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Wise VS Ulster Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Wise or Ulster Bank better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Wise and Ulster 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.

Wise Homepage
Wise Homepage


Ulster Bank Homepage
Ulster Bank Homepage
 

Wise vs Ulster Bank Trustpilot Reviews

WiseUlster Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)4.21.5
Percent 5-Star Reviews83%8%
Percent 1- Star Reviews7%86%
Total Number of Reviews207,506114
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/wise.com
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.ulsterbank.co.uk

Wise vs Ulster Bank App Reviews

WiseUlster Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.8
Number of iPhone Reviews85,40015,700
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.84.1
Number of Android Reviews762,00015,000
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/wise/id612261027
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ulster-bank-ni-mobile-banking/id469523324

Wise vs Ulster Bank Account Fees & Charges

WiseUlster Bank
Free Business Bank AccountNoYes
Free Business Account Term LengthNA24 Months
Cheapest Monthly Account FeeFree£8
Most Expensive Monthly Account FeeFree£12
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)0.42%43p
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)2% / 1.75%70p per £100
Cheques (in/out)Unknown40p
CHAPS Payments Cost£25£18.75
SEPA Payments CostNo€0.51

Wise vs Ulster Bank Business Savings Rates

WiseUlster Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsBlackRock ICS Sterling Government Liquidity FundInstant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accounts
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)4.67%1.46%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)4.67%1.92%
Minimum Savings Amount£1No
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Wise vs Ulster Bank Account Opening Times

WiseUlster Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
2 Working days24 working hours
Do They Check Your Credit?NoYes
Current Account Switch ServiceNoYes

Wise vs Ulster Bank Features & Account Types

Wise Account Types
Wise Features & Account Types


Ulster Bank Account Types
Ulster Bank Features & Account Types


WiseUlster Bank
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountNoYes
Business Credit CardNoYes
Business OverdraftNoYes
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesYesYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableNoYes
Card TypeVisa/MastercardMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesYes
Branch LocationsNone, online onlyNorthern Ireland Only

Wise vs Ulster Bank Customer Support Options

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

Wise vs Ulster Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

WiseUlster Bank
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesYes
Other Currencies Available:
  • AUD – Australian dollar
  • BGN – Bulgarian lev
  • BRL – Brazilian real
  • CAD – Canadian dollar
  • CHF – Swiss franc
  • CZK – Czech koruna
  • DKK – Danish krone
  • EUR – Euro
  • GBP – British pound
  • HKD – Hong Kong dollar
  • HUF – Hungarian forint
  • IDR – Indonesian rupiah
  • INR – Indian rupee
  • JPY – Japanese yen
  • MYR – Malaysian ringgit
  • NOK – Norwegian krone
  • NZD – New Zealand dollar
  • PLN – Polish zÅ‚oty
  • RON – Romanian leu
  • SEK – Swedish krona
  • SGD – Singapore dollar
  • Swiss franc
  • Japanese yen
  • Australian dollar
  • Canadian dollar
  • New Zealand dollar
  • Swedish krona

Other Business Services From Wise and Ulster Bank

Wise Account Types
Other Wise Services


Ulster Bank Account Types
Other Ulster Bank Services


WiseUlster Bank
Business LoansNoYes
Commercial MortgagesNoNo
Invoice FinancingNoYes
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesYes
Card MachinesNoYes
Free Accounting SoftwareYesYes

Wise vs Ulster Bank Banking Basics

WiseUlster Bank
Bank TypeChallengerHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionNo, unless money is held in assetsYes, up to £85,000
FCA Number900507NA
WebsiteWise WebsiteUlster Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Wise or Ulster Bank have better customer reviews?

Wise scores 4.2 out of 5 based 207,506 Trustpilot reviews. Of these reviews 83% are 5-star and 7% are 1-star.

Whereas, Ulster Bank scores 1.5 out of 5 based 114 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 8% are 5-star and 86% are 1-star.

Does Wise or Ulster Bank have a better App?

Wise’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 85,400 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 762,000 reviews.

In comparison, Ulster Bank’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 15,700 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.1 out of 5 based on 15,000 reviews.

Does Wise or Ulster Bank have better business savings rates?

Wise offers the following types of business savings accounts: BlackRock ICS Sterling Government Liquidity Fund with interest rates ranging from 4.67% to 4.67%. (AER)

In contrast, Ulster Bank offers Instant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accounts accounts with interest rates ranging from 1.46% to 1.92% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Wise vs Kent Reliance
Wise vs Cynergy Bank
Wise vs Zempler Bank (formerly Cashplus)
Wise vs Co-operative Bank
Wise vs Aldermore


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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