
Written by Bertrand Théaud, Statrys Founder
20+ years in Asia as a corporate lawyer, investor, and fintech founder. I've sat on both sides of the table and seen the same avoidable mistakes hit founders again and again. The reviews and articles I write are for founders who'd rather skip the mistakes.
Monzo built its business account on the back of one of the UK's most-loved banking apps, and the numbers back up the reputation: over 1 million UK businesses now bank with Monzo, and it holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot. The free Lite plan already includes Making Tax Digital software, which became mandatory in April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income (turnover before expenses) over GBP 50,000, so a lot of UK founders get real value before paying a penny.
The friction shows up once you actually apply. Monzo only accepts businesses that are based, registered, and tax resident solely in the UK, and you need to be physically in the UK, without a VPN, when you apply, so a founder running the business from abroad has no way through. The account also holds GBP only, so any business with real international cash flow pays a 1% conversion fee on every incoming foreign-currency payment, capped at GBP 1,000 per transaction.
This review covers what Monzo Business actually costs across its three plans, exactly who clears the eligibility bar and who does not, and where to look if Monzo turns out not to fit.
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | UK sole traders and UK-registered limited companies operating mainly in GBP |
| Monthly Fee | Lite free, Pro GBP 9 (first month free), Team from GBP 25 |
| Eligibility | Business must be based, registered, and tax resident only in the UK; applicant must be in the UK when applying |
| Currencies | GBP only; incoming FX converted at 1%, capped at GBP 1,000 per transaction |
| Regulatory Status | Monzo Bank Ltd, FCA and PRA regulated, FSCS-protected up to GBP 120,000 |
| International Transfers | Sent in-app in 40+ currencies; fee shown before sending |
Monzo rewards UK-based, UK-registered businesses that want strong GBP banking and free Making Tax Digital software. It is not built for businesses run from outside the UK or businesses with regular multi-currency needs.
Disclosure: Statrys offers multi-currency business accounts for companies registered in Hong Kong, Singapore, or the BVI, a different market from Monzo Business, which serves businesses based in the UK (and, through a separate Irish account, Ireland).
We do not compete for the same customers, and this review was built from Monzo's own published pricing, eligibility, and support pages, plus verified Trustpilot and Google Play data.
This guide is based on research conducted in September 2026. Fees, eligibility rules, and plan features change, so always confirm current terms on Monzo's own site before applying.
Who Monzo Business Is Right For
✅ Good fit
- UK sole traders who want free Making Tax Digital software built in.
- UK limited companies banking mainly in GBP, with free transfers, a Mastercard® debit card and Savings Pots.
- Businesses using Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or Sage, which connect on the GBP 9/month Pro plan.
❌ Not a good fit
- Businesses based, registered or tax resident outside the UK, including in Hong Kong, Singapore or the BVI.
- Businesses receiving regular international payments, which are converted to GBP at 1% (capped at GBP 1,000 per payment).
- Cash-heavy businesses, since deposits are capped at GBP 3,000 a month for sole traders and GBP 10,000 for limited companies, at GBP 1 per deposit.
- High-volume businesses near the default transfer limits of GBP 25,000–50,000 a day and GBP 75,000–200,000 a month.
Opening a Monzo Business Account
Who Can Apply
Monzo Business only accepts two structures: UK sole traders and UK limited companies (by shares) registered with Companies House. Partnerships (including LLPs), companies limited by guarantee, charities, CICs, PLCs, clubs, and trusts cannot apply.
On top of the structure requirement, the business must be based and registered in the UK and tax resident in the UK only, not in any other country, and Monzo verifies every person of significant control at sign-up. The business also needs to earn its income primarily from selling goods or providing services, rather than from interest or investment income, and applicants must be in the UK and cannot use a VPN during the application.
Required Documents
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Proof of Identity | Required for all directors and persons of significant control |
| Proof of Business Address | Confirms where the business is based |
| Companies House Registration Number | Required for limited companies, not sole traders |
| In-App Verification | Completed through the Monzo app itself |
| Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) | Requested as part of the application |
How to Apply
The entire application runs through the Monzo app. A personal Monzo account is not required first, though having one can speed up identity verification. Once the eligibility and identity checks clear, Monzo reports that 90% of accounts are open for business the same day. For a screen-by-screen walkthrough, our step-by-step guide to opening a Monzo Business account covers each stage in more detail.
Monzo Business Fees
Monzo Business runs three plans, and unlike some UK competitors, the entry tier is genuinely free rather than a low-cost paid starter.
