Tide review
Fast UK business banking with free company formation bundled in.
Updated 2026-07-03 • Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Features
- Free company formation when you open an account
- Invoicing with automated payment chasing
- Expense cards for a team
- Integrations with popular accounting software
- Mobile-first app, approval usually within a day
Fees
- Free plan available, no minimum balance
- Paid tiers add priority support and extra card allowances
- E-money account, not a licensed bank, so protection works differently to Starling or Monzo
Pros
- Genuinely useful built-in invoicing
- Free formation removes a step for new founders
- Large existing customer base and mature app
Cons
- 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
Quick account opening and integrated invoicing.
Not ideal for
Businesses needing human support or holding large cash balances.
Eligibility
UK-registered sole traders and limited companies.
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Alternatives
FAQs
Is Tide a bank?
No. Tide is an e-money institution, not a licensed bank, so it doesn't carry FSCS protection in the same way Starling or Monzo Business do. Your money is safeguarded under separate e-money regulations instead.
Is Tide's free company formation genuinely free?
Yes. Tide covers the Companies House filing fee when you open an account with them, because winning you as a long-term banking customer is worth more to them than the small fee.
Can I keep using Tide if I switch accounting software?
Yes, the account and any accounting software integration are independent of each other.
Not sure Tide is the right fit?
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