Mettle vs Tandem Bank
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Neobanks fits you best.
🔍 Independently researched ·
📊 Data-driven
· ⭐ Ratings from G2 (real user reviews)
60/100
Free tier
UK based freelancers, contractors, and sole traders who want a no-cost, mobile-first business bank account with built-in
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
All core features are included at no cost: no monthly fees, no UK payment fees, free electronic money transfers, no minimum balance. Some usage limits apply to card spending and ATM withdrawals, but there are no restrictions on account features.
Fee notes:
- No monthly account fee, setup fee, or closure fee
- No fee for UK Faster Payments or BACS payments
- Debit card purchases in foreign currencies incur a 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee
- ATM withdrawals in the UK are free, but ATM operator surcharges may apply
- International ATM withdrawals: likely a 2% platform fee (minimum £2) plus the 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee (check current terms)
⚠ Watch for:
- Non-sterling transaction fee of 2.99% applied to all purchases made in a foreign currency
- International ATM withdrawals may carry both a fixed fee and the non-sterling fee, resulting in higher effective costs
- Business account only supports GBP for domestic payments; international transfers require integration with third-party FX services that add their own conversion margins
- Some accounting integrations require a separate paid subscription (e.g., free with FreeAgent only while you hold a Mettle account)
🔧 Features
✓ Free Tier✓ Uk Sole Trader✓ Natwest Owned✓ Invoicing✓ Accounting
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- No fees, truly free: Mettle charges no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, and no transaction fees for standard UK payments (including Faster Payments and Direct Debits). For a small business, this removes a predictable monthly cost, freeing up capital for growth. You can make unlimited UK transfers without worrying about per-transaction charges, which is rare among both traditional and digital banks.
- Free FreeAgent subscription: Every Mettle customer gets a complimentary FreeAgent account, normally costing around £120 a year. This is a significant saving for freelancers who need to manage their accounting, and it integrates seamlessly with Mettle—transactions appear automatically in FreeAgent, and you can create invoices directly from the accounting dashboard. This integration simplifies tax filing and financial reporting.
- Built-in invoicing and receipt capture: Mettle's app allows you to generate professional invoices in seconds, with customizable fields and the ability to schedule recurring invoices. You can also photograph receipts on the go, and Mettle uses AI to extract the total, date, and merchant, then attaches it to the corresponding transaction. This digitizes your admin, saving hours each month and making expense tracking effortless.
- FSCS protection and NatWest backing: Because Mettle is an arm of NatWest, your money is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000. This is a major trust advantage over many standalone neobanks that either lack FSCS protection or require a banking partner. For risk-averse freelancers, knowing their funds are safeguarded by a major UK bank is reassuring.
- FreeAgent integration with Xero support: Beyond FreeAgent, Mettle also integrates with Xero, allowing you to sync your transactions with your existing accounting setup. This flexibility is crucial for businesses that already use Xero and don't want to switch. The two-way sync ensures that payments made via Mettle are automatically reconciled, reducing manual data entry and errors.
⚠ Watch out for
- No cash deposits: If you operate in a cash-intensive business—like retail, events, or some trades—you cannot deposit cash into Mettle. The app has no facility to accept cash, meaning you'd have to keep a separate bank account and transfer money, creating extra admin and potentially delaying access to funds. For businesses that rely on cash flow, this is a major drawback.
- Eligibility restrictions: Mettle is only available to sole traders and single-director limited companies. If you have a partnership, a multi-director Ltd, a charity, or a trust, you cannot open an account. This narrow focus might be fine for many freelancers, but it excludes a substantial segment of business owners who might otherwise benefit from the free banking.
- Limited international features: Mettle doesn't offer foreign currency accounts, and international payments incur a 4.5% currency conversion fee (plus a £1.50 flat fee for non-UK transfers). For freelancers with clients abroad, this is expensive compared to specialist services like Wise or Revolut Business, which offer interbank rates and low fees. Mettle is best for domestic transactions only.
