Snapshot
Santander Business and Tide compared on the points that usually decide a business account: account type, monthly fee, currency support, eligibility and where each one is available.
Santander Business figures as of 9 June 2026Tide figures as of 29 May 2026Last reviewed 25 June 2026
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. There is no single best account. The right fit depends on your business. Verify current terms and eligibility with each provider before applying.
Santander Business and Tide suit different businesses. Use the comparison below to weigh account type, fees, currency support and eligibility against how your company operates, then confirm the latest terms with each provider. Figures are shown as of 9 June 2026 for Santander Business and 29 May 2026 for Tide.
Santander Business vs Tide at a glance
| Feature | Santander Business | Tide |
|---|---|---|
| Account type | Traditional bank business current account. | Business current account from a financial technology company, through partner arrangements. |
| Who it suits | United Kingdom businesses that want a traditional bank with branch access and a current account, including start ups that can use an introductory fee free period. Terms outside the United Kingdom vary by country. | Sole traders and small limited companies in the United Kingdom that want a free or low cost account with invoicing and admin tools in an app. Some business structures and industries are not accepted. |
| Monthly fee | Business Current Account Classic 9.99 pounds per month, with no monthly account fee for the first twelve months for eligible start ups and switchers, as of 9 June 2026, for the United Kingdom. | Free plan no monthly fee; Smart about 12.49 pounds per month; Pro about 27.49 pounds per month; Max about 69.99 pounds per month, as of 29 May 2026. |
| Transaction fees | Day to day transaction charges depend on the account and activity. Check the current key facts document for your market with the provider, as of 9 June 2026. | The free plan charges a small fee per transfer in and out, while paid plans include a number of free transfers. Cash deposits carry a fee. Verify the current schedule with the provider, as of 29 May 2026. |
| FX fees | Foreign payment and currency charges apply to international transactions and vary. Confirm with the provider, as of 9 June 2026. | International payments are available with currency charges that vary. Confirm current fees with the provider, as of 29 May 2026. |
| Minimum deposit | No headline minimum opening deposit is published for the United Kingdom Classic account. Verify with the provider, as of 9 June 2026. | No headline minimum opening deposit is published. Verify with the provider, as of 29 May 2026. |
| Multi currency | The United Kingdom Business Current Account is a sterling account. Separate currency accounts may be available; confirm with the provider, as of 9 June 2026. | Primarily a sterling account, with international payment features available. Confirm current multi currency options with the provider, as of 29 May 2026. |
| Integrations | Online and mobile banking with standard payment features. Confirm accounting integrations and any add ons with the provider. | Invoicing, expense, and accounting tools, with connections to common accounting software. Confirm current integrations with the provider. |
| Eligibility | For the United Kingdom start up offer, the business is in its first year of trading and it is the first business current account with Santander. Other eligibility applies by market. Verify with the provider, as of 9 June 2026. | You must be at least eighteen, have a United Kingdom mobile number, and be registered with HMRC as a sole trader or with Companies House as a limited company, with a valid address. Some business types and industries are not accepted, as of 29 May 2026. |
| Broadly available in | United Kingdom for this review. Santander group operates in several other countries with separate business banking terms. | United Kingdom. |
Use the table to weigh the differences. Santander Business and Tide tend to differ most on account type and currency support, so match those to how your business moves money, then confirm the latest fees and eligibility with each provider.
Open a business account
Both providers accept business customers in their supported markets. Fees and eligibility shown as of 9 June 2026 for Santander Business and 29 May 2026 for Tide. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.
Read the Santander Business review → Read the Tide review →Questions about Santander Business and Tide
Which is better for my business, Santander Business or Tide?
It depends on your needs. The table on this page compares Santander Business and Tide on account type, fees, currency support, eligibility and availability using each provider's published terms. Weigh those against how your business operates, then confirm current terms with each provider. This is information, not advice.
Can I open both Santander Business and Tide?
Often yes, subject to each provider's eligibility rules. Some businesses keep more than one account, for example one for everyday banking and another for currency conversion. Check eligibility with each provider before applying.
Are the fees on this page current?
Each figure is shown with the date it was recorded. Santander Business figures are shown as of 9 June 2026 and Tide figures as of 29 May 2026. Fees and eligibility change, so confirm current terms with each provider before you apply.
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 25 June 2026. Confirm current terms with each provider before applying.