Top Expense Management Tools – UK

Top Expense Management Tools

UK
UK – April 2024
  • Automate expense reports and receipts capture – so you can focus on work that really counts
  • Instantly issue company cards with spending limits
  • Seamlessly integrates with your accounting tools
  • Reporting & auto receipt capture
  • Smart cards with spending limits
  • Accounting tools integrations

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Business Banks Pricing Card Regulation Main Advantages Score Open an Account
Plans £5+/mo More Info Soldo Corporate Mastercard FCA
  • On-the-spot receipt capture
  • 2% FX fees for foreign transactions
  • Free domestic deposits & withdrawals 
  • Integration with Xero | QuickBooks + CSV exports
9.8

Payments

Card type
  • Mastercard® debit
Withdrawals
  • Free from your domestic account
Money transfers
  • Free to other Soldo users

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Expense Management
  • green-check-mark Accounting integration
  • green-check-mark Bookkeeping
  • green-check-mark Invoicing

Security Features

  • Fully regulated by the FCA
  • Authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland

Account Access

Based on 1,081 reviews
Plans from £6/mo More Info Pleo Prepaid Mastercard FSA, PCI
  • Real-time, controllable, dashboard of all spending
  • Highly customized company cards
  • Easily integrates with your existing bank account
9.5

Payments

Account Types
  • GBP, EUR
Automated Payments
  • N/A
Domestic Transfers
  • Free
International Transfers
  • 2% /transfer

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Expense Management
  • green-check-mark Savings tools
  • green-check-mark Bookkeeping
  • green-check-mark Invoicing
  • green-check-mark Xero, e-conomic, Sage, Fortnox

Security Features

  • Fraud monitoring
  • Online card blocking

Account Access

Based on 224 reviews
Free Trial
£50/yr More Info Equals Corporate Mastercard FCA
  • An expense account with multi-currency payment cards
  • 3.5% cashback at 40+ UK retailers
9.1

Payments

Account Types
  • GBP
Automated Payments
  • Direct debits
Domestic Transfers
  • Free
International Transfers
  • Free transactions in 15 currencies

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Expense Management
  • close-mark-black Savings Tools
  • close-mark-black Bookkeeping
  • green-check-mark Invoicing
  • close-mark-black Accounting integrations

Security Features

  • Pause, resume, and cancel cards instantly

Account Access

Based on 10,307 reviews
Free Account
Plans £4.90+/mo More Info
Anna Corporate Mastercard FCA
  • First 6 months – Free
  • 1% cashback on selected purchases
8.8

Payments

Account Types
  • GBP
Automated Payments
  • Recurring & scheduled
  • Direct Debit
Domestic Transfers
  • Up to 2 free transfers/m
Between 2 – unlimited UK transfers, depending plan’s allowance
International Transfers
  • Via 3rd party

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Expense Management
  • close-mark-black Savings tools
  • green-check-mark Bookkeeping
  • green-check-mark Invoicing
  • green-check-mark Quickbooks, Xero

Security Features

  • Real-time updates of transaction history
  • 24/7 support

Account Access

Based on 170 reviews
£69/year More Info Cashplus Corporate Mastercard FCA
  • No credit check to open an account
  • Deposit cash at local Post Offices
8.5

Payments

Account Types
  • GBP
Automated Payments
  • Direct Debit
  • Standing Order
Domestic Transfers
  • First 3 payments each month free
International Transfers
  • £5.50 plus 2.5% of transaction value

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Expense Management
  • close-mark-black Savings tools
  • close-mark-black Bookkeeping
  • green-check-mark Invoicing
  • green-check-mark Xero, FreeAgent

Security Features

  • 24h fraud monitoring
  • 24/7 support for lost or stolen cards

Account Access

Based on 12,125 reviews
Free plan More Info Neat Corporate Mastercard FCA
  • Best for international freelancers & businesses
  • Collect payments in multiple currencies
8.2

Payments

Account Types
  • GBP, HKD
Currency wallets
  • Direct Debits
Domestic Transfers
  • Free SEPA payments

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Accounting integration
  • green-check-mark Expense Management
  • green-check-mark Bookkeeping

Security Features

  • Authrised by the FCA in the UK

Account Access

Based on 381 reviews
1
  • Free domestic deposits & withdrawals
  • 2% FX fees for foreign transactions
More Info +
2
  • Real-time, controllable, dashboard of all spending
  • Highly customized company cards
More Info +
3
  • An expense account with multi-currency payment cards
More Info +
4
  • First 6 months – Free
  • 1% cashback on selected purchases
More Info +
5
  • No credit check to open an account
  • Direct debit, recurring & bulk payments
More Info +
6
  • Best for international freelancers & businesses
  • Collect payments in multiple currencies
More Info +

What Is a Digital Business Bank Account?

Digital business banks, also known as ‘challenger’, neo or mobile/online-only banks, offer businesses a 100% digital banking alternative to the traditional high street banks. Managed via secure mobile and/or web apps, digital business banks allow you to save time and money with lower (or no!) fees on common transactions, automated banking activities, seamless accounting integrations and 24/7 access.

Why Should I Open a Digital Bank Account?

The increased flexibility offered by digital banks such as Holvi and N26 makes them the perfect solution for freelancers, sole traders, online/local sellers and SMBs- by simplifying financial management processes and freeing up time to focus on growing your business.

What’s the Difference Between a Digital Business Bank & a High Street Bank?

Setup: High street banks generally require new business customers to complete many complex forms, provide loads of financial reports and then ask you to wait up to a few weeks for approval. Opening an account with a digital bank is simple- there are no paper forms, the application is all done online, and approval is often the same day.

