Comparing UK instant access business savings accounts — 2025
Choosing the right business savings account can mean the difference between growing your cash reserves and leaving money on the table. With so many providers offering different rates, features, and terms, finding the best instant access savings account for your business in 2025 requires a closer look.
How are we comparing these accounts?
We’ve had a look at the instant access savings accounts available, and compared them against the following factors:
- Annual equivalent rate (AER)¹ — what's the best interest rate on offer for this account?
- Minimum deposits — how much do you have to deposit to open this account?
- Frequency of interest payments — how often is interest paid into your savings account? More regular payments can help you capitalise on incremental growth.
- Limits — how much are you allowed to deposit into the account?
¹AER is a way to measure how much money you'll earn on an investment or savings account over a year. It's expressed as a percentage, including the interest earned on interest.
Comparing instant access business savings accounts
These rates were checked on 19 February 2025. Find our sources at the end of the page. This isn't an exhaustive list of all of the accounts available in the UK. Your business should carry out its own research to find the right account for your needs.
HSBC
The Co-operative Bank
Natwest
Barclays
Virgin Money
Shawbrook
Aldermore
Tide
Allica
Recognise Bank
Cynergy
Enterprise plan
Scale plan
Grow plan
What to look for in your business savings account
There are a few factors to consider when choosing an instant access savings account. Let’s break them down:
- Interest rates and earning potential — usually how much you'll earn in interest is the main factor in choosing an account. Some accounts might also offer tiered interest rates, which could increase with higher balances, so make sure you check all the details.
- Withdrawal restrictions — some instant access accounts limit your withdrawals, or reduce your interest rates if you take money out too often.
- Fees — keep an eye out for account fees and any hidden charges that could reduce the earning potential. Some banks may offer free business savings accounts, but charge fees for transactions, subscriptions, or maintenance.
- FSCS protection — check if the savings account you've chosen is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), guaranteeing desposits up to £85,000. Most UK savings accounts will be covered by this.
Dive deeper
Reviews
Pros:
- Tiered interest rates (Enterprise: 3.3% AER, Scale: 2.65% AER, Grow: 2.15% AER)
- Earn interest daily, providing immediate access to returns
- Minimal initial deposit requirement (£1)
- Tiered maximum deposits (Enterprise: £2 million, Scale: £1 million, Grow: £500,000)
- Flexibility to choose the appropriate tier based on business size and needs
Cons:
- Lower interest rates compared to some fintech competitors
- Savings accounts aren't available on the Basic plan, only the Grow, Scale, and Enterprise plans. Monthly subscription costs apply
Suitable for:
This account is ideal for businesses that may need fast access to their savings balance, and prioritise regular interest payments.
The tiered structure accommodates businesses of different sizes and at different stages. The Grow plan is suited to start-ups and small businesses. Meanwhile established enterprises might find the Enterprise plan to be a better fit. It's particularly beneficial to companies with inconsistent cashflow that may need frequent access to funds while still earning competitive returns.
Revolut Business also offers other business account features like currency exchange, cards, and expense management features that help businesses scale and save.
Learn more about Revolut Business savings accounts.
Pros:
- Competitive interest rate (3.81% AER) for the new-joiner offer
- Good interest rate after offer — 3.04% AER
- Minimal initial deposit requirement (£1)
- Monthly interest payments
Cons:
- New joiner offer only applies until 01/06/25
- No interest on balances over £75,000 after offer period
Suitable for:
This account is particularly attractive for new businesses willing to switch providers to capitalise on the promotional rate. It offers a low entry barrier, with a £1 minimum, and high returns. This is account is well-suited for well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking to maximise returns on their spare cash. The monthly payment schedule strikes a balance between accessibility and accumulated growth.
Pros:
- Competitive interest rate (3.55% AER)
- Clear deposit limits (£2 million maximum)
- Annual interest payment, which may benefit businesses with longer-term planning horizons
Cons:
- Significant minimum deposit requirement (£20,000)
- Less frequent interest payments (yearly)
Suitable for:
This account is appropriate for established small to medium businesses that have substantial cash reserves and don't require frequent access to interest payments.
It's ideal for businesses that have predictable cashflow, and those who can put aside funds for longer periods, while still maintaining instant access to the that balance when needed.
Pros:
- Best interest rate available (4.11% AER)
- Monthly and yearly interest payment options, providing flexibility
- Moderate deposit limits (£85,000 maximum)
Cons:
- Requires a minimum deposit of £1,000
- Lower maximum deposit limit compared to some competitors
- Minimum of £500 for each withdrawal
Suitable for:
Well-suited for small businesses or sole traders with modest cash reserves who can meet the £1,000 minimum requirement. The monthly and yearly payment options offer flexibility. Since they currently offer the best AER rate, it's attractive for businesses looking to maximise their returns. It's particularly appropriate for businesses operating below the £90,000 VAT threshold.
Learn more about Shawbrook's savings account on their website.
Pros:
- Established, trusted traditional bank
- Reasonable rate for a major high-street bank (from 1.69% to 1.9% AER)
- Tiered interest rates — earn more interest on larger deposits
- No minimum or maximum deposits
- Monthly and yearly interest payment options
Cons:
- Lower interest rate compared to fintech alternatives
- Your interest rates will be reduced if you make withdrawals
Suitable for:
This account is appropriate for businesses that prefer traditional banks over fintechs. It's suitable for businesses that already maintain their primary banking relationship with HSBC and prefer to consolidate their financial services into one provider. It's especially suitable for businesses with a consistent cashflow, that are unlikely to need to access their savings balance regularly or on short notice.
Learn more about HSBC's Business Money Manager on their website.
Pros:
- Competitive interest rate (3.55% AER)
- Very low minimum deposit (£1)
- Generous maximum limit (£2 million)
- Quarterly interest payments
Cons:
- Less frequent interest payments than some competitors
- Rate is slightly lower than top-tier fintech offers
- Standalone online account only — not linked to your Virgin business account or mobile app
- Only for small and medium businesses with less than 250 employees
Suitable for:
Ideal for businesses of various sizes, from SMEs to early-stage scale-ups, thanks to the combination of a low entry requirement and high maximum limit. The quarterly payment schedule balances access with growth.
This account is particularly suitable for small to medium size businesses with substantial cash reserves that want competitive returns and the backing of an established financial brand.
Wrapping up
These instant access business savings accounts have their own advantages and drawbacks — each one is suited to different business needs. With daily-paid interest and competitive rates, Revolut Business offers flexibility across its tiered structure. Shawbrook's offer currently leads the market when it comes to interest rates of the accounts we've reviewed, but it's limited to £85,000 in deposits. Established businesses with substantial idle cash might prefer Allica, while those prioritising brand recognition might lean toward HSBC or Virgin Money. The right choice for your business ultimately depends on its size, cashflow patterns, and the importance you place on rates, accessibility, and flexibility.
Learn more about business savings
Instant access business savings FAQs
Yes, many providers offer online applications, making the process simple and convenient.
If the account is FSCS protected, your businesses funds are guaranteed up to £85,000.
It depends on your business needs and future plans, but it's generally a good idea to make sure your spare cash is generating interest to help fund your future plans, or to build up an emergency fund.
These rates were checked on 19 February 2025.