10 best Tide alternatives for SMEs and freelancers

A business account feels simple until it starts slowing down everyday work. Maybe you need cleaner accounting, better card controls, easier invoicing or a more practical way to pay suppliers abroad.

The best Tide alternatives for UK SMEs and freelancers include business accounts and payment platforms that support local payments, accounting, cards, international transfers or multi-currency management.

That choice matters in a market based around small businesses. At the start of 2025, the UK had 5.7 million private sector businesses, including 5.64 million small businesses with 0 to 49 employees.

In this guide, we compare the best Tide alternatives for UK SMEs and freelancers, from simple UK business accounts to multi-currency platforms built for international trade.

Key takeaways

• Tide is a good fit for everyday UK business banking, but businesses with international payment needs may require more advanced cross-border features.
• WorldFirst is built for businesses trading internationally, with multi-currency accounts, overseas collections, supplier payments and flexible FX management in one platform.
• Wise, Revolut Business and Airwallex also support international business payments, each with different strengths depending on your payment and currency needs.
• The biggest differences between providers are international payment capabilities, FX pricing, multi-currency support, accounting integrations and team spend controls.
• Comparing these features can help you find a business account that better supports the way your business manages money.

What is Tide?

Tide is a UK business finance platform for freelancers, contractors, sole traders and small businesses.

It helps business owners manage everyday money tasks, from opening an account and sending invoices to using payment links, tracking expenses and connecting accounting tools.

People often call it “Tide Bank”, but Tide’s own wording is more specific: it’s a business financial platform. Depending on the account type, Tide provides e-money accounts through PrePay Solutions and business bank accounts through ClearBank.

How we chose the best Tide alternatives

Tide works well if you need a simple UK business account with invoices, payment tools and everyday admin in one app. But it may not be the best fit once your business starts dealing with overseas clients, suppliers or marketplace payouts.

GOV.UK reported £1,917.3 billion in total UK trade in the 12 months to the end of March 2026. For many SMEs, that cross-border activity brings a different set of account needs: foreign currency, FX costs, international payment fees and better control over when money moves.

To build this list, we looked at the things that matter most to UK freelancers, sole traders and SMEs:

• International payments and FX: How well each provider supports overseas clients, supplier payments and currency conversion
• Multi-currency features: The ability to receive, hold and manage foreign currency without rushing every conversion
• UK business payments: Standard features such as transfers, invoices, Direct Debits and standing orders
• Account type: The difference between a UK bank account, an e-money account and a specialist payment platform
• Fees: Monthly plans, transfer costs, FX charges, card fees and cash deposit fees
• Accounting and tax tools: Invoicing, receipt capture, software feeds and precise transaction records
• Cards and team spend: Virtual cards, spending limits, approvals and expense tracking
• Best fit: The type of business each provider serves best

10 Best Tide Alternatives for UK SMEs and Freelancers

Use this section to compare the best Tide alternatives by account type, fees, payment features and business fit:

1. WorldFirst World Account

WorldFirst World Account is a multi-currency business account for UK companies that trade across borders.

Businesses can collect payments from overseas customers and marketplaces, hold foreign currency, convert funds and pay suppliers abroad from one platform.

For e-commerce sellers, importers, exporters and service businesses with clients abroad, WorldFirst gives more control over international revenue and FX timing than a GBP-first setup.

Key features:

• Multi-currency receiving: Receive payments in 20+ currencies using local account details
• Supplier payments: Send payments in 100+ currencies to 200+ countries and regions, depending on the route and payment method available
• Marketplace collections: Collect payouts from 130+ marketplaces and online payment providers in one account
• Currency management: Hold, manage and convert balances across 20+ currencies before withdrawing funds to your own bank account
• World Card: Pay in 150+ currencies across 210+ countries and territories, with multiple virtual cards, spend controls and up to 1.2% cashback on eligible spend, subject to terms

Best fit: WorldFirst is best for UK SMEs, e-commerce sellers, importers, exporters and freelancers that receive or send money across borders.

Why choose WorldFirst over Tide?

Choose WorldFirst if your business needs more than everyday UK banking. WorldFirst combines marketplace collections, international supplier payments, multi-currency account management, FX tools and global transfers in one platform. You can also manage business spending with the World Card and access growth funding as your business expands internationally.

2. Starling Bank Business

Starling Bank Business is a UK business bank account for freelancers, contractors and SMEs that want simple domestic banking with no monthly account fee.

The account covers typical UK payments, debit card spending, app access, online banking and accounting connections.

Key features:

• No monthly account fee: Open and run a Starling business account without a monthly subscription
• UK bank transfers: Send and receive payments to and from UK bank accounts with no Starling transaction fees
• International payments: Send money to accounts in 34 countries, with the fee shown before you confirm
• Business debit card: Spend from the account with a business debit card and track activity in the app
• Online banking: Manage payments, account access and connected accounts through the app and Online Bank

Best fit: Starling is best for freelancers, contractors and SMEs that mainly receive and spend in GBP.

Why choose Starling over Tide?

Choose Starling if you want a straightforward UK business bank account with fee-free UK transfers, accounting integrations and international payment support, without paying a monthly account fee.

