I’ve just spent seven hours deep-diving into the best joint accounts in the UK — and honestly, it was surprisingly fascinating. What started as a simple “which account is best for couples?” rabbit hole turned into a full-on comparison between banks, fintechs and a few new players changing how people manage money together.
Whether you’re moving in with your partner, splitting bills with a flatmate, or just trying to make shared spending less awkward, this guide breaks down what I found — from traditional high-street options to sleek new digital ones.
Let’s start with something different. Cino isn’t a bank in the usual sense — it’s a shared spending app that acts like a joint account without actually merging your finances.
Here’s how it works: you and your partner (or flatmate, or friend) each link your own bank cards to the app. You then get a shared virtual card — and whenever you use it to pay, Cino automatically splits the cost based on the ratio you set (50/50, 60/40, or even custom amounts). No top-ups, no chasing reimbursements.
I really liked how simple this feels in practice. You’re both paying your share instantly, but you still keep your own accounts separate. It’s perfect if you want the perks of a joint account (shared visibility, one shared card) without the financial entanglement.
There’s also a touch of fun: you can see a little map of where you’ve been together, and even use a “roulette” feature that randomly decides who picks up the bill.
It’s not a bank account in the full sense — there’s no overdraft, salary deposit, or interest — but as a day-to-day sharing tool, it’s probably the cleanest and most modern joint account I’ve seen.
Starling has built a reputation as the UK’s most polished digital bank — and its joint account lives up to that. You both need to have Starling personal accounts first, then you can open a joint one directly in the app.
Once it’s set up, it works just like your personal Starling account: real-time notifications, spending breakdowns, saving “Spaces,” and fee-free spending abroad.
I love how clean Starling’s design is, and how easy it makes joint saving goals feel. It’s ideal for couples or housemates who already trust each other and want a no-fuss shared account with proper FSCS protection.
The only catch? It’s digital-only — no branches, no paper statements (unless you really dig around).
If budgeting and visibility are your love language, Monzo might be your match.
Monzo’s joint account offers real-time spending alerts, shared Pots for saving, and detailed insights into where your money goes. It’s transparent, colourful and generally fun to use — which, let’s face it, makes shared finances a lot less dull.
Both users need their own Monzo accounts first, and while the joint version doesn’t pay interest, it’s easy to see how much you’re spending together and set rules for saving.
The vibe is more “shared lifestyle tool” than “formal joint account,” but that’s exactly what some people want.
Revolut is the most international of the bunch. You can open a joint account directly in the app, link it to your existing Revolut plan, and start spending together in minutes.
Where it shines is travel: you can hold and spend in multiple currencies, get instant exchange rates, and track spending in different countries — great if you or your partner work abroad or travel often.
That said, not everything is crystal clear. Deposit protection depends on which Revolut entity your account sits under, and some joint features are tied to paid tiers. Still, if you’re already a Revolut user, it’s a smart add-on.
Back to the traditional banks — First Direct deserves its place on this list. It’s part of HSBC but operates with a friendlier, more responsive tone, and consistently ranks high for customer satisfaction.
Their Joint 1st Account doesn’t charge monthly fees and comes with a generous £250 interest-free overdraft buffer. They also run switching bonuses fairly often — usually around £175 if you move via the Current Account Switch Service.
It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable. If you want something with proper customer service and a familiar name, this is one of the strongest options out there.
NatWest is one of those banks that’s been quietly improving its digital experience over the last few years. You can open a Select or Reward account jointly, and both offer solid mobile banking tools with optional cashback on bills.
The £175 switch incentive pops up a few times a year, and their app’s budgeting tools are better than you’d expect from a high-street name.
For couples who prefer the security of a big bank (and maybe like having an actual branch nearby), it’s a safe, traditional choice.
After all that research, my takeaway is simple: the best joint account in the UK depends on how closely you actually want to share your money.
After seven hours of comparing features, fees and forums, my conclusion is this: shared money doesn’t have to mean shared bank accounts anymore. The choice now is between old-school structure and new-school simplicity — and that’s a pretty great problem to have.
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