Summary
Digital business accounts offer fast, paperless banking for entrepreneurs who prefer to manage finances online. Providers like Finom, Qonto, Holvi and N26 allow quick setup, easy integration with accounting tools, and flexible pricing. Choosing the right account depends on factors such as fees, transaction volume, user access and whether financing options are needed. For small or digital-first businesses, online banks can be a practical and time-saving choice.
Contents
Samar Fathulla | founder consultant
I’m here to help founders build strong, successful businesses. Let’s talk about your formation and find the best way forward together.
- 🌍 International founders
- 💬 500+ consults
- 🤝 Tailored advice
Quiz: Is a digital business account right for me?
Do you….
- …mainly use your phone or computers for managing my business?
- …want to digitise my business as much as possible?
- …want to connect third-party services (e.g. accounting, tax adviser) with my account?
- …manage without in-person services?
If you answered ‘yes’ three times or more, then an online bank is a good fit for you.
Tend towards a traditional or direct bank? Find more information here.
Our recommendation
Open a digital business account: A-Z of online banks in Germany
All the following data was researched in October 2025. Please always read the current conditions of the respective provider because we can’t guarantee that things won’t change.
bunq
| Product | Core |
| Suitable for all businesses | n/a |
| Number of possible users | up to 5 |
| Financing | ❌ |
| Trustpilot score | 4.1⭐ out of 5 |
| Cost per month | €7.99 |
FINOM
| Product | Solo |
| Suitable for all businesses | ✔️ |
| Number of possible users | 1 |
| Financing | ❌ |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.6⭐ out of 5 |
| Cost per month | €0 |
FYRST
| Product | Business accounts |
| Suitable for all businesses | ✔️ |
| Number of possible users | unlimited |
| Financing | ✔️ |
| Trustpilot score | 4.3⭐ out of 5 |
| Cost per month | from €0 |
Holvi
| Product | Business accounts |
| Suitable for all businesses | ✔️ |
| Number of possible users | several |
| Financing | ❌ |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.3⭐ out of 5 |
| Cost per month | from €4.50 (Holvi lite) |
Kontist
| Product | free |
| Suitable for all businesses | ✔️ |
| Number of possible users | 1 |
| Financing | ❌ |
| Trustpilot score | 4.4⭐ out of 5 |
| Cost per month | €0 (€29 annual debit card fee) |
N26
| Product | Business |
| Suitable for all businesses | Freiberufler, sole proprietor |
| Number of possible users | n/a |
| Financing | ❌ |
| Trustpilot score | 3.9⭐ out of 5 |
| Cost per month | from €0 (Business Standard) |
PayCenter
| Product | Firmenkonto/Gewerbekonto |
| Suitable for all businesses | ✔️ |
| Number of possible users | several |
| Financing | ❌ |
| Trustpilot score | 3.0⭐ out of 5 |
| Cost per month | n/a |
Qonto
| Product | Solo |
| Suitable for all businesses | ✔️ |
| Number of possible users | several |
| Financing | ❌ |
| Trustpilot score4.8 | 4.8⭐ out of 5 |
| Cost per month | from €9 (first 12 months for free) |
revolut
| Product | Basic / Grow / Scale |
| Suitable for all businesses | ✔️ |
| Number of possible users | unlimited |
| Financing | ❌ (in development) |
| Trustpilot score | 4.6⭐ out of 5 |
| Cost per month | from €10 |
Samar Fathulla | founder consultant
I’m here to help founders build strong, successful businesses. Let’s talk about your formation and find the best way forward together.
- 🌍 International founders
- 💬 500+ consults
- 🤝 Tailored advice
What do I need from a digital business account?
In Germany, there are now numerous providers offering different banking solutions. To make the right decision, you should first figure out your requirements and the available products. This will keep the search short and effective.
What are your requirements?
- Number of cards needed
- Number of users needed
- Mobile banking
- Future planned financing or factoring
- API to accounting software
- API to payment services such as PayPal, GooglePay, ApplePay
- Data export
- Estimated monthly number of domestic and international transactions
- Estimated monthly number of cash withdrawals
You can can come up with your own scoring system before you compare the products.
Product details should check
- Account management fees
- Additional fees for paperless and paper-based transactions and foreign transfers
- Number of free cash deposits and withdrawal
- Available ATMs
- Amount of available overdraft facility and conditions
- Debit and credit cards included
- Upper limit for free transactions
- Free account switching service
How do I decide on the right account?
This is only a short overview. Taking a close look at the service tables is the way to go. The costs for transfers, transactions with foreign currencies or cash withdrawals ae usually listed.
Does free account mean free?
It can be usually there are hidden fees and some surprising asterisks*, so keep that in mind when you consider a free account.
- If you run a small business, rarely withdraw cash and have few paper-based and paperless transactions, the free account offers are attractive because you can expect few additional costs per unit.
- For larger transaction volumes and multiple users, these free or freemium offers can quickly become expensive. In this case, it is better to choose an account that has higher basic fees but offers more functions and included services.
- If rapid growth is likely, you should check out the upgrade products before you decide.
- If you’re not a EU citizen or resident, this will limit your choice. You can find out more about this here.
Are there additional costs for a digital business account?
Banks don’t offer their financial services for free. So even if some accounts claim to be free, hidden fees for day-to-day functions are common. These are the typical fees you may get hit with:
- Fixed account management fee
- Account statements fee
- Foreign transfers
- Voucherless transactions, e.g. standing orders, SEPA direct debits
- Use of debit or credit card(s)
- Joint account management
- Deposits and withdrawals
- Overdrafts
Expect a business account to cost up to €100 per year.
Do I even need a business account?
Business accounts are mandatory for corporations and commercial partnerships. Sole proprietorships, civil law partnerships and Freiberufler don’t need a business account per se.
Legality aside, bear in mind many banks prohibit the use of a private account for commercial purposes in their general terms and conditions. Read the small print to avoid your account being terminated without notice.
Also, no matter what, it’s best practice to keep private and business transactions separate. This prevents disputes with the tax office.
An everyday example: You want to deduct the purchase of a new laptop as operating cost but the invoice was paid via your private account, the onus of proof that the device was business related is on you. If the tax office decides to audit your finances they will have access to each and every one of your private transactions to verify the purpose of your expense.
By clearly separating the accounts, you show transparency and avoid any prying eyes by the tax office.
Samar Fathulla | founder consultant
I’m here to help founders build strong, successful businesses. Let’s talk about your formation and find the best way forward together.
- 🌍 International founders
- 💬 500+ consults
- 🤝 Tailored advice
Conclusion
Whether you’re a freelancer, GmbH, UG or GbR: a dedicated business account simplifies your bookkeeping and tax compliance. Digital banks are ideal if you want speed, automation and transparent costs. However, always review each provider’s fees and terms to avoid hidden charges and ensure compliance with your business type. For personalised guidance, consult a startup advisor to find the most efficient and legally compliant setup for your company.
