Merchant Machine

NatWest VS Santander: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


By: Ian Wright | Last Updated: May 22, 2025

Is NatWest or Santander better for your small business?



Compare UK Business Bank Accounts

Powered By BusinessBankAccounts.co.uk



Below we look at both NatWest and Santander reviews on Trustpilot along with their App reviews from Apple and Google.

We then look at typical fees, business savings rates, foreign currency options and a whole bunch of other account features to help you make up your mind.

NatWest Homepage
NatWest Homepage


Santander Homepage
Santander Homepage
 

NatWest vs Santander Trustpilot Reviews

NatWestSantander
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.41.4
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%8%
Percent 1- Star Reviews86%85%
Total Number of Reviews5,9846,868
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.natwest.com
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.santander.co.uk

NatWest vs Santander App Reviews

NatWestSantander
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.8
Number of iPhone Reviews456,7001,100,000
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.44.4
Number of Android Reviews349,00054,300
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/natwest-mobile-banking/id334855322
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/santander-mobile-banking/id482973524

NatWest vs Santander Account Fees & Charges

NatWestSantander
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term Length24 Months18 Months
Cheapest Monthly Account FeeFreeFree
Most Expensive Monthly Account FeeFree£7.50
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)35pFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)70p per £10070p per £100
Cheques (in/out)70p per itemUnknown
CHAPS Payments Cost£20£25
SEPA Payments Cost45pNo

NatWest vs Santander Business Savings Rates

NatWestSantander
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, notice and fixed-term savings accountsInstant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings Account
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)1.46%0.40%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)4.25%3.60%
Minimum Savings AmountNo£1
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

NatWest vs Santander Account Opening Times

NatWestSantander
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
10 Working daysFew minutes
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

NatWest vs Santander Features & Account Types

NatWest Account Types
NatWest Features & Account Types


Santander Account Types
Santander Features & Account Types


NatWestSantander
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYesYes
Business OverdraftYesYes
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesYesYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeMastercardMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesYes
Branch LocationsUK-wide including the ability to use some RBS locationsUK-wide

NatWest vs Santander Customer Support Options

NatWestSantander
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesYes
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesYes

NatWest vs Santander Foreign Currency Accounts

NatWestSantander
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesYes
Other Currencies Available:
  • AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham)
  • KWD (Kuwaiti Dinar)
  • AUD (Australian Dollar)
  • LTL (Lithuanian Litas)
  • BGN (Bulgarian Lev)
  • MAD (Moroccan Dirham)
  • BHD (Bahraini Dinar)
  • MUR (Mauritian Rupee)
  • CAD (Canadian Dollar)
  • MXN (Mexican Peso)
  • CHF (Swiss Franc)
  • NOK (Norwegian Krone)
  • CZK (Czech Koruna)
  • OMR (Omani Rial)
  • DKK (Danish Krone)
  • PLN (Polish Zloty)
  • QAR (Qatari Rial)
  • SAR (Saudi Riyals)
  • HKD (Hong Kong Dollar)
  • SEK (Swedish Krona)
  • HRK (Croatian Kuna)
  • SGD (Singaporean Dollar)
  • HUF (Hungarian Forint)
  • THB (Thai Baht)
  • ILS (Israeli Shekel)
  • TRY (Turkish Lira)
  • JPY (Japanese Yen)
  • KES (Kenyan Shilling)
  • ZAR (South African Rand)
  • Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • Japanese Yen (JPY)
  • Australian Dollar (AUD)
  • Canadian Dollar (CAD)
  • New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
  • Singapore Dollar (SGD)
  • Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

Other Business Services From NatWest and Santander

NatWest Account Types
Other NatWest Services


Santander Account Types
Other Santander Services


NatWestSantander
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesYesYes
Invoice FinancingYesYes
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesYes
Card MachinesYesYes
Free Accounting SoftwareYesYes

NatWest vs Santander Banking Basics

NatWestSantander
Bank TypeHigh StreetHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number121882106054
WebsiteNatWest WebsiteSantander Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does NatWest or Santander have better customer reviews?

NatWest scores 1.4 out of 5 based 5,984 Trustpilot reviews. Of these reviews 8% are 5-star and 86% are 1-star.

Whereas, Santander scores 1.4 out of 5 based 6,868 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 8% are 5-star and 85% are 1-star.

Does NatWest or Santander have a better App?

NatWest’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 456,700 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.4 out of 5 based on 349,000 reviews.

In comparison, Santander’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 1,100,000 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.4 out of 5 based on 54,300 reviews.

Does NatWest or Santander have better business savings rates?

NatWest offers the following types of business savings accounts: Instant access, notice and fixed-term savings accounts with interest rates ranging from 1.46% to 4.25%. (AER)

In contrast, Santander offers Instant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings Account accounts with interest rates ranging from 0.40% to 3.60% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
NatWest vs Nationwide
NatWest vs Lloyds Bank
NatWest vs Tide
NatWest vs Virgin Money
NatWest vs Monzo


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



Please note: Merchant Machine is an information and comparison website only.
We do not provide merchant services nor can we recommend which solution is right for you and your business.
Blog · About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact Us
Copyright © 2025 Brilliant British Ltd trading as Merchant Machine

Registered Office Address:
3rd Floor Great Titchfield House, 14-18 Great Titchfield Street, London, United Kingdom, W1W 8BD
Company number 10490224