The best pro accounts for growing SMEs: our 2025 comparison
- Noham Layani
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
SMEs, scale-ups, internationalization: banking should no longer hinder your growth
You're managing more than €500,000 in revenue, your flows are increasing, and your ambitions are expanding beyond borders. So far, so good...
However, your professional bank does not have the same speed: slow procedures, aging interfaces, few integrations with your financial tools.
In 2025, as a CEO, you expect much more from a business account than an IBAN. Instead, you're looking for a connected financial cockpit that can integrate with your accounting, CRM, or international sales platform.
Many of you have asked us for this. So, here is our 2025 comparison of 9 digital business accounts that are well worth your attention. We have selected them because they meet the challenges SMEs face in supporting their growth ambitions, particularly internationally .
At the end of this article, you'll also find the pro accounts that now offer interest-bearing pro accounts. And you may be surprised, but there aren't many of them...
Qonto, the benchmark for fast-growing SMEs
At Blendy , we have seen Qonto grow, literally... Starting from the French start-up that wanted to “do away with paper RIBs”, Qonto has become a key European banking player.
It's the business account that made busy executives fall in love with the bank: a clear interface, on-the-fly maps, and integrations galore. If Qonto were a person, it would be that always-square colleague who creates Google Sheets with formulas that no one understands, but everyone uses.
Creation: 2017, France
Positioning: 100% pro fintech, now European leader (France, Italy, Spain, Germany).
Highlights
Ultra-clear, multi-user interface, perfect for SMEs and scale-ups.
Simplified expense management (virtual cards, hierarchical validations).
Powerful integrations with Pennylane , Slack , Zapier , Stripe , and more.
European presence: local IBANs and multilingual support.
Weaknesses
No advanced financing products.
Support sometimes slow on large volumes.
👉 For whom?
Growing or international companies looking for smooth and integrated management of their financial stack.
Website: https://qonto.com/en
Pennylane, the professional account that connects banking and accounting
Pennylane needs no introduction at Blendy. We use it, we integrate it, we optimize it. This solution is a bit like the “conductor” of corporate finance: it connects banking, accounting, invoicing, and the accountant in a single space.
For French CEOs who want to manage their finances without drowning in numbers, it's a quiet revolution. Pennylane is proof that accounting can be "sexy" (yes, we said it).
Creation: 2020, France
Positioning: all-in-one financial platform: banking + accounting + invoicing.
Highlights
A pro account integrated with accounting .
Automatic synchronization with customer/supplier invoices.
Consolidated reporting and real-time view of cash flow.
Seamless collaboration with your accountant (like Blendy 😉).
Weaknesses
Fewer “classic” banking services (credit, investments).
No multi-country IBAN yet.
👉 For whom?
Digitalized SMEs looking to unify banking, invoicing and accounting in a single space.
Website: https://www.pennylane.com/
Finom, the pan-European pro account for modern entrepreneurs
Finom is the European fintech that's moving fast, and well. At Blendy , we see it attracting more and more exporting SMEs thanks to its ultra-pragmatic approach: multi-currency, cashback, responsive support, all without fuss.
Finom is a bit like the "Swiss Army knife" of professional accounts. It's not always flashy, but it's incredibly effective. We particularly like its flexibility for SaaS and e-commerce companies that already operate in several countries.
Creation: 2019, Netherlands
Positioning: international fintech for independents, startups and exporting SMEs.
Highlights
Multi-currency (EUR, USD, GBP) and instant virtual cards.
Cashback up to 3% on business spending.
Native integrations with Pennylane , QuickBooks , Xero , Zoho Books .
Responsive customer service available in 20+ European countries.
Weaknesses
Mobile interface still needs improvement.
Lack of awareness in France.
👉 For whom?
Exporting SMEs or international SaaS managing multiple currencies and markets.
Website: https://finom.co/en-fr/
Revolut Business, the account for global businesses
At Blendy, we see Revolut everywhere: on subway walls, in airports, in conversations with executives on the go. And for good reasons! Revolut has become the symbol of borderless business. Multi-currency, instant cards, international payments at the speed of a click: it's the preferred tool for companies that sell in Berlin in the morning and invoice in London in the afternoon.
Revolut is a bit like the “citizen of the world” of professional finance: brilliant, fast, ultra-connected… but sometimes a little demanding with those who don’t yet speak “fintech” fluently.
