Review · checked 25 October 2026
Zempler review: is the Zempler business account right for you?
Zempler Bank, formerly Cashplus, is a UK bank offering business current accounts to sole traders, limited companies and other organisations. This Zempler review explains what each plan costs, how your money is protected, how cash and switching work, and who should look elsewhere.
Our verdict
Good fit if you
- want your money with a UK bank and covered by the FSCS
- pay in cash at the Post Office
- want to switch using the Current Account Switch Service
- like having a phone number to call, six days a week
Look elsewhere if you
- make more than a few transfers a month but want a £0 plan
- need to pay in cheques
- spend abroad by card often on Business Go (2.99% fee)
- live outside the UK or run a non-UK business
Thinking about a Zempler business account? You can check your eligibility and apply online.
Visit Zempler BankZempler Bank is a partner: we may earn commission if you open a Zempler business account through our links. It doesn't change our assessment. Disclosure
Many app-based business accounts are run by e-money firms that rely on a partner bank. Zempler is different: it holds a UK banking licence itself. In this Zempler review we look at its three main plans, the fees that sit around them, and how it handles cash, overdrafts and switching. We used Zempler's own pricing pages, terms and service information.
Zempler at a glance
| Provider | Zempler Bank Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 04947027. Formerly Cashplus Bank, rebranded on 9 July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Regulator status | A bank authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA, Firm Reference Number 671140 |
| Protection | Eligible deposits FSCS-protected up to £120,000 on all plans |
| Monthly fee | Business Go £0; Business Extra £9; Business Pro £19 |
| Who can apply | UK residents aged 18 or over with a UK-based business: sole traders, limited companies, partnerships, LLPs, charities and public sector organisations |
| How to open | Online application, with identity checked electronically |
| Support | Phone 0330 024 0924 (Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat 8am to 4pm), Help Centre, app and online banking |
Zempler business account plans and fees
Zempler has three plans on its main pricing page. All include free and unlimited incoming payments, accounting and invoicing tools, and FSCS protection. The differences are how many transfers you get, cash machine and overseas card fees, cashback and support. Zempler's pricing page doesn't say whether VAT applies to the monthly fees, so check this if it affects your sums.
| Plan | Monthly fee | UK transfers | ATM withdrawals | Card spending abroad | Cashback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Go | £0 | 3 free, then 35p each | £2 UK, £3 abroad | 2.99% non-sterling fee | None |
| Business Extra | £9 | 20 free, then 35p each | Free in the UK and abroad | Fee-free | Up to 0.5% on card spend (up to £1,000 a month of eligible spend) |
| Business Pro | £19 | 500 free, then 35p each | Free in the UK and abroad | Fee-free | Up to 1% on card spend |
Business Extra adds the Creditbuilder tool and in-app messaging. Business Pro adds a savings pot, five free extra cards and dedicated telephone account management. Zempler's pages show different interest rates for the Pro savings pot, so this Zempler review doesn't quote one. Check the current rate with Zempler.
| Item | Fee or limit |
|---|---|
| Incoming UK payments | Free and unlimited |
| International payments in | Up to £22 per payment |
| International payments out | Shown in the app or online banking |
| Extra cards (up to 20) | £5.95 each (5 free on Pro) |
| Rejected Direct Debit | £15, capped at £90 a month |
| Code key | £8 |
| Cash at the Post Office | 0.55% of the amount, minimum £4 |
| Maximum daily ATM withdrawal | £500 |
| Single transfer limit | £25,000 on Go; £100,000 on Extra |
| Balance limit | £500,000 on Go and Extra; unlimited on Pro |
When fees start: Zempler's terms for Business Extra and Pro say the account fee applies from when you first deposit money, not from the day you open.
Which plan? In our Zempler review, the answer depends on transfers. If you make three or fewer transfers a month and rarely use cash machines, Business Go keeps costs low. Once you pay more than a handful of suppliers, the 35p transfer fee adds up, and Business Extra's 20 free transfers may work out cheaper overall.
Partner: we may earn commission if you open a Zempler business account through this link. Disclosure
Features
Every Zempler business account plan comes with the same core toolkit.
Accounting
Integrated accounting, cashflow tracking and a Making Tax Digital tool.
Invoices and receipts
Send digital invoices and capture receipts in the app.
Pots
Set-aside pots to keep money for tax or bills separate.
Integrations
Zempler's FAQ lists Xero, QuickBooks, Sage and FreeAgent.
Overdrafts
Available on request or by invitation, subject to approval and affordability.
Extras
Travel currency cards, 24/7 fraud protection and Creditbuilder on Extra.
The free Zempler business account, Business Go, offers an instant-decision overdraft, but Zempler says this is not yet available to sole traders. Zempler's terms say unarranged overdrafts are not available.
Cashback on a Zempler business account is paid on card spend: up to 0.5% on Extra, on up to £1,000 of eligible spending a month, and up to 1% on Pro. Read the terms if cashback is a big part of your decision.
Is Zempler safe?
For most readers of this Zempler review, protection is the key question. Zempler Bank is a UK bank, authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA. Eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £120,000. That applies to every Zempler business account plan, including the free one.
This Zempler review treats that as a real difference from e-money accounts, where your money is safeguarded rather than FSCS-protected. Safeguarding keeps customer money separate from the firm's own, but it is not the same as a compensation scheme. Our guide to bank vs e-money accounts explains how the two compare.
If you hold more than £120,000 with Zempler, the amount above the limit isn't covered. You can check any firm's details on the FCA register.
Cash and international payments
Cash: you can pay cash into a Zempler business account at the Post Office. Zempler says this works at any of the UK's 11,500 Post Offices. The fee is 0.55% of the amount, with a £4 minimum, and you can deposit up to £6,000 a day. On a £500 deposit, for example, 0.55% is £2.75, so the £4 minimum applies. We found no mention of PayPoint deposits.
Cheques: no Zempler business account plan accepts cheque deposits. If customers still pay you by cheque, you'll need another account for those.
CHAPS: Zempler's terms say it charges a fee for CHAPS payments made into your account, and its fee table shows up to £22. We couldn't confirm for this Zempler review whether you can send CHAPS payments, so ask Zempler before you rely on it.
International: you can send pounds to be received as US dollars in the US or euros in Europe, and Zempler mentions an international payments add-on. Outgoing fees aren't published on the pricing page; you see them in the app or online banking. Payments in from abroad cost up to £22 each on every Zempler business account. Business Go charges 2.99% on non-sterling card spending, while Extra and Pro don't charge for card spending abroad.
Who the Zempler business account suits
Sole trader or freelancer
Business Go works if you make few transfers. Note that the instant overdraft on Go isn't open to sole traders.
Limited company
A good match if you want a Zempler business account with FSCS protection and phone support. Your company must be active and up to date at Companies House.
Business paying many suppliers
Go's 3 free transfers won't go far. Extra (20) or Pro (500) make more sense.
Cash-heavy business
Post Office deposits are widely available, but the 0.55% fee (minimum £4) adds up on frequent deposits.
Business that travels
Extra and Pro have fee-free card spending and free cash withdrawals abroad.
Business paid by cheque
Not a fit. A Zempler business account can't take cheque deposits.
Opening and switching
Zempler says applying for a Zempler business account online can take just a few minutes, and its service information says accounts are opened the same day for 99.97% of customers. Once you're approved, your account details are available straight away.
- 1
Check you're eligible
You need to be a UK resident aged 18 or over, with a UK-based business. Zempler's eligibility checker screens out some industries and larger company set-ups.
- 2
Apply online
Choose your plan and enter your details. For limited companies, Zempler pulls information from Companies House.
- 3
Identity checks
Zempler verifies your identity and address electronically. It only asks for documents if that check fails.
- 4
Get your card
Your Zempler business account card should arrive in 3 to 5 working days. There's no upfront card fee.
Switching: Zempler joined the Current Account Switch Service on 11 February 2025. Zempler says a switch takes seven working days, and the service covers business accounts, so you can move to a Zempler business account from another bank. Zempler doesn't state any switching incentive.
