Guide 2026
Starting price: $11 per month
Free plan: No
Free trial: Yes
Paid plans: Basic, Smart, Premium
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Qonto
Save up to $100 on Qonto
Qonto
Used by 1666 members
2 months free on the Basic and Smart plans
Save up to $100 on Qonto
Save BIG on
Qonto
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Pricing: $11 per month
Best for: Solo entrepreneurs just starting out who need an affordable business account with essential invoicing and daily banking tools
The Qonto Basic plan keeps things clear and practical for freelancers and solo business owners who want a dependable, digital-first account without unnecessary frills. You get your own business account with a local IBAN, a Mastercard debit card for everyday expenses, and up to 30 SEPA transfers or direct debits each month — more than enough for many solo ventures. Built-in invoicing makes it simple to send professional invoices and pay suppliers right from your dashboard. You can also connect with over 2,000 partners and accounting tools, so bookkeeping stays manageable instead of messy. Your accountant can log in too, saving you time on back-and-forth. If you ever need help, support is on hand seven days a week. It’s a practical choice for freelancers who want their banking sorted quickly and done well, so they can stay focused on building their business instead of fussing over admin.
Main features
1 Mastercard debit card
30 SEPA transfers/direct debits per month
Built-in invoicing tools
Pricing: $23 per month
Best for: Freelancers who want enhanced invoicing, bookkeeping features, and a performance dashboard with moderate transaction volumes
Qonto’s Smart plan works well for self-employed professionals ready for a bit more control and efficiency in managing their money. On top of the Basic plan’s essentials, you get twice as many transfers or direct debits each month (60 in total) and the handy option to open a sub-account to separate funds, which can really help with budgeting or planning for taxes. You’ll also find extra features that make bookkeeping and invoicing feel less like a chore — smart dashboards, automation tools, and simple syncing with your other accounts and apps. It’s easy to invite your accountant too, so you can collaborate without endless email threads. If something comes up, Qonto’s support team is there every day. The Smart plan is a good fit for freelancers who’ve outgrown the basics and want better tools to track how their business is performing as they take on more clients or bigger projects.
Main features
1 Mastercard debit card
60 SEPA transfers/direct debits per month
1 sub-account with its own IBAN
Pricing: $45 per month
Best for: High‑volume solopreneurs who require multiple sub‑accounts, priority support, and increased transfer limits
The Premium plan is Qonto’s most comprehensive option for solo entrepreneurs who need a little extra firepower to handle a busy, growing business. You’ll have room to move with up to 100 SEPA transfers or direct debits every month, plus the flexibility of up to four sub-accounts — each with its own IBAN — so you can easily manage income from different projects or set aside money for taxes, expenses, or savings goals. International payments come with better conditions, which is a real bonus if you work with overseas clients. You’ll still have access to Qonto’s invoicing, bookkeeping tools, and a huge network of integrations to keep your finances tidy. Premium includes unlimited accountant access and priority customer support all week long, so you’re never left waiting if you need help. For solopreneurs juggling multiple income streams and wanting top-level support, it’s a practical upgrade that makes day-to-day banking feel effortless.
Main features
1 Mastercard debit card
100 SEPA transfers/direct debits per month
4 sub-accounts with dedicated IBANs
When you look at Qonto’s Basic and Smart pricing plans side by side, it’s really about how much control and support you want as your business develops. The Basic plan is straightforward — it gives you a dedicated business account with a local IBAN, one Mastercard debit card, and room for up to 30 SEPA transfers or direct debits every month. It covers all the core banking tasks you’d expect, from sending invoices to paying suppliers, plus you can link it with over 2,000 partner tools to keep your books in order. For freelancers who just want a dependable setup to handle day-to-day payments, it does the job well.
The Smart plan steps things up for self-employed people who have more transactions to juggle or want better ways to track their money. It includes 60 transfers each month and lets you open an extra sub-account, which can be a big help for setting aside money for taxes or different projects. You also get performance dashboards, handy automation for invoices and expenses, and more ways to analyze how your business is doing overall. If you’re at the point where you want to spend less time on admin and more time focusing on work that pays, the Smart pricing plan makes that easier.
Basic is great if you just want the essentials without any fuss, but Smart is worth considering if you’d value a few more tools that make staying on top of your finances feel less like a chore.
When you compare Qonto’s Smart and Premium pricing plans, the real difference comes down to how much flexibility and extra breathing room you need to manage your business as it grows. The Smart plan works well for self-employed professionals who want more than just the essentials. With 60 SEPA transfers or direct debits each month, one sub-account with its own IBAN, and helpful tools like performance dashboards and automated invoicing, it’s designed to keep everyday finances organized and easy to follow. It’s a good match if you’re handling a steady flow of projects but don’t yet need too many extra bells and whistles.
