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Tide Logo


SOLE TRADER BANK ACCOUNT

Set up your sole trader bank account in minutes

Did you recently register as a sole trader? Join Tide today and open a free sole trader bank account – there’s no monthly fee and you can start using it straight away. 

  • Get paid faster and stay on top of cash flow with flexible in-app payments

  • Power through your Self Assessment using our free Making Tax Digital tools

  • Access business credit options to cover business expenses and keep growing

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Making Tax Digital just got easier. Automate your bookkeeping and file your returns for free with our HMRC-recognised tools - built to make staying compliant simple.

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Everything you need from a sole trader bank account

With over 1.5 million freelancers, contractors, and scaling businesses trusting in Tide worldwide, we’re committed to building you the best sole trader bank account to help you set up your business smoothly.

£0/month

Only pay for what you use, with low transaction and ATM fees.

Instant setup

Set up a sole trader bank account in minutes and receive a card within days.

Earn interest on your savings

Get more out of your savings with our Instant Saver Account - no limits or withdrawal fees.

Easy accounting

Sync bank data with your accounting software and stay compliant with free, MTD-ready tools.

Safe and secure

 24/7 account monitoring, ensuring your money is safe.

24/7 support

Start a chat and get help in the app any time, 365 days a year.

Open an account

Open a free sole trader bank account in minutes

Getting started with Tide is easy

  1. Download the app On Play Store or Apple Store

  2. Tell us about your business What’s your business name and industry

  3. Upload your ID and take a selfie We’ll securely verify who you are

  4. Get your current account approved in minutes We may ask for additional information if required

  5. You’re all set! Your sole trader account is ready to go – we’ll send your card in a couple of days

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Our sole trader bank account is packed with tools that save you time and money

Payment Links

Generate and send payment links in seconds for easy online card transactions.

Auto-categorisation

We automatically tag your income and spending. Customise the labels to suit your business.

Invoicing

Create, track, and send professional invoices straight from the Tide app to get paid faster.

Apple/Google Pay

Set up a digital wallet to make every payment effortless.

Tap to pay on iPhone

Accept contactless payments directly and securely on your iPhone – no additional hardware needed.

International Payments

Access your IBAN number in the Tide app to send & receive international payments in a few taps.

Virtual Cards

Pay for your online subscriptions and advertising expenses with our Virtual Cards, seamlessly connected to the Tide app.

CSV exports and more

Export your transactions in multiple formats or share with your accountant.

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Am I eligible for a sole trader bank account?

Applying for a sole trader account with Tide is easy; however, there are a few things you need to check to ensure you’re eligible.

You must be over 18

You can’t be in any business partnership

Your business must be UK-based

Your business can’t be managed by another legal entity

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Ready to switch to Tide?

Considering switching your business account provider? We’ll make the move effortless.

  • Wave manual admin goodbye and use the Current Account Switching Service to move your existing business account

  • Switching is completely free and only takes 7 working days from the date you choose to switch

  • All we need from you is your old bank details, the rest is handled automatically, securely and fuss-free

Switch to Tide

A powerful all-in-one platform to support your business as a sole trader

Unlock smart, powerful tools designed to drive business growth and scalability.

Tide Accounting

Stay compliant for free. File your tax returns with Tide’s HMRC-recognised, Making Tax Digital-ready tools.

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Business Savings

Earn up to 4% AER (variable) on your business savings

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Tide Card Reader

In-person card payments without the fuss. Get unlimited mobile data and get paid anywhere.

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Business Loans

Apply for finance to keep your business growing, without impacting your credit score.

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The sole trader bank account that grows with you

No matter where you are in the journey, Tide will be with you every step of the way—from just starting out to growing bigger.

Free

£0.00MONTHLY

Open a free account
  • Unlimited free transfers
  • ✔️ International payments
  • ✔️ Up to 2.00% on savings
  • Enhanced team access
  • Phone support
  • 0.5% cashback with your Tide card

Smart

£12.49MONTHLY

Smart account
  • Unlimited free transfers
  • ✔️ International payments
  • ✔️ Up to 2.50% on savings
  • ✔️ Enhanced team access
  • ✔️ Phone support
  • 0.5% cashback with your Tide card

Pro

£27.49 MONTHLY

Pro account
  • ✔️ Unlimited free transfers
  • ✔️ International payments
  • ✔️ Up to 3.00% on savings
  • ✔️ Enhanced team access
  • ✔️ Phone support
  • 0.5% cashback with your Tide card

Max

£69.99 MONTHLY

Max account
  • ✔️ Unlimited free transfers
  • ✔️ International payments
  • ✔️ Up to 4% on savings*
  • ✔️ Enhanced team access
  • ✔️ Phone and dedicated member support
  • ✔️ 0.5% cashback with your Tide card

Claire PedleyThe Poured Project

Once I’d filled in the application online, the account was active in about an hour. I can’t stress how easy Tide is to use.

Sole trader account FAQs

A sole trader is someone who is self employed, and has their own source of income outside of a PAYE-based job. This is the first step for many businesses.

It’s not a legal requirement to have a business account as a sole trader, and you can legally use any account. However, it’s highly advised for accounting and tax purposes to separate your business and personal finances.

Yes, however as we recommend in the previous FAQ, separating your finances will make accounting and tax filing much easier.

Help, my question isn’t answered here Find answers to all our most frequently asked questions about opening an account

We understand businesses, it's all we do

We understand businesses, it's all we do

Tide is built by business owners for business owners. That’s why we’re trusted by over 1.5 million sole traders, freelancers, and limited companies worldwide.

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Tide | Do what you love.
Tide Platform Limited (Tide) designs and operates the Tide website and app. Tide is not a bank. Tide is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 under firm reference number 900843 for the issuing of electronic money and the provision of payment initiation services and account information services under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. Tide is also authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its credit and insurance broking activities (firm reference 718743). Tide is incorporated and registered in England and Wales with company number 09595646 and registered office at 4th Floor The Featherstone Building, 66 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AL. Tide offers bank accounts powered by ClearBank® Ltd (ClearBank) (account sort code is 04-06-05). ClearBank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 754568. Eligible deposits with ClearBank are protected up to a total of £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. For further information visit Home. ClearBank Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number: 754568). Registered Address: ClearBank, Level 27, The Broadgate Tower, 20 Primrose Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2A 2EW. Eligible deposits held in the Tide Business Current Account (powered by ClearBank) are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”) subject to eligibility. All eligible deposits at the same bank are aggregated to determine the coverage level for each depositor up to £120,000, therefore if you have any other product/services with ClearBank these will be aggregated. To find out more and to check your eligibility please visit: About us . Some of Tide’s members also hold e-money accounts powered by PrePay Technologies Limited (PPT) (account sort code is 23-69-72). PPT is an electronic money institution authorised by the FCA under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 under firm reference number 900010 for the issuing of electronic money. PPT holds an amount equivalent to the money in Tide current accounts in a safeguarding account which gives members protection against PPT’ insolvency. Tide Cards may be issued by both Tide and PPT, who are licensed by Mastercard International for the issuance of cards. The issuer of your Tide card will be identified on your monthly card statement. Tide Capital Limited is an appointed representative of P1 Investment Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 752005 to carry out such regulated activities as are involved in the provision of Tide Investment Account. Seccl Custody Limited is the custodian of assets held in Tide Investment Account and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (firm reference number 793200) and registered in England and Wales under No. 10430958. Registered office 20 Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JW. Tide, the Tide logo, the Swell, and Do Less Banking are trademarks and trade names of Tide Platform Limited, and may not be used or reproduced without the consent of the owner.