🏦 Which business account to choose in 2026: N26 Business or Wise Business?

To finance your growth, an alternative like Heropay is often more relevant:

• N26 targets the mobile freelancer; Wise the international business.

• Their common weakness: neither offers financing for your cash flow needs nor an interest-bearing account.

• For unexpected needs, Heropay stands out with instant financing available in 24h and your cash earning interest up to 5%.

• Choose N26 for cashback abroad, Wise for multi-currency transfers.

• The verdict: To finance your growth locally, an alternative like Heropay is essential.

Quick overview of N26 Business and Wise Business

N26 Business in brief

According to Heropay, N26 is a German mobile bank founded in 2013. Its "Business" offer is a pro account designed exclusively for sole traders/freelancers.

Its positioning is clear: a 100% mobile experience, a free account, and benefits for freelancers who travel or pay in foreign currencies, such as cashback and fee-free international payments.

Wise Business in brief

Created in the UK in 2011 (initially TransferWise), Wise is not a bank but an electronic money institution.

Its core business is to simplify international transactions by using the real exchange rate, without hidden fees. It's a solution for businesses that receive or send money in multiple currencies.

Fees and pricing of N26 Business and Wise Business

N26 Business plans: a progressive range

N26 offers four tiers for sole traders, including a free entry-level plan.

• Standard (€0/month): The basic account with a virtual card and 0.1% cashback.

• Smart (€4.90/month): Adds a physical coloured card and phone support.

• You (€9.90/month): Includes free foreign currency ATM withdrawals and travel insurance (Note: 'Go' plan name might vary by country, 'You' is common).

• Metal (€16.90/month): Increases cashback to 0.5% and includes extended insurance.

Paid plans require a 12-month commitment.

The Wise Business model: no subscription

Wise adopts a model without monthly subscriptions, based on pay-as-you-go fees and stated transparency.

• One-time setup fee: €50 (single payment to get international bank details).

• Debit card: Free.

• Receiving money: Free for 9 major currencies (EUR, GBP, USD...).

• Currency conversion: Variable, transparent fees (from 0.43%) applied to the real exchange rate, with no hidden markup.

• ATM withdrawals: 2 free per month (up to €200), then fees apply.

In analysis, N26 offers an attractive free plan to get started, while Wise focuses on transparency and low costs for international operations, without fixed monthly fees.

Included features and services

Share capital deposit

This is a critical drawback for company founders: neither N26 Business nor Wise Business offer a share capital deposit service.

These offers are therefore unsuitable if you are setting up a limited company.

Cards and International: respective strengths

The comparison is interesting:

• N26 is very strong for card payments abroad and cashback.

• Wise is unbeatable for holding currencies, receiving payments from abroad fee-free, and making low-cost international transfers.

Financing

This is their major shared weakness.

Neither of these solutions offers any financing options (loan, overdraft, advance).

To finance your growth or deal with the unexpected, you're on your own.

Accounting and invoicing

Both offers are quite basic in this regard.

• N26 offers automatic expense categorization and simple exports.

• Wise allows integrations with accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks and offers batch payments.

Neither offers an integrated invoicing tool like some competitors.

Pros and cons: the summary table

Which profile is N26 Business suited for?

N26 Business can suit the "digital nomad" sole trader.

If you travel often, pay for software in dollars, or work with foreign clients, its fee-free payments in foreign currencies and cashback are tangible benefits.

Which profile is Wise Business suited for?

Wise Business is relevant for any business (sole trader or company) that genuinely operates internationally.

If you receive payments in dollars, pay freelancers in pounds, or manage stock in Asia, Wise will save you a lot of money on exchange and transfer fees.

Which profile is N26 Business NOT suited for?

If you have a limited company, you are not eligible.

Also, if you need to finance your business, deposit cheques/cash, or make non-SEPA transfers, N26 will not meet your needs.

Which profile is Wise Business NOT suited for?

If your activity is purely domestic, Wise's main advantage (exchange rates) disappears.

According to Heropay, the lack of financing and a local IBAN make it a limited solution for a business primarily growing within its home country.

Use case: a web agency and its French service providers

Sophie runs a small web agency in United Kingdom. She has just won a project with a client based in the United States, who will pay her in US dollars (USD). To complete this project, she needs to hire freelance writers and graphic designers based in France, whom she must pay quickly in Euros (EUR).

• The challenge: Sophie will receive the dollars from her US client in 60 days but needs to pay her English providers within 15 days. She faces a significant cash flow gap.

• The solution:

  • N26 is not ideal as it doesn't optimally handle receiving SWIFT transfers in USD.

  • Wise Business is perfect for receiving the US dollars at low cost and converting them to Euros. However, Wise doesn't help her pay her French freelancers before getting paid.

  • Heropay's instant financing would allow her to pay her French providers' invoices within 24 hours, ensuring the project runs smoothly without waiting for the US client's payment.

What you should know before opening an account

With N26 Business

• Sole traders only: Check your eligibility.

• IBAN not always local: While possible, getting a local IBAN (e.g., French) isn't guaranteed and may depend on your sign-up date. A German IBAN can complicate direct debits with some local authorities.

• No "physical" services: Forget about depositing cheques or cash.

• No financing.

With Wise Business

• Not a bank: Your funds are secured through "safeguarding," not a deposit guarantee scheme like FSCS/FGDR. No overdraft or credit.

• Belgian IBAN (BE) for Euro: May require persistence with some local administrations or companies.

• Cost depends on usage: Profitability hinges on your volume of international operations.

• No financing.

N26 Business vs Wise Business: the verdict

Your choice will depend on the nature of your international flows.

• Opt for N26 Business if you are a sole trader, invoice in Euros but have frequent card expenses abroad. The cashback is a bonus.

• Opt for Wise Business if your activity involves receiving or sending transfers in different currencies. Transparency and low exchange costs are its major strengths.

According to Heropay, their major shared weakness is critical for any ambitious entrepreneur: the total lack of financing leaves you exposed to cash flow uncertainties.

Top 10 alternatives to N26 Business and Wise Business

If these offers are too specific or incomplete for you, here are other players to consider:

• Heropay: For its instant financing and interest-bearing cash (with local IBAN).

• Revolut Business: Another strong international player, with more banking features.

• Qonto: For more structured management in France and share capital deposit.

• Shine: For its business creation tools and administrative management.

• Finom: A European challenger with invoicing tools.

• Blank: For its professional insurance and low price in France.

• Boursorama Pro: For the comprehensive offer of a major French online bank.

• Propulse by CA: For extreme simplicity backed by Crédit Agricole.

• Indy: For the integrated account + accounting for French freelancers.

• Vivid Business: For its cashback and investment features.

The alternative: why choose Heropay?

While N26 focuses on the nomadic freelancer's expenses and Wise on multi-currency flows, Heropay is designed to finance the growth of the local entrepreneur.

It's a third way focused on profitability and flexibility:

• A free business account with a local IBAN.

• Instant and integrated financing, up to €50,000, so you're never blocked.

• Interest-bearing cash up to 5%, so your money finally works for you.

FAQ on N26 Business and Wise Business

Can I set up my limited company with these accounts?

No. Neither N26 Business (reserved for sole traders) nor Wise Business offer the share capital deposit service.

Which is cheaper for international transfers?

Wise Business is generally much cheaper thanks to using the real exchange rate and transparent, low fees. N26 does not support SWIFT transfers.

Can I get a loan or overdraft with these accounts?

No. This is their biggest shared weakness. Neither of these solutions offers financing or an authorized overdraft