Established: 2015, United Kingdom
Positioning: universal digital bank for international businesses.
Highlights
Multi-currency management (30+) and competitive international transfers.
Integrated team payroll and expense tools.
Open API and instant virtual cards.
Weaknesses
Uneven support depending on the country.
Accounting integration still limited with Pennylane.
👉 For whom?
International companies with multi-currency flows and teams spread across Europe or outside the EU.
Website: https://www.revolut.com/business/
Shine, French simplicity for VSEs and young SMEs
Shine is the solution that has brought a little calm to the (sometimes noisy) world of professional banking. At Blendy, we recommend it rather to young French entrepreneurs or French freelancers who want simple, clear, and jargon-free management.
Shine is like your local organic coffee shop: unpretentious, but always a pleasure to come back to in the morning. An app that gets the job done, stress-free, and with a true ethical commitment—a rarity in the finance world.
Creation: 2018, France (acquired by Société Générale).
Positioning: simple, local and ethical French professional account.
Highlights
Very easy to use, perfect for freelancers and small businesses.
Tax management tools and automatic reminders (VAT, URSSAF).
Support for business creation.
Weaknesses
Not suitable for multi-company or international structures.
Few advanced integrations.
👉 For whom?
Small French structures looking for a reliable, ethical and affordable solution.
Website: https://www.shine.fr/
Memo Bank, the premium neobank for established SMEs
Memo Bank is a bit like the banker who understood that today's leaders no longer have time to waste. At Blendy , we appreciate this combination: a real bank, licensed like traditional institutions, but with the flexibility and transparency of a fintech.
Here, there's no endless paperwork or appointments at the branch: everything is done online , with an advisor who talks about growth and cash flow, not just authorized overdrafts.
For already well-structured SMEs, Memo Bank is the bank that combines rigor and modernity.
Creation: 2020, France
Positioning: first independent bank approved by ACPR, dedicated to mature SMEs.
Highlights
Real bank , not just a neobank.
Credit offers, structured financing and investments.
Dedicated human support.
Weaknesses
Higher pricing.
Limited software integrations.
👉 For whom?
SMEs with a turnover of over €2M , seeking a premium banking relationship.
Website: https://memo.bank/en/
Wallester, the Estonian specialist in business cards and expenses
Wallester is the fintech company that exudes Nordic precision. Based in Tallinn, it has built an ultra-powerful tool for managing business cards and tracking expenses.
At Blendy, we love its “tech first” approach: open APIs, unlimited virtual cards, and multi-currency compatibility. It’s a discreet but incredibly effective player, designed for scale-ups that spend as quickly as they grow.
Creation: 2017, Estonia
Positioning: Visa-certified European fintech, specializing in the issuance of physical and virtual cards and B2B expense management.
Highlights
Unlimited creation of Visa Business virtual cards for employees.
Multi-app integration (ERP, CRM, e-commerce, custom API).
Compatible with over 150 currencies.
Ideal solution for international teams and European subsidiaries.
Weaknesses
Not a “full bank account” (relies on a third-party account for collection).
Not very suitable for VSEs without a financial team.
👉 For whom?
Multi-site or international scale-up companies wishing to centralize card payments and expenses on a single dashboard.
Website: https://wallester.com/business
Vivid, the German neobank that attracts digital entrepreneurs
Vivid is a bit like the rock star of the group. It shines, it innovates, and it promises cashback on everything that moves. At Blendy, we're following its rise with interest: a fluid app, colorful maps, and a very "mobile-first" approach.
Vivid is the professional bank for those who want to manage their business like their personal life: from their phone, with style and cashback to boot. Be careful, however, because beneath the glossy veneer, some accounting features are still "new".
Creation: 2020, Germany
Positioning: mobile neobank, partner of SolarisBank, combining multi-currency account and intelligent cashback management .
Highlights
Multi-currency management (EUR, USD, GBP, CHF) .
Cashback up to 10% depending on partners.
Ergonomic interface, metal or virtual cards.
Easy team expense management and instant transfers.
Weaknesses
Few purely accounting features.
Support still focused on the DACH market (Germany – Austria – Switzerland).
👉 For whom?
European digital entrepreneurs or e-commerce businesses looking for a user-friendly, multi-currency, performance-oriented business account.
