Independent BankAdvisor review
Tide Overview
Tide is a business financial platform rather than a bank in its own right. It provides app-led accounts and administration tools for sole traders, freelancers and limited companies.
Account summary
Key features
| Provider and protection | Tide is not a bank. ClearBank provides its business current accounts and eligible deposits can receive FSCS protection. Some legacy e-money accounts are safeguarded instead. |
| Monthly plans | Free £0; Smart £12.49; Pro £27.49; Max £69.99 at the time checked. Usage charges and allowances also apply. |
| Who can apply | Sole traders, freelancers and directors of eligible limited companies, subject to Tide's business, industry and identity checks. |
| Business administration | Invoicing, accounting connections, Making Tax Digital tools, expense management and team access are available, with plan-dependent limits. |
| Getting paid | Payment links, Tap to Pay, card-reader options and invoicing support different ways of collecting customer payments. |
| Cash and cheques | Cash deposits are available at Post Office and PayPoint locations. Eligible ClearBank accounts can use digital cheque deposits. |
| International use | International payments are supported. The Free plan shows a 2.75% foreign-exchange fee for international card payments; paid-plan terms differ. |
| Main trade-off | A simple free-plan headline can hide transaction costs, optional service fees and account-provider differences, so expected usage matters. |
Tide at a glance
- Tide combines a business current account with invoicing, accounting connections, expense tools, payment acceptance and company-administration services. It is aimed at people who want banking and everyday business admin in one app.
Tide services
Tide focuses on reducing small-business administration. The app includes payment categorisation, invoices, payment links, accounting connections, expense cards and team access, although availability and allowances differ by plan.
May suit
- OKFree plan with no monthly subscription
- OKDesigned specifically for sole traders, freelancers and limited companies
- OKClearBank account option with FSCS protection for eligible deposits
- OKInvoicing, payment acceptance and accounting tools in one service
- OKCash deposits available through Post Office and PayPoint locations
- OKPaid plans add more transfers, team tools and support
May not suit
- !Tide is not itself a bank
- !Some legacy e-money accounts are safeguarded rather than FSCS protected
- !The free plan can incur transaction and usage charges
- !No branch network for face-to-face banking
- !Plan pricing rises substantially at the higher tiers
- !Eligibility excludes some business types and higher-risk industries
Our Assessment of Tide
Tide brings banking, invoicing, payment collection and everyday administration together in one business-focused service. The free plan makes it accessible to small businesses, while paid plans provide clearer routes for teams and higher transaction volumes.
Continue Reading
Continue with the Complete Tide Review
You've read the summary. Our Complete Review examines the account in much greater detail, helping you understand how it performs in everyday banking before you decide.
- Detailed feature analysis
- Fees and charges explained
- Everyday banking experience
- Account strengths and limitations
- Protection and eligibility
- Comparison with similar UK banks
How Tide compares
Compare Tide with Monzo and Starling for app-led business banking, Zempler for Post Office cash access, Revolut and Wise for international payments, and high street providers where branches, relationship support or wider lending matter.
Financial Information Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and may not always reflect the latest fees, rates, or terms offered by each bank. While we do our best to keep content accurate and up-to-date, you should always check the bank's official website or app before applying for an account. Nothing on this site constitutes financial advice.
Finished reading about Tide?
Return to the top, compare similar banks, or check the provider's latest account details before applying.