If you’re dealing with larger transaction volumes or multiple income streams, though, the Premium pricing plan is worth considering. You’ll get 100 transfers each month and up to four sub-accounts, each with its own IBAN — which is really useful if you want to keep different budgets or clients separate. Plus, Premium users benefit from priority customer support, better rates for international payments, and unlimited access for your accountant, which can save a lot of back-and-forth.
In the end, Smart is great if you’re focused on staying efficient without too much complexity. Premium makes sense when you’re ready for a bit more control and want the reassurance of extra support, especially if your business is getting busier and you’d rather not worry about running into limits.
Deciding which Qonto pricing plan fits your company really comes down to how much you want to automate, organize, and grow your finances right now. If you’re a freelancer or solo entrepreneur who mainly needs an easy, reliable way to handle payments and invoices each month, the Basic plan can cover the essentials without adding extra complexity. It gives you one business account, a Mastercard debit card, 30 SEPA transfers or direct debits each month, plus handy invoicing and accountant access — enough to keep things running smoothly if you have a manageable flow of transactions.
If you’re starting to take on more clients or bigger projects, the Smart plan gives you a bit more breathing room. With double the included transfers, a sub-account for sorting funds, and tools like performance dashboards and automated invoicing, it’s a good step up for anyone who wants clearer insights and less manual admin.
The Premium pricing plan is worth looking at if you’re managing multiple revenue streams, need more sub-accounts to keep money organized, or want the comfort of priority support. With 100 transfers each month, up to four sub-accounts, better international payment options, and unlimited accountant access, Premium gives you the kind of flexibility that makes juggling a busy business feel less stressful.
No matter which plan you pick, the right fit should match how complex your finances are today — and give you space to grow without headaches tomorrow.
Determining whether Shine or Qonto is the superior digital banking platform hinges on the specific requirements and scale of a business. Shine excels in offering an intuitive experience, particularly beneficial for small businesses or freelancers seeking straightforward financial management tools. Its focus on ease of use enables users to efficiently manage expenses and generate invoices, making it a solid choice for those valuing simplicity.
On the other hand, Qonto is designed with larger, more mature businesses in mind, providing sophisticated banking functionalities such as the ability to handle transactions in multiple currencies and offering instant updates on payments. This makes Qonto an ideal option for enterprises looking for a robust financial platform that can support their growth and complex needs.
Shine vs Qonto
Determining whether Qonto surpasses Revolut depends on the specific context of your business.
Qonto, tailored for businesses, startups, and freelancers, offers a focused approach to professional banking. For instance, Qonto's multi-user accounts and detailed permission settings ensure efficient team collaboration, a valuable asset for growing businesses. In contrast, Revolut boasts a broader scope, serving personal and business needs alike. Its extensive features encompass multi-currency transactions, expense management, and advanced reporting.
If your business seeks specialized financial solutions and streamlined teamwork, Qonto shines. However, if versatility and comprehensive offerings are vital, Revolut's diverse capabilities may prove more advantageous.
Qonto vs Revolut
When comparing alternative tools to Qonto, it really depends on whether your priority is multi-currency banking, streamlined expense management, or full-service accounting.
The borderless finance app Revolut is a natural choice for businesses that deal with international clients or want flexible currency accounts and instant spending insights. It’s especially handy for startups and freelancers working across borders.
If your main focus is tracking and approving expenses, the purpose-built tool Expensify makes life easier for teams that want to capture receipts on the go and automate expense reports without extra hassle.
The well-known accounting software QuickBooks is worth considering if you need more robust bookkeeping, invoicing, and tax tools alongside your business banking. It suits small businesses that want a one-stop hub for both daily transactions and compliance.
Ramp’s corporate card and spend management platform takes a slightly different angle, giving growing companies smart controls, real-time expense tracking, and cashback on purchases — a practical fit for businesses looking to optimize spend as they scale.
While Qonto shines for its modern, all-in-one business banking experience, these alternatives each bring something unique — whether it’s Revolut’s global reach, Expensify’s receipt automation, QuickBooks’ accounting depth, or Ramp’s proactive spend controls.
Ramp
Used by 47 members
Spend control that actually saves time
$500 bonus on your first $1,000 balance payment
Save up to $500
QuickBooks
Used by 914 members
Optimize your accounting and invoicing management with ease.
