OCTIS vs Qonto vs Shine for French businesses
Two online business accounts built for French freelancers and small companies. They split on cash deposits, interest and team features.
Last checked · 3 sources
Otty's short answer
Shine suits a freelancer or micro-entrepreneur who wants a free or low-cost account and sometimes deposits cash or cheques. Qonto suits a company with staff or an accountant: more cards, sub-accounts, accountant access and interest from the Smart plan. Both start at €9 per month for a paid plan, so the choice depends on features, not the entry price.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Qonto | Shine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | 10–30% below your current bill | €9 per month (Basic) | €0 (Free) |
| Paid plan with about 30 transfers | Prices not published | €9 per month, 30 transfers | €9 per month, 30 transfers |
| Mid plan | Lowest Price Guarantee and 30-day money-back, terms apply | €19 (Smart), 100 transfers | €20 (Plus), 150 transfers |
| Extra transfers | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | €0.20 each | €0.20 each (Free: €0.50) |
| Cash deposit | Not an OCTIS product | Not listed | 2% to 5% per deposit |
| Cheque deposit | Not an OCTIS product | €2 per cheque, some included; cap reported at €30,000 per month | €2 per cheque on paid plans; cap reported at €10,000 per month |
| Interest on balance | Not an OCTIS product | 1.5% from Smart | None |
| Accountant access | Bookkeeping by OCTIS accountants | From Smart | Accounting integrations, all plans |
| Sub-accounts | International multi-currency account via licensed partners | From Smart (1 to 99) | Not published |
| Capital deposit | No minimum capital | From €69 excl. VAT | From €69 excl. VAT |
| Who it targets | International businesses and spread-out teams | All professionals, teams | Freelancers, small companies |
| Who can open | Hong Kong company, owners can live anywhere | Businesses registered in France | Micro, EURL, SASU, SARL, SAS, SCI