Barclays business accounts cover most business needs and come with all the advantages of a big bank, from an extensive network of bank branches to dedicated business customer service.
As with most business accounts, Barclays charges fees, but new customers can avoid paying an account maintenance fee for the first 12 months.
Compare Barclays business accounts including charges and fees
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Fees, features and customer service across 20+ of the most popular banks are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the account – simple.
What types of business account does Barclays offer?
Barclays offers 4 types of business account:
Startup business account. If you’re just starting out, this account is free for the first year. You’re eligible if it’s your first business account and your business has been operating for less than 12 months.
Business account for turnover of up to £400,000. This is for small established businesses.
Business account for turnover of between £400,000 and £6.5 million. An account for medium-sized established businesses.
Charity and Impact account. Everyday banking for not-for-profit organisations.
Barclays business account charges
New Barclays Business customers can enjoy no monthly account fees for the first 12 months. After that, you’ll pay £8.50 a month.
You’ll also pay certain transaction fees, both during the first 12 months and afterwards. Fees apply when you pay cash or cheques into your account, and for international payments.
Note that fees can vary depending on how you carry out your transactions – payments through online banking, the Barclays app, ATMs, and self-service devices will be cheaper than those carried out over the counter.
Multiple ways to bank. In person, on the phone, online or through the mobile app.
A wide range of related financial products available. From savings accounts to business loans to insurance, Barclays allows you to manage all your business finances in one place.
Solutions to accept card payments. With Barclays there is the option to set up your own portable card terminal or e-commerce portal to accept your customers’ card payments.
Customer support. If you need help, you can contact Barclays’ business account customer service team through the in-app chat, or by phone (telephone lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, but are closed at weekends).
Accounting software integrations. Barclays offers free invoicing and accounting software from FreshBooks to its business account customers.
Business hubs. Barclays Eagle Labs offer educational resources, events and support to help your business grow.
How to apply for a Barclays business account
You can apply through the app, online, on the phone or in person at a Barclays branch. If you don’t have a personal account with Barclays already, you may need to pop into a branch anyway at some point in order to be able to complete your application.
Here’s a basic list of the information and documents you’ll need:
Your personal details, proof of identity and proof of address
3 years of address history
Details of any other director of your business
Your business’s details, including a proof of address
Business registration number
Date and certificate of incorporation
Business turnover and tax information
Previous banking details if you have them and are looking to switch
Barclays has a Trustpilot score of 1.8 out of 5 from almost 12,000 reviews. This is for all Barclays accounts, not just business. On the Apple App Store, Barclays scores 4.8 out of 5 from over 1.9 million reviews, while on the Google Play Store, Barclays scores 4.6 out of 5 from around 550,000 reviews. These were all checked in April 2025.
Pros and cons of Barclays business accounts
Pros
Different business accounts to choose from.
Multiple ways to bank – via online, mobile or telephone.
Big branch network, if you need to visit the bank in person.
Dedicated business support team.
Option to apply for other financial products, such as business loans.
Cons
Might be able to find a cheaper business account elsewhere.
Not 24/7 business customer support.
Customer service information for Barclays
Email support
Telephone support
In-app or live chat
Contact form
Branch support
Our verdict
There’s a reason Barclays still has over 900,000 business account customers despite increased competition from challenger banks and app accounts. It offers a range of accounts to suit businesses at every stage in their development and it uses its experience to offer extra support to its business customers. This could be at its Eagle Labs where it offers business mentoring or education resources or its dedicated assistance to female run start ups.
Barclays also has another advantage over some of the newer banks and app-based accounts – a substantial high street presence. This is a big advantage for businesses that need counter services.
There are some digital-only business accounts on the market that don’t come with a monthly fee, but if you’re looking for an account at a high street bank, then Barclays represents a solid choice.
You can start signing up for a business account by visiting the Barclays website or downloading its app. If you have read this review and decided that a Barclays account is not for you, you can also compare other business bank accounts on the market.
Frequently asked questions
You’ll need to be at least 18 years old, have the right to live in the UK permanently and have lived in the UK for at least 12 months. (And be running a business!)
No, it doesn’t.
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Valentina Cipriani was a writer at Finder UK. She wrote news, features and guides about banking and credit cards, helping people to improve their financial lives. She holds an MA in International Journalism. See full bio
Nick Renaud-Komiya has been a writer and reporter for nine years, covering a range of consumer issues from energy suppliers to banking and mortgage issues. He enjoys helping people take control of their personal finances and better understand their consumer rights. Nick’s consumer writing and money journalism has been featured in a range of outlets including MoneySavingExpert.com, The Sunday Mirror, The Independent and Money.co.uk. Outside of work Nick enjoys cooking and collecting old David Bowie merch. See full bio
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