30% off for 6 months
Save up to $423
Mercury
Used by 514 members
Simplifying business banking*
$250 credit when you deposit $10k within your first 90 days
Save up to $250
Tide
Used by 13 members
Banking, invoicing, and accounting in one place
£200 cashback when you open a current account and an Instant Saver account
Save up to $200
Qonto doesn’t offer a completely free pricing plan, but they do give you a 30-day free trial so you can really see how everything works before you commit. It’s a practical way to try out the full experience — from creating invoices and managing everyday payments to seeing how their integrations can save you time. Instead of guessing whether it’s the right fit, you get a feel for how the tools and support work in real life and whether they actually make your business banking easier.
The free trial is also helpful if you’re weighing up which pricing plan matches the way you run your company. You can test different features, get comfortable with the interface, and figure out what you’ll actually use day to day. If you’re curious about a more modern way to handle your business finances, this is an easy way to see if Qonto’s approach lines up with how you like to work.
The main thing to know about the limitations of Qonto’s free trial is that while it’s designed to give you a real feel for how the platform works, you won’t have full access to every advanced feature that comes with a paid pricing plan.
The trial focuses on the essentials like creating invoices, managing payments, and connecting your account with useful tools, but some extras — like higher transaction limits, multiple sub-accounts, or certain premium integrations — stay locked until you switch to a paid plan. This setup keeps things simple and lets you decide if Qonto’s way of handling business banking actually fits into your daily routine. The trial is more than enough time to check out the interface, try out support, and see if managing your finances digitally saves you effort. Just keep in mind that the full experience really opens up once you choose the pricing plan that matches how you run your business.
The all-in-one business account
2 months free on the Basic and Smart plans
Save up to $100
Mercury
Used by 514 members
Simplifying business banking*
$250 credit when you deposit $10k within your first 90 days
Save up to $250
Revolut Business
Used by 488 members
Business account and company cards
€80 signup bonus
Save up to $80
Franco Jarvis
“I’ve been using Qonto for over a year now and honestly feel the pricing is fair for what you get. As a freelancer, I love knowing exactly what I’m paying for each month — no hidden fees or surprise charges. The transparency helps me budget better, and the features I use daily, like invoicing and transfers, are totally worth it.”
Braelyn Craig
“When I switched to Qonto, I was a bit worried about paying more than I did with my old bank, but the value makes up for it. I use the Smart plan because I manage multiple projects, and I like that the price covers things like a sub-account and extra transfers. It saves me time and hassle every month, which makes the pricing feel justified. The trial was helpful too — gave me a proper feel for what I’d be paying for.”
Marlowe Tran
“I run a small consulting business and chose Qonto’s Premium pricing plan because I needed more than just basic banking. The cost is higher than their other options, but honestly, the extra flexibility, sub-accounts, and priority support have made my life so much easier. I also appreciate that they don’t hide anything in the fine print — you know exactly what you’re paying for upfront. It’s made me feel more in control of my business finances and definitely worth the investment.”
What does Qonto cost each month?
Qonto’s monthly costs are clear and upfront, which makes comparing their pricing plans feel refreshingly simple. If you’re a freelancer or self-employed professional, the Basic plan starts at $11 per month and gives you everything you need for everyday banking, like a business account with a local IBAN, a Mastercard debit card, and enough SEPA transfers or direct debits to cover typical monthly activity.
For those who handle more payments or want extra tools to keep things organized, the Smart plan is $23 per month and comes with more included transfers, a handy sub-account for budgeting, and a few extra features to make invoicing and bookkeeping less of a headache. If your business is busier or you’re managing multiple projects at once, the Premium plan at $45 per month gives you even more freedom with higher transaction limits, multiple sub-accounts, and faster support when you need it.
What’s nice is you can try any plan free for 30 days, so you can see what fits without locking yourself in right away. It’s worth looking at how many payments you process each month and how much time you’d save with the extra tools before picking the pricing plan that matches where your business is right now.
Why do people pick Qonto over other business account services?
People often choose Qonto over other business account services because it keeps daily banking straightforward while giving you just enough tools to feel in control without getting bogged down in admin. Many freelancers and small teams appreciate how easy it is to send invoices, track expenses, and stay on top of transactions in real time — it genuinely feels like everything you need is in one place, and you’re not left digging through multiple apps just to understand your cash flow. The way Qonto handles team access and permissions is another reason people stick with it, especially as they start bringing in partners, employees, or an accountant who needs to jump in and handle the books without constant back-and-forth.
