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Key Features
  • Pays the incorporation fee on your behalf and gives you a free account.
  • A total of £85,000 deposit is FSCS protected.
Quick sign-up. Same-day company registration for free.

Tide Review

Quick sign-up. Same-day company registration for free.

Tide Review

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Tide was founded with the mission of providing a better business banking experience, going beyond banking by empowering people to achieve what they love. With a customer base of over 400,000 across the UK, ranging from sole traders to freelancers and limited companies, Tide is rapidly becoming a trusted choice for modern business banking.

Debit Card
Tide Business Card
Languages
  • EN
Plans
  • Free Account
  • Plans from £9.99/m
Rating

Though not a bank itself, Tide’s e-money accounts are provided by Prepay Solutions, ensuring customer protection. Tide also collaborates with ClearBank for bank accounts, offering further FSCS protection for eligible deposits up to £85,000.

Banking Features

Open banking empowers Tide users to seamlessly connect their existing bank accounts to the platform, unlocking powerful tools for accounting, invoicing, and cash flow analysis. This secure, regulated process is trusted by over 6 million UK users. From accessing tailored business loans to utilising built-in accounting software, Open Banking with Tide simplifies money management without the need to switch your current account.

Custom Invoicing

Connect your bank account to create, send, and track customisable invoices directly from the Tide platform. With automatic VAT calculation and payment tracking, managing invoices is effortless.

Expense Cards

With individual cards for up to 50 team members, customised spend limits, and direct receipt upload, it simplifies finance admin and expense tracking.

GoCardless Direct Debit

Tide partners with GoCardless for a simplified Direct Debit solution, ensuring timely invoice payments and reduced admin time. Customers can quickly get set up by approving a Direct Debit mandate. This service covers recurring, repeat, and one-off payments with per-transaction fees.

Credit Builder

Tide’s Credit Builder improves business credit scores in 12 months. Sign up and make 12 monthly payments, boosting your creditworthiness. Withdraw principal paid after 12 months. Gain transparency, control, and the ability to cancel. Ideal for businesses with limited credit history or newly incorporated companies.

Accounting Software Integrations

Clients can benefit from automatic daily payment feeds to select accounting software for hassle-free finance. Integration includes major software like Xero, Sage, FreeAgent, and Quickbooks.

Cashflow Insights

Tide’s cashflow insights empower businesses with real-time financial forecasting. Connect your account for on-the-go checks, 30-day cash flow predictions, credit monitoring, and flexible credit options.

Business Loans

By connecting your business bank account to Tide, you can swiftly check eligibility, compare loans, and apply without impacting your credit score. Approved loans can potentially have funds available within 24 hours.

Expense Cards

Tide’s Expense Cards streamline business expense management. Order cards for team members, set spending limits, and track transactions in-app. Team members can upload receipts, eliminating manual claims. Automatic categorisation and accounting software sync simplifies finance admin.

Fuel Cards

Teams can refuel anywhere with set spending limits, removing the need for paper claims. You can monitor real-time fuel expenses, and uploaded receipts simplify expense tracking. Integration with accounting software further streamlines this process.

Accounts and Fees

Tide presents an all-in-one banking solution tailored to freelancers, sole traders, and limited companies.