- No phone support and limited in-app help: While Mettle has an in-app chat and a comprehensive help center, there is no direct phone number to call. If you have a time-sensitive issue, the chat can be adequate, but some users may find the lack of phone support frustrating, especially in emergency situations. Response times can vary, and complex queries might require multiple interactions.
- Not suitable for businesses needing branch access: As a digital-only bank, Mettle has no physical branches. If you need to deposit cheques (though they are becoming obsolete), or prefer face-to-face banking, you'll be disappointed. Cheques cannot be paid in via Mettle; you'd need a separate NatWest account, which defeats the convenience.
🎯 Best for
UK based freelancers, contractors, and sole traders who want a no-cost, mobile-first business bank account with built-in invoicing and easy accounting integration.
🚫 Who should skip
Businesses that deal with cash, have multiple directors or partners, or need international banking features — you'll quickly outgrow Mettle.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — the app is intuitive and similar to consumer banking apps, with a short onboarding flow and straightforward invoicing tools.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
If you're a sole trader or a single-director company that operates digitally, Mettle is an exceptional, no-cost choice—especially with the free FreeAgent subscription. However, if you need cash deposits, international banking, or phone support, look elsewhere. Bottom line: Mettle is the best free di
70/100
Free tier
Environmentally conscious UK residents who want a free everyday bank account with carbon tracking, green cashback, and c
★ Best
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
Standard account has no monthly fee; all core features included; cashback capped at monthly limit as per terms
Fee notes:
- FX markup: 0% – purchases abroad converted at the Mastercard exchange rate
- No fee for ATM withdrawals worldwide where Mastercard is accepted
- No fee for spending on the card in any currency
- Card replacement free under standard delivery; express delivery may incur a fee
- Incoming international transfers via SEPA generally no fee; outgoing SWIFT transfers may incur a fee (amount varies)
⚠ Watch for:
- If an arranged overdraft is used, interest applies per the product tariff
- Cashback is paid in 'Tandem points' and may require a minimum redemption threshold
- Express card delivery or replacement before standard postal delivery may be charged
- Outgoing international bank transfers over SWIFT may include intermediary fees
🔧 Features
✓ Free Tier✓ Green Focus✓ Cashback✓ Savings✓ Mortgage Advisory
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- The carbon footprint tracker is a standout feature. It automatically categorizes your transactions and estimates the emissions associated with each purchase, providing a personalized monthly carbon footprint and insights into which spending areas have the highest impact. This makes environmental impact tangible and helps users make more informed, sustainable choices. It's a unique offering that sets Tandem apart from most other neobanks.
- Tandem rewards its users with cashback on debit card purchases from selected green partners. This includes companies like Energy, utility providers, and ethical retailers. While the list is limited, it offers a tangible financial incentive to shop sustainably, effectively combining your eco-values with your wallet. For frequent shoppers at these partners, the cashback can add up.
- Tandem consistently offers competitive interest rates on its savings products, often beating traditional high street banks. The app allows you to create multiple savings pots, each with different rates and terms, giving you flexibility to save for various goals. The standard current account has no monthly fees, and the savings rates are clear and upfront, with no hidden charges.
- The app is well-designed and user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to view your account balance, recent transactions, and carbon footprint. Features like instant spending notifications, the ability to freeze your card from the app, and quick money transfers between pots and external accounts streamline everyday banking. The app also integrates with Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments.
- Tandem provides mortgage advisory services through a partnership with a mortgage broker. This is a unique addition for a neobank, offering customers a pathway to property ownership with the convenience of a digital-first approach. You can get a mortgage in principle directly through the app, which can be a significant advantage for first-time buyers.
⚠ Watch out for
- Tandem is available only to UK residents with a permanent UK address. This makes it unsuitable for expats, frequent travelers, or those who need multi-currency accounts or international money transfer features. If you live abroad or travel frequently, you'll need to rely on other banking solutions for foreign transactions.