3. Monzo Business

Monzo Business is an app-based UK business account built around simple money organisation.

Freelancers and small teams can use pots, payment links, tax features, invoicing and team tools depending on the plan they choose.

Business owners who already use Monzo personally may find the business account easy to pick up.

Key features:

• Business plans: Choose Lite for free, Pro from £9/month or Team from £25/month
• UK payments: Send and receive fee-free instant UK bank transfers
• Getting paid: Use payment links, QR codes and Stripe-enabled card payment options
• Tax and accounting tools: Access Tax Pots, Making Tax Digital support, integrated accounting and auto-exports on selected plans
• Team access: Add collaborators on Pro and Team, with expense cardholder access available on Team

Best fit: Monzo Business is best for freelancers, creators, consultants and small service businesses that want easy app-based banking.

Why choose Monzo over Tide?

Choose Monzo if budgeting, tax pots and a familiar mobile banking experience are your biggest priorities.

4. Revolut Business

Revolut Business is a business account for companies that need currencies, cards and expenses in one place.

For teams with overseas costs, software subscriptions or employee card spend, Revolut Business gives you more room to manage payments from one place.

Key features:

• Business plans: Start with Basic from £10/month, with Grow, Scale and Enterprise options for higher usage
• Currency exchange: Exchange 25+ currencies at the interbank rate within plan allowances and market-hour rules
• Account details: Receive money with IBAN and SWIFT/BIC account details
• Cards and expenses: Issue corporate and virtual cards, then track team spend from the platform
• Integrations: Connect with Xero, Sage, QuickBooks and 45+ other tools

Best fit: Revolut Business is best for agencies, consultants, online businesses and small teams with regular card spend or overseas costs.

Why choose Revolut Business over Tide?

Choose Revolut Business if you need stronger currency tools, team cards and expense controls in one app.

If you’re considering Revolut Business, you can also read our Revolut review 2026 or compare other Revolut alternatives before making your decision.

5. Wise Business

Wise Business is a multi-currency account for companies that want straightforward international transfer and conversion costs.

Freelancers, contractors and SMEs can invoice overseas clients, pay people abroad and convert money with upfront fees shown before they confirm. Wise works best when the main priority is transparent FX pricing rather than a wider set of domestic banking tools.

Key features:

• One-off setup fee: Wise lists a £50 setup fee for UK business accounts
• International transfers: Send money abroad with upfront fees shown before confirmation
• Currency conversion: Convert money using the mid-market exchange rate, without an exchange-rate markup
• Multi-currency balances: Hold and manage money across different currencies
• Business card: Use a Wise business debit card for spending in different currencies

Best fit: Wise Business is best for freelancers, remote service businesses and SMEs that regularly send or receive international payments.

Why choose Wise Business over Tide?

Choose Wise if clear FX pricing and low-friction international transfers matter more than UK banking extras.

Read more:

• Wise alternatives

6. Mettle

Mettle is a UK business account for sole traders and small limited companies that want banking and accounting to stay closely connected.

FreeAgent access is the headline feature for eligible users, helping with invoices, bookkeeping and tax admin.

Key features:

• Self-employed focus: Available for sole traders and limited companies with up to two owners
• FreeAgent access: Eligible customers can use FreeAgent at no extra cost by making at least one monthly transaction from their Mettle account.
• Invoicing tools: Create and send customised invoices from your phone
• Payment matching: Match incoming payments to invoices to help track what’s been paid
• Savings pots: Use pots to set money aside for tax, equipment or other business costs

Best fit: Mettle is best for sole traders, landlords, freelancers and small service businesses that want FreeAgent alongside their business account.

Why choose Mettle over Tide?

Choose Mettle if FreeAgent access and self-employed accounting support are your main priorities.

7. ANNA Money

ANNA Money is a business account for freelancers and small companies that want less admin around invoices, receipts and tax.

You can create invoices, capture receipts, track payments and get tax reminders without jumping between separate tools.

It’s a practical Tide alternative for business owners who want their account to help with the admin that piles up after they finish client work.

Key features:

• Pricing plans: Choose Pay As You Go with no monthly fee, Business at £22.90 + VAT/month or Big Business at £59.90 + VAT/month
• Incoming payment fee: Pay As You Go charges 0.95% commission on incoming payments
• Invoicing tools: Create, send and chase unlimited invoices
• Receipt capture: Scan and store receipts through the app
• Payment tools: Set up Direct Debits, schedule payments and make bulk payments

Best fit: ANNA Money is best for freelancers, consultants and microbusinesses that want account features with built-in admin support.

Why choose ANNA over Tide?

Choose ANNA if invoices, receipts, tax reminders and admin tools are more important than a wider banking setup.

8. Zempler Bank

Zempler Bank is a UK business current account provider with free and paid plans for small businesses.

Debit cards, UK payments, cash deposits, digital invoicing and account tools make it a practical option for regular business banking.

Companies that still handle cash or want a more traditional current account structure may find Zempler a better match than a purely app-led account.

