Running a small or medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) in South Africa comes with enough challenges, but your banking shouldn’t be one of them.
Traditional banks often charge high fees, make paperwork a headache and provide little flexibility.
Fortunately, several alternative banking options are designed with SMEs in mind. These offer simplicity, transparency and useful features that help business owners save time and money.
Here’s a look at six business accounts that stand out.
- Lula Business Bank Account
Lula’s bank accounts take the top spot, and for good reason.
Recognized as a Trusted Brand 2024 and built specifically for SMEs, Lula goes beyond basic banking by providing tools that help you run your business more efficiently.
From day one, Lula makes it easy to manage your money with features designed to give you control, save time and focus on growth.
Payment Controls lets you delegate payment tasks to your team while keeping full oversight, so you can approve transactions without getting bogged down in admin and managing multiple businesses.
The Multicompany feature keeps all your businesses under one profile so that you can switch between companies with no extra logins or costs.
And with the Lula mobile app, you can approve payments, apply for funding or switch businesses with just a tap, wherever you are.
There are two Lula account plans to suit different business needs:
Free Business Account – ideal for smaller businesses or startups with low transaction volumes.
Features include:
- ZERO monthly fees, pay only as you transact
- 5% interest per annum on your balance
- Fast support from real humans who care
- Free Lula business bank card with unlimited swipes
Unlimited Business Account – perfect for growing businesses that are scaling quickly or mature businesses with high transaction profiles. Features include:
- One transparent monthly fee of R500
- Unlimited free EFTs
- 5% interest per annum on your balance
- Dedicated relationship banking support from real humans in real-time
- Up to five free Lula business bank cards with unlimited swipes
With Lula, you get instant access to virtual cards, easy card management (freeze/unfreeze with a click) and fast, easy access to business funding.
The sooner you start transacting, the quicker you can access the funds you need to keep your business moving.
Lula combines simplicity and powerful tools to make managing business finances straightforward and stress-free for everyone, from freelancers to scaling SMEs.
In short, it’s the growth partner that every small business needs, providing a clear, direct path to business expansion.
- Bank Zero Business Account
Bank Zero is fully digital and completely free of monthly fees, making it a practical option for SMEs that want banking they can predict and control.
The account comes with transaction notifications, multi-user access and simple batch payment features, so you can more easily handle salaries and supplier payments.
The mobile app is also straightforward and intuitive. You can track spending, manage multiple accounts and control who has access to what.
Bank Zero also supports business debit cards, which are perfect for separating personal and business expenses. This no-frills approach is ideal for startups or small businesses that want a simple, predictable banking solution, without hidden charges that so often eat into profits.
- Bettr Business Account
Bettr is a modern, mobile-first banking platform that aims to simplify financial management for SMEs.
At its core is an AI-powered credit assessment system that analyzes sales history, invoices and even customer ratings to provide accurate credit profiles for each vendor. This allows Bettr to offer financing solutions with competitive rates and fast applications that meet the specific needs of online businesses.
Bettr’s built-in real-time monitoring also helps spot potential fraud and keeps transactions compliant, so SMEs can focus on selling without worrying about what’s happening behind the scenes. Also, with its focus on e-commerce brands, Bettr really shines during busy retail seasons, when access to quick, reliable funding can make or break sales momentum.
In short, Bettr is a forward-thinking solution that helps online brands stay competitive, scale faster and keep cash flow steady when it matters most.
- Be Money Africa Business Account
Be Money Africa is built for businesses that operate locally and across borders.
Their business account combines digital convenience with cross-border payment capabilities, which is a huge advantage for SMEs working with international clients or suppliers.
The platform also includes real-time expense tracking, multi-currency support and detailed reporting tools. Low fees and flexible account management options make it easy for business owners to control costs while also maintaining clear visibility over their finances.
Be Money Africa is particularly useful for businesses looking to scale beyond South Africa while keeping banking simple and transparent.
- Standard Bank MyMoBiz Account
Standard Bank’s MyMoBiz account is designed for small businesses that still want the reassurance of a traditional bank.
Low monthly fees, online banking, card payments and access to business loans make it a solid, dependable choice.
The account provides easy integration with accounting software and mobile banking, so managing finances on the go is straightforward.
Standard Bank’s extensive branch network is also a big advantage for business owners who occasionally need face-to-face support.
MyMoBiz offers an impressive combination of modern tools and traditional service for both entrepreneurs seeking to expand their business or those simply looking to get their cash flow under control.
- FNB First Business Zero Account
FNB’s First Business Zero Account is great for sole proprietors earning up to R1 million per year. It offers zero monthly fees, unlimited card swipes and full access to FNB’s digital banking platform.
The account also supports batch payments, payroll management and multi-user access, helping to run small teams efficiently.
With FNB’s mobile app, transfers and payments are quick and convenient. This account is particularly attractive to freelancers and micro-businesses who want a straightforward, cost-effective solution for day-to-day banking.
Final Thoughts
Picking the right business account can change how smoothly your SME runs. When done correctly, it will bring together digital convenience, smart features and cost-conscious banking to help you stay on top of your finances.
These six top alternative banking choices will help you turn everyday banking from a chore into a tool that actively supports business growth.
