UK multi-currency business accounts compared: what to look for
Wise, Revolut, Airwallex and others all offer UK companies multi-currency accounts. They price FX in different ways, so the right one depends on how much you convert and how many people spend.
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"Best multi currency business account uk" and "multi currency business bank account uk" are the top completions for UK searches on the topic. Every provider claims low fees. The difference is in how the fee is built.
Three ways providers charge
| Model | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Pay per use | No monthly fee; a percentage on each conversion | Small, irregular volumes |
| Allowance plan | Monthly fee includes FX at the interbank rate up to a limit, then a percentage | Steady monthly volume |
| Flat plan | Monthly fee; margin falls on higher plans | Teams converting and paying out regularly |
Read each provider's UK page, not its US page. Plans and fees differ by country.
Beyond the FX line
- Local details in the company's name. USD with US routing details, EUR with an IBAN, GBP with a sort code.
- Payout fees to the countries you pay most.
- Team controls: cards per person, limits, approvals.
- Per-user fees, which grow with each cardholder.
- How funds are held. Check the FCA register for the firm's status.
A test with your own numbers
Take last quarter. Write down what you received in each currency, what you converted and what you paid out. Price each provider on that, and include any plan or per-user fee. The answer is usually clear within a few lines.
Paying into the United Kingdom: the local rail
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | Faster Payments |
| Run by | Pay.UK |
| Settlement | Seconds, 24/7; the scheme limit is £1,000,000, and each bank sets its own |
Bacs still carries most payroll and Direct Debits, on a three-day cycle.
Source: Pay.UK: Faster Payment System. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.
Where Rivet fits
Rivet's plans are flat: Starter free with USD details and FX from 0.80%, Growth $200 with EUR and GBP details, 10 members with approvals and FX from 0.50%, Scale $500 with 25 more currencies and FX from 0.30%. No per-user fee. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See Revolut Business alternatives and the best Wise Business alternatives.
Questions people ask
What is the best multi-currency business account in the UK?
It depends on volume and team size. Low monthly conversion suits pay-per-use pricing. Steady volume suits an allowance plan. Teams that convert and pay out a lot suit a flat plan with a low margin.
Do UK multi-currency accounts have monthly fees?
Some do not; others charge by plan, and some charge per user. Check the UK pricing page, since UK and US plans differ.
How do I compare FX fairly?
Take one real conversion, such as £10,000 to euros, and compare what each provider would deliver against the mid-market rate at the same time.
Are multi-currency accounts FSCS protected?
Not when the provider is an e-money or payment institution. Those safeguard funds by holding them separately or insuring them, under FCA rules.
Sources
Alexia compares the accounts, cards and payment tools companies weigh before they switch, and writes Rivet's market guides for founders in a specific country. Prices in Alexia's comparisons come from each provider's own pricing page on the date given in the article, rules come from the regulator or tax authority that sets them, and every source is listed at the end.
More from Alexia M. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
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