Business Accounts
⏱ 7 min read
📅 Updated May 2026
Monzo Business Bank Account 2026: Plans, Fees, and Limits
Monzo Business bank account 2026: fees, FCA registration, FSCS protection, and comparison with Starling, Tide, and HSBC Kinetic.
Monzo Business Bank Account: Overview
Monzo offers two tiers of business banking: Monzo Business Lite (free) and Monzo Business Pro (paid). Both are current accounts for UK businesses — including sole traders and limited companies — available through the Monzo app. Monzo Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 730427. Business deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000.
This guide compares Lite and Pro in detail, covering fees, features, limitations, and which tier suits which type of business.
Monzo Business Lite vs Pro: Full Feature Comparison
| Feature |
Lite (Free) |
Pro (£9/month) |
| Monthly fee |
£0 |
£9 |
| FSCS protected |
Yes (£85k) |
Yes (£85k) |
| Debit card |
Yes (Mastercard) |
Yes (Mastercard) |
| Faster Payments / BACS |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tax Pots (auto tax reserves) |
No |
Yes |
| Invoicing (in-app) |
No |
Yes |
| Accounting integrations (Xero, FreeAgent) |
No |
Yes |
| Multiple team member cards |
No |
Yes (additional cost) |
| Cash deposits (Post Office) |
Available (fee applies) |
Available (fee applies) |
| International payments |
Via partner (fee) |
Via partner (fee) |
Monzo Business Lite: Who It Suits
Monzo Business Lite is best suited to:
- ▸Sole traders or newly incorporated companies who need a separate business account quickly and cheaply.
- ▸Freelancers and consultants with simple banking needs — receiving client payments by Faster Payment and making occasional business purchases.
- ▸Businesses where the owner already uses accounting software independently and does not need it integrated with the bank account.
- ▸Companies with low transaction volumes that do not need team member cards or invoicing tools.
Monzo Business Pro: Who It Suits
Monzo Business Pro at £9/month (plus VAT if applicable) adds meaningful productivity tools for growing businesses:
- ▸Tax Pots — automatically sets aside a percentage of each incoming payment into a separate pot to cover VAT and self-assessment tax. This is particularly useful for sole traders who struggle to put money aside for the tax bill.
- ▸In-app invoicing — create and send invoices directly from the Monzo app and track payment status. Useful for service businesses issuing regular invoices.
- ▸Xero and FreeAgent integration — transactions sync automatically to your accounting software, reducing manual data entry for quarterly bookkeeping.
- ▸Multiple cards — if you have team members who need a business card for expenses, additional physical or virtual cards can be issued under the Pro plan.
Monzo Business vs Other Fintech Business Accounts
| Provider |
Free Tier? |
FSCS? |
Tax Pot Feature? |
Cash Deposits? |
| Monzo Business Lite |
Yes |
Yes |
Pro only |
Post Office (fee) |
| Starling Business |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Post Office (free) |
| Tide Lite |
Yes |
No (e-money) |
No |
Post Office (fee) |
| Revolut Business Basic |
Yes |
Yes (UK bank licence) |
No |
No |
FSCS Protection for Monzo Business
Business deposits at Monzo Bank Limited are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000 per business. This applies whether you are a sole trader or a limited company — the protection is per depositor, per institution. Note that if a sole trader also has a personal Monzo account, the FSCS protection is calculated across both accounts combined, not separately, because both are held under the same Monzo banking licence by the same individual. For a limited company, the company's £85,000 protection is separate from the director's personal Monzo account protection.
Opening a Monzo Business Account
- ▸Download the Monzo app and log in or create a personal account (you must have a Monzo personal account to apply for a business account).
- ▸Navigate to the Business tab within the app and tap "Open a business account."
- ▸Select whether you are a sole trader or limited company.
- ▸For limited companies, provide your Companies House registration number. Monzo will verify your company details and check all directors and PSCs.
- ▸Complete identity verification for all directors if required. The process typically completes within one to three working days.
Case Scenario 1: Freelance Designer on Lite
Scenario: A freelance graphic designer invoices three regular clients each month, receiving payment by BACS or Faster Payment. She opens Monzo Business Lite — free, instant set-up via the app, FSCS-protected. She receives client payments into the account, pays herself a monthly transfer to her personal current account, and uses the Monzo debit card for design software subscriptions. She exports transactions as CSV each quarter for her accountant. The free tier meets all her needs without the cost of Pro.
Case Scenario 2: Growing Ltd Company Upgrading to Pro
Scenario: A two-person marketing agency started on Monzo Business Lite but quickly outgrew it — they needed to issue invoices directly from the account, have a second card for the co-director, and sync transactions with Xero for their accountant. They upgraded to Business Pro at £9/month (ex-VAT). The Tax Pot feature automatically sets aside 20% of each incoming payment into a VAT pot, eliminating the stress of quarterly VAT returns. The Xero integration saves their accountant two hours of manual reconciliation per month.
Related reading: Monzo UK Complete Guide 2026 | UK Business Bank Accounts 2026 | Free Corporate Bank Account UK
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify current fees and features at monzo.com before opening a business account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monzo Business FSCS protected?
Yes. Monzo Bank Limited is FCA-authorised and FSCS-eligible. Business deposits are protected up to £85,000 per business. Sole traders should note that personal and business deposits with Monzo are combined for FSCS purposes as they sit under the same individual's protection.
