Tide Business Bank Review 2025: Is It Worth It for Small Businesses?

Tide gives you a free UK business account with handy invoicing, expense tools, and FSCS protection up to £85,000, plus £200 cashback with referral code : REFER200. It’s quick to open and works well for digital-first SMEs. Watch out for transfer fees after year one, £1 ATM withdrawals, and no cash or cheque handling; international options are limited. Paid tiers can offset fees if you move volume or want priority support. If you’re weighing true costs and best-fit alternatives, the next sections clarify your decision.

Key Takeaways

• Free UK business account with £0 monthly fee, basic invoicing/expenses, and £200 signup cashback suits startups and solo traders.
• Costs can rise after year one: transfers 20p each, £1 ATM; Plus/Pro plans restore/free transfers for predictable pricing.
• No direct cash deposits and limited international transfers make it unsuitable for cash-heavy or globally trading businesses.
• FSCS protection up to £85,000 via ClearBank, quick onboarding (10 minutes to 48 hours), and integrated bookkeeping streamline admin.
• Paid tiers offer priority support; user experiences vary, so heavy card spenders may consider Cashback at £69.99/month for 1.5% back.

Key Takeaways for Busy Founders

Three quick takeaways: Tide’s free UK business account cuts monthly fees to zero while bundling basic invoicing and expense tools in the app; deposits are protected up to £85,000 via ClearBank (FSCS); and there’s a £200 cashback for new accounts if signing up using the referral code: REFER200 If you’re cost-conscious, you’ll like the zero monthly fee structure. You can send invoices and track expenses inside the app, which keeps daily finances tidy without extra software. FSCS protection via ClearBank safeguards up to £85,000, giving you confidence your deposits are covered. The £200 cashback sweetens the sign-up. Watch the limits: you can’t use cheques (although you can now deposit cheques digitally, and certain high-risk industries aren’t eligible. If you rely on sending cheque or operate in a restricted sector, you’ll need an alternative. Otherwise, Tide’s streamlined setup and built-in basics make it a practical, low-friction starting point.

What Tide Offers Small Businesses in 2025

Two things stand out about Tide for 2025: you get a free UK business account with no monthly fee, plus a clean app that handles invoicing, bill tracking, and transaction categorisation so you can run day‑to‑day finances without extra tools. You’ll create and send invoices, match payments, and keep on top of outgoing bills without spreadsheets. If you need more, Tide’s paid tiers add scale-friendly perks. Tide Plus (£9.99/month) and Tide Pro (£18.99/month) include unlimited transfers and priority support, useful when your transaction volume grows or you want quicker help. New customers can also grab £200 cashback and 12 months of free transfers when you open and fund your account within a month. Your balance’s protected too: FSCS coverage up to £85,000 applies via ClearBank.

Pricing, Plans, and Real Costs After Year One

Once your first year wraps, Tide’s pricing shifts from “mostly free” to “watch the meter.” The free account drops its 20 free transfers, and each transfer costs 20p; ATM withdrawals remain £1, and cash deposits start at £2.50 at Post Offices or £3 via PayPoint. You’ll want to model your typical month to avoid surprises. If you move money often, the free tier can get pricey fast. Tide Plus at £9.99/month restores 20 free transfers; Tide Pro at £18.99/month gives unlimited transfers. Heavy card spenders might prefer Cashback at £49.99/month with 0.5% back. Compare fees to your activity. 1) Under 50 transfers/month: Plus often breaks even. 2) 50+ transfers: Pro usually wins. 3) High card spend: Cashback pays if rebates exceed the fee.

Features You’ll Actually Use: Invoicing, Bills, and Categorisation

Watching fees is only half the story—what you do in the app day to day matters more. Tide’s invoicing lets you create and send polished invoices in minutes, straight from your phone. You’ll pull client details from the built‑in customer database, update records on the fly, and keep billing tidy without spreadsheets. Bills are just as streamlined. Upload invoices you receive, schedule payments ahead of time, and track what’s due so nothing slips. For bookkeeping, Tide auto-matches receipts to transactions and lets you upload missing ones, then tag and categorise them quickly. That categorisation pays off. You’ll see income and expenses clearly, spot trends, and stay ready for your accountant. Less admin, fewer errors, and faster insights—exactly what a small business needs.

Limitations to Watch: Cash, Cheques, and International Transfers

Although Tide covers the core basics, its gaps can be deal‑breakers if your business handles cash, cheques, or cross‑border payments. You can’t deposit cash, so retail and service firms that bank daily takings will need a workaround. Tide also doesn’t support cheques fully. You cannot get a Tide chequebook – that said you can now deposit cheques digitally using the Tide app. Internationally, options are limited compared with traditional banks, so frequent overseas payments or collections may face friction, fewer currencies, or higher reliance on third‑party services. After the first year, Tide charges 20p per transfer, which can stack up if you run high transaction volumes. 1) Cash: no deposits accepted. 2) Cheques: not supported for paying out. 3) International: constrained transfer options and coverage.

Safety, Eligibility, and Customer Support

If cash handling and international gaps give you pause, you’ll want to know how secure Tide is and whether you can sign up easily. Tide operates under ClearBank and is FCA-regulated, so your eligible funds are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000. That’s a solid safety backstop. Eligibility is straightforward: you must be a UK-registered business or sole trader, at least 18, have a UK phone number, and pass checks that exclude certain high‑risk sectors.

Eligibility is simple: UK-registered business, 18+, UK phone, and pass sector checks

The application is streamlined, with approvals typically taking 10 minutes to 48 hours. Support comes via in‑app chat, email, and weekday phone lines, with 24/7 help for urgent fraud issues. Users report mixed experiences—slow replies and occasional freezes—but paid tiers add priority support and access to legal assistance.

Best Alternatives and When They Make More Sense

When Tide’s strengths don’t match your priorities, a few rivals can fit better. If you want a zero‑fee account and smooth bookkeeping, Starling Bank stands out. It’s especially handy if you handle cash deposits and withdrawals regularly. For global payments, Revolut’s low‑cost FX and multi‑currency tools beat Tide when overseas transfers are routine. If you prefer big‑bank stability, HSBC’s tailored accounts—often free for the first year—offer branch access and broader services. Freelancers and sole traders who want simple pricing may like Monzo Lite’s £1 cash deposit fee. Value ethical banking and integrations? The Co‑operative Bank delivers both. 1) Pick Starling if cash handling and accounting integrations are key. 2) Choose Revolut for frequent international transactions. 3) Select HSBC for established, full‑service banking.

Conclusion

If you want a low‑friction business account that speeds up everyday money tasks, Tide’s a strong pick. You’ll open fast, automate invoicing and expenses, and keep costs predictable—especially in year one. Just be honest about your needs: cash and cheques are clunky, international transfers are limited, and support can feel light. If those are deal‑breakers, a fuller‑service bank or fintech may fit better. Otherwise, you’ll get solid value, time back, and cleaner books with Tide.