Monzo business account review

After Revolut and Starling got into business banking in 2017 and 2018 respectively, it was just a matter of time before Monzo did the same. In February 2019, Monzo ran an initial trial of its business accounts, and the bank has now fully launched them in the UK.

What business accounts does Monzo offer and how much do they cost?

Monzo has the option of two business accounts to choose from:

• Lite. A free basic business account
• Pro. A more advanced business account that costs £5 per month

Other costs that apply to both accounts include a £1 charge to deposit cash via one of the UK’s PayPoints (you can post cheques to Monzo to deposit for free). It’s free to withdraw money at UK ATMs or spend on your Monzo card either in the UK or abroad. For overseas ATM withdrawals you get to take out £200 for free every 30 days, then there’s a charge of 3%.

Monzo doesn’t have a branch network, so its business accounts are designed to be managed by customers digitally. This is done mainly through the bank’s mobile app, although unlike with its better-known current account, Monzo does offer web access for its business accounts, so they can be managed on your home office computer and not just your smartphone.

What features do I get with a Monzo business account?

These are the features on offer with both the Lite and Pro versions of Monzo business banking:

• Business debit card
• 24/7 customer support
• Free instant UK bank transfers
• Pots to separate money
• Instant notifications
• Budgeting and categorised spending
• Digital receipts
• Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Card freezing option
• Biometric login

What extra features do I get with the Monzo Pro business account?

As you would expect, the paid-for Pro account comes with some extra features, especially designed for business banking users:

• Integrated accounting with Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent
• Tax Pots to set aside money for your tax bill
• Account access and payment cards for up to two other people (limited companies only)
• Invoicing capabilities, where you can create, send and track invoices in the app
• Exclusive offers, such as a free trial with Xero

How do I apply for a Monzo business account?

You can apply for a Monzo business account through your smartphone, by downloading the bank’s app.

You must be a sole trader or a registered limited company by shares (a “Ltd” company) based in the UK. If you’re a Ltd company, you’ll also need to be a tax resident in the UK only.

Product Name	Monzo
Account fee	Free
FSCS protected
UK ATM charge	No UK ATM charge - daily limit of £400 and monthly limit of £5,500
Account software integration
Accounting integrations	FreeAgent, QuickBooks, Xero
Additional cards	Only 1 available with the free service
Requires credit check	Soft search with no impact on credit score
Credit check
Credit check details	Soft search with no impact on credit score
Overdraft
Freeze card from app or online banking
Instant notifications
Interest rate	0%
Current account switch guarantee

Doing business overseas with Monzo

Product Name	Monzo
Overseas transaction charge	Mastercard's wholesale rate with no added fees
Overseas ATM charge	No charge inside EEA up to £400 daily, outside EEA £200 free every 30 days and 3% charge after that
International transfer charge	You will need to pay a TransferWise fee

Monzo business banking customer reviews

Online customer reviews are for Monzo as a whole, not its business accounts specifically.

But to give you an indication of how Monzo’s overall banking services have been judged by its users, on Trustpilot, Monzo has 4.5 out of 5 stars and a rating of “Excellent”, based on more than 14,000 customer reviews.

The Monzo banking app also has 4.7 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store, based on more than 46,000 user reviews. On the App Store, the app has 4.9 out of 5 stars, based on 38,000 reviews (March 2021).

Customers in general had big praise for Monzo’s customer service and app features, although one or two were unhappy with not being able to raise any issues in person with the digital bank.

Pros and cons of a Monzo business account

Our verdict

As one of the UK’s original challenger banks, Monzo is rated highly by its customers for ease of use and the ability to manage accounts through its innovative mobile banking app. One of the nice touches with a Monzo business account is you can also access it through a web browser – handy if you’re working on an office computer.

Both Monzo business accounts (including the free “Lite” version) come with decent features, although as expected, for the more advanced stuff such as Tax Pots and software integration, you’ll have to sign up to the paid-for “Pro” account.

Monzo does offer 24/7 support through its digital channels and telephone lines, but if you’d prefer to be able to visit a branch in person (or you need to make cash deposits of more than £1,000 every six months), then a business account with a high street bank might be a better option for you.

Get started by visiting Monzo’s website and sign up for an account. If you have read this review and decided that Monzo’s account is not for you, you can also compare other business bank accounts on the market.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I use Monzo's personal current account for my business?

  You can only use a personal current account for business purposes if you are a sole trader. Even then, it may not be the smartest choice – keeping your personal and business finances separate makes it easier to manage them efficiently.

• Is Monzo a bank?

  Yes, Monzo is a regulated, licensed bank in the UK. But it has no branches – it’s entirely digital-based.

• Is it safe to get a business account with a challenger bank?

  Many challenger banks, including Monzo and Starling, hold a full UK banking licence that comes with FSCS protection (this is the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which protects your deposits up to £85,000). So even if something were to happen to the bank, your money is safe.

• How do I compare business accounts?

  Try heading to our business banking section where we guide you through the choices and help you figure out which account features are the most important to you.

• Can I get a bank statement if I've closed my Monzo account?

  The short answer is yes, you can! To access statements for a closed account, simply log in to the Monzo app. If you’ve forgotten your login details, contact Monzo’s customer support team via email at help@monzo.com. They’ll help remind you of your details.