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Santander VS OakNorth: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Santander or OakNorth better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Santander and OakNorth 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.

Santander Homepage
Santander Homepage


OakNorth Homepage
OakNorth Homepage
 

Santander vs OakNorth Trustpilot Reviews

SantanderOakNorth
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.44.8
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%84%
Percent 1- Star Reviews85%3%
Total Number of Reviews6,8688,904
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.santander.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/oaknorth.co.uk

Santander vs OakNorth App Reviews

SantanderOakNorth
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.8
Number of iPhone Reviews1,100,0001,600
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.44.8
Number of Android Reviews54,300468
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/santander-mobile-banking/id482973524
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/oaknorth-savings/id1476387507

Santander vs OakNorth Account Fees & Charges

SantanderOakNorth
Free Business Bank AccountYesNo
Free Business Account Term Length18 MonthsNA
Cheapest Monthly Account FeeFree£25
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£7.50£99.99
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)FreeFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)70p per £10070p per £100
Cheques (in/out)Unknown£1 per cheque
CHAPS Payments Cost£25£17
SEPA Payments CostNoNo

Santander vs OakNorth Business Savings Rates

SantanderOakNorth
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings AccountFixed Term, Notice Accounts, Easy Access
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)0.40%3.85%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)3.60%3.85%
Minimum Savings Amount£1£10,000
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesNo
 

Santander vs OakNorth Account Opening Times

SantanderOakNorth
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
Few minutesFew minutes
Do They Check Your Credit?YesNo
Current Account Switch ServiceYesNo

Santander vs OakNorth Features & Account Types

Santander Account Types
Santander Features & Account Types


OakNorth Account Types
OakNorth Features & Account Types


SantanderOakNorth
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYesNo
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 BankingYesNo
Branch LocationsUK-wideNone, online and phone only

Santander vs OakNorth Customer Support Options

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

Santander vs OakNorth Foreign Currency Accounts

SantanderOakNorth
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesNo
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesNo
Other Currencies Available:
  • Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • Japanese Yen (JPY)
  • Australian Dollar (AUD)
  • Canadian Dollar (CAD)
  • New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
  • Singapore Dollar (SGD)
  • Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
No

Other Business Services From Santander and OakNorth

Santander Account Types
Other Santander Services


OakNorth Account Types
Other OakNorth Services


SantanderOakNorth
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesYesYes
Invoice FinancingYesYes
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesYes
Card MachinesYesNo
Free Accounting SoftwareYesNo

Santander vs OakNorth Banking Basics

SantanderOakNorth
Bank TypeHigh StreetChallenger
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number106054629564
WebsiteSantander WebsiteOakNorth Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Santander or OakNorth have better customer reviews?

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

Whereas, OakNorth scores 4.8 out of 5 based 8,904 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 84% are 5-star and 3% are 1-star.

Does Santander or OakNorth have a better App?

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.

In comparison, OakNorth’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 1,600 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 468 reviews.

Does Santander or OakNorth have better business savings rates?

Santander offers the following types of business savings accounts: Instant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings Account with interest rates ranging from 0.40% to 3.60%. (AER)

In contrast, OakNorth offers Fixed Term, Notice Accounts, Easy Access accounts with interest rates ranging from 3.85% to 3.85% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Santander vs Airwallex
Santander vs Triodos Bank
Santander vs Soldo
Santander vs Cambridge Building Society
Santander vs PayPal Debit


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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