Instant Business Accounts
Compare Instant Business Bank Accounts
Instant business accounts can often be applied for in minutes and let you start sending and receiving payments the same day. The key is to find an account that you can open fast and suits your business.
- Compare the quickest business accounts to open with NerdWallet
- It may be possible to open an account online in under 10 minutes
- Being prepared with the relevant information and documents will help avoid unnecessary delays
Instant or same-day business accounts offer a streamlined application process which can save you valuable time when opening an account. Whether you’re just starting out or need quick access to the various benefits a business account can offer, instant accounts offer a fast solution. Here’s our roundup of the business bank accounts that you can open quickly.
Our Top Same-Day Business Bank Accounts
Each of these products may be one of a range offered by the provider. Always check terms & conditions for suitability before applying. Only affiliated products are shown. Other products are available. Read our guide to ratings. Opening speeds are correct as of 5 November 2025.
Provider | Product Name | Typical account opening speed | Monthly Fee | UK Bank Transfer Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Business Bank Account Best for Taking Payments | Under 10 minutes for 53% of customers | Free | Free | |
 | Business Account Best for Global Payments | Within one hour | Free | Free | |
 | Business Go Account No Credit Checks | Same day for 99.93% of customers | Free | 3 free per month | |
 | Lite Business Account Best Online | Same day for 90% of customers | Free | Free | |
 | Basic Business Account Best for International Banking | Within 24 hours | £10 | 10 free per month | |
 | Business Account Best Business Support | Within one day, on average | Free for 12 months | From free |
Our Fastest Business Account Providers
Tide Business Account – Free
- For registered business accounts: Must be a director of a UK company registered with Companies House.
- For sole trader accounts: Must be a UK-based sole trader or freelancer with a valid UK home address and be registered with HMRC
- For all accounts: you must be aged 18+, have a valid UK phone number and address, and hold a compatible device registered to a UK App or Google Play store
NerdWallet's Review Summary
Tide gets most accounts up and running in minutes, making it the standout choice if you need a business bank account fast. There are other features to lighten your admin load, particularly in relation to payments and bookkeeping. And with the free account, there’s no regular fees – meaning you’re only charged for the transactions that you make.
Tide key features:
- Open an account in minutes
- No monthly fee
- Receive payments via card readers, tap to pay, payment links and more
- Integrate accounting software from QuickBooks, Sage and Xero
- £35 discount if registering as a limited company
Who can apply?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, UK-based and have a UK mobile phone number.
NerdWallet's Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Account can be opened in minutes
- No monthly fee
- Various options for taking payments
- Free access to interest-paying savings account
Cons:
- Basic UK transfers cost 20p each
- No in-branch customer support
This product may be one of a range offered by this provider. Always check terms & conditions for suitability before applying.
WorldFirst Business Account
Review Summary
With applications taking a matter of minutes, and accounts opened within the hour, time will always be on your side with WorldFirst. Its multi-currency business account could also appeal if your business crosses borders, while the absence of any monthly or setup fees means you could save money too.
WorldFirst Key features
- Accounts can be up and running in an hour
- No monthly fees
- $100 sign-up offer
- Pay in over 100 currencies and more than 210 countries
- Receive payments fee-free in 20+ currencies
- 0% FX fees on 15 major currencies
Who can apply?
You must be 18 years old or above to open a WorldFirst account, but unlike many other banking providers, you don’t need a UK address.
NerdWallet's Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Account opening in 60 minutes
- Fast international payments
- No foreign transaction fees in 15 currencies
- Receive and spend in over 20 currencies
- Quick collections from 130+ marketplaces
Cons:
- Charges for some outgoing payments
- No FSCS protection
This product may be one of a range offered by this provider. Always check terms & conditions for suitability before applying.
Zempler Bank Business Go Account
Review Summary
Zempler Bank’s Business Go account is a great same-day business account that has the added bonus of no monthly fees. There’s tools to help with tracking cashflow, invoices and receipts, plus the ability to integrate accounting software. And with no credit checks carried out on opening, it could also prove a valuable option if your business has a low or no credit rating.
Zempler Bank key features:
- Almost all accounts opened the same day
- No monthly fees
- No credit checks
- Sage, Xero and QuickBooks software integration
- FSCS protected
Who can apply?
