Provider profile · Last checked 8 November 2026
Tide
An app-based business account for UK sole traders and limited companies, with a free plan, paid plans that remove card FX fees, and admin tools.
By the editorial team. We have no commercial relationship with Tide, and links to it are not affiliate links. All accounts we've researched.
What it is
Tide Platform Ltd runs the app and is an FCA-authorised e-money institution (FRN 900843). Tide current and savings accounts are provided by ClearBank Ltd (FRN 754568), a bank authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA.
How your money is protected
Eligible deposits in ClearBank-powered Tide accounts are protected up to £120,000 per depositor by the FSCS, across all accounts with ClearBank. Some members still hold e-money accounts with PrePay Technologies (sort code 23-69-72), which are safeguarded rather than FSCS-protected.
Our e-money vs bank account guide explains what this means if a provider fails.
Who can open one
Sole traders, freelancers and directors of UK-registered limited companies aged 18 or over, with a UK mobile number. Sole traders need a UK home address registered with HMRC and can't be in a business partnership.
Headline fees
| Fee | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plans (paid monthly) | Lite £0, Smart £12.49, Pro £27.49, Max £69.99 |
| Bank transfers in or out | 5 a month free on Lite, 30 on Smart, unlimited on Pro and Max; otherwise 20p each |
| Foreign-currency card payments and ATM use | 2.75% on Lite; no fee on Smart, Pro and Max |
| Cash withdrawals in GBP | £1 |
| Cash deposits at the Post Office | £2.50 up to £500; above £500, 0.99% on Lite or 0.5% on other plans |
| Cash deposits at PayPoint | 3% |
| Cheque deposits | 90p each |
| Cashback | 0.5%, up to £200 a month, on Max only |
Limits worth knowing
- Post Office cash deposits are capped at £25,000 per deposit, £25,000 a month and £300,000 a year.
- Tide only accepts accounts for business use.
How it compares
Read our full comparison of Incard and Tide. See all the accounts we've researched.
Check Tide's current terms
Fees and eligibility can change. Confirm them on the provider's own site before you apply.
Not an affiliate link.
Sources
All checked on 8 November 2026. Where a provider's help centre or legal terms differ from its marketing pages, we follow the help centre and terms.