Guides · Updated 20 October 2026 · 2 min read
Online business accounts for freelancers and small businesses: Qonto and Tide
Qonto serves businesses in France, Germany, Italy and Spain; Tide serves UK businesses. Compare plans, prices, cards and how your money is protected.
App-based business accounts let freelancers and small companies open an account online, issue cards to the team and handle invoices and receipts in one place. Two of the best-known options cover different markets: Qonto for businesses in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, and Tide for businesses in the UK.
At a glance
| Qonto | Tide | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can open | Companies and freelancers registered in France, Germany, Italy or Spain | UK sole traders, freelancers and limited companies |
| Plans for one person | Basic €9 · Smart €19 · Premium €39 per month (excl. VAT, billed yearly) | Free £0 · Smart £12.49 · Pro £27.49 · Max £69.99 per month |
| Plans for teams | Essential €49 · Business €109 · Enterprise €199 per month (excl. VAT, billed yearly) | Same plans, with extra features at higher tiers |
| Transfers included | 30 to 10,000 per month depending on plan | Free plan: up to 5 per month |
| Card payments abroad | Premium: lower FX fee (0.56%) | Free plan 2.75%; paid plans 0% |
| Money protection | Payment institution: funds safeguarded at partner banks | Accounts provided by ClearBank: FSCS up to £120,000 |
Prices from each provider's website in October 2026.
Qonto
Qonto is a French licensed payment institution built for freelancers, start-ups and small and medium-sized companies. Plans include physical and virtual cards, invoicing, receipt capture and accountant access, with more cards, sub-accounts and transfers as you move up. Qonto applied for a French banking licence in 2025; until then client funds are safeguarded at partner banks rather than covered by a deposit guarantee.
Tide
Tide is a UK business account and finance platform with a free plan and paid plans that add 0% FX on card payments abroad, more transfers and extra tools. Tide current and savings accounts are provided by ClearBank, a UK bank, so eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000.
How to choose
- Where is your business registered? This decides which provider can serve you.
- How many transfers and cards do you need each month? Compare plan limits, not just the headline price.
- Do you pay suppliers abroad? Check FX fees on card payments and transfers.
- Do you need accounting integrations or accountant access? Both offer them on certain plans.
See both in our comparison, or read Is my money safe in a neo bank?
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Fees, features and availability change, so check the provider's own website before you apply. Read how we compare providers and our affiliate disclosure.