This account is open to sole traders, limited companies, partnerships and charities.
NerdWallet's Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Same-day opening
- No regular monthly fee
- No charges on payments in
- Online, app and phone support
- Overdraft access
Cons:
- Just three free payments/transfers out per month
- No cheque deposits
This product may be one of a range offered by this provider. Always check terms & conditions for suitability before applying.
Monzo Lite Business Account
Free
Free
Free
n/a
- Available to sole traders, or the director of a registered limited company by shares (Ltd)
- Must be based in the UK
NerdWallet's Review Summary
Monzo’s Lite business account offers fast opening, no monthly fees and an impressive banking app for managing your finances at any time. Nine in ten applicants will have their account opened the same day, and there’s 24/7 real person support via the app. Tools to help with receipts and payments are included as standard on the free account.
Monzo key features:
- Same-day account opening for 90% of users
- No monthly charges
- Free UK bank transfers
- Payments accepted via smartphone or payment links
- FSCS protected
Who can apply?
Monzo applicants must be sole traders or limited companies by shares. They also need to be based and registered in the UK and applicants should be aged 16 or above.
NerdWallet's Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Same-day opening for nine in ten applicants
- No monthly fees
- No charges on basic transactions
- Great app, with 24/7 support
- Earn interest on your savings
Cons:
- No accounting software integration on free account
- Charges for cash deposits
This product may be one of a range offered by this provider. Always check terms & conditions for suitability before applying.
Revolut Basic Business Account
Review Summary
Revolut usually looks at business account applications within 24 hours and could be a good option if your business involves anything overseas. It’s simple to make transfers to different countries, and you can pay suppliers, your business taxes, and employees straight from the account. There’s a highly rated mobile app for easy overall management as well.
Revolut key features:
- Basic account gives 10 free local transfers monthly
- Spend in over 150 currencies
- Accept payments via card reader, tap to pay, web and more
- Integrate with accounting software
- Excellent mobile app
Who can apply?
Your business must be active and fully incorporated, and your legal home address should be in the UK, European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, Australia, Singapore or the United States.
NerdWallet's Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Multi-currency account
- Allows transfers to 150+ countries
- Wide range of payment taking options
- Integrate with QuickBooks, Sage and Xero
- Innovative banking app
Cons:
- Minimum £10 monthly fee
- Can’t deposit cash or cheques
- No FSCS protection
This product may be one of a range offered by this provider. Always check terms & conditions for suitability before applying.
Barclays Business Account
- Must have an annual turnover between £400k- £6.5m
- Must have a straightforward and clearly defined ownership structure
- Must be at least 18 years old and be based and operate in the UK – including business owners
Review Summary
If you want to bank on the high street, Barclays opens almost one in three business accounts the same day, and an overall average opening time of one day. Basic transactions can be carried out for free, there’s no monthly fees for a year, and industry-specific support if you’d appreciate a little help. You can also pop into a branch, if you prefer banking face-to-face.
Barclays key features:
- Free basic transactions
- No monthly fee for 12 months
- FSCS protected
- Free accounting software
- Manage online, via app, by phone or in branch
Who can apply?
You need to be at least 18 years old and have the right to live in the UK to apply. The account is for sole traders and limited companies.
NerdWallet's Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Free basic transactions
- Cash incentive for opening
- Free FreshBooks accounting software
- Branch support
Cons:
- Monthly fee payable after one year
- Fees for cash and cheque deposits
This product may be one of a range offered by this provider. Always check terms & conditions for suitability before applying.
What is an instant business account?
An instant business account is a business bank account that can be opened, and you can start using, on the same day as you apply. For this reason, they are also sometimes called same-day business accounts.
Generally, these quick-to-open accounts work the same way as most other accounts aimed at businesses. This means they can be used to accept payments from customers and to pay suppliers, employees and bills. In addition, they’ll usually include other features and tools, often in relation to tasks such as invoicing and book-keeping, that are designed to make running a business simpler and save you valuable time.
How quickly can I open a business bank account?
How fast you can open a business account depends on the provider and whether you’ve supplied everything they need.
