Top 5 Zempler Bank Alternatives in 2025 (and What They Do Better)

If you are using Zempler Bank, then you will find that it’s a solid starting point for handling everyday GBP payments. However, as you grow and take on international clients or need better tools for managing teams, you will start to feel the limits of Zempler Bank's options. 

In this guide, we compare 5 alternatives that offer more flexibility, better tools, and support for businesses that are scaling or going global.

So, what should you look for if you’ve outgrown Zempler?

The best alternatives won’t just offer more features, they’ll make it easier to manage your money, support your team, and help you stay in control as your business grows. And they should do that without making things more complicated than they need to be.

Here’s what to look for in a Zempler Bank alternative:

• Multi-currency support – hold, send, or receive in GBP, USD, EUR, and more
• Integrated tools – invoicing, accounting, or bulk payments built in
• Team access – issue cards, set limits, and manage roles easily
• International transfers – lower FX fees or access to local payment rails, faster payments through local methods
• Customer support – fast responses via live chat, phone, or a dedicated manager
• Scalability – flexible pricing plans as your needs evolve, features that grow with your business, like user access, higher limits, or automation

With that in mind, here are our top 5 alternatives to Zempler Bank, and who they’re best for:

All providers listed support mobile apps, making it easy to manage your business account on the go.

Founded in 2014, Starling Bank is a fully licensed UK bank offering a digital business account with no monthly fees. It’s a strong option for UK-based sole traders and limited companies looking for a modern banking experience backed by traditional protections.

Business accounts come with FSCS protection up to £85,000, fee-free UK transfers, and the ability to deposit cash or cheques at Post Office branches. The app also provides smart tools like real-time payment alerts, spending categorisation, and budgeting “Spaces.” While Starling supports international payments from a GBP balance, EUR and USD accounts are currently unavailable to new applicants.

Key Services Offered by Starling Bank

• Free GBP business account with Faster Payments and Direct Debits
• International payments in 17 currencies from a GBP balance
• Deposit cheques and cash via the mobile app or Post Office branches
• Optional EUR and USD accounts, currently paused for new applicants
• Invoicing and VAT tools available via the Business Toolkit (£7/month)
• Integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent for easy bookkeeping
• Lending available, including overdrafts and business loans (subject to approval)

Starling Bank Fees

For a detailed breakdown, visit Starling Bank’s business account fee schedule.

Pros and Cons of Starling Bank

Starling Bank vs Zempler Bank

Like Zempler, Tide is ideal for UK sole traders and small businesses, but with more advanced invoicing and expense tools built in. It caters to freelancers, sole traders, and limited companies with features like receipt capture, tax tracking, and easy payment categorisation built into the app.

Launched in 2015 and regulated by the FCA as an electronic money institution, Tide partners with ClearBank to safeguard client funds, offering FSCS protection up to £85,000. While Tide supports SEPA transfers in euros, it doesn’t offer multi-currency accounts, so it’s most suitable for businesses operating mainly in GBP.

Key Services Offered by Tide

• GBP business account with UK sort code and Mastercard® debit card
• Fast online setup with no credit checks required
• Built-in admin tools for invoicing, receipt capture, and expense tracking
• SEPA transfers supported, with EUR auto-converted to GBP
• Integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, and Sage
• Optional expense cards and cashback on higher-tier plans
• Business loans and savings products via third-party providers

Tide Fees

Pricing may vary slightly by plan. Visit Tide’s official pricing page for full details.

Pros and Cons of Tide

Tide vs Zempler Bank

Wise (formerly TransferWise) was founded in 2011 and is well known for its international money transfers. Its business account offers a practical option for UK-based SMEs with cross-border payment needs.

While it’s not a full-service bank, Wise supports global transactions with local account details in 23 currencies, access to mid-market FX rates, and no monthly fees. It’s particularly relevant for freelancers, e-commerce sellers, and startups managing international clients or suppliers.

Key Services Offered by Wise

• Multi-currency account with local details in 23 currencies, including GBP, USD, EUR, AUD, and SGD
• Send and receive payments in 70+ countries with low, transparent FX fees
• Batch payments via CSV and integration with Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent
• Virtual and physical debit cards with 0.5% cashback (UK only)
• Secure user access controls for team management
• Fast, fully online account setup and verification

Wise Fees

For the most accurate rates, visit Wise’s pricing page.

Pros and Cons of Wise

Wise vs Zempler Bank

For UK-based sole traders and small teams who want a fast, app-first experience, Monzo provides a streamlined way to manage business finances from anywhere.

Founded in 2015 and backed by FSCS protection, Monzo combines a clean interface with tools like budgeting “pots,” real-time alerts, and integrations with major accounting software. While it’s well-suited for domestic operations, it lacks multi-currency support, international transfers are processed via Wise.

Key Services Offered by Monzo

• GBP business account with free UK transfers and Mastercard® debit card
• “Pots” for budgeting and earning interest (1.6% AER on up to £100,000)
• Invoicing and tax automation available on Pro and Team plans
• Integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent
• Cash and cheque deposits via Post Office or PayPoint
• Mobile payment tools (payment links, QR codes, Tap to Pay)
• 24/7 in-app chat and phone support

Monzo Fees

You can view a full list of current fees and plan details on Monzo’s pricing page.

Pros and Cons of Monzo

Monzo vs Zempler Bank

If your business is scaling or operating across borders, Revolut offers more advanced features than a typical UK business account, especially for managing teams and multi-currency payments in one place.

Launched in 2015, this UK-based fintech supports role-based access, 34 currencies, and real-time spend controls. Just note that advanced tools like bulk payments and FX forwards are only available on higher-tier plans, and there’s no free tier.

Key Services Offered by Revolut

• Hold, send, and receive in 34 currencies with interbank FX rates
• Local account details for GBP and EUR; international transfers via SWIFT
• Role-based team access, spend limits, and approval workflows
• Integration with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Shopify, and more
• 3 physical cards and up to 200 virtual cards per user (metal cards available on higher plans)
• Payment links, QR codes, Tap to Pay, and card reader support
• Optional FX tools (forward contracts and limit orders on higher plans)

Revolut Fees

Revolut’s four business plans come with varying limits and features. See the full breakdown on their official pricing page.

Pros and Cons of Revolut

Revolut vs Zempler Bank

Founded in 2019, Statrys is a licensed payment service provider offering multi-currency business accounts to companies registered in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Unlike most UK-based providers, Statrys supports 11 major currencies, enables local and international transfers, and assigns a dedicated account manager to every client. Accounts can be opened and managed 100% online, with no setup or fall-below fees.

If your business is incorporated outside the UK and needs a reliable solution for managing cross-border payments in Asia, Statrys may be a better fit.

Key services offered by Statrys at a glance: