Key takeaways

  • Mettle is a business account from National Westminster Bank plc with no fee for maintaining the account, checked on 6 November 2026.
  • Mettle includes FreeAgent accounting software as long as you make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account.
  • Mettle charges £2.75 per cash deposit at the Post Office and £1 per cash withdrawal with the card.
  • Mettle is open to sole traders and limited companies with up to two persons with significant control; partnerships, LLPs, CICs and charities cannot apply.
  • Mettle does not offer an overdraft, credit, cheque deposits or outgoing international payments.
  • Eligible Mettle deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 because the account is provided by NatWest.
  • The optional Mettle+ add-on costs £4 a month and adds quotes you can convert into invoices.

Mettle is an app-only business account from NatWest with no monthly fee and FreeAgent accounting software included, provided you make at least one transaction a month. It suits sole traders and small limited companies that bank in sterling, rarely handle cash and do not need an overdraft. This review uses Mettle’s and NatWest’s own pages, checked on 6 November 2026, and does not give a score or verdict.

What is Mettle?

Mettle is a business current account provided by National Westminster Bank plc, trading as Mettle. It runs on separate systems from NatWest, so you open and manage it only in the Mettle app on iOS 16 or Android 10 or later. You cannot use NatWest branches, telephone banking or online banking for it.

Because the account sits with a UK bank, eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000. Mettle notes that a separate e-money account provided by PPS is not FSCS protected.

What does Mettle cost?

Mettle charges nothing to maintain the account; you pay only for cash, replacement cards, inbound foreign payments and the optional Mettle+ plan. These are the fees in Mettle’s fee information document, checked on 6 November 2026.

ServiceFee
Maintaining the accountNo fee
Cash deposit at the Post Office£2.75 each
Cash withdrawal with the card£1.00 each
Replacement card, lost or damaged£5.00
Replacement card, stolenFree
Inbound international payment over £10£4, plus 1.5% if converted
Mettle+ (optional)£4 a month

The document does not show a date, so check it again before you open an account.

How does the free FreeAgent offer work?

FreeAgent is included as long as you make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account. If you skip a month, or close Mettle and keep using FreeAgent, FreeAgent’s normal fees apply.

FreeAgent’s pricing page lists standard prices of £19 a month for sole traders and £33 a month for limited companies, excluding VAT. Mettle’s own pages describe the saving as “up to £150 a year” in one place and “at least £150 per year” in another, both based on FreeAgent’s lowest tariff. FreeAgent says it is HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, which matters for sole traders and landlords. See our FreeAgent pricing guide for the full plans.

Who can open a Mettle account?

Mettle is for UK sole traders and private limited companies with a simple ownership structure. The eligibility page sets these rules:

  • the business is registered and trading in the UK
  • you are a UK resident, pay tax only in the UK and are not a US person for tax purposes
  • you and every person with significant control (PSC) are 18 or over
  • a limited company is “active” at Companies House, with no more than two PSCs, all individuals
  • the person opening the account is a director and a PSC
  • only one owner can access the account
  • the main account balance is up to £1 million

Mettle does not accept partnerships, LLPs, PLCs, CICs, companies limited by guarantee without share capital, charities, clubs or trusts. It also excludes some sectors, including gambling, cryptocurrency, money service businesses, freight shipping and company formation agents.

What does Mettle not offer?

Mettle has no overdraft, no lending and no cheque deposits. NatWest’s page says plainly: “No, we don’t offer an overdraft on your account.”

Outgoing payments go by Faster Payments to UK accounts only, so you cannot pay overseas suppliers. The Current Account Switch Service is not available. Card spending has a daily limit of £10,000.

Does Mettle pay interest?

Mettle pays interest only on its savings pot, not on the main account. NatWest’s page lists a variable 0.95% AER on balances from £10, with one pot of up to £1 million. Mettle’s boosted savings pot page shows 2.51% AER variable, made up of the 0.95% base rate plus a 1.56% fixed bonus for the first six months.

Which applies to you?

Use this list to see whether Mettle fits your business.

  • If you are a sole trader or a one- or two-owner limited company paid in sterling, Mettle covers your day-to-day banking at no monthly cost.
  • If you want free accounting software, Mettle includes FreeAgent while you make one transaction a month.
  • If you take cash regularly, budget £2.75 per deposit, or compare other free business accounts.
  • If you need an overdraft, pay overseas suppliers or bank cheques, Mettle does not support these.
  • If you are a partnership, LLP or charity, you are not eligible.

Our Tide vs Starling vs Monzo comparison covers three alternatives on the same measures.

How to open a Mettle account

You apply entirely in the app, usually in a few minutes if your details match Companies House.

  1. Download the Mettle app on an iOS or Android phone.
  2. Choose sole trader or limited company and enter your business details.
  3. Verify your identity with photo ID in the app.
  4. Once approved, link FreeAgent from the app to start the included subscription.
  5. Make at least one transaction each month to keep FreeAgent included.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mettle really free?

Mettle charges no fee to maintain the account. You pay £2.75 per Post Office cash deposit, £1 per card cash withdrawal, £5 for a lost or damaged card and £4 a month if you choose Mettle+.

Is Mettle a real bank account?

Yes. Mettle is provided by National Westminster Bank plc, and eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000.

Do I get FreeAgent free with Mettle?

Yes, while you make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account. If you do not, or you close Mettle, FreeAgent’s standard fees apply.

Can a limited company with three shareholders use Mettle?

Only if no more than two of them are persons with significant control. Mettle allows a maximum of two PSCs, and all must be individuals.

Does Mettle offer an overdraft?

No. Mettle does not offer overdrafts, business loans or other credit.

Can I make international payments with Mettle?

You can receive some international payments, for a £4 fee over £10 plus 1.5% for currency conversion. Outgoing payments go to UK accounts only.

Sources

Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.