When you compare Qonto to Revolut, the differences really come down to what matters most for your day-to-day. Revolut stands out for its multi-currency accounts, international payments, and more advanced reporting — it’s a strong pick if your business is all about cross-border transactions or you’re looking to dig deep into analytics. But a lot of smaller businesses lean toward Qonto because they’d rather have a clear, simple platform that helps everyone work together easily. The customer support is quick to respond too, which can be a huge relief when you just want an issue sorted without chasing someone for days. While Revolut’s wider range of extras like business loans might appeal to some, Qonto’s focused approach to expense management, clear pricing plans, and practical features for small teams make it feel like a real partner for businesses that value clarity and time saved over complex bells and whistles.
Who benefits the most from using Qonto?
Businesses that get the most out of Qonto tend to be the ones that want their banking to feel as straightforward as the rest of their day-to-day operations. Freelancers, entrepreneurs, and growing startups really benefit because Qonto takes care of the essentials — like invoicing, expense tracking, and managing multiple team members — without the clunky processes you’d find with a traditional bank. It’s especially handy for small companies that want everything from bookkeeping to card management in one place so they can stay focused on building their product or serving clients instead of chasing paperwork.
Plenty of real businesses already show how it works in practice. onGRID, a young startup, uses Qonto to keep all their finances digital and easy to manage as they scale up. Curecall, which runs with a lean team, relies on Qonto’s simple dashboard to handle supplier payments and keep track of cash flow without hiring extra help. Even solo consultants like Diana Yanes use Qonto to keep every invoice and payment crystal clear. Larger teams like PayFit, Adveris, and Back Market also trust Qonto for their everyday banking because it gives them more visibility and less red tape than traditional setups. If you like the idea of having more control over your money without spending your afternoons buried in spreadsheets, Qonto is the kind of pricing plan that makes sense — you pay for what you actually use and get the tools that make running your business smoother, whether you’re on your own or managing a whole team.
Is Qonto good value for its monthly cost?
The value you get for Qonto’s monthly cost really depends on how much you want your business banking to work quietly in the background while you get on with running your company. For many freelancers, small teams, and startups, Qonto’s pricing feels fair because it cuts out so much of the admin that usually eats up your time — from sending invoices and tracking expenses to giving your accountant direct access when they need it. What stands out is how the different pricing plans actually match where your business is at: you’re not paying for extra tools you’ll never use, but you also have the option to scale up when things get busier.
People often mention how clear and user-friendly the app is, and how quick the customer support team responds when something does come up — little things that make the monthly fee feel worth it. Sure, if you’re just looking for a free business account with the bare minimum, Qonto might not be the cheapest option out there. But for anyone who values having everyday banking, invoicing, and expense tracking all in one place, it’s the time and stress you save that really make the price worthwhile. In the end, it’s less about the cost itself and more about what it frees you up to do with your business instead.
What is the plan most people choose with Qonto?
The plan that most people end up choosing with Qonto is usually the Smart plan, especially among freelancers and small businesses that have moved past the basics but don’t need every extra feature just yet. Smart seems to hit that point where you get enough breathing room to manage more transactions each month, set up a sub-account to keep funds organized, and use handy tools like performance dashboards and automated invoicing without feeling buried in unnecessary complexity.
A lot of business owners like that the Smart plan gives them a clearer view of their cash flow without adding layers of admin work — it’s flexible enough to grow with you but still straightforward to use day to day. For people who want to spend less time chasing receipts or juggling spreadsheets, the Smart plan often feels like a practical step up from Basic. It’s popular because it balances cost and convenience well, giving you what you need to run your finances smoothly as your workload and client list expand.
How can you save money on Qonto’s monthly fees?
Saving money on Qonto’s monthly fees really comes down to using a few simple tricks and taking advantage of offers that are actually worth it — like getting 2 months free on the Basic and Smart plans. Here are some straightforward ways you can keep your Qonto costs lower without losing out on the tools that help you run your business smoothly:
Putting these ideas together means you can get the best out of Qonto’s features without your fees creeping up unnecessarily. It’s about matching what you pay to what you actually use.
Do I need to watch out for any additional fees besides Qonto’s monthly price?
Planning for Qonto’s costs each month works best when you look past the monthly subscription and understand where extra fees might come in — that way, you won’t be caught off guard by a surprise charge later. Qonto’s pricing is clear overall, but here are a few common extras that can show up depending on how you manage your account:
It’s worth checking your plan details in your Qonto dashboard every so often to see what you’re actually using — that way you’ll spot where you can stay within your included features or switch plans if your usage changes.