Starling Business account review

Snapshot

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

Fees and features as of 11 October 2026Last updated 11 October 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

Starling suits a United Kingdom sole trader or small limited company that wants a free sterling business account run from a phone, backed by a fully licensed bank. There is no monthly account fee and no charge for everyday United Kingdom payments, though cash deposits, overseas payments and the paid Accounting Plus plan cost extra. It is available only to businesses registered in the United Kingdom.

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 Plus plan carry charges, so a cash heavy or international business should check those costs. Confirm the current terms with Starling.

Fees and features

All figures as of 11 October 2026. Verify current terms with Starling.
Monthly fee	No monthly fee on the sterling business current account. Accounting Essentials is free. Accounting Plus costs 7 pounds a month until April 2027, then 14 pounds a month, as of 11 October 2026. 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 0.4 percent currency conversion fee plus a delivery fee. Verify the current rate with Starling
Minimum deposit	Starling does not list a minimum opening deposit on its business account page. 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	Spaces for setting money aside, free invoicing, Starling Accounting, and connections to Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent. 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 11 October 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

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Starling Business by country

Starling offers its business account in the United Kingdom only as of 11 October 2026. See the related guides below for that market.

Questions about Starling Business

Where is the Starling business account available?

Starling offers its business account to businesses registered in the United Kingdom. It is not available to businesses based outside the United Kingdom. Verify current eligibility with Starling. As of 11 October 2026.

Does the Starling business account have a monthly fee?

The Starling business current account in sterling has no monthly account fee and no charge for everyday United Kingdom payments. Some services, such as the Accounting Plus plan, cash deposits and overseas payments, carry charges. Verify current pricing with Starling. As of 11 October 2026.

Who can open a Starling business account?

Sole traders and United Kingdom registered limited companies and limited liability partnerships can apply. For companies and partnerships, all persons of significant control must be United Kingdom residents and natural persons, so businesses with corporate shareholders are not eligible. Verify the current criteria with Starling. As of 11 October 2026.

Does Starling support payments in other currencies?

Starling offers a euro account for an additional monthly fee and supports international payments from the business account, with charges that apply per transfer. Verify the current options and fees with Starling. As of 11 October 2026.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 11 October 2026. Confirm current terms with Starling before applying.