Monese Review [2025]: Business Account Pros, Cons & Alternative

2025-05-14

8 minute read

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Statrys Score Card
Monese Business Account
6.5

Features

7

Fees

6

Customer Support

5

Ease of Opening an Account

8

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Important Note: Monese is currently pausing new business customer onboarding while internal updates are underway

Final Verdict

A simple, mobile-first, GBP-based solution for UK businesses with a sole director, most suitable for handling frequent domestic transfers and occasional international payments.

Monese offers a lightweight account for UK-based businesses that operate primarily in GBP and have a single director. It offers a clean interface for managing both personal and business finances in one place, with the ability to switch between the two accounts. The account is easy to open, comes with a business debit card, and includes useful features like cash top-ups, UK payment tools, and some functionality for international payments.

However, there are some significant trade-offs. The account only supports GBP, and receiving foreign currency requires a manual setup with added monthly fees, which is not the most competitive in terms of pricing. There are also no details of phone support and integrations. If you work with international clients or partners or need to hold multiple currencies, Monese is not sufficient for your needs.

Monese Key Highlights

  • UK Faster Payments and Direct Debits
  • Send payments to 30+ countries
  • Cash top-ups via Post Office or PayPoint
  • Physical business debit card 
  • Switch between business and personal accounts
  • Create up to 10 separate sub-accounts
  • Support in 14 languages 
Pros ✅
  • Quick, fully app-based business account setup with minimal paperwork
  • Good for managing UK payments and cash deposits
  • Useful for separating personal and business finances in one app
  • Clean mobile app interface, making it easy to manage money on the go
Cons ❌
  • GBP-only account; no built-in multi-currency support
  • Limited to sole directors of UK companies
  • No integrations with accounting or ecommerce tools
  • Customer support is email and chat only, with mixed reviews on responsiveness

Need to manage more than just GBP?

Open a Statrys business account, hold 11 currencies, send and receive globally, and get human support – no monthly fees, 100% online.

Screenshot of the Statrys payment platform's business account dashboard. The interface displays account details for "Happy Client Limited," showing a total balance of HKD 886,277.52 across multiple currencies (HKD, USD, EUR). The left sidebar contains navigation options such as Accounts, Transfer, Convert, Secure your FX Risk, Payees, Cards, Team, Statements and documents, and Integrations. A prominent "Add a payee" and "View Account Details" call-to-action section is visible.

Monese Features

Monese offers both personal and business current accounts. Their business offering includes a core account with an accompanying debit card. Key features include:

  • UK Payment Options: Set up Direct Debits and use the UK Faster Payments network.
  • International Transfers: Send and receive payments in over 30 countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and more. 
  • Recurring payments: Set up, manage, edit, or cancel regular business payments directly from the app.
  • Cash Top-Ups: Add funds at more than 40,000 PayPoint or Post Office locations across the UK.
  • Sub-Accounts ("Pots"): Create and label up to 10 separate pots to organise business funds.
  • Payment Requests and Invoicing: Generate payment requests and send invoices to clients.
  • Business Debit Card: Use a contactless Mastercard to make purchases or make ATM cash withdrawals in the UK and abroad.
  • Account Management: Access both personal and business accounts in one app, switch between them, and track transactions for each.
A screenshot of Monese business account page, showing its mobile app

Monese is an app-based service available in 14 different languages. You can log in using Face ID, Touch ID, or a fingerprint scanner, and manage your card directly within the app.

With Monese, you can only hold funds in GBP, as other currencies are not supported. This means your GBP account can only receive GBP payments from within the UK. If you need to receive international payments, you can subscribe to Monese’s multi-currency IBAN service by contacting Monese directly.

Our Verdict: 7/10

Monese’s business account is built for simplicity, particularly for UK-based business owners who want everything in one app. You get access to essential tools and can send money domestically and internationally all without navigating a complex interface. One standout benefit is its support for cash top-ups at thousands of UK locations.

However, despite supporting international payments, Monese does not allow users to hold multiple currencies. Receiving international payments is also complicated, requiring users to contact Monese to set up the service. The platform lacks details on integration with marketplaces and accounting tools. It may not meet the needs of businesses with more advanced or ecommerce-focused requirements.

Monese Business Account Fees

Below are the details of the main fee for the Monese business account.

Service Fee
Business Account £9.95 per month, a free Personal Classic account included, with the option to upgrade to a Personal Premium account for an additional £9.95 per month.
Foreign Currency Transfers Free and instant between Monese accounts.
From 0.5% (min £2) when sending to non-Monese accounts.
Receive International Payments in non-GBP Currencies £20/month
Cash Top-Ups (UK) £1 per top-up at Post Office.
2.5% fee at PayPoint (minimum £1).
Foreign Currency Card Spending 0.5%
ATM Withdrawals First 6 withdrawals are free, £1 per withdrawal thereafter.

For the latest and most detailed information, please visit Monese Business pricing page and FAQ on business account costs.

Our Verdict: 6/10

Monese’s pricing is straightforward and is a good bundled offer for solo founders managing both business and personal finances, with a monthly fee that is comparable to UK providers like Revolut (Starting £10), but higher than others like Monzo and Starling (Starting £0).

