Starling Bank and Monzo are two of the UK’s leading challenger banks, each offering a digital-first business current account designed for sole traders, freelancers, and limited companies. With intuitive mobile apps, built-in tools, and competitive monthly fee options, both providers appeal to businesses seeking alternatives to traditional high-street banks.
This guide draws from our full reviews of both Starling and Monzo business accounts. We’ll compare their offerings side by side, covering everything from features to fees, to help you choose the right provider based on your business priorities in 2025.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate as of 3 April 2025. Please note that these details are subject to change. We recommend checking with Starling Bank and Monzo for the latest information.
Open a Hong Kong Business Account
Make payments to 140+ countries with low fees and competitive FX rates.
Starling Bank vs Monzo At a Glance
Comparison
Expert Insight
Features
Starling Bank offers a digital-first business current account with multi-currency access (GBP, USD), real-time SWIFT payments, and cash and cheque deposits. Monzo provides GBP-only accounts with budgeting tools, invoicing, and flexible payment options in its paid plans.
Starling suits businesses managing cross-border transactions with SWIFT support and multi-currency tools.Monzo is ideal for UK-based businesses that need built-in tools for local operations.
Fees
Starling Bank provides a free account with flat fees for international payments. Monzo offers Lite (free), Pro (£9/month), and Team (from £25/month) plans. International transfers are powered by Wise.
Starling offers predictable fees and no monthly charge for core banking.Monzo’s tiered pricing unlocks features for businesses prioritising all-in-one local tools.
Cards
Starling Bank provides a physical debit card with no FX fees and unlimited free international ATM withdrawals. Monzo offers physical, virtual, and expense cards (paid plans), with a 3% ATM fee outside EEA after £400.
Starling works well for solo businesses needing simple, international-ready cards.Monzo offers more card flexibility for teams and digital-first spending.
Customer Support
Starling Bank provides 24/7 live support via in-app chat, phone, and email. Monzo offers 24/7 in-app support for urgent matters; full service is ailable during extended business hours.
Starling is better for businesses that need consistent, round-the-clock support.Monzo suits those comfortable with digital help and app-based queries.
Business Account Features Comparison
Starling Bank
Monzo
Supported Currencies for Local Payments
GBP only
GBP only
Local Account Details
✔️EUR and USD account details*
❌
International Payments (via SWIFT)
✔️
✔️*Via Wise*
Accounting Software Integration
✔️(Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent)
✔️(Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage)
Bulk payments
✔️(No payment limit; up to 250 payments/month)
✔️(Up to 250 payments)
Cash & Cheque Deposits
✔️cash via Post Office, cheque via app
✔️via PayPoint and post offices
Business Loans
✔️(up to £250,000 with fixed terms)
✔️(up to £25,000)
Overdrafts
✔️(up to £50,000 with arrangement fee)
✔️(up to £2,000)
Primary Pros
• Offers local accounts in GBP and USD
• Supports real-time SWIFT payments
• Cash and cheque deposits via Post Office with higher limits
• Invoicing, tax pots, and budgeting included in Pro plan
• Accepts payments via QR, tap-to-pay, and payment links
• Pays 1.6% AER interest with no minimum balance
• Supports cash and cheque deposits via PayPoint and Post Office
Primary Cons
• Invoicing and tax tools require paid add-on
• No tap-to-pay or payment link features
• EUR account not ailable for new signups
• No local currency accounts beyond GBP
• Lower cash and cheque deposit limits
• Key features (e.g., bulk payments, virtual cards, multi-user access) require a paid plan
*Starling Bank is currently not accepting new EUR account applications. EUR accounts are expected to become ailable again soon.
Feature Comparison AnalysisStarling Bank is well-suited for businesses with domestic and international operations. It offers local account details in GBP and USD, real-time SWIFT payments, and cash and cheque deposit options via the Post Office and mobile app. It also supports bulk payments, integrates with major accounting tools, and offers invoicing and tax features through its Business Toolkit.
Monzo, on the other hand, provides a tiered solution for UK-based businesses. The Pro and Team plans include invoicing, budgeting, virtual cards, bulk payments, and multi-user access. Monzo also offers flexible payment collection via QR codes and tap-to-pay. However, it doesn’t support multi-currency accounts, and most advanced features are only ailable on paid plans.
Our VerdictStarling Bank is a good fit for businesses managing international payments, thanks to multi-currency account options, real-time SWIFT tracking, and accounting integrations.
Monzo suits UK-focused businesses looking for built-in tools like invoicing, budgeting, and flexible payment features in its paid plans. While it doesn’t offer multi-currency accounts, it excels at streamlining everyday local operations.
Bottom line:Choose Starling if your business handles international payments or needs multi-currency capabilities. Go with Monzo if you're focused on domestic growth and want modern tools to simplify daily business banking.
Open a Hong Kong Business Account
Make payments to 140+ countries with low fees and competitive FX rates.
Business Account Fees Comparison
Starling Bank
Monzo
Account Opening Fee
Free
Free
Account Monthly Fee
Free
Lite: FreePro: £9/monthTeam: From £25/month
Receive Local Payments
Free
Free
Send Local Payments
Free
Free
Receive International Payments
£5.50 via SWIFT
GBP: FreeOther currencies: 1% FX fee(capped at £1,000)
Send International Payments
£5.50 + 0.4% FX fee(via SWIFT)
From 0.33% via Wise(varies by currency)
FX Fees
0.4% fee
1% fee
FX Rates
Mid-market + 0.4%
Based on market exchange rate.
Fees Comparison AnalysisStarling Bank offers a free account with flat international transfer fees—£5.50 per transaction plus a 0.4% FX fee. This structure may benefit businesses looking for predictable cross-border payment costs.
