FreelanceKitFreelanceKit
Shine FactureShine FactureSwapnSwapnOrusOrusAbbyAbbyShineShine
Shine logo - Alternatives in 2026
Banking

The best alternatives to Shine in 2026

Shine remains an excellent business account to start out as a freelancer in France, but it is not the only option. Depending on whether you want real built-in pre-accounting, multi-currency for international work or the solidity of a traditional bank, another solution will sometimes be a better fit. Here are the alternatives we recommend, and why.

Our selection

QontoFrom €9/month excl. VAT (solo, French offer, may differ locally)

All-in-one business account for freelancers and SMEs: account, card, invoicing and built-in accounting tools.

The most complete alternative: business account, invoicing AND pre-accounting in the same app, with physical cards and multi-user accounts. More expensive than Shine, but it replaces several tools.

  • Business account, invoicing and accounting in one place
  • Intuitive French interface
  • Accounting integration with more than 50 partner firms
Qonto logo
Try Qonto
BlankFrom €6 to €39/month excl. VAT (French offer)

The business account for independent workers in France

Shine's closest competitor on simplicity, even more freelance-focused. Worth a look if you just want an account + invoicing, nothing more.

Read our review of Blank
  • Business account with French IBAN and Visa Business card from €6/month excl. VAT
  • Quotes, invoices and automated Urssaf filing (French social contributions) from the Simple plan
  • Accounting export and receipt scanning
Blank logo
€50 credited
Try Blank
Revolut Business€0 - €90/month

Multi-currency business bank account for freelancers and companies

The right choice if you work internationally: multi-currency, competitive exchange rates and payments abroad, where Shine stays euro-centric.

  • Multi-currency account, ideal for international freelancers
  • Attractive exchange rates
  • Virtual cards for online payments
Revolut Business logo
Try Revolut Business
N26 Business€0 - €16.90/month (French offer, may differ locally)

The 100% mobile, free business account for auto-entrepreneurs and freelancers, with cashback and zero fees abroad

The 100% mobile option for auto-entrepreneurs, with an entry plan with no account maintenance fees. Fewer management tools than Shine, but unbeatable on price.

  • International business account
  • Sub-accounts (Spaces) to organize your cash flow
  • Virtual and physical cards
N26 Business logo
Try N26 Business

Why look for an alternative to Shine?

Shine (acquired by Cegid in November 2025) is one of the simplest business accounts on the market, designed for independent workers and small businesses in France. It is a very good default choice, but a few limits push some freelancers to look elsewhere:

  • No multi-currency management: if you invoice internationally or receive payments in foreign currencies, Revolut or N26 are better equipped.
  • Useful invoicing, but not real accounting automation: for advanced pre-accounting (VAT, bookkeeping entries), Qonto or a dedicated tool like Indy go further.
  • The free plan is limited: beyond the basics, you quickly need to move to a paid plan.
  • The bill climbs with a team: on team plans, the price rises faster than at some competitors.

Good news: most of these alternatives open online in a few minutes, with no commitment.

Pricing at a glance

ToolPriceIdeal for
Shine logoShineref.Free plan, then from €11 excl. VAT/month (French offer)banque, facturation
Qonto logoQontoFrom €9/month excl. VAT (solo, French offer, may differ locally)banque, facturation
Blank logoBlankFrom €6 to €39/month excl. VAT (French offer)banque, facturation
Revolut Business logoRevolut Business€0 - €90/monthbanque
N26 Business logoN26 Business€0 - €16.90/month (French offer, may differ locally)banque

Indicative prices taken from the tool pages, to be checked on the official websites.

Our review of Shine
Why we recommend it (and its limits)
Compare two tools
Side-by-side analysis

Frequently asked questions about Shine

At the entry level, N26 has a business plan with no account maintenance fees, and Revolut and Propulse both have affordable plans. Careful: the cheapest accounts offer fewer invoicing and management tools than Shine's paid plans. Compare based on what you really need.

Yes. Qonto and Blank are two French players designed for independent workers, and Propulse is Crédit Agricole's online offer. All of them provide a French IBAN, like Shine.

Shine bets on simplicity and an affordable entry price; Qonto goes further on invoicing, pre-accounting and working as a team. For a solo freelancer who wants the essentials, Shine is often enough; to centralise your management or run a small team, Qonto is more complete.

First open your new account (a few minutes online), transfer your funds, update your bank details with your clients and direct debits, then close Shine once the migration is done. As Shine has no commitment, you can switch at any time.