Fees: Traditional banks make money in two ways, by investing your money elsewhere and by charging you excessive fees on every type of transaction you perform. With no physical brick and mortar location, mobile business banks can pass their savings on overheads to you, and therefore only charge minimal fees on transactions, payments and withdrawals. Leading business bank Revolut, for example, offers free domestic and international transfers.

Access: High street banks have restricted opening times (often during your own business hours), limited weekend trading and when you can finally make it to the bank, you are faced with long wait times. With mobile or web app accessibility, your digital bank account is accessible instantly- 24 hours a day, from your office, home or on the go.

Features & Services: Brick and mortar banks offer businesses a full suite of banking features, including account managers and private banking. Digital banks are quickly catching up, offering current and savings accounts, prepaid MasterCards, fast money transfer and payment services as well as integrations with accounting software to assist with financial reporting.

Security & Regulation: Digital banks feel strongly about the security of your funds. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), European Central Bank (ECB), French Prudential Supervision, The Resolution Authority (ACPR) and The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) cover most EU countries digital business banks, and the majority of the digital banks don’t reinvest your money, which means it’s always available to withdraw, should something untoward happen.

What Is a Digital Business Bank Account?

Digital business banks, also known as ‘challenger’, neo or mobile/online-only banks, offer businesses a 100% digital banking alternative to the traditional high street banks. Managed via secure mobile and/or web apps, digital business banks allow you to save time and money with lower (or no!) fees on common transactions, automated banking activities, seamless accounting integrations and 24/7 access.

Why Should I Open a Digital Bank Account?

The increased flexibility offered by digital banks such as Holvi and N26 makes them the perfect solution for freelancers, sole traders, online/local sellers and SMBs- by simplifying financial management processes and freeing up time to focus on growing your business.

What’s the Difference Between a Digital Business Bank & a High Street Bank?

Setup: High street banks generally require new business customers to complete many complex forms, provide loads of financial reports and then ask you to wait up to a few weeks for approval. Opening an account with a digital bank is simple- there are no paper forms, the application is all done online, and approval is often the same day.

Fees: Traditional banks make money in two ways, by investing your money elsewhere and by charging you excessive fees on every type of transaction you perform. With no physical brick and mortar location, mobile business banks can pass their savings on overheads to you, and therefore only charge minimal fees on transactions, payments and withdrawals. Leading business bank Revolut, for example, offers free domestic and international transfers.

Access: High street banks have restricted opening times (often during your own business hours), limited weekend trading and when you can finally make it to the bank, you are faced with long wait times. With mobile or web app accessibility, your digital bank account is accessible instantly- 24 hours a day, from your office, home or on the go.

Features & Services: Brick and mortar banks offer businesses a full suite of banking features, including account managers and private banking. Digital banks are quickly catching up, offering current and savings accounts, prepaid MasterCards, fast money transfer and payment services as well as integrations with accounting software to assist with financial reporting.

Security & Regulation: Digital banks feel strongly about the security of your funds. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), European Central Bank (ECB), French Prudential Supervision, The Resolution Authority (ACPR) and The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) cover most EU countries digital business banks, and the majority of the digital banks don’t reinvest your money, which means it’s always available to withdraw, should something untoward happen.

How Do I Compare & Choose the Best Bank account for My Business?

Features Icon
Banking Features
At the core, check for payment options, local and international money transfer services, corporate cards, account types and currencies available as well as invoicing and bookkeeping tools.
Fees Icon
Fees
Look for accounts offering simple & clear-cut plans, minimal or no fees on transfers & payments and free withdrawal options. Note that fees may vary depending on the plan you choose (free plans will often incur higher fees than premium plans).
Corporate card
All business accounts include corporate cards for you & your employees – either through MasterCard or Visa. Check how many cards are included for free in your chosen plan & how much each additional card will cost if required.
Security Icon
Security
The banks we compare & review on Top10BusinessBanks.com are regulated by local authorities. Check for regulations such as FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) or the FCS (Financial Compensation Scheme) in the UK & FIN-FSA, BaFin, DNB, ECB & ACPR in Europe.
Accounting Icon
Accounting tools
Look for built in expense reporting, scheduled/recurring payments & direct debits. Most banks also offer seamless integration with bookkeeping & accounting tools. For example, Qonto integrates with Sage and QuickBooks.
Access Icon
Account Access
Today, some banks offer account access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While the majority of providers offer access via both mobile and desktop/web apps, some business banks only offer one or the other so check you have the access you need when selecting your preferred bank.

How Do I Compare & Choose the Best Bank account for My Business?

Features Icon
Banking Features
Accordeon button
At the core, check for payment options, local and international money transfer services, corporate cards, account types and currencies available as well as invoicing and bookkeeping tools.
Fees Icon
Fees
Accordeon button
Look for accounts offering simple & clear-cut plans, minimal or no fees on transfers & payments and free withdrawal options. Note that fees may vary depending on the plan you choose (free plans will often incur higher fees than premium plans).
Corporate card
Accordeon button
All business accounts include corporate cards for you & your employees – either through MasterCard or Visa. Check how many cards are included for free in your chosen plan & how much each additional card will cost if required.
Security Icon
Security
Accordeon button
The banks we compare & review on Top10BusinessBanks.com are regulated by local authorities. Check for regulations such as FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) or the FCS (Financial Compensation Scheme) in the UK & FIN-FSA, BaFin, DNB, ECB & ACPR in Europe.
Accounting Icon
Accounting tools
Accordeon button
Look for built in expense reporting, scheduled/recurring payments & direct debits. Most banks also offer seamless integration with bookkeeping & accounting tools. For example, Qonto integrates with Sage and QuickBooks.
Access Icon
Account Access
Accordeon button
Today, some banks offer account access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While the majority of providers offer access via both mobile and desktop/web apps, some business banks only offer one or the other so check you have the access you need when selecting your preferred bank.