Tide vs Revolut Business

Tide is built for straightforward UK-domestic banking. Revolut is built for businesses whose money crosses borders, or who want tighter team spend controls. Both bundle free formation.

Updated 2026-07-03 • Last reviewed 2026-07-12

Tide

Top pick

Simple, UK-focused, invoicing built in.

Type: E-money
Free company formation: Yes
Monthly fee: Free plan available
FX / multi-currency: Basic

Simpler for pure GBP trading
Strong invoicing
Large user base

E-money institution, not a bank — no FSCS protection on the standard account (safeguarding instead).
Financial Ombudsman has upheld complaints regarding account freezes.
Well-documented complaints about slow, largely automated support.
Free plan charges 20p per bank transfer.

Best for businesses trading almost entirely in pounds, If you rarely touch foreign currency, Tide's simplicity wins.

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Revolut Business

Multi-currency accounts and team spend controls.

Type: E-money
Free company formation: Yes
Monthly fee: Free tier with FX limits
FX / multi-currency: Strong

Multi-currency balances and competitive FX
Granular team card/spend controls
Broader fintech feature set

E-money institution in the UK (not a bank).
Account freezes and verification delays are common complaints.
Customer support is chat-only.

Best for businesses regularly paying or getting paid in other currencies, If foreign currency is a real part of how you trade, Revolut's tools save more than the extra complexity costs.

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The honest verdict

Almost all GBP trading, want the simplest option: Tide. Regular foreign currency exposure, even occasionally: Revolut.

FAQs

Is Revolut Business more expensive than Tide?

Both have free tiers; Revolut's free-tier FX allowance is more limited, so heavy currency users may need a paid tier sooner than a Tide user would.

Do both offer free company formation?

Yes, both cover the Companies House fee when you open an account.

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