Website: https://vivid.money/en-eu/business/
Hero, the all-in-one European pro account for B2B SMEs
Hero is the latest product we're keeping a close eye on at Blendy, and we've already talked about it in a previous article ( see the article here ). Freshly launched, it aims to combine payments, invoicing, and business cards into a single solution. An ambitious promise, and one that's already been well executed.
Hero is this brand new collaborator who is full of energy, a little too enthusiastic at times, but who we know has a great future ahead of him.
We love his approach, which focuses on European SMEs , and his desire to quickly expand internationally. An approach and mindset we fully share.
Creation: 2023, France
Positioning: modern pro account combining payment, invoicing and cards for SMEs and freelancers in Europe.
Highlights
Pro account + invoicing + business cards in a single tool.
Instant SEPA and multi-currency payments (EUR, GBP, USD).
Fast issuance of physical and virtual cards .
Intuitive interface designed for entrepreneurs and SME managers.
Compatible with cross-border trade needs (European IBAN, fintech partners).
Weaknesses
Still young: some third-party integrations (e.g. Pennylane) are under development.
Little history compared to Qonto or Finom.
👉 For whom?
European B2B SMEs who want a fast, intuitive and internationally ready pro account , without sacrificing simplicity.
Comparison table 2025
Solution | Ideal for | Indicative prices (2025) | Highlights | Weaknesses | Multi-currency | Pennylane Integration |
Qonto | SME / Scale-up | from €9 to €199/month | Smooth interface, multi-IBAN, expense management | Few credit products | ✅ | ✅ |
Pennylane | Digitalized SMEs | included in Pennylane offers (depending on usage) | Bank + integrated accounting, automated invoices | Few additional banking services | ⚠️ Partial | — |
Finom | SME export / SaaS | from €0 to €249/month depending on plan | Multi-currency, cashback, integrations | Less known in France | ✅ | ✅ |
Revolut Business | International companies | from €10 to €90/month depending on plan | Multi-currency, API, international payments | Uneven support depending on the country | ✅ | ⚠️ |
Shine | French VSEs | from 0€ to 80€/month | Simplicity, administrative support | Not very suitable for international markets | ❌ | ❌ |
Memo Bank | Established SMEs | from €149/month | Financing & dedicated advisor | High pricing | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
Wallester | International scale-ups | from €0 to €999/month (depends on the number of virtual cards) | Unlimited virtual cards, open API | Not a full bank account | ✅ | ⚠️ |
Vivid | Digital entrepreneurs | from €0 to €41/month | Multi-currency, cashback, mobile interface | Few accounting functions | ✅ | ❌ |
Hero | European B2B SMEs | from €0 to €39/month | Pro account + invoicing + pro cards, instant payments, multi-currency | Still a young solution (fewer external integrations) | ✅ | ⚠️ In progress |
What about interest-bearing pro accounts?
An essential point we didn’t cover in our comparison — but one that matters : the interest-bearing business accounts. Long ignored, this feature is finally making its way into the professional banking world.
In 2025, Hero, Vivid, and Qonto stand out by offering interest rates of up to 4–5%, often for limited periods or capped amounts. It’s still rare, but the trend is clear: fintechs are redefining how businesses manage and grow their idle cash.
At Blendy, we see this as a real opportunity for SMEs holding temporary liquidity, funds that too often sit unproductive in non-interest-bearing accounts. With the right setup, that cash can now become an active asset, not just another line on a bank statement.
Choosing a pro account depends on your strategy...
👉 For a growing French SME: Qonto and Pennylane remain the strongest.
👉 For an international business: Finom , Revolut Business or Hero allow real multi-country flexibility.
👉 For a pan-European scale-up: Wallester offers complete control over cards and expenses.
👉 For mature SMEs: Memo Bank retains the advantage of credit and human advice.
👉 For freelancers and young companies: Shine or Vivid offer simple and effective formulas.
At Blendy, we help managers structure a coherent financial ecosystem : pro account, Pennylane accounting integration, SaaS tools and cash flow management.
Because a good business account isn't just for paying your bills. It accelerates your growth in France and internationally . To help you choose the best solution, contact our teams today.
With Blendy, international CPA based in Paris, France take advantage of digital accounting to accelerate your financial process and develop your business.
Pennylane, Dext, QuickBooks and Stripe certified, we support digital, e-Commerce, IT services, SaaS companies in France and internationally.