With some online providers, it may be possible to apply for a business account and it be up and running in a matter of minutes. With other providers, it could take days or sometimes weeks.
Providers are required to publish information on how long it typically takes to open an account. However, these are average and advertised account opening speeds, and not a definite promise. More complex applications, or providing the wrong information or documents, will often take longer.
» COMPARE: Online business bank accounts
Who might need an instant business account?
An instant business bank account could be a good option if you’ve just set up a new business or are a sole trader and want fast access to the payment and financial management options that an account can offer. For instance, some businesses may need a way to accept customer payments from the first day of trading.
Equally, an instant account may also appeal if you simply don’t have the time to complete a lengthy application process or would be frustrated waiting around for a provider to approve your application.
What are the benefits of an instant business account?
Some of the main advantages of an instant or same-day business bank account include:
- No waiting: You get quick access to the banking facilities needed to run a business.
- Separates finances: Keeps your personal and business finances separate, making it easier to manage both.
- Simplified monitoring: Clearer oversight of your business, because payments and other cash flows are all recorded in one account.
- Fast reporting: Separate records makes accounting, bookkeeping and tax filing easier.
- Helpful tools: Features, tools and software to help with payment collection, invoicing, and accounting may be available.
- Gives credibility: It looks more professional having your business names on payments and invoices.
- Builds credit score: Helps to establish your business’s credit score, improving the chance of securing credit.
- Access to credit: An account may include an overdraft, or make it easier to access a business loan.
Business banking insights
70% of business owners would be happy to use an online account, the fastest business accounts you can open, according to our own NerdWallet UK survey.
How to find the best instant business account with NerdWallet
When choosing an instant business account, it’s important to find the right account for you overall, not just the fastest to open.
Which account that is will mainly depend on your business’s needs. For example, if your customers tend to pay in cash, you may want to prioritise finding an account with low or no charges on cash deposits.
What to consider
- Fees: Some accounts charge monthly fees, others don’t. There could also be charges for certain transactions and features. Estimate how much an account will cost and check for offers where fees are waived or you get a certain number of transactions free.
- Features: The features need to fit your business. For instance, if you have customers or suppliers abroad, you’ll probably want an account that allows international payments.
- Tools: Think about the tools you’ll find helpful. Maybe you need help tracking invoices or want an account with integrated accounting.
- Support: Many instant accounts are online-only, so you’d need to be comfortable managing your finances online too.
- Eligibility: Check if you need a minimum turnover or to have been trading a certain period of time to qualify.
How to open an instant business bank account
Opening an instant business account through NerdWallet is simple.
- Find the account that suits your business needs the best from the table above.
- Click the ‘See Deal’ button to be taken to your chosen account provider.
- Apply for your account immediately, directly with the provider – there’s nothing you need to do for us.
» TAKE ME TO: NerdWallet’s quickest business accounts to open
Avoiding unnecessary delays
Opting for a same day or instant account is one part of getting a business account opened quickly. Another is to make sure you’re fully prepared ahead of starting the application process and being in a position to share everything the provider needs.
Generally, you can expect to be asked to provide:
- Proof of identity and address: your passport or driving licence, plus a bank statement or utility bill
- Proof of your business’s address: also a utility bill or similar showing your trading address (if it’s different to your home address)
- Contact details: phone numbers and email addresses for you and your business
- Business information: such as the date your business began trading, actual or predicted turnover, and tax details
- Registration documents: self-assessment registration or tax return if you’re a sole trader, or Companies House registration number and certificate of incorporation if your business is set up as ‘limited’
» MORE: How to open a business account
Want to see our other business bank accounts?
Instant business account FAQs
Tide is one provider that can open a business bank account almost instantly, with over half (53%) of applicants having their account opened in less than 10 minutes. WorldFirst can often get an account open within one hour, while Zempler Bank, Monzo, Revolut and Barclays can open accounts within one day.
Yes, it is possible to open a business bank account in the space of a day. Providers offer same-day business accounts based around this promise.
The fastest way to open a business account is usually online. Some online providers can open an account within minutes of an application being completed.
Image source: Getty Images
About the Author
Dive even deeper
What are the Benefits of a Business Bank Account?
Best Joint Business Bank Accounts