Limitations to know about
Pros
- A UK bank with FSCS protection on every plan
- Free, unlimited incoming payments
- Post Office cash deposits
- Phone support six days a week
- Switch in seven working days with CASS
Cons
- Only 3 free transfers a month on Business Go
- ATM fees and a 2.99% overseas card fee on Go
- No cheque deposits
- No 24-hour phone support
- £500,000 balance cap on Go and Extra
We didn't find a current sign-up offer when we checked Zempler's main business pages for this Zempler review. Zempler also doesn't publish its full list of excluded industries, any turnover limits, or how many users can log in to one account, so check these if they apply to you.
Zempler vs Tide
Tide is our featured partner, so we've kept this part of the Zempler review to published facts. Both have a £0 entry plan and built-in admin tools, and both offer FSCS protection, though in different ways.
| Feature | Zempler Business Go | Tide Free |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | £0 | £0 |
| Paid plans | £9 and £19 | £12.49, £27.49 and £69.99 |
| UK transfers | 3 free, then 35p each | 5 a month |
| Card payments abroad | 2.99% fee | 2.75% FX fee |
| Cash deposits | Post Office, 0.55% (min £4) | Yes, fees apply |
| Cheque deposits | No | Yes |
| Protection | FSCS, Zempler is a UK bank | FSCS via ClearBank (some older accounts safeguarded) |
| Company registration | Not offered | £14.99 including an account |
On the facts in this Zempler review, Zempler suits you if you want to bank directly with a licensed bank, switch with CASS, or call someone during the week. Tide may suit you better if you need to pay in cheques, want a few more free transfers on a £0 plan, or want to register a company and open an account together. Our Tide review and the guide is Tide safe? go into more detail.
New Tide members can use code STARTUP200 for up to £200: £75 after spending £100 on the Tide card within 30 days, plus £125 for paying £5,000 into a Tide Instant Saver within 7 days of opening and keeping it there for 30 days*. *T&Cs apply See our Tide promo code page for how it works.
Alternatives to Zempler
If this Zempler review suggests the account isn't quite right, these are worth comparing:
- Another UK bank: read our Starling review.
- Built-in tax filing help: our ANNA Money review covers an account with Auto Accountant, though its main account is e-money rather than a bank.
- Other app-based accounts: see our Mettle review and Monzo Business review.
- Trade in several currencies: look at Wise Business and Revolut Business.
You can also compare business bank accounts side by side on fees, protection and cash deposits.
If you're leaning towards Tide instead, new Tide members can claim up to £200 cashback with our Tide promo code, subject to card spending and savings conditions*. *T&Cs apply
Partner: we may earn commission if you open a Zempler account through this link. It doesn't change this Zempler review. Disclosure
Zempler review FAQs
Is Zempler a real bank?
Yes. Zempler Bank Limited is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA. Eligible deposits are FSCS-protected up to £120,000.
Is Zempler the same as Cashplus?
Yes. Zempler Bank was formerly known as Cashplus Bank and rebranded on 9 July 2024.
Is the Zempler business account free?
Business Go has no monthly fee. You still pay 35p per transfer after 3 a month, £2 for UK cash withdrawals, 2.99% on card spending in other currencies, and fees for cash deposits.
Can I pay cash into Zempler?
Yes, you can pay cash into a Zempler business account at the Post Office. It costs 0.55% of the amount, minimum £4, with a limit of £6,000 a day.
Can I switch to Zempler with CASS?
Yes. Zempler joined the Current Account Switch Service in February 2025, and a switch takes seven working days.
Can sole traders open a Zempler account?
Yes, if you're a UK resident aged 18 or over with a UK-based business. The instant overdraft on Business Go isn't yet available to sole traders.
How do I contact Zempler?
Call 0330 024 0924, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm, or use the Help Centre, app or online banking. In-app messaging is on Extra and Pro only.
Is this Zempler review independent?
Zempler is a partner and we may earn commission, which we disclose. The facts in this Zempler review come from Zempler's own pages, and we've listed the drawbacks alongside the strengths.
Sources
All sources for this Zempler review were checked 25 October 2026.
- Zempler Bank: business account pricing
- Zempler Bank: business current accounts
- Zempler Bank: Business Go
- Zempler Bank: application process
- Zempler Bank: joins CASS (11 February 2025)
- Zempler Bank: Current Account Switch Service
- Zempler Bank: plan comparison
- Zempler Bank: Business Pro and Extra terms (PDF)
- Zempler Bank: service information