Why we usually say Mettle
For a sole trader, the account that saves you the most hassle is the one that does your bookkeeping's heavy lifting. Mettle, by NatWest, is free and includes FreeAgent — so transactions flow straight into your books, categorised, and your tax position updates live. Since our packages include FreeAgent too, the whole stack costs nothing extra. For most one-person businesses, that connected setup beats a marginally shinier app.
When Starling wins
If you handle cash or cheques — trades, market stalls, anyone taking physical payment — Starling's full banking licence and deposit access matter. It's a genuinely excellent bank; it just doesn't bundle accounting software.
When Tide fits
Tide leans into add-on tools (invoicing, expense cards, admin services). If you want those extras in one place and don't mind paying for some, it's worth a look — but check the fees against what you'd actually use.
