Business bank account for a UK freelancer paid in dollars by clients in the US

Best fit for most UK freelancers: Wise Business for receiving USD, plus a UK business current account for your main banking.

Wise can give you US account details so clients can pay you by local USD transfer (such as ACH), and lets you hold USD or convert to GBP. Wise lists domestic USD payments as free to receive; incoming USD wire/SWIFT payments have a $6.11 fee. There’s a one-off £50 fee to unlock account details in multiple currencies. Check the current fee quote before converting, as the exchange fee varies. (wise.com)

A practical setup

1. Give US clients your Wise USD details and ask them to pay by ACH if available—it’s generally preferable to a wire.
2. Hold the dollars if you have USD expenses, or convert to GBP and transfer the proceeds to your UK account.
3. Keep invoices and payment records for your accounts and tax.

Worth knowing: Wise is a payment institution, not a bank, and says it safeguards customer funds rather than covering them under the FSCS deposit-protection scheme. I’d use it for receiving and converting payments, and consider keeping operating reserves in a UK bank account. (wise.com)

Starling’s USD business account is another possibility, but its USD account supports ACH only—not Fedwire—and Starling currently says it is not accepting applications for those accounts. (help.starlingbank.com)

If you’re a sole trader, a separate business account isn’t generally a legal requirement, but it can make bookkeeping easier; if you’re a limited company, you should use an account in the company’s name. (business.gov.uk)

Bottom line: Start by checking Wise Business’s USD receiving details against how your clients pay. If they only send wires, compare the wire and intermediary-bank fees before choosing.

For a UK freelancer paid in dollars, the main choice is whether the account gives you US-style local USD receiving details (ACH or domestic wire). With those, your US clients pay you like a domestic payment instead of through an international SWIFT transfer.

Options to compare:

• Wise Business: Wise is a non-bank provider, and its account can hold many currencies. Wise's own UK guidance says USD local account details are only available on Wise Business Advanced, while a 2026 overview from Wise says the standard Wise Business account can receive payments with local details in USD and other major currencies. You need Wise Business Advanced for USD local account details, so check the current tier before you rely on it. UK-based freelancers working with US clients often receive USD into their Wise USD details and convert to GBP only when needed.
• Raenest: One comparison describes it as a USD checking account at Regent Bank, with GBP and EUR details, and official payout routes from Upwork, Fiverr and Deel. Its listing calls it the best receiving option in that ranking.
• WorldFirst: It offers a dollar account for UK services exporters, where eligible UK freelancers and businesses can receive USD with local details, hold funds and convert when needed from one account.
• Payoneer: Its freelancer account lets you receive money directly from clients, marketplaces, or popular freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, and it includes local receiving accounts. Check its fees, since PayPal and Skrill offer such services but they can be expensive.
• Your UK bank: Most high-street banks can receive dollars, but usually by international transfer with higher charges. A dedicated USD account is usually cheaper if you're receiving regular payments.

Things to check:

• Conversion cost matters more than monthly fees. One guide notes that FX pricing can make a bigger difference than account fees, so compare the exchange margin on your typical monthly amount.
• Platform compatibility: If you're paid through Upwork, Deel or Fiverr, confirm the account works as a payout destination.
• Keep a GBP account for tax and bills. Sole traders aren't legally required to have a separate business bank account, but it simplifies bookkeeping. You'll report in pounds to HMRC, so check the current rules on which exchange rate to use for dollar income.
• Verify details on the provider's site. Fees, eligibility and account tiers change often, and some comparison sites are affiliates.

If you tell me your expected monthly USD volume and whether you're paid directly or through a platform, I can narrow this to one or two options.

For a UK freelancer paid in US dollars (USD), the most effective strategy is to use a multi-currency business account. These accounts allow you to receive USD directly into a "local" US account (with a routing and account number), avoiding the high fees and poor exchange rates associated with traditional high-street bank conversions.

Why a Multi-Currency Account is Recommended

• Avoid "Forced" Conversions: Traditional UK bank accounts often automatically convert incoming USD to GBP at a spread of 3–5%, which can cost you thousands of pounds annually. A multi-currency account lets you hold the USD and choose when to convert it at a much more competitive rate (typically 0.3–0.5%).
• Local US Details: By receiving payments via local US banking details (ACH/Wire), your clients can pay you as if you were a domestic US business, which is often cheaper and faster for them.

Popular Options for UK Freelancers

Key Considerations

1. Protection vs. Flexibility

• Fintechs (e.g., Wise, Airwallex): These are often Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs), not banks. While they "safeguard" your funds, they are not typically covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the same way a traditional bank is.
• Strategy: Many freelancers use a combination approach: keep a balance in a fintech account to receive and manage USD payments, then transfer the converted GBP to a primary UK business account (like Starling or Monzo) for day-to-day operations and FSCS protection.

2. Legal Requirements

• Limited Companies: You are legally required to use a dedicated business bank account in the company's name.
• Sole Traders: While not strictly legally required to have a "business" account, it is highly recommended to keep business and personal finances separate for tax purposes and to maintain a professional image.

3. Fees to Watch For

• Incoming Fees: Some providers charge a flat fee for every incoming USD payment.
• FX Margins: Even if a provider claims "zero fees," always check the exchange rate markup (the difference between their rate and the mid-market rate).
• Monthly Subscription: Some accounts are free to open but have tiered subscription plans.

Next Steps

1. Check your current bank: See if your existing business bank (e.g., Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds) offers a "Foreign Currency Account". They can be convenient but often carry higher international transfer fees.
2. Compare quotes: Before signing up, compare the "all-in" cost (transfer fees + exchange rate margin) for your typical monthly income.
3. Accounting Integration: Choose a provider that integrates easily with your accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent) to simplify your tax reporting.

Disclaimer: I am an AI, not a financial advisor. Banking fees and eligibility rules change frequently; please verify current terms directly on the provider's website before opening an account.

For a UK freelancer paid by US clients, the key is getting US local bank details so clients can pay by ACH, then choosing whether to keep the money in USD or convert it to GBP.

Options to consider

• Wise Business — A flexible option if you want to receive and hold USD, then convert when it suits you. Wise charges a one-off £50 fee to unlock international account details. Receiving money is generally free, though USD wire/SWIFT payments can have a fixed fee; ask clients to use the free local method when possible. ³

• Starling USD Business Account — Offers US account and ACH routing details, with no charge for incoming ACH payments and a £5 monthly fee. It does not support wire or SWIFT payments, and Starling’s site says applications are currently unavailable, so check availability before relying on it. Converting USD to GBP carries a 0.4% fee. ²¹⁵

• Airwallex — Provides US local account details and can suit freelancers who also hold or move money in several currencies. Its pricing lists local-transfer fees and a 0.5% FX margin; the Explore plan is shown as £0 or £19 per month depending on eligibility. Check the current fee schedule and confirm the exact payment method your client will use. ⁷¹¹

Practical recommendation

If you mainly want a straightforward way to collect USD and choose when to exchange it, compare Wise Business with Airwallex. Consider Starling if you prefer a UK bank account and your clients can pay by ACH—but verify that applications are open. Before signing up, check:

1. Whether the account gives you US local account details and supports the payment rail your clients use (usually ACH).
2. Any incoming-wire, intermediary-bank, conversion, and withdrawal fees.
3. Whether you can keep USD and convert it later.
4. Whether the provider is a bank or an e-money institution, and what protection applies to your funds.

Sources: Wise Business receiving fees ³; Starling USD account features ² and availability ¹⁵; Airwallex USD account ⁷ and fee schedule ¹¹.