In short:
- Revolut: strong on international payments, multiple currencies and automation, for businesses with cross-border needs.
- Qonto: focused on the German market, with a German IBAN, DATEV integration and German-language service.
- Vivid: bundles cashback, investing and an interest account into one business account, companies included.
Revolut and Qonto are among the best-known neobanks and digital providers of a business account in Germany. Both target freelancers, the self-employed and companies that want to manage their finances entirely through online banking. In the direct comparison of Revolut Business vs. Qonto, though, the offers differ noticeably in pricing, cards, foreign payments and the tools for accounting.
This comparison focuses on the business accounts of Revolut and Qonto, the offers for the self-employed, freelancers and companies, not the personal accounts. We take a close look at the business account plans for 2026. At the end, we introduce Vivid Money as a modern alternative that bundles cashback, investing and an interest account into one business account. That way you can find the right account for your business.
Revolut Business at a glance
Revolut is an internationally focused fintech and runs its business in the EU through Revolut Bank UAB, based in Lithuania. In Germany, a branch operates under BaFin supervision. Revolut Business centres on international payments, multiple currencies and automation. The offer is aimed above all at companies, start-ups and the self-employed with cross-border activity who handle payments in different currencies. For sole traders and freelancers, there is also the separate Revolut Pro offer.
Qonto at a glance
Qonto comes from France and targets the self-employed and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). On the German market, Qonto offers a German IBAN across all plans and DATEV integration for accounting. Qonto is not a classic bank, though, but a payment institution supervised by the French Banque de France: client funds are held with partner banks and protected there by the French deposit guarantee scheme up to €100,000 per client. The account runs in euros only. Cashback or investing are not part of the offer.
Qonto vs. Revolut: account plans and pricing
In the Qonto vs. Revolut comparison, the first big difference shows up in pricing. Both providers use a tiered pricing model, but the logic differs: at Revolut, the right plan depends on transaction volume, allowances and automation. At Qonto, the plans scale mainly through the number of included transfers, cards and sub-accounts, plus the scope of the accounting and invoicing tools.
Revolut Business: account plans at a glance
Revolut Business targets companies, including corporations such as a GmbH or UG. It is split into the free Basic plan and the paid Grow, Scale and Enterprise plans. The Basic account is free; the included allowances for transfers and currency exchange are tight, with more room available on plans from €35 per month. The focus is on international payments, multiple currencies and automation; you can also trade crypto in the app.
| Plan | Price per month | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Revolut Business Basic | €0 | getting started with the basics |
| Revolut Business Grow | from €35 | growing companies with more allowances |
| Revolut Business Scale | higher plan | higher transaction volume and more automation |
| Revolut Business Enterprise | custom | larger companies with individual needs |
| Revolut Pro | for sole traders | freelancers and the self-employed |
Qonto: account plans at a glance
Qonto offers a free entry-level account (Starter) with five transfers per month and one virtual card. Above it sit the paid Basic, Smart and Premium plans for solo self-employed, plus the Essential, Business and Enterprise team plans for SMEs and start-ups. With each plan, the number of included SEPA transfers, cards and sub-accounts rises, as does the scope of the accounting and invoicing features. All plans include a German IBAN.
| Plan | Price per month | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Qonto Starter | €0 | getting started with the basics |
| Qonto Basic | €9 | solo self-employed with few transfers |
| Qonto Smart | €19 | the self-employed who need accounting tools |
| Qonto Premium | €39 | the self-employed with higher volume and more sub-accounts |
| Qonto Essential / Business / Enterprise | from €49 | SMEs and start-ups with teams |
Good to know: with both providers, the included services are capped per plan. Transfers, cards or currency exchange beyond the allowances can trigger extra fees. Before signing up, check the current terms and work out your typical monthly transactions.
Revolut starts free, Qonto charges from the Basic plan. But neither gives you cashback on your spending. Vivid combines a free business account with cashback and no monthly cap.
