Starling

Starling is a UK app-based bank. Its free Business Current Account comes with tools that cover much of a small firm's light accounting work. Users can create invoices for free, attach receipts to transactions, and use Spaces to put money aside for tax. Up to five expense cards are free, and directors can get access at no extra cost. Starling Accounting, which launched in March 2026 and replaces the old Business Toolkit, has two tiers. Accounting Essentials is free and includes automated bookkeeping, receipt matching, real-time tax estimates, a deadline timeline, and Making Tax Digital for Income Tax submissions. Accounting Plus adds VAT calculation and direct VAT return submission to HMRC. It costs £7 a month until April 2027, then £14 a month, with no contract. Other charges are separate: a euro account costs £2 a month, Bulk Payments cost £7 a month, CHAPS payments cost £20 each, Post Office cash deposits cost 0.7% (minimum £3), and Tap to Pay costs 1.6% per transaction. Bank feeds connect to Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent through the Starling Business Marketplace, and accountants can be given view-only access. It best suits UK sole traders, landlords, and small limited companies that want their banking and basic tax filing in one app. The main limitation is that it is not a full accounting package. There is no double-entry general ledger, payroll, or multi-entity support, and accountants only get view access. Eligibility is also limited to UK-resident directors and controllers, and only GBP and EUR accounts are open to new applicants.