Business bank accounts with accounting integrations (Xero, QuickBooks)
Important: This guide provides general information, not personalised financial advice. Financial products, rates and eligibility rules can change, so check the provider’s current terms before applying. You can check a firm’s details on the FCA Register.
FSCS protects eligible deposits up to £120,000 per person, per authorised institution.
Quick answer
Most UK business accounts can feed transactions into accounting software, but the depth varies: some send real-time direct feeds, some sync a few times a day, and a few include the software itself.
Our pick if you want accounting software included: Mettle (FreeAgent included if you make one transaction a month) or a NatWest business current account (FreeAgent free). Our pick for real-time feeds into Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent: Starling.
Integrations by provider
| Provider | Software links or included | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|
| Mettle (NatWest) | FreeAgent included if you make one transaction a month | No monthly fee (optional Mettle+ add-on £4 a month) |
| NatWest | FreeAgent free with a NatWest business current account | 2 years’ free everyday banking when you switch using the full Current Account Switch Service (turnover up to £2m) |
| Starling | Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent feeds via Starling Marketplace | No monthly fee |
| Monzo Business | Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Sage on Pro and Team | Lite: free. Pro: £9 a month (first month free). Team: from £25 a month |
| Tide | Direct Xero feed (updates every 24 hours) | Free plan: no plan fee. Smart £12.49, Pro £27.49, Max £69.99 a month |
| Revolut Business | Xero bank feed (syncs roughly every 4 to 6 hours) | Basic £10, Grow from £30, Scale from £90 a month |
| Allica Bank | Sage, Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent | £25 a month if your average balance falls below £10,000 (unless you have an Allica loan) |
| Countingup | Built-in bookkeeping and accountant access | 3-month free trial, then £5, £12 or £20 a month depending on monthly deposits |
| Barclays | 12 months of Sage free, then 50% off | No monthly fee for 12 months, then £8.50 a month; transaction charges apply |
| Santander (Business Current Account – Classic) | 6 months of Xero free (offer, T&Cs apply) | 12 months’ free everyday banking for start-ups and switchers, then £9.99 a month |
Figures as of 3 October 2026, taken from each provider’s own website. Fees, plans and eligibility change, so check the provider before applying.
Who it’s for
- Businesses already using Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or Sage
- Owners preparing for Making Tax Digital
- Businesses whose accountant wants live bank data
- Anyone tired of downloading CSV statements
Who should skip it
These are general points to weigh up, not advice. You may want to look elsewhere if:
- You keep simple records and don’t use accounting software
- Your accountant handles bookkeeping from statements and doesn’t need a feed
- You want an all-in-one app — Countingup’s built-in bookkeeping may suit you more
- You need a specific integration that a provider doesn’t list — check first
Full explanation
Direct feeds versus Open Banking
A direct feed is an agreement between the bank and the software provider. Open Banking feeds use regulated access to your account data. Both work; the difference is mostly how often data refreshes and how much detail comes through.
Software included with the account
Mettle includes FreeAgent and says it saves at least £150 a year. NatWest offers FreeAgent free with a business current account. Barclays includes 12 months of Sage, then 50% off.
Santander currently offers 6 months of Xero. Check the conditions — free periods end.
Making Tax Digital
MTD for Income Tax applies to sole traders and landlords with qualifying income above £50,000 from April 2026 (GOV.UK, checked 4 October 2026). A bank feed into MTD-compatible software can save time — see Accounting and bookkeeping software.
More: Business banking integrations comparison, Business integrations FAQs and business tools and software.
The catch
Integrations may need a paid plan. Monzo’s accounting integrations are on Business Pro (£9 a month) and Team (from £25 a month).
Free software can be conditional. Mettle’s FreeAgent offer needs one transaction a month; if you stop, FreeAgent fees apply.
Feeds differ. Starling’s Xero feed is real-time; Tide’s Xero feed updates every 24 hours; Revolut syncs roughly every 4 to 6 hours.
For the full matrix by software, see:
FAQs
Which business bank accounts work with Xero?
Starling, Tide, Monzo Business (Pro and Team), Revolut Business and Allica all list Xero integrations. Check each provider’s current details.
Which accounts include accounting software free?
Mettle includes FreeAgent if you make one transaction a month, and NatWest offers FreeAgent free with a business current account.
Do I need a paid plan for integrations?
Sometimes. Monzo’s integrations are on Business Pro and Team. Starling’s marketplace integrations are available with its no-fee account.
How often do bank feeds update?
See The catch above.
Do I still need an accountant if my bank feeds my software?
A feed saves data entry, but you may still want an accountant for tax returns and advice.
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