Key features:

• Business account plans: Choose Business Go, Business Extra or Business Pro based on usage
• UK payments: Receive incoming payments for free, with free outgoing payment allowances by plan
• Cash deposits: Deposit cash at Post Office locations, subject to account and branch limits
• Business tools: Use digital invoicing, receipt capture, cashflow tracking and set-aside pots

Best fit: Zempler Bank is best for freelancers and small businesses that want basic UK business banking with cash deposit access and upgrade options.

Why choose Zempler Bank over Tide?

Choose Zempler Bank if cash handling, UK current account features and tiered account plans matter most.

9. Countingup

Countingup is a business current account with accounting features built in for sole traders, freelancers and small limited companies.

Banking, invoicing, receipt capture, expense tracking and tax estimates sit together in the app, so bookkeeping doesn’t feel separate from daily money management.

Key features:

• Deposit-based pricing: Pay £3, £9 or £18/month after the trial, depending on monthly deposits
• Business current account: Manage day-to-day business payments from the Countingup app
• Accounting tools: Use included accounting and tax features without separate bookkeeping software
• Invoicing and payment links: Create invoices and accept payments by invoice, payment link or card through partners
• Receipt capture: Attach receipt photos to transactions to keep records digital

Best fit: Countingup is best for freelancers, sole traders and very small limited companies that want banking and bookkeeping in one place.

Why choose Countingup over Tide?

Choose Countingup if bookkeeping and tax tools matter more for you than broader business banking features

10. Airwallex

Airwallex is a global business account platform for companies that manage customers, suppliers or teams across multiple countries.

Digital agencies, e-commerce brands and larger online businesses will get the most value from Airwallex when cross-border payments and team spend overlap.

Key features:

• Explore plan: Use the Explore plan at £0 or £19/month, depending on balance or deposit conditions
• Local account details: Open accounts with local bank details in 20+ currencies
• Global transfers: Send free local transfers to 120+ countries, plus domestic transfers
• FX access: Access interbank FX rates, with fees depending on currency and transaction type
• Cards and expenses: Use multi-currency company and employee cards with expense tools

Best fit: Airwallex is best for growing digital businesses, agencies and e-commerce companies with global customers, suppliers or teams.

Why choose Airwallex over Tide?

Choose Airwallex if your business needs global accounts, multi-currency transfers and team spend controls.

Why WorldFirst stands out among Tide alternatives

WorldFirst stands out when your business has moved beyond simple UK payments and needs more control over money coming in and going out across markets.

WorldFirst isn’t a bank. In the UK, World First UK Limited is authorised by the FCA as an Electronic Money Institution and provides the World Account, a multi-currency business account built for international trade.

That matters when your business starts dealing with:

• Revenue in different currencies: Manage overseas income without treating every payout as a one-off conversion
• Suppliers in other countries: Pay international suppliers from the same place you manage your currency balances
• Marketplace and payment provider payouts: Bring cross-border collections into one organised workflow
• FX timing decisions: Hold funds in supported currencies and convert when it makes sense for your business
• Payment visibility: See currency balances, transfers and supplier payments in one account, instead of piecing them together across different tools

For UK SMEs, e-commerce sellers, importers, exporters and freelancers with overseas clients, WorldFirst can help make international payments a more practical part of daily business, not another admin headache.

FAQs

1. What is the best alternative to Tide?

The best Tide alternative depends on how your business manages money. If you mainly bank in the UK, a business bank account may be enough. If you receive international payments, pay overseas suppliers or work with multiple currencies, consider a provider with stronger cross-border capabilities, such as WorldFirst, Wise, Revolut Business or Airwallex.

2. Is Tide a bank?

No. Tide is a business financial platform, not a bank. Depending on the account you choose, Tide provides either an e-money account or a business bank account through regulated partners.

3. Is WorldFirst a good alternative to Tide?

WorldFirst is a strong alternative for businesses that manage international payments. While Tide focuses on everyday business banking, WorldFirst helps businesses receive, hold, convert and send money across multiple currencies from a single platform.

4. What should I compare before switching from Tide?

Look beyond monthly fees. Compare international payment costs, exchange rates, supported currencies, accounting integrations, card features and any tools your business relies on, such as marketplace collections or expense management.

Sources:

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2025/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2025-statistical-release
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-trade-in-numbers/uk-trade-in-numbers-web-version
3. https://www.worldfirst.com/uk/
4. https://www.worldfirst.com/uk/product/manage/integrate-accounting-software/
5. https://www.starlingbank.com/business-account/marketplace-for-businesses/
6. https://www.starlingbank.com/send-money-abroad/send-money-to-europe/
7. https://monzo.com/business-banking
8. https://monzo.com/help/payments-getting-started/accepted-currencies-web
9. https://www.revolut.com/business/
10. https://wise.com/gb/business/
11. https://www.mettle.co.uk/
12. https://www.mettle.co.uk/fee-information-document/
13. https://anna.money/
14. https://anna.money/business-account/international-business-payments/
15. https://www.zemplerbank.com/
16. https://countingup.com/
17. https://countingup.com/small-businesses/pricing/
18. https://www.airwallex.com/uk
19. https://www.airwallex.com/docs/billing/supported-currencies