Business bank accounts for freelancers: built for uneven income
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.
Quick answer
Freelance income arrives in lumps, so the account features that matter most are the ones that help you set money aside for tax, send invoices and see what’s been paid. Most freelancers are sole traders, so a simple app-led account is usually enough.
Our pick for tax set-aside tools: Monzo Business or Mettle, which both help you put money aside for tax. Our pick if clients pay you in other currencies: Revolut Business.
Freelancer-friendly features compared
| Provider | Monthly fee | Tax and software help | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monzo Business | Lite: free. Pro: £9 a month (first month free). Team: from £25 a month | Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Sage on Pro and Team | Bank — FSCS protected |
| Mettle (NatWest) | No monthly fee (optional Mettle+ add-on £4 a month) | FreeAgent included if you make one transaction a month | Accounts provided by NatWest — FSCS protected; older e-money accounts aren’t covered |
| Starling | No monthly fee | Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent feeds via Starling Marketplace | Bank — FSCS protected |
| Countingup | 3-month free trial, then £5, £12 or £20 a month depending on monthly deposits | Built-in bookkeeping and accountant access | New accounts held with Griffin — FSCS protected; older e-money accounts are on old pricing |
| Revolut Business | Basic £10, Grow from £30, Scale from £90 a month | Xero bank feed (syncs roughly every 4 to 6 hours) | Check which Revolut entity holds your account — Revolut Bank UK Ltd is a bank; Revolut Ltd is e-money and not FSCS covered |
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
- Writers, designers, developers and consultants paid per project
- Freelancers juggling several clients and invoice dates
- People who want tax money set aside automatically
- Freelancers paid by overseas clients
Who should skip it
These are general points to weigh up, not advice. You may want to look elsewhere if:
- You work through your own limited company — see accounts for contractors
- You have a single employer paying you through PAYE
- You only invoice once or twice a year and your bank allows business use of a personal account
- You need a mortgage-style income reference letter quickly — check with the provider first
Full explanation
Smoothing out lumpy income
A common approach is to pay every invoice into the business account, move a fixed percentage into a tax pot straight away, then pay yourself a regular amount. That way a slow month doesn’t catch you short and your tax bill is already covered.
Invoicing and getting paid
Built-in invoicing saves time, but check whether it’s included or an add-on. Payment links can help clients pay faster. Our invoicing guide covers what a good invoice includes and late-payment rules.
Making Tax Digital
From April 2026, sole traders and landlords with qualifying income above £50,000 need to keep digital records and send quarterly updates under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (GOV.UK, checked 4 October 2026). Accounts that link to MTD-compatible software can make that easier — see Business accounts with accounting integrations.
Freelancing as a sole trader? Read Business accounts for sole traders and business tax and HMRC basics.
The catch
Paid plans add up. Monzo Business Pro is £9 a month after the first free month; Mettle’s invoicing add-on Mettle+ is £4 a month.
Overseas clients can cost you. International transfers and currency conversion often carry fees. Revolut Business charges £5 for an international transfer beyond your allowance.
Tax pots are a tool, not a tax calculation. Some apps estimate tax; you’re still responsible for what you owe HMRC.
Check a provider’s current freelancer features:
These go straight to each provider’s own website. They aren’t referral links and we don’t earn from them.
FAQs
Do freelancers need a business bank account?
Sole trader freelancers aren’t always required to have one, but many banks don’t allow business use of personal accounts, and a separate account makes tax returns easier.
Can my business account set money aside for tax?
Several providers offer pots or estimates. Mettle shows a running tax estimate powered by FreeAgent; Monzo Business offers tax pots on its paid plans (check Monzo).
What if a client pays me in euros or dollars?
Look at currency fees. Revolut Business includes £1,000 a month of currency exchange at the interbank rate on its Basic plan, then charges 0.6%.
Is invoicing included?
Sometimes. Some providers include basic invoicing; others charge — Mettle+ is £4 a month.
Does Making Tax Digital affect freelancers?
It applies to sole traders with qualifying income above £50,000 from April 2026 (GOV.UK, checked 4 October 2026).
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