International transfer fees are mid-range. The percentage-based fee structure provides flexibility for smaller transactions, though it may result in higher costs for larger amounts. Exchange rates, which are not clearly specified on the pricing page, may add unexpected costs to international transactions.

Monese Customer Support

Business account users can contact the Monese team using the following channel

  • In-app chat by tapping “Get Help” in the top left corner.
  • Email support@monese.com 
  • Browse the FAQs for quick answers

Monese provides support in 14 languages, including Bulgarian, Czech, English, Estonian, French, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), Romanian, Spanish, and Turkish.

Our Verdict: 5/10

The multilingual support available in 14 languages is a notable strength. Support via in-app chat and email covers the basics. However, there is no information on phone support, which is limiting for businesses needing quick assistance.

Additionally, feedback across review platforms reports mixed experiences. There are reviews mentioning issues with responsiveness and unresolved problems. As a result, the support is rated somewhere in the middle.

Opening a Monese Business Account

Setting up a Monese account is an entirely online process. Below is a brief guide outlining who can apply, what information and documents you'll need, and how to complete the application steps.


Eligibility Criteria and What You’ll Need

To open a Monese Business Account, you must be at least 18 years old, be the sole director of a UK-registered company, and already hold a personal Monese account, which you can only open if you live in the United Kingdom or the European Economic Area (EEA). You also need a compatible iOS or Android device, as accounts cannot be opened on websites.

You’ll need:

  • A valid email address
  • A mobile phone number
  • A form of ID, such as a passport. 

The Monese Business Account is not available for businesses involved in trading cryptocurrencies, casinos or other betting or gambling activities, sales of unlicensed pharmaceuticals, trading of weapons, explosives or armaments, bidding fee auctions and unregistered charities.


How to Apply 

  1. Download the Monese app from the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei AppGallery. Alternatively, visit https://monese.com and click “Sign up” in the top right corner to get a QR code for downloading the app.
  2. Create a personal Monese account if you don’t already have one — this is required before applying for a business account. You’ll only need an email address, phone number, and a valid ID document.
  3. Begin your application by entering your information in the app.
  4. Upload documents, including your ID (e.g., a passport).
  5. Verify your identity by recording a short video selfie within the app.

Monese claims that they do not perform credit checks. For more information, please visit the Monese account opening page and the business section of the terms and conditions page.


Our Verdict: 8/10

Overall, the Monese Business Account is a convenient option for eligible users, with a process that’s impressively simple and entirely app-based. However, the lack of detailed guidance during the application, such as information on processing times and a comprehensive list of required documents, may create uncertainty for applicants. Accessibility is also limited, as only UK-registered businesses with a sole director are eligible.

Monese Ratings and Reviews

Monese has a strong rating on the Apple App Store. Users appreciate its useful features, clean design, and the inclusion of dark mode, along with helpful insights. However, some reviewers mention issues such as funds being placed on hold, accounts being blocked, and difficulties in reaching human customer support.

On Google Play, the app holds a solid rating and is generally well-received. Users find the convenience of sending and receiving money within the app to be a positive aspect. However, some have reported issues such as locked accounts and funds being held.

On Trustpilot, Monese holds a good rating. Users find the app quick and easy to use, with a straightforward registration process. However, some users have reported issues with accessing their accounts and cards, inconsistent customer service experiences, and occasional delays or holds on funds.

A large number of reviews—over 200,000 in total across platforms—show that Monese is an established and widely used app. Most ratings hover around or above 4 out of 5, which indicates generally positive user sentiment. The compliments and complaints are consistent across the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Trustpilot: users appreciate the app’s clean design and ease of use, but commonly mention held funds, account access problems, and difficulties reaching customer support. 

Is Your Business Dealing Cross-Border? Try Statrys

If your business needs to hold, send, and receive multiple currencies, Monese may not be the best fit due to its limited support for foreign currencies, international transactions, and unclear foreign exchange solutions. For businesses with an international focus, especially in Asia, consider Statrys. 

Statrys is not a bank, but a licensed payment service provider serving businesses registered in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the British Virgin Islands. The platform offers multi-currency business accounts that support 11 major currencies, including GBP, HKD, USD, EUR, AUD, and more. 

With a single account, you can hold, send, and receive funds across borders, benefit from competitive exchange rates, access FX forwards or limit orders, and integrate with popular platforms such as Xero and Shopify. Each account is supported by a dedicated account manager. 

Here’s the summary of Statrys’ services

A summary of Statrys' services

Our Rating Methodology

More info

Click "More info" to understand how we calculate our Monese Business Account ratings.

FAQs

Is Monese protected by the FSCS?

No, Monese is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) because it is not a traditional bank. However, as an e-money institution regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Monese safeguards client funds by holding them in separate bank accounts at major banks. This means your funds are protected, but they are not guaranteed by the FSCS if something goes wrong.

Does Monese charge monthly fees?

Can I integrate my Monese business account with accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks?

Can I open a Monese business account if I have multiple directors in my company?

Are Monzo and Monese the same?

Disclaimer

More info

Statrys does not directly compete with Monese because we do not provide business accounts in the UK and Europe. Click More info to read the full disclaimer on our review.

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