Countingup can be a great fit for business owners who want a unified solution for their business’s finances, with accounts coming bundled with tools for smart accounting, invoicing and payment acceptance.
Managing everything in one place can keep things simple and save you time, and shared access with your accountant is likely to be a bonus. The financial insights and instant notifications may also prove useful for sole traders and small businesses. Read on to learn about Countingup’s features, costs, customer feedback and more.
» COMPARE: Best business bank accounts
Countingup Starter Business Account
- Must be a UK resident, at least 18 years old and running a small business (Sole Trader/Director of a limited company)
- If your maximum monthly deposit is exceeded, then your account will automatically upgrade to the appropriate subscription plan. You will not be able to downgrade from this plan.
Review Summary
Key features:
- Built-in accounting software: Your Countingup business account comes with built-in accounting software that can automate your bookkeeping.
- Get paid: Invoicing software, payment links and card payment with Stripe means accepting payments is simple for Countingup users.
- Get started quickly: Applying for an account takes just 4 minutes.
- Mobile banking app: With Countingup, all of your business banking is conducted through the provider’s well-reviewed mobile app.
- E-money account: Countingup is an e-money provider, not a licensed bank.
NerdWallet's Pros & Cons
Pros:
- You can get a free three-month trial when you open a Countingup business account.
- Bundled with extensive accounting and invoicing software.
- Apply in minutes.
- Well-received mobile banking app.
- You may be able to access business loans through Countingup’s partnership with Funder Finder.
Cons:
- Not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
- No branches, telephone banking or web access.
- You cannot deposit cheques through Countingup.
Key features
- Built-in accounting softwareYour Countingup business account comes with built-in accounting software that can automate your bookkeeping.
- Mobile banking appWith Countingup, all of your business banking is conducted through the provider’s mobile app.
- E-money accountCountingup is an e-money provider, not a licensed bank.
- Contactless MastercardYour Countingup business account comes with a free contactless Mastercard debit card.
- Get paidInvoicing software, payment links and card payment with Stripe means accepting payments is simple for Countingup users.
- Get started quicklyApplying for an account takes just 4 minutes.
The pros and cons featured here are chosen by us based on a combination of our expert, research-based opinions and an exclusive survey of UK business owners and decision makers. The survey was conducted on behalf of NerdWallet UK in December 2022 to identify the business bank account features that people feel are most important. This was subsequently reinforced by an additional survey in 2024. They are unlikely to be the only product features and restrictions that you should consider. Pros and cons are subjective and you should align them to your own personal and business circumstances. Information was correct at the time of publication but may have changed since.
Countingup business account full review
Countingup offers business current account banking services with built-in accounting tools.
Through the app, you can carry out day-to-day banking transactions and manage your financial admin. This includes issuing and tracking customised invoices, expense management, instant payment notifications and tax estimates.
You can also share bookkeeping information with your accountant, which might make the tax year-end easier for you both.
It’s for sole traders, freelancers and small limited companies, and the monthly fee (which kicks in following a three-month trial) depends on your total monthly deposits and account activity:
- £3 a month: total monthly deposits of £0 to £750
- £9 a month: total monthly deposits of £750 to £7,500
- £18 a month: total monthly deposits of £7,500 and over
These prices aren’t fixed – your subscription fee may rise or fall depending on your total monthly deposits.
Countingup business account features: at a glance
| Monthly fee | £3 a month (monthly deposits of up to £750) £9 a month (monthly deposits of £750 to £7,500)£18 a month (£7,500+) |
| Basic transaction fees | Yes (30p for inbound or outbound transfers and direct debits) |
| Account management | Mobile app |
| FSCS protection | No |
| Set-up time | Same day |
| Cash deposits | Yes (0.5%, with £2 min fee at Post Office, 3% at PayPoint) |
| Cheque deposits | No |
| Access to other banking services | No |
| International payments | Yes (through CurrencyFair) |
| Customer service | In app: 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday Email: [email protected] |
| Multiple user access | No |
| Create and send invoices | Yes |
| Integration with accounting software tools | Yes (offers its own built-in accounting software) |
Where Countingup business account stands out
Flexible monthly pricing: Although Countingup doesn’t offer a free account, the flexibility of its pricing structure means your monthly subscription fee will rise and fall in line with your business performance, i.e. your total monthly deposits.
Built-in accounting software: Every Countingup business account comes with built-in accounting software. This means you can automate your bookkeeping, receive tax estimates, and easily share your data with your accountant.
Business data analysis: With your business banking and accounting in the same place, you can more easily keep track of your real-time profit and loss.
Customer reviews: Countingup has positive reviews on Trustpilot, App Store and Google Play.
Business loan matching service: While CountingUp is not a lender, its partnership with Funder Finder offers customers a free search tool for business loans of between £500 and £50 million that might match their specific situation.
Quick set-up: Countingup claims an application can be completed in just four minutes, which is handy if you want to get started quickly and avoid wasting time.
» MORE: Instant business bank accounts
Where Countingup business account falls short
Account access and customer support: There is no access online, in a branch or over the phone with Countingup, only the mobile app. Similarly, the only customer support available is via email.
Transactions: You will have to pay for every transaction you make through your Countingup business account.
FSCS protection: Due to Countingup being an e-money provider, your deposits are not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). However, the provider is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and ‘safeguards’ your funds by keeping them in a different account to the funds of its parent company, Prepay Solutions (PPS).
Cheques: While you can make cash deposits at the Post Office and PayPoint locations, you cannot deposit cheques.
Partnerships and charities: Countingup business accounts are not available to partnerships, charities, or trusts.
Take a look at some of the other business banking providers we review.
Countingup business account customer reviews
Countingup business customers have left reviews on a number of different platforms. These reviews are very positive.
- App Store: 4.7 out of 5, based on over 3,200 reviews
- Google Play: 4.3 out of 5, based on over 1,500 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.1 out of 5, based on over 2,900 reviews
This information is correct as of 8 August 2025.
Countingup business account eligibility
In order to be eligible to open a Countingup business account, you must:
- have a smartphone
- be a sole trader or the director of a limited company
- be at least 18 years old
- be a UK resident, with a valid UK mobile number, a valid email address, and either a UK passport, driving licence or European ID card
If you are a limited company, there are further requirements. You must:
- be registered as active with Companies House
- be limited by shares
- have a maximum of two directors
- have all Persons of Significant Control be UK residents
- have all shares held by individuals
How to apply for a Countingup business account
To apply for a Countingup business account, you will need to take the following steps:
- Click the Learn More button at the top of the page.
- Select Sign Up to download the CountingUp mobile app on your smartphone.
- Fill in some basic personal details and business information.
- Submit a selfie to confirm who you are.
- Wait for confirmation of your account details from Countingup.
» COMPARE: Best business bank accounts
About the Authors
Services offered by this provider may change over time. Always check Ts&Cs.
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