT

The start-up account with smart features at your fingertips

Establishing your business as a start-up? With Tide, you can open a free start-up business account and start using it straight away.

  • Instant setup, no monthly fees

  • Built-in accounting, invoicing, expenses and more

  • Join a community of 1M+ small businesses

We have all the business tools you’d need to progress your business as a start-up and beyond, and we’ll help you at every step of the way.

Open an account

null
CASS logoFSCS logo

Everything you need as a start-up

With over 1 million business owners trusting in Tide, we make sure you have everything you need to set up your business smoothly – saving you time and money.

£0/month

Set up an account in minutes and only pay for what you use – get low transaction and ATM fees.

Built-in accounting

Simplify taxes and avoid manual accounting admin with software built into your Tide bank account.

Earn interest on your savings

Get more out of your money with our Instant Saver Account – no limits or withdrawal fees.

Apply for credit

Fund your business growth with a loan from one of our trusted credit partners.

Safe and secure

24/7 account monitoring, ensuring your money is safe

24/7 support

Start a chat and get help in the app any time, 365 days a year.

Open an account
Open a business account in minutes

Open a free start-up bank account in minutes

Getting started with Tide is easy

  1. Download the app On Play Store or Apple Store

  2. Tell us about your business What’s your business name and industry

  3. Upload your ID and take a selfie We’ll securely verify who you are

  4. Get your current account approved in minutes We may ask for additional information if required

  5. You’re all set! Your account is ready to go – we’ll send your card in a couple of days

Open an account

A start-up bank account designed to save you time and money

Streamline your finances easily and access the tools you need, straight from the app.

null

Payment Links

Send payment links in seconds for easy online card transactions.

Auto-categorisation

We automatically tag your income and spending. Customise the labels to suit your company.

Direct Debit

See and manage any Direct Debits easily, straight from the app.

Apple/Google Pay

Set-up Apple and Google Pay to make every payment a breeze.

International Payments

Access your IBAN number in the Tide app to send & receive international payments in a few taps.

CSV exports and more

Export your transactions in multiple formats or share with your accountant. 

A powerful all-in-one platform to support your business as a sole trader

Unlock smart, powerful tools designed to drive business growth and scalability.

Tide Accounting

Make completing Self Assessments and VAT returns seamless with Tide Accounting.

Learn more

null

Business Savings

Earn up to 4.22% AER* (variable) on your business savings

Learn more

null

Tide Card Reader

In-person card payments without the fuss. Get unlimited mobile data and get paid anywhere.

Learn more

null

Business Loans

Apply for finance to keep your business growing, without impacting your credit score.

Learn more

null

Am I eligible for a start up account?

Applying for a start-up account with Tide is easy – however there are a few things to you need to check to ensure you’re eligible.

Your business must be UK-based

You can’t be in any business partnership

Your business can’t be managed by another legal entity

Open an account

Our plans at a glance

Whether you’re just starting out, or want tools and features to save you time and help you grow, Tide has your business covered. Sign up for one of our paid plans today and get 3 months free*.

Tide Mastercard in blue

Free

£0.00+ VAT MONTHLY

Open a free account
  • Unlimited free transfers
  • ✔️ International payments
  • ✔️ Up to 2.78% on savings
  • Enhanced team access
  • Phone support
  • Legal helpline
  • 0.5% cashback with your Tide card
null

Smart

£12.49+ VAT MONTHLY

Smart account
  • Unlimited free transfers
  • ✔️ International payments
  • ✔️ Up to 3.29% on savings
  • ✔️ Enhanced team access
  • ✔️ Phone support
  • ✔️ Legal helpline
  • 0.5% cashback with your Tide card
null

Pro

£24.99+ VAT MONTHLY

Pro account
  • ✔️ Unlimited free transfers
  • ✔️ International payments
  • ✔️ Up to 3.81% on savings
  • ✔️ Enhanced team access
  • ✔️ Phone support
  • ✔️ Legal helpline
  • 0.5% cashback with your Tide card
null

Max

£69.99 +VAT / month

Max account
  • ✔️ Unlimited free transfers
  • ✔️ International payments
  • ✔️ Up to 4.12% on savings
  • ✔️ Enhanced team access
  • ✔️ Phone and dedicated member support
  • ✔️ Legal helpline
  • ✔️ 0.5% cashback with your Tide card
null

Why Switch to Tide? 

  • Make manual admin a thing of the past – use the Current Account Switching Service to move your existing business account to Tide effortlessly.

  • Switching is completely free, and Tide takes care of everything, so you don’t have to.

  • Simply enter your old bank details – the rest is handled automatically, reliably, and without hassle.

Switch to Tide

Claire PedleyThe Poured Project

Once I’d filled in the application online, the account was active in about an hour. I can’t stress how easy Tide is to use.

Start-up account FAQs

A start-up bank account is a business bank account specifically designed for new businesses. It provides essential banking services tailored to the needs of start-ups, including managing finances, receiving payments, and paying suppliers.

A business bank account helps you keep your personal and business finances separate, which is crucial for managing your finances, tracking expenses, and simplifying tax filing. It also adds professionalism to your business and builds credibility with customers and suppliers.

The time to open a start-up bank account can vary. Some banks offer instant account opening online, while others may take a few days to process the application and verify documents. At Tide, most members have their account set up in minutes, though this process can take up to a few days depending on the complexity of the business.

Some banks offer free start-up bank accounts, especially for new businesses. However, others may charge monthly maintenance fees or fees for certain transactions. At Tide, you can open a start-up bank account for free, with no monthly charges or hidden fees. You are only charged for your use, such as 20p per transaction for our free account. You can view a list of our fees here.

We understand businesses, it's all we do

Tide is built by business owners for business owners. That’s why we’re trusted by over 1 million sole traders, freelancers, and limited companies worldwide.

Open an account
Apple app storeGoogle play store