Monthly Plans and Features
| Plan | Lite | Pro | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | Free | GBP 9 (first month free) | From GBP 25 |
| UK Bank Transfers | Free | Free | Free |
| Making Tax Digital Software | Included | Included | Included |
| Accounting Integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage) | Not included | Included | Included |
| Invoicing and Tax Pots | Not included | Included | Included |
| Virtual Cards | Not included | Included | Included |
| Multi-User Access | Not included | Team of 3 | Up to 15 people (limited companies; first 6 included) |
| Expense Cards and Bulk Payments | Not included | Not included | Included |
Lite covers the essentials for a sole trader banking domestically in GBP: a current account, a debit card, free UK transfers, and Making Tax Digital software, with no invoicing or accounting integrations. Pro adds the tools most growing businesses actually need, including access for a team of 3, such as a bookkeeper or accountant, and was priced at GBP 5/month for several years before rising to GBP 9. Team is built for larger teams, with up to 15 people on limited company accounts (the first 6 included, then GBP 5 a month per extra member), alongside expense cards and bulk payments.
Transaction Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| UK Bank Transfers | Free |
| Incoming Foreign Currency | 1% conversion, capped at GBP 1,000 per transaction |
| Outbound International Transfer | Sent in-app in 40+ currencies; fee depends on the amount and is shown before you send |
| Cash Deposit | GBP 1 per deposit transaction |
| ATM Withdrawals (UK) | Free, limits apply |
A GBP 10,000 incoming payment in EUR costs roughly GBP 100 in conversion fees before anything the sender's bank charges on its end. For a business that receives international invoices regularly, that adds up in a way a native multi-currency account can avoid by letting you hold funds in the currency you were paid in.
Monzo Business Support & Reviews
| Channel | Availability |
|---|---|
| In-App Chat | 24/7, all plans |
| Phone and Email | Available as a backup to in-app chat |
| Dedicated Account Manager | Not offered on any plan |
Monzo holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot from over 70,000 reviews, and 4.8 out of 5 on Google Play from over 180,000 reviews. Note that both ratings cover Monzo's personal and business banking together (business customers use the same app), so business-specific sentiment is not broken out separately.
Positive reviews consistently point to the app's interface, real-time notifications, and how quickly eligible applicants get onboarded. The recurring complaints centre on frozen accounts, overdraft charges, and slower resolution when something does go wrong, which is worth weighing against the otherwise strong ratings.
Monzo Business vs Statrys & Alternatives
| Factor | Monzo Business | Statrys |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Company Registration | UK (separate Irish account for businesses in Ireland) | Hong Kong, Singapore, or BVI |
| Monthly Fee | Free to GBP 25 | No monthly account fee |
| Currencies | GBP only, FX at 1% on incoming payments | 11 major currencies |
| International Transfers | In-app, fee shown before sending | Direct, FX from 0.1% |
| Businesses Run from Outside the UK | Not accepted | Accepted |
| Dedicated Account Manager | Not offered | Included on every account |
For UK-registered businesses that clear Monzo's eligibility bar, Starling and Wise Business are also worth comparing, particularly for businesses with heavier international payment needs than Monzo's GBP-only account comfortably covers. Our Monzo vs Starling comparison goes deeper on how those two specifically stack up.
If you run your business from outside the UK, or your company is registered in Hong Kong, Singapore, or the BVI, Monzo is not an option regardless of how well its features otherwise fit, and Statrys is built specifically for that gap. Statrys offers a multi-currency account supporting 11 major currencies, accepts foreign directors, and includes a dedicated account manager on every account. Over 10,000 businesses currently hold a Statrys account, and 96% of our clients were able to open their business accounts within 3 business days. Statrys also handles company incorporation and bookkeeping, so a founder setting up in Hong Kong or Singapore for the first time can register the company, open the account, and get accounting support started from a single provider.
See how Statrys works for Hong Kong businesses and how Statrys works for Singapore businesses.
FAQs
Can I open a Monzo Business account if I'm not based in the UK?
No, not for the UK account. Monzo's UK business account requires the business to be based, registered, and tax resident only in the UK, and you need to be in the UK when you apply. Sole traders and limited companies in Ireland can apply for Monzo's separate Irish business account instead.
What does Monzo Business Pro cost?
GBP 9 a month, with the first month free for new customers. It includes accounting integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, and Sage, plus invoicing, Tax Pots, virtual cards, and auto-exports. The price was GBP 5 a month for several years before rising to GBP 9.
Is Monzo Business a real bank?
Yes. Monzo Bank Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Business deposits are FSCS-protected up to GBP 120,000.
Can Monzo Business send international payments?
Yes. Outbound international transfers are sent from the Monzo app in 40+ currencies, with a fee that depends on the amount and is shown before you send. Incoming foreign currency payments are converted to GBP at 1%, capped at GBP 1,000 per transaction.
What business types are not eligible for Monzo Business?
Partnerships (including LLPs), companies limited by guarantee, charities, CICs, PLCs, clubs, and trusts cannot apply. For the UK account, only UK sole traders and UK-registered limited companies are eligible.
Disclaimer
Statrys does not compete directly with Monzo Business, since we do not offer accounts to UK-registered companies. This review reflects our own research into Monzo's publicly available pricing, eligibility, and support terms.
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