- There are no physical branches. All customer service is digital, which is standard for neobanks, but it can be a drawback for users who prefer face-to-face assistance or are not comfortable with app-only banking. If you encounter complex issues, you may find the lack of in-person support limiting.
- The green cashback categories and partner network are quite limited. You won't earn cashback on general everyday spending like groceries, fuel, or dining unless the merchant happens to be a green partner. This means the potential to earn rewards is restricted, and you might not see significant cashback accumulation over time.
- The carbon footprint tracker, while innovative, relies on estimates based on transaction categories and average emissions. It may not accurately reflect the actual carbon impact of specific products or the sustainability practices of merchants. Users should view the tracker as a general educational tool rather than an exact measurement.
- The savings rates, while competitive, are not always the highest on the market. Other digital banks or savings accounts may offer better rates, especially for fixed-term or notice accounts. It's worth comparing rates periodically to ensure you're getting the best return on your savings.
🎯 Best for
Environmentally conscious UK residents who want a free everyday bank account with carbon tracking, green cashback, and competitive savings rates.
🚫 Who should skip
International users, businesses, or people who need extensive features like multi-currency accounts, joint accounts, or a wide range of integrated financial products.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal - the app is user-friendly and straightforward, with all core features (tracker, cashback, savings) accessible from the main dashboard.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Tandem is an excellent choice for UK-based eco-conscious individuals who prefer digital banking and want to align their financial habits with sustainability. However, if you need multi-currency features, branch access, or a wider cashback network, you should look elsewhere. Bottom line: Tandem offer
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
Use CaseMettleTandem Bank
Invoicing freelancers and sole traders95—
Mettle has built-in invoicing tools that let you create, send, and track invoice
Tracking expenses on the go90—
Receipt capture and automatic expense categorization help sole traders keep pers
Streamlining accounting with an accountant85—
Mettle lets you share access with your accountant and integrates with accounting
Running a single-director limited company75—
Designed for single-director companies, so it works fine for simple one-person L
Businesses that handle cash daily20—
There's no way to deposit cash into Mettle, so retail shops, cafés, or market st
Everyday Banking for Eco-Conscious Users—95
Tandem's core focus on green spending and carbon tracking makes it ideal for env
Tracking Carbon Footprint from Spending—90
The built-in carbon footprint tracker automatically estimates emissions based on
Earning Cashback on Sustainable Purchases—85
Tandem gives cashback on purchases from green partners, offering a financial inc
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Mettle if...
- You are: UK based freelancers, contractors, and sole traders who want a no-cost, mobile-first business bank account with built-in
- 👍 No monthly fees, no minimum balance, and no transaction charges for standard UK payments.
- 👍 Built-in invoicing and receipt capture, saving time on everyday admin.
- 👍 FSCS protected up to £85,000 because it's backed by NatWest, adding trust versus unregulated neobank
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: No cash deposit support, making it unsuitable for cash-heavy businesses.
Choose Tandem Bank if...
- You are: Environmentally conscious UK residents who want a free everyday bank account with carbon tracking, green cashback, and c
- 👍 Strong green focus with a built-in carbon footprint tracker that automatically estimates emissions f
- 👍 Cashback rewards on debit card purchases from selected green partners, offering tangible rewards for
- 👍 Competitive savings rates that are often higher than traditional high street banks, with no monthly
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Limited to UK residents only, so it's not suitable for international customers o
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mettle really free to use?
Yes, Mettle has no monthly fees and no transaction fees for standard UK payments in pounds. You only pay for optional extras or third-party services you choose to connect.
Can I open a Mettle account if I'm a sole trader?
Yes, Mettle is specifically designed for sole traders and single-director limited companies. Partnerships and multi-director companies aren't eligible.
Is my money protected with Mettle?
Mettle is a NatWest brand and your funds are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000. This makes it a safer option than many other neobanks.
Can I pay in cash at Mettle?
No, Mettle doesn't support cash deposits. You can transfer money electronically via bank transfer, Faster Payments, or online transfers from another bank.
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