Merchant Machine

Tide VS Starling Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Tide or Starling Bank better for your small business?



Compare UK Business Bank Accounts

Powered By BusinessBankAccounts.co.uk



Below we look at both Tide and Starling Bank 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.

Tide Homepage
Tide Homepage


Starling Bank Homepage
Starling Bank Homepage
 

Tide vs Starling Bank Trustpilot Reviews

TideStarling Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)4.24.3
Percent 5-Star Reviews73%76%
Percent 1- Star Reviews17%11%
Total Number of Reviews18,59538,869
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/tide.co
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/starlingbank.com

Tide vs Starling Bank App Reviews

TideStarling Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.74.9
Number of iPhone Reviews64,800477,500
Android Review Score (out of 5)3.54.5
Number of Android Reviews16,200114,000
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/tide-business-banking-app/id1140086177
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/starling-bank-mobile-banking/id956806430

Tide vs Starling Bank Account Fees & Charges

TideStarling Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term LengthNo LimitNo Limit
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£9.99No
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£49.99No
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)FreeFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)£10.70%
Cheques (in/out)FreeFree
CHAPS Payments CostNo£20
SEPA Payments Cost€0.70No

Tide vs Starling Bank Business Savings Rates

TideStarling Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsBusiness savings accountNone
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)3.55%NA
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)3.55%NA
Minimum Savings Amount£1No
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Tide vs Starling Bank Account Opening Times

TideStarling Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
10 to 2880 minutes1 to 5 Working days
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

Tide vs Starling Bank Features & Account Types

Tide Account Types
Tide Features & Account Types


Starling Bank Account Types
Starling Bank Features & Account Types


TideStarling Bank
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardNoNo
Business OverdraftNoYes
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesNoYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableNoYes
Card TypeMastercardMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingNoYes
Branch LocationsNone, online onlyNone, but can use post office locations for some services

Tide vs Starling Bank Customer Support Options

TideStarling Bank
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesYes
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportNoYes

Tide vs Starling Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

TideStarling Bank
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsNoYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsNoYes
Other Currencies Available:No
  • CAD (Canadian Dollar)

Other Business Services From Tide and Starling Bank

Tide Account Types
Other Tide Services


Starling Bank Account Types
Other Starling Bank Services


TideStarling Bank
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesNoNo
Invoice FinancingYesNo
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesNoYes
Card MachinesYesYes
Free Accounting SoftwareYesNo

Tide vs Starling Bank Banking Basics

TideStarling Bank
Bank TypeChallengerChallenger
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000 via ClearBankYes, up to £85,000
FCA Number754568730166
WebsiteTide WebsiteStarling Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Tide or Starling Bank have better customer reviews?

Tide scores 4.2 out of 5 based 18,595 Trustpilot reviews. Of these reviews 73% are 5-star and 17% are 1-star.

Whereas, Starling Bank scores 4.3 out of 5 based 38,869 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 76% are 5-star and 11% are 1-star.

Does Tide or Starling Bank have a better App?

Tide’s iPhone App is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 64,800 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 3.5 out of 5 based on 16,200 reviews.

In comparison, Starling Bank’s iPhone App is rated 4.9 out of 5 based on 477,500 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.5 out of 5 based on 114,000 reviews.

Does Tide or Starling Bank have better business savings rates?

Tide offers the following types of business savings accounts: Business savings account with interest rates ranging from 3.55% to 3.55%. (AER)

In contrast, Starling Bank offers None accounts with interest rates ranging from NA to NA (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Tide vs Shawbrook Bank
Tide vs RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland)
Tide vs Wise
Tide vs Revolut Business
Tide vs Danske Bank UK


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