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Tide vs Starling Business at a glance
| Tide | Starling Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | UK sole traders and small companies | UK small businesses that want a full bank |
| Pricing model | Free plan | Free |
| Available in | UK, India, Germany | UK |
| Key features | Free plan available Invoicing and expense tools Company registration in the UK | Fully licensed UK bank No monthly account fee Optional business toolkit |
| Website | Visit Tide ↗ | Visit Starling Business ↗ |
Pricing
Tide has a free plan, with paid upgrades, while Starling Business is free to use. We never publish exact prices because they change too often; check the current plans on each website.
Where they work
Tide is available in UK, India, Germany; Starling Business in UK. Check that the one you like works in your country first.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Tide: the better fit for UK sole traders and small companies.
- Choose Starling Business: the better fit for UK small businesses that want a full bank.
Still unsure? Run through these before you sign up for either:
- Who holds the deposits and whether they are covered by a deposit guarantee scheme.
- Fees for international transfers and currency exchange.
- Integrations with your accounting tool.
- Whether your business type and country are accepted.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Tide and Starling Business?
Tide is built for UK sole traders and small companies. Starling Business is built for UK small businesses that want a full bank. Tide has a free plan, with paid upgrades, while Starling Business is free to use.
Is Tide or Starling Business available in my country?
Tide is available in UK, India, Germany; Starling Business in UK. Check that the one you like works in your country first.
Is Tide cheaper than Starling Business?
It depends on how you use it, and prices change often, so we only list the pricing model. Tide has a free plan, with paid upgrades, while Starling Business is free to use. Compare the current plans on each website before you sign up.
Not sold on either?
There are 11 other business banking & neobanks tools in the directory. Compare them all →
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Information checked 26 October 2026. NxtGenFin is an independent directory, not affiliated with Tide or Starling Business unless marked as featured, sponsored or affiliate link. Not financial advice.