Revolut Business Review for UK Freelancers
Revolut Business money is safeguarded, not FSCS protected — Revolut’s own words. What that means if it fails, and where the paid plans earn their fee.
Business Banking
A sole trader is not legally required to have a business bank account. Whether you want one is a different question, and it is the one this guide answers first.
If you are choosing, the comparison of business accounts for sole traders covers the field, with fuller reviews of Tide, Countingup and Wise. One distinction does real work here and is easy to miss: an e-money account is not a bank account, and the difference shows up in what FSCS protection you actually have if the provider fails.
Already banking somewhere and thinking of moving? The Current Account Switch Service takes seven working days, and the account you move to may decide whether you get FreeAgent free.
Two adjacent things people ask about: where to keep the money you are setting aside for tax, and how lenders look at self-employed income.
Checked 26 August 2026. General information, not financial advice.
Mettle Review: NatWest’s Free Business Account
Mettle is free and bundles FreeAgent, which lists at £190 a year. The condition attached, the cash and cheque limits, and who NatWest will not accept.
Monzo Business Account Review 2026
Monzo Business has three plans and one real question: is Pro worth £9 a month? The MTD filing, Tax Pots and cash handling, weighed for a UK sole trader.
Starling Business Account Review 2026
Starling business banking is free and FSCS protected to £120,000, but cash deposits stop at £5,000 a day and £20,000 a year. Who that rules out.
Business Credit Cards for Sole Traders: The £25,000 Line
Business credit cards for sole traders: the claim that they never carry Section 75 does not hold up. Who lends, what it costs, and the £25,000 line.
Business Savings Accounts for Your Tax Pot
Where the tax pot lives: easy access beats notice, interest meets the PSA, and FSCS now covers £120,000 — with e-money outside the scheme entirely.
E-Money Accounts vs Bank Accounts: The Difference
A lot of popular freelancer business accounts are e-money accounts, not banks. The money is kept safe differently — worth knowing how before you rely on it.
Switching Business Bank Accounts: The Easy 7-Day Process
Switching business bank accounts takes 7 working days under the Current Account Switch Service, with a guarantee against fees if anything goes wrong.
FSCS Protection on Business Accounts: What’s Covered in 2026
The FSCS limit rose to £120,000 in December 2025 — but whether your business account is covered depends on your bank’s licence, not just its name.
Wise Business Review 2026: Fees, FX and the FSCS Catch
Wise Business charges a one-off £50, no monthly fee, and transfers from 0.24% at the real exchange rate. When that beats a standard UK business account.
Tide Business Account Review 2026: Fees & Features
Tide business account review for UK sole traders and freelancers — real 2026 pricing, fees, FSCS protection, invoicing limits and who it actually suits.
Countingup Review 2026: Banking and Books in One
Countingup combines a UK business account with built-in bookkeeping and real-time tax estimates. Current pricing and whether it beats separate tools.