Merchant Machine

Santander VS Virgin Money: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Santander or Virgin Money better for your small business?



Compare UK Business Bank Accounts

Powered By BusinessBankAccounts.co.uk



Below we look at both Santander and Virgin Money 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


Virgin Money Homepage
Virgin Money Homepage
 

Santander vs Virgin Money Trustpilot Reviews

SantanderVirgin Money
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.41.4
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%5%
Percent 1- Star Reviews85%89%
Total Number of Reviews6,8686,799
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.santander.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/uk.virginmoney.com

Santander vs Virgin Money App Reviews

SantanderVirgin Money
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.6
Number of iPhone Reviews1,100,000125,000
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.44
Number of Android Reviews54,30023,400
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/santander-mobile-banking/id482973524
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/virgin-money-mobile-banking/id1482269155

Santander vs Virgin Money Account Fees & Charges

SantanderVirgin Money
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term Length18 Months25 Months
Cheapest Monthly Account FeeFreeNo
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£7.50No
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)FreeFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)70p per £10090p per £100
Cheques (in/out)Unknown30p per cheque
CHAPS Payments Cost£25£25
SEPA Payments CostNo£20

Santander vs Virgin Money Business Savings Rates

SantanderVirgin Money
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings AccountInstant access accounts, Notice accounts, Fixed term deposit accounts
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)0.40%1.35%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)3.60%5.15%
Minimum Savings Amount£1£1
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Santander vs Virgin Money Account Opening Times

SantanderVirgin Money
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
Few minutes1 to 47 Working days
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

Santander vs Virgin Money Features & Account Types

Santander Account Types
Santander Features & Account Types


Virgin Money Account Types
Virgin Money Features & Account Types


SantanderVirgin Money
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-wideNorthern England and Scotland only

Santander vs Virgin Money Customer Support Options

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

Santander vs Virgin Money Foreign Currency Accounts

SantanderVirgin Money
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesYes
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 Virgin Money

Santander Account Types
Other Santander Services


Virgin Money Account Types
Other Virgin Money Services


SantanderVirgin Money
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesYesYes
Invoice FinancingYesYes
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesYes
Card MachinesYesNo
Free Accounting SoftwareYesYes

Santander vs Virgin Money Banking Basics

SantanderVirgin Money
Bank TypeHigh StreetHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number106054121873
WebsiteSantander WebsiteVirgin Money Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Santander or Virgin Money 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, Virgin Money scores 1.4 out of 5 based 6,799 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 5% are 5-star and 89% are 1-star.

Does Santander or Virgin Money 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, Virgin Money’s iPhone App is rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 125,000 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4 out of 5 based on 23,400 reviews.

Does Santander or Virgin Money 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, Virgin Money offers Instant access accounts, Notice accounts, Fixed term deposit accounts accounts with interest rates ranging from 1.35% to 5.15% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Santander vs Monzo
Santander vs Bank of Scotland
Santander vs Metro Bank
Santander vs TSB
Santander vs Starling Bank


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