Banking features and multiple currencies
Core features compared
On the basic features, Qonto and Revolut Business are closer than many think. Both offer SEPA transfers, direct debits and standing orders, physical and virtual debit cards, plus mobile and contactless payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay. The differences show up in the German IBAN, the currencies and the tools for accounting.
| Feature | Qonto | Revolut Business |
|---|---|---|
| German IBAN (DE) | yes, across all plans | rolling out; partly still a Lithuanian IBAN |
| Cashback on card payments | no cashback | no standard cashback |
| Sub-accounts | sub-accounts with a German IBAN | depending on plan |
| Multiple currencies | EUR account, foreign currency via partner | 25+ currencies |
| Accounting & integrations | DATEV partner, Lexware, sevDesk | Xero, QuickBooks |
| Mobile payments | Apple Pay, Google Pay | Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Foreign payments and exchange rates
This is where the biggest difference in the Qonto vs. Revolut Business comparison appears. Revolut offers accounts in 25+ currencies and currency exchange at the interbank rate. But at the weekend a surcharge of 0.5% to 1% is added to the exchange rate, and fee-free exchange is capped depending on the plan. Qonto, by contrast, runs the account in euros only; foreign-currency transfers abroad go through a partner, with a fee depending on the amount. So if you regularly work in several currencies, you hit limits with Qonto and pay extra with Revolut at the weekend.
Qonto runs in euros only, and Revolut adds a weekend exchange-rate surcharge. With Vivid you pay and exchange in multiple currencies and see the rate transparently in the app before every transfer.
Accounting and financial management
For day-to-day business, how well an account connects to your accounting matters. Qonto is an official DATEV partner and offers numerous integrations, including Lexware Office, sevDesk and FastBill, plus invoicing tools and automatic receipt capture. Revolut Business relies mainly on integrations such as Xero and QuickBooks and puts the focus on workflow automation. Vivid brings a DATEV interface and invoicing tools, and connects accounting directly with banking and investing.
Beyond pure payments, companies face the question of how to put idle funds to work. This is where a gap shows: both Qonto and Revolut focus their business accounts on payments and management. The balance just sits there, and integrated investing is missing on both. Vivid goes further and combines banking with investing, through treasury solutions in ETFs, money market funds and bonds, plus an integrated interest account. That way you can invest unused balances on purpose, without switching apps.
With Qonto and Revolut, your balance just sits there, and integrated investing is missing on both. Vivid bundles banking, investing in ETFs, money market funds and bonds, and an interest account in one app.
Team management and business tools
Both providers offer tools for working as a team. With Revolut Business, you can invite team members, assign roles and permissions, and control spending with budgets and approval workflows; sub-accounts for reserves are available depending on the plan. Qonto relies on sub-accounts with their own German IBAN, expense management, cards with individual limits and approvals for payments. The number of possible users and cards depends on the chosen plan for both.
Security and regulation
Security is crucial for a business account. Qonto and Revolut are regulated in the EU and rely on modern safeguards: two-factor confirmation, push notifications for transactions and freezing the card directly in the app. Revolut runs its business through Revolut Bank UAB in Lithuania and therefore holds a Lithuanian banking licence. Balances are protected by the Lithuanian deposit guarantee up to €100,000 per person. Qonto is a payment institution; client funds are held with partner banks and protected there by the French deposit guarantee up to €100,000 per client.
Vivid is also an EU-regulated financial provider and relies on the same high security standards, from two-factor confirmation to encryption. In day-to-day business, you are solidly protected with all three providers.
Revolut vs. Qonto: pros and cons at a glance
Advantages of Revolut Business
Disadvantages of Revolut Business
Advantages of Qonto
Disadvantages of Qonto
Decision guide: which account suits you?
Which business account fits best depends on your business. For freelancers with few transfers and a need for invoicing, a simple plan with a German IBAN and DATEV integration is handy. This is where Qonto plays to its strengths. Start-ups and growing SMEs with a team benefit from scalable plans and automation. For companies with a lot of cross-border activity and several currencies, Revolut offers advantages in currency exchange. And if you want to manage banking, cashback and investing in one place, Vivid offers a combination that a classic account does not.
Vivid Money as a modern alternative
Why Vivid Money makes sense for business
Revolut covers international payments above all, Qonto German accounting. Each solves only one part. What is missing on both is the combination of cashback, integrated investing and an interest account. Vivid Money closes exactly this gap: a financial platform that connects the business account with building wealth and is tailored especially to the self-employed and companies.
