Starling is a United Kingdom licensed bank offering a sterling business current account with no monthly fee, well suited to United Kingdom sole traders and small limited companies that want a fully app based bank.
- Who it suits
- United Kingdom sole traders and small limited companies that want a free, app based business current account
- Broadly available in
- The United Kingdom only
- Headline monthly fee
- No monthly fee on the sterling business account. Some add ons and services carry charges. Verify with Starling
- Account type
- Sterling business current account from a United Kingdom licensed bank
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
Overview
Starling is a United Kingdom bank with a full banking licence that built its business around a mobile app. Its business current account is aimed at sole traders, small limited companies and limited liability partnerships that want straightforward day to day banking without a monthly fee. The account includes a card, fast in app payments, spending insights and the ability to add tools such as a savings space and an optional accounting feature. Because Starling holds a banking licence, eligible deposits are covered by the United Kingdom deposit guarantee scheme.
Strengths
The headline appeal is a genuinely free sterling business account from a licensed bank, with no monthly fee and no charge for everyday United Kingdom payments. The app is well regarded for ease of use, and useful extras such as savings spaces and bookkeeping tools are available. Deposit protection under the United Kingdom scheme gives the reassurance of a bank rather than an electronic money account.
Limitations
Starling serves the United Kingdom only, so it is not an option for businesses based elsewhere. Eligibility is restricted for companies whose persons of significant control are not United Kingdom residents or are not individuals, which rules out businesses with corporate shareholders. Cash deposits, international payments and the accounting add on carry charges, so a cash heavy or international business should check those costs. Confirm the current terms with Starling.
Fees and features
| Monthly fee | No monthly fee on the sterling business current account. An optional accounting add on carries a monthly charge. Verify with Starling |
|---|---|
| Transaction fees | No charge for everyday United Kingdom payments. Cash deposits carry a charge of 3 pounds or 0.7 percent of the deposit, whichever is higher. Verify with Starling |
| FX fees | International payments carry a transfer fee of about 0.4 percent plus a delivery fee. Verify the current rate with Starling |
| Minimum deposit | No minimum deposit required. Verify with Starling |
| Multi currency | A euro account is available for an additional monthly fee, alongside international payments. Verify the current options with Starling |
| Integrations | In app savings spaces, an optional accounting add on and bookkeeping tools. Verify the current list with Starling |
| Eligibility | United Kingdom sole traders, and United Kingdom registered limited companies and limited liability partnerships whose persons of significant control are United Kingdom resident individuals. Verify with Starling |
Open a Starling Business account
Starling serves businesses registered in the United Kingdom. Fees and features shown as of 27 May 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.
Visit Starling →Starling Business by country
Starling offers its business account in the United Kingdom only as of 27 May 2026. See the related guides below for that market.
Questions about Starling Business
Where is the Starling business account available?
Does the Starling business account have a monthly fee?
Who can open a Starling business account?
Does Starling support payments in other currencies?
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 27 May 2026. Confirm current terms with Starling before applying.