  • Includes Direct Debits, Scheduled Payments, and Account Integration.
  • Accommodates businesses of various sizes with a free, scalable account plan.
  • More than a bank account, it’s an app filled with features to simplify business finance admin.
FreePlusProCashback
Price per month£0.00£9.99 + VAT£18.99 + VAT£49.99 + VAT
Your Tide business cardFreeFreeFreeFree
Expense Cards for your team£5.00/m1 free included1 free included3 free included
Transfers in & out20p per transfer20/mo. freeUnlimited150/mo. free
ATM withdrawals£1£1£1£1
Read access for team members
Scheduled payments
Accounting integrations – Quickbooks, Xero, Sage and more
Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
Create and send invoices for free
Priority in-app supportX
Phone supportX
24/7 legal helplineX
Exclusive member perksX
Support with trademark filling and disputesX
Dedicated team of account managersXXX
0.5% cashback with your Tide cardXXX
Free
Price per month
£0
Your Tide business card
Free
Expense Cards for your team
£5.00/m
Transfers in & out
20p per transfer
ATM withdrawals
£1
Read access for team members
checkmark
Scheduled payments
checkmark
Accounting integrations – Quickbooks, Xero, Sage and more
checkmark
Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
checkmark
Create and send invoices for free
checkmark
Priority in-app support
minus
Phone support
minus
24/7 legal helpline
minus
Exclusive member perks
minus
Support with trademark filling and disputes
minus
Dedicated team of account managers
minus
0.5% cashback with your Tide card
minus
Plus
Price per month
£9.99
Your Tide business card
Free
Expense Cards for your team
1 free included
Transfers in & out
20/mo. free
ATM withdrawals
£1
Read access for team members
checkmark
Scheduled payments
checkmark
Accounting integrations – Quickbooks, Xero, Sage and more
checkmark
Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
checkmark
Create and send invoices for free
checkmark
Priority in-app support
checkmark
Phone support
checkmark
24/7 legal helpline
checkmark
Exclusive member perks
checkmark
Support with trademark filling and disputes
checkmark
Dedicated team of account managers
minus
0.5% cashback with your Tide card
minus
Pro
Price per month
£18.99
Your Tide business card
Free
Expense Cards for your team
2 free included
Transfers in & out
Unlimited
ATM withdrawals
£1
Read access for team members
checkmark
Scheduled payments
checkmark
Accounting integrations – Quickbooks, Xero, Sage and more
checkmark
Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
checkmark
Create and send invoices for free
checkmark
Priority in-app support
checkmark
Phone support
checkmark
24/7 legal helpline
checkmark
Exclusive member perks
checkmark
Support with trademark filling and disputes
checkmark
Dedicated team of account managers
minus
0.5% cashback with your Tide card
minus
Cashback
Price per month
£49.99
Your Tide business card
Free
Expense Cards for your team
3 free included
Transfers in & out
150/mo. free
ATM withdrawals
£1
Read access for team members
checkmark
Scheduled payments
checkmark
Accounting integrations – Quickbooks, Xero, Sage and more
checkmark
Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
checkmark
Create and send invoices for free
checkmark
Priority in-app support
checkmark
Phone support
checkmark
24/7 legal helpline
checkmark
Exclusive member perks
checkmark
Support with trademark filling and disputes
checkmark
Dedicated team of account managers
checkmark
0.5% cashback with your Tide card
checkmark

Security

Tide places a strong emphasis on platform security and customer protection. With authorisation from the FCA, operated by Tide Platform Limited, users can trust in the reliability of the platform. The bank accounts offered through ClearBank® Ltd are backed by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), ensuring that eligible deposits up to £85,000 are protected.
To enhance transaction security, Tide requires two-factor verification for both transactions and new payees. This additional layer of authentication adds an extra level of protection. Tide’s ISO 27001 certification further demonstrates its commitment to maintaining robust information security protocols.

Support

Their Member Support team is easily accessible through the Tide app or via email at hello@tide.co. Their comprehensive FAQs section provides helpful answers to common queries, ensuring quick resolutions to common issues.
A dedicated agent responds promptly to users’ concerns through their in-app support service. Furthermore, Tide’s automated service for reporting lost or stolen cards demonstrates its commitment to member security.

Pros
  • Free and user-friendly business bank account
  • Deposits up to 85,000 are covered by the UK Government’s deposit guarantee scheme, the FSCS
  • Custom invoices, expense and fuel cards streamline expense management for businesses
  • Integration with GoCardless for efficient Direct Debit solutions
  • Accounting integrations includes Xero, Sage, FreeAgent, Quickbooks and more
  • Professional customer service
Cons
  • Business accounts only, no in-person banking facilities
  • 24/7 support comes at a premium
  • No cheque deposit option

Conclusion

Tide, a trusted choice for modern business banking, provides a free and user-friendly business bank account for freelancers, sole traders, and limited companies. With a customer base of over 400,000 across the UK, Tide offers a range of innovative banking solutions.

Tide’s security measures, including FSCS protection, two-factor verification, and ISO 27001 certification, ensure the safety of member funds. Their professional and reliable customer support, accessible through the app or email, provides prompt assistance. With Tide, businesses can enjoy a comprehensive banking solution designed to simplify their financial operations and fuel their growth.