You earn cashback on your business spending, in the “All purchases” category with no monthly cap. You invest balances in the same app in stocks, ETFs, money market funds and bonds, and let idle funds work for you through the integrated interest account. Sub-accounts with their own IBAN keep your spending cleanly separated, and you see the exchange rate transparently in the app before every transfer.
| Feature | Vivid | Qonto | Revolut Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback on business spending | yes, “All purchases” with no monthly cap | no cashback | no standard cashback |
| Investing in the app | ETFs, money market funds, bonds | no investment offer | no investment offer |
| Interest account | integrated interest account | no interest account | limited |
| Sub-accounts with their own IBAN | included | sub-accounts with a German IBAN | depending on plan |
| Accounting | DATEV interface and invoicing tools | DATEV partner, many integrations | Xero, QuickBooks |
Account opening is entirely online via video or selfie ident. On top come Visa Business cards, a DATEV interface for accounting and a free Standard plan to get started. These features bring banking, investing and managing your company finances together in one place.
A business account with cashback and investing in one app
Open your Vivid business account entirely online and bring together what other accounts keep separate: cashback on your business spending, integrated investing and an interest account.
Revolut vs. Qonto: our verdict
In the direct Revolut vs. Qonto comparison, there is no overall winner. Both offer a solid business account and score in different areas. Qonto is especially suited to the self-employed and SMEs in Germany who want a German IBAN, strong DATEV integration and German-language service. Revolut plays to its strengths in international payments, currency exchange and automation.
If you prefer a Germany-focused account with strong accounting, Qonto is a good choice. For international business and multiple currencies, Revolut offers advantages. And if you want to combine cashback, investing and an interest account in one business account, Vivid Money offers a combination that a classic account does not. Ultimately, your needs decide: it can be worth testing several accounts to find the right one.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is a business account suitable for the self-employed and companies?
Yes. A business account separates personal and business finances and is equally suitable for freelancers, sole traders, teams and companies. Qonto and Revolut offer plans for different sizes; Revolut Pro is aimed specifically at sole traders. Vivid also offers a business account for the self-employed and companies, including cashback and investing.
Is there a free business account for companies?
Both providers have a free entry-level account: Revolut Business Basic and Qonto Starter cost €0 per month, but are limited in the services included. For more transfers, cards or features, paid plans apply. Vivid offers a free Standard plan with additional cashback on business spending.
Can I make international transfers with a business account?
Yes. Revolut offers accounts in 25+ currencies with currency exchange at the interbank rate, with a surcharge added at the weekend. Qonto runs the account in euros and enables foreign-currency transfers abroad via a partner for a fee. With Vivid, you see the exchange rate transparently in the app before every transfer.
Is a business account a real banking solution?
It depends on the provider. Revolut runs its business through Revolut Bank UAB in Lithuania and is therefore a licensed bank. Balances are protected by the Lithuanian deposit guarantee up to €100,000. Qonto is a payment institution; client funds are held with partner banks and protected there by the French deposit guarantee up to €100,000. Both are subject to EU financial supervision.
Which business account is best for teams and companies?
For teams, what matters is user management, roles and spending control. Qonto offers sub-accounts with a German IBAN and strong accounting integration, while Revolut scores with automation and multiple currencies. If you want to combine banking, cashback and investing in one app, Vivid offers a business account with sub-accounts and their own IBAN, Visa Business cards, a DATEV interface and integrated investing.
Which business account offers cashback, investing and an interest account in one?
Qonto and Revolut focus their business accounts on payments and management and offer no cashback and no integrated investing. Vivid combines both in one business account: cashback on business spending in the “All purchases” category with no monthly cap, investing in stocks and ETFs, and an integrated interest account.
As of June 2026. The information on Revolut and Qonto was compiled to the best of our knowledge based on the official provider websites and can change at any time, in particular prices, plans and terms. No claim is made to completeness or accuracy. Please check the current terms directly with the respective provider. Revolut and Qonto are trademarks of their respective companies; there is no business relationship between Vivid and these providers.