Monzo uses Wise to process international payments, with fees starting from 0.33% and a 1% FX fee. Its free Lite plan covers core banking, while Pro (£9/month) and Team (from £25/month) plans unlock additional tools.
Both providers offer free domestic transfers. Businesses focused on international payments may prefer Starling’s flat rates, while those seeking integrated tools might find Monzo’s tiered pricing worthwhile.
Our VerdictStarling Bank offers simple, flat fees for international transfers and doesn’t charge a monthly fee for its standard account, making it a good fit for businesses prioritising predictable costs.
Monzo’s tiered pricing gives businesses access to more tools like invoicing, budgeting, and multi-user access but comes with higher FX fees and plan charges.
Bottom line:
Choose Starling if your business needs affordable, transparent fees for cross-border payments. Choose Monzo if you value built-in tools and don’t mind paying a little more for added functionality.
Card Features and Fees Comparison Starling Bank Monzo Card Type Physical Debit Mastercard® Physical Debit Mastercard®Virtual Debit Mastercard® (Pro & Team)Expense cards (Team) Card Base Currency GBP GBP Payment Limits £10,000 per day £10,000 per day Card Transactions in Foreign Currencies No fees No fees Card FX Fee 0.4% Free ATM Withdrawal ✔️ ✔️ ATM Withdrawal Fee UK: FreeAbroad: No fee from Starling(ATM operator fees may apply) UK & EEA: FreeOutside EEA: 3% fee after £400 per 30 days ATM Withdrawal Limit £300 per day(up to 6 withdrawals) £1,000 per day Physical Card Delivery Free within the UK Free within the UK Card Replacement Fee £5 for standard delivery; £10 if lost/stolen abroad Free Apple Pay and Google Pay ✔️ ✔️ Primary Pros • No fees on international ATM use• Transparent 0.4% FX fee• In-app controls (freeze card, block online/overseas use) • No FX fee on card payments• Virtual and expense cards ailable• Accept card payments via Tap to Pay or Stripe Primary Cons • No virtual or expense cards• Lower ATM withdrawal limit • 3% ATM fee outside EEA after £400• Virtual/expense cards limited to paid plans
Note: Opening a Monzo business account? Check out our step-by-step guide to see what’s needed before you apply.
Cards Comparison AnalysisStarling Bank provides a straightforward card setup with a physical debit card and no foreign transaction fees, making it well-suited for businesses with frequent international trel. It charges a flat 0.4% FX fee and offers free ATM withdrawals globally (ATM operator fees may still apply). However, it does not offer virtual or expense cards, and its daily ATM withdrawal limit is lower than Monzo’s.
Monzo supports both physical and virtual cards, plus expense cards under its Team plan. There are no FX fees on card payments, though a 3% ATM fee applies outside the EEA after £400 per 30 days. These features may be more flexible for teams managing multiple users or digital-first spending, but virtual card access is locked behind paid plans.
Our VerdictStarling Bank is well-suited for solo businesses looking for simple, transparent card use and unlimited international ATM withdrawals with flat FX fees.
Monzo may be a better fit for businesses managing team expenses, thanks to virtual and expense card options, though these are limited to paid plans.
Bottom line: Choose Starling if your business values straightforward international spending. Go with Monzo if team-based card features and flexible payment tools are your priorities.
Customer Support Comparison Starling Bank Monzo Dedicated Account Manager ❌ ❌ Communication Channels In-app chat Phone: 0207 930 4450 Email: help@starlingbank.com In-app chat Phone: 0800 802 1281 / +44 20 3872 0620 Email: help@monzo.com Support Hours 24/7 for all queries 24/7 for urgent issues; non-urgent support ailable 7 am–8 pm Physical Branches None – all support is handled digitally None – all support is handled digitally Customer Support Comparison AnalysisStarling Bank stands out for offering 24/7 human support across all channels—live chat, phone, and email—making it a strong choice for businesses that value immediate and flexible assistance.
Monzo also delivers responsive support, especially through its in-app chat, but access to full support services is limited outside working hours. If your business needs consistent support at any time, Starling may offer more peace of mind.
Our VerdictStarling Bank may be a better choice for businesses that need consistent 24/7 support across live chat, phone, and email—without restrictions on query type or time.
Monzo, on the other hand, offers reliable in-app support, with 24/7 ailability for urgent matters and standard support hours for non-urgent requests.
Bottom line:
Choose Starling if your business values all-hours access across multiple channels. Consider Monzo if in-app chat is sufficient for your daily support needs.
Starling Bank and Monzo AlternativeStatrys is a licensed payment service provider in Hong Kong, offering multi-currency business accounts tailored for SMEs that operate across borders—particularly those working with clients, suppliers, or partners in Asia.
With our business account, you can hold funds in 11 major currencies and make local payments in 12 currencies, including GBP, USD, EUR, SGD, and HKD—all from a single account.
We offer competitive FX rates based on the mid-market rate. Every client receives support from a dedicated account manager, and multilingual assistance is ailable through live chat, WhatsApp, and WeChat.
If your UK-based business is growing internationally or eyeing expansion into Asia, Statrys could be a practical partner for handling cross-border payments.
Choosing the right business account depends on your priorities, whether that’s managing international payments, day-to-day finances, or streamlining admin tasks.
Starling Bank is ideal for businesses with cross-border needs, thanks to its multi-currency features and 24/7 support. Monzo, meanwhile, suits those focused on UK operations who value built-in tools and a simple setup.
Review the latest features and pricing from each provider to decide which one best supports your business goals.