Comparison
Best business bank accounts for limited companies
A limited company is a separate legal person, so its money needs its own account. The complication is eligibility: several of the best accounts will not take you if you have a co-founder abroad.
Our picks
Monzo Business
First in the UK for business service quality, and the only free-tier account here paying a competitive rate. All directors must be UK resident.
Starling Business
The only free digital account offering a business overdraft, plus cheque imaging and free accounting integrations. Pays no interest, though.
Allica Bank
Pays the best net interest of any account here — 2.83% on a free account with instant access — plus a relationship manager. Established companies only.
Compared
Scores use our seven weighted criteria. Run your own numbers on the true cost calculator.
| Account | Monthly | Savings | Directors | Overdraft | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MoMonzo Business | £0 – £25 | 1.30% – 3.25% | All UK resident | No | 4.3 |
| SStarling Business | £0 | None | Case by case | Yes | 4.2 |
| AlAllica Bank | £0, eligibility | 2.83% | Established only | No | 4.0 |
| MMettle by NatWest | £0 | 1.46% | Restricted owners | No | 3.9 |
| VVirgin Money | £0 / 25 mths free | 3.55% (unverified) | Broad | Yes | 4.1 |
| NNatWest Business | Intro free | 1.11% (unverified) | Broad | Yes | 3.6 |
| Barclays Business | 12 mths free, then £8.50 | 1.26% (unverified) | Broad | Yes | 3.6 |
| RRevolut Business | £10 – £90 | From Grow only | Most accommodating | No | 3.6 |
Eligibility decides this more than price
For sole traders, almost every account is open to you. For limited companies, the shortlist narrows fast — and it narrows on structure, not creditworthiness.
- Monzo requires every director and person of significant control to be UK resident. One overseas shareholder, however small the stake, ends the application.
- Mettle restricts how many owners a company can have, and is aimed at single-director companies.
- HSBC Kinetic is single-director only — the director must also be the sole shareholder.
- Allica is for established businesses; a newly incorporated company will not qualify.
- Revolut is the most accommodating of overseas ownership, which is much of its appeal to companies with international founders.
Check the rule before you spend time on the form. A decline is not just wasted effort — a cluster of applications is itself a risk signal.
The director’s loan account argument
There is no statute saying a company must hold a business account. But the company’s money is not yours, and you can only take it out through defined routes: salary, dividends, expense reimbursement or a director’s loan. Running company money through a personal account means every mixed transaction has to be untangled at year end, which your accountant will bill you for — usually more than the account costs.
Interest matters more for companies
Companies typically hold larger balances than sole traders: corporation tax accrues all year, VAT accrues quarterly, and working capital sits in the account between invoices. A company holding £40,000 across those pots earns £1,300 a year at Monzo Pro and nothing at Starling.
That is not a rounding error. Run your own figure on the true cost calculator — and note that above roughly £5,500 of balance, Monzo Pro’s £108 fee pays for itself.
If you will need to borrow
Starling and Monzo both lend now — Monzo offers company overdrafts of £500 to £5,000 and loans to £25,000, decided in-app but at a representative 35.9% EAR plus an annual fee, and secured by a personal guarantee from the applying director. That last point matters: a personal guarantee sets aside the limited liability you incorporated for. If you expect to need an overdraft at sensible rates, invoice finance or asset finance, a high-street relationship built early is still worth more than a fast app decision.
Common questions
Does a limited company need a business bank account?
There is no statute requiring one, but the company is a separate legal person and its money is not yours. In practice every limited company should have its own account — and most banks’ personal account terms prohibit using a personal one for company money.
Which business accounts accept overseas directors?
Revolut is the most accommodating, and Wise similarly. Monzo requires all directors and persons of significant control to be UK resident. The high-street banks will consider overseas ownership but ask for considerably more documentation.
Can a two-director company use HSBC Kinetic?
No. Kinetic is limited to sole traders and companies with a single director who is also the sole shareholder. Two-director companies need HSBC Business Banking instead.
What do I need to open a limited company account?
Your company registration number and Companies House details exactly as filed, details of all directors and persons of significant control, your SIC code, registered and trading addresses, photo ID and proof of address. Any mismatch with the register is the most common cause of failure.
How much should a limited company keep in its business account?
Enough for working capital plus tax accruing — corporation tax, VAT and PAYE. Because that balance is often substantial, the interest rate matters more than most comparison sites suggest, and the FSCS limit becomes a live consideration above £120,000.