Can a limited company open a Monzo Business account?
Yes. Both sole traders and limited companies registered at Companies House can open a Monzo Business account. All directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) must complete identity verification as part of the application.
How much does Monzo Business Pro cost?
Monzo Business Pro costs £9 per month (plus VAT where applicable). Additional costs may apply for extra team member cards. Always verify the current pricing at monzo.com as this may have changed.
Does Monzo Business have an overdraft?
Monzo does not offer a standard arranged overdraft on its business accounts. If you need a business overdraft or credit facility, you would need to look at traditional bank business accounts (such as NatWest, Barclays, or Lloyds) that offer business overdrafts to eligible customers.
Can I deposit cash into a Monzo Business account?
Yes, via the Post Office. A fee applies per deposit (check current rates at monzo.com). Monzo does not have branches. If cash handling is a significant part of your business, a traditional bank with branch access may be more suitable.
Does Monzo Business integrate with accounting software?
Accounting integrations (Xero, FreeAgent) are available on the Pro plan only. The Lite plan does not include built-in accounting integrations, though you can export transactions as CSV for manual import into your accounting software.
Sources
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KEY FACTS
- Monzo Bank Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the FCA and PRA
- Deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 per eligible depositor
- Monzo Business accounts are available to sole traders and limited companies
- The free Monzo Business account has no monthly fee; Monzo Business Pro costs £9/month plus VAT
- Monzo Business does not offer a business overdraft facility as standard
- Invoicing, tax pots, and accountancy integrations are available on paid plans
Monzo Business Account Plans Compared
| Feature |
Monzo Business (Free) |
Monzo Business Pro |
| Monthly fee |
None |
£9 + VAT |
| UK bank transfers |
Free |
Free |
| Cash deposits |
Via Post Office (fee applies) |
Via Post Office (fee applies) |
| Invoicing |
Not included |
Included |
| Tax pots |
Not included |
Included |
| Accountancy integrations |
Limited |
Xero, FreeAgent, QuickBooks |
| FSCS protected |
Yes (£85,000) |
Yes (£85,000) |
Source: Monzo Business website. Features and pricing subject to change. Verify at monzo.com/business before applying.
Monzo Business vs Starling vs Tide vs HSBC Kinetic
| Provider |
Free plan |
FSCS |
Overdraft |
Cash deposits |
| Monzo Business |
Yes |
Yes (£85,000) |
No |
Post Office (fee) |
| Starling Business |
Yes |
Yes (£85,000) |
Yes (subject to eligibility) |
Post Office (fee) |
| Tide |
Yes (limited) |
Via ClearBank (£85,000) |
Limited |
PayPoint (fee) |
| HSBC Kinetic |
No (£6.50/mo) |
Yes (£85,000) |
Yes (subject to eligibility) |
Branch / Post Office |
Source: Provider websites and FCA register. Features subject to change and eligibility criteria apply.
Disclaimer
This page provides factual information about Monzo Business accounts for general reference. Product features and pricing change frequently. Verify current terms at monzo.com/business. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the FCA and does not provide financial advice.
Is Monzo Business FSCS protected?
Yes. Monzo Bank Ltd holds a full UK banking licence and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per eligible depositor. Business accounts held by limited companies are eligible for FSCS protection. Sole trader accounts are also covered. The FSCS limit applies across all Monzo accounts held by the same depositor, including personal accounts. FSCS eligibility details are at fscs.org.uk.
Can a limited company open a Monzo Business account?
Yes. Monzo Business accounts are available to both sole traders and registered limited companies. Limited company applicants must provide their Companies House registration number during the application process. Monzo carries out identity verification and anti-money laundering checks on directors and persons of significant control (PSCs) as required by the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. Not all business types are accepted; regulated financial services businesses and certain high-risk sectors may be declined.
Does Monzo Business offer a business overdraft?
Monzo Business does not offer a standard business overdraft facility. This is a significant difference compared to Starling Business and traditional high-street banks such as HSBC and Barclays. Businesses that require a credit facility or overdraft as part of their banking arrangements should factor this into their provider comparison. Monzo's lending products are subject to change and the current position should be verified at monzo.com/business.
What accountancy software does Monzo Business integrate with?
Monzo Business Pro integrates with Xero, FreeAgent, and QuickBooks. Integrations allow automatic transaction data export to the accountancy package, reducing manual data entry. The free Monzo Business tier has limited integration functionality. Integration availability and the specific scope of each integration are published in the Monzo Business help documentation.
Is Monzo Business suitable for VAT-registered businesses?
Monzo Business Pro includes a tax pot feature that allows businesses to set aside a percentage of income automatically for VAT and tax payments. This is a useful cash flow management tool for VAT-registered businesses. The tax pot is a labelled savings space within the account rather than a separate account. It does not replace the legal obligation to maintain accurate VAT records and file returns with HMRC on time.
Sources
Monzo Bank FCA registration: fca.org.uk/register | FSCS eligibility: fscs.org.uk | Companies House: companieshouse.gov.uk | Money Laundering Regulations 2017: legislation.gov.uk | HMRC VAT rules: gov.uk/vat-returns
Editorial Disclaimer
The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA.
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Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.
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