Starling Bank

What is Starling Bank?

Starling Bank is a UK digital bank offering a business current account for sole traders and limited companies. It delivers app-first banking with a Mastercard debit card, UK account number and sort code, and online banking tools designed for everyday company finances. Starling Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Eligible deposits are protected by the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per eligible business.

Starling serves UK-based businesses. The account is generally available to UK-registered sole traders and limited companies with owners or directors who are UK residents. As with any regulated bank, eligibility checks apply and certain sectors or business types may be restricted. Starling’s services are accessible through the mobile app and web portal, supporting domestic payments across the UK via Faster Payments, Direct Debits, and standing orders.

For businesses with international needs, Starling offers optional currency accounts (euro and US dollar) so you can hold and pay in foreign currencies alongside your main GBP account. Accounting integrations with tools like Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent are available, and a paid Business Toolkit add-on brings invoicing and bookkeeping features into the bank’s platform. With 24/7 in-app support, card security controls, spending insights and receipt capture, Starling positions itself as a practical, mobile-first choice for UK businesses that want a full UK business bank account without a monthly account fee.

Starling Bank Business Account: Key Features & Services

Mobile-first UK business current account

Starling Bank provides a UK business current account with no monthly account fee, a UK account number and sort code, and a physical Mastercard debit card. Real-time notifications, spending categorisation and merchant data help track expenses as they occur. You can set up and manage Faster Payments, Direct Debits and standing orders directly from the app or web. Security controls such as instant card freeze/unfreeze, location-based security and biometric login add practical safeguards. For businesses that prefer desktop workflows, Starling’s online banking portal mirrors the core functions of the app, letting teams manage payments, view statements and export transaction data in CSV or PDF for reconciliation.

Accounting integrations and Marketplace connectivity

Many UK businesses rely on cloud accounting, and Starling integrates with leading platforms including Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent. Once connected, transactions flow automatically into your ledger to reduce manual reconciliation and improve accuracy. You can attach digital receipts to transactions and export statements with a few taps. Beyond accounting, Starling’s Marketplace connects you to a curated set of third-party business tools. These partners typically cover areas such as accounting, payroll, point of sale and expense management. Each third-party service sets its own pricing, and you connect or disconnect from within Starling’s interface to keep your finance stack flexible.

Business Toolkit (paid add-on) for invoicing and bookkeeping

For businesses that want to manage more tasks within their bank, the optional Business Toolkit add-on consolidates day-to-day finance operations. Features commonly include creating and sending invoices, tracking who has paid, recording bills, and categorising expenses. You can store and match receipts, estimate tax liabilities, and prepare for Making Tax Digital submissions by keeping records tidy throughout the year. While integrations remain valuable, the Toolkit reduces app switching by handling light bookkeeping directly in Starling. The add-on carries a monthly subscription fee and is optional; you can continue to use the standard business account without it.

Optional euro and USD business accounts

If you invoice clients in euros or dollars or pay suppliers internationally, Starling offers optional euro and USD business accounts. These sit alongside your GBP account, allowing you to hold, receive and send in the respective currency. This setup helps reduce repeated foreign exchange conversions when you have ongoing EUR or USD flows. Currency accounts are paid add-ons with separate fees and terms. Foreign exchange rates and charges apply when converting between currencies; Starling discloses these within the app at the time of conversion or transfer so you can review costs before proceeding.

Payments, cash and cheque handling

Starling supports UK domestic transfers through Faster Payments, which typically arrive within minutes, and Direct Debits/standing orders for recurring bills. You can pay HMRC and manage supplier payments from the app or web. For businesses that handle cash, Starling enables cash deposits via the UK Post Office network for a fee, useful for retail and services located outside major cities. Cheque depositing options are available; the specific method and limits depend on current Starling policies and may vary by account type. While Starling is branchless, the Post Office partnership provides nationwide cash services and ATMs cover cash withdrawals with the Starling debit card.

Controls, security and support

Security and operational resilience are core to a regulated UK bank. Starling’s business accounts benefit from FSCS protection (up to £85,000 per eligible business). App-based card controls, biometric login and 24/7 in-app chat support help businesses resolve issues quickly. Transaction alerts and merchant enrichment aid fraud detection by making unusual activity more visible. Role-based finance processes vary by business, but Starling’s combination of app and web access, exportable statements and accounting integrations supports common workflows between owners, bookkeepers and accountants without needing to share physical statements or manual spreadsheets.

Pricing & Fees for Starling Bank Business Account

The standard Starling Bank business current account does not have a monthly account fee. Starling publishes pricing for add-ons and certain transaction types (for example, currency accounts, Business Toolkit, cash deposits and any applicable international or FX services) within its website and app. Because some fees vary by service and may change over time, always confirm current rates in-app before transacting.

Below is a high-level view of what Starling typically discloses and where you may encounter charges:

Item	What Starling discloses	Notes
Standard GBP business account	No monthly account fee	UK account number and sort code included
UK Faster Payments	Generally free for outgoing and incoming domestic transfers	Limits apply; check app for current limits
Direct Debits & standing orders	Supported	No monthly fee for the account; per-transaction fees are not advertised as standard
Business Toolkit add-on	Monthly subscription applies	Optional; adds invoicing, bill and bookkeeping features
Euro and USD business accounts	Monthly fee applies per currency account	Hold, receive and send in EUR or USD; FX applies when converting
Foreign exchange and international services	Rates and fees shown in app at point of use	Costs vary by corridor and method; review before sending
Cash deposits via Post Office	Fee applies	Percentage fee and/or minimum charge; confirm latest rates
Card usage	Standard Mastercard debit card included	Overseas usage may incur FX and third‑party charges; check app

If your business relies on specific services—such as frequent cash deposits, international transfers, or currency conversions—review Starling’s fee schedule and in-app quotes to understand effective costs for your use case.

Pros and Cons of Starling Bank Business Account

• Pros

  • UK-licensed bank with FSCS protection up to £85,000 for eligible business deposits, adding a layer of safety not all fintechs offer.
  • No monthly account fee for the standard business current account, with domestic Faster Payments supported in-app and online.
  • Strong mobile and web experience with real-time notifications, card controls and easy statement exports for reconciliation.
  • Direct integrations with Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent, plus an optional Business Toolkit for invoicing, bills and light bookkeeping.
  • Optional euro and USD accounts allow you to hold and pay in foreign currencies alongside GBP.
  • Cash deposits supported through the Post Office network, helpful for cash-taking businesses without branch access.
  • 24/7 in-app support for help outside normal business hours, useful for owners who manage finances after the workday.

• Cons

  • Available to UK-registered businesses with UK-resident owners/directors; not suitable for companies without a UK footprint.
  • Eligibility checks and sector restrictions mean some applicants may be declined even if they operate in the UK.
  • Currency accounts and international features are paid add-ons; FX and transfer fees apply, which may be uneconomical for infrequent use.
  • Cash deposits incur fees and there are no bank branches; heavy cash businesses may prefer a branch-based provider.
  • Advanced functions such as invoicing and bookkeeping require the paid Business Toolkit rather than being included in the free tier.
  • Cheque handling may involve limits or specific methods; businesses processing many cheques might want alternatives with broader options.

Who Is Starling Bank Best For?

Starling Bank is well-suited to UK sole traders, freelancers and limited companies that value a modern, mobile-first business bank account with no monthly fee. If your business mainly receives and makes UK payments, uses cloud accounting and wants real-time visibility of spending, Starling’s app experience, Faster Payments support and accounting integrations are a strong fit. The optional Business Toolkit is helpful for small operations that want to issue invoices, capture receipts and keep basic records inside their banking platform without paying for a full accounting suite.

Companies that invoice internationally or pay suppliers in euros or dollars can benefit from Starling’s optional currency accounts, particularly if they hold foreign currency balances between payments. Starling also suits ecommerce and service businesses that need swift domestic settlement, instant spend notifications and straightforward card management, plus contractors or agencies that collaborate with accountants who prefer bank feeds into Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent.

On the other hand, businesses outside the UK or those needing branch-based services, extensive cash handling, or highly specialised treasury features may prefer a traditional bank with face-to-face support or a specialist provider for cross-border payments. If your company processes large volumes of international transfers in multiple currencies each month, a multi-currency platform focused on global payments could be more cost-effective and feature-rich.

Starling Bank Alternatives

• Monzo Business (/monzo-business) – A strong alternative for UK SMEs that want a mobile-first business account with easy “pots” for budgeting and optional invoicing tools. Monzo’s paid tier includes integrated features similar to a lightweight toolkit, which may suit teams that want finance tasks built into the bank app.

• Tide (/tide) – Better for startups and microbusinesses that want fast setup, built-in invoicing and multiple expense cards without switching to a traditional bank. Tide is an e-money account rather than a bank, but it offers a broad marketplace and credit products that can complement day-to-day banking needs.

• Revolut Business (/revolut-business) – Strong choice for companies with significant cross-border activity. Revolut provides multi-currency accounts, international transfers, and corporate cards with comprehensive controls, making it suitable for businesses that operate across markets and need robust global payments.

• Wise Business (/wise-business) – Ideal when low-cost international payments and multi-currency receiving accounts are the priority. Wise offers local account details in multiple countries and transparent FX pricing, which can pair well with a UK bank like Starling for domestic operations while handling cross-border flows more efficiently.