Tide is a UK business current account built for freelancers and small businesses. It offers free banking with built-in invoicing, expense categorisation, and accounting integrations including Xero and QuickBooks.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.2/5 — ★★★★☆
Best for: UK freelancers who want a free business account with built-in invoicing and Xero integration
Not ideal for: International payments, non-GBP work, or freelancers outside the UK
Open a free Tide account →Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | UK business banking / neobank |
| Monthly fee | 🟢 Free (basic plan) |
| FX fee | 0.5% on international card payments |
| Withdrawal fee | Free (ATM: £1 after first free) |
| Payout speed | Instant (UK Faster Payments) |
| KYC level | Standard (ID required) |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Regulated | FCA-authorised e-money institution |
Country Availability
| UK | Canada | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Fees Breakdown
| Fee type | Free plan | Plus (£9.99/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | £0 | £9.99 |
| UK bank transfers | Free | Free |
| ATM withdrawals | 1 free, then £1 | 3 free, then £1 |
| FX on card payments | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Team member cards | £5/card/month | Included |
| Invoicing | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
Features
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Bank transfer | ✅ |
| Card payments | ✅ |
| Crypto | ❌ |
| Virtual card | ✅ |
| Physical Mastercard | ✅ |
| Multi-currency | ❌ (GBP only) |
| Business account | ✅ |
| Mobile app | ✅ |
| API access | ✅ |
| Xero / QuickBooks | ✅ |
| Invoicing | ✅ |
| Upwork integration | ❌ |
Pros
- Free basic account — no monthly fee
- Instant UK bank transfers (Faster Payments)
- Free virtual Mastercard on signup
- Built-in invoicing with payment links
- Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Sage integrations
- Expense categorisation
- Mobile app (iOS & Android)
- FSCS-equivalent protection via FCA safeguarding
Cons
- UK only — not available outside Great Britain
- GBP-only account — not suitable as primary account for heavy international work
- 0.5% FX fee on card payments abroad
- ATM withdrawals cost £1 after first free each month
Who Should Use Tide
Perfect for: UK sole traders and freelancers who want a dedicated business account with free banking, built-in invoicing, and accounting software integration. Ideal if most of your clients pay in GBP.
Skip it if: You receive significant income in USD, EUR, or other currencies — in that case, use Wise or Revolut Business as your primary receiving account, and optionally pair with Tide for UK client invoicing.
Tide vs Alternatives
| Tide | Wise Business | Revolut Business | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Free | Free | £9/mo |
| Multi-currency | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| UK invoicing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| FX fee | 0.5% | 0.41% | 0% (limit) |
| Best for | UK-only work | International | Both |
How to Get Started
- Visit tide.co and sign up (takes ~5 minutes)
- Complete identity verification with a passport or driving licence
- Set up your business profile (sole trader or limited company)
- Receive your Mastercard details immediately (virtual card)
- Connect Xero or QuickBooks in the integrations section
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tide's monthly fees? Tide's basic plan is £0/month. The Plus plan (£9.99/month) adds priority support, more free ATM withdrawals, and team expense cards.
Is Tide available in the UK? Yes — Tide is exclusively available in the UK. It is not available in Canada, Australia, or other countries.
Does Tide charge FX fees? The basic GBP account charges 0.5% on international card payments. For heavy multi-currency work, pair Tide with Wise.
Is Tide safe? Yes. Tide is FCA-authorised and safeguards client funds under e-money regulations. Over 500,000 UK businesses use Tide.
Does Tide integrate with Xero or QuickBooks? Yes — native integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, and Sage are included on all plans.
Compare alternatives: Wise Business Review · Revolut Business Review · Best Payment Setup for UK Freelancers
This review was last updated April 2026. Fees and availability may change — always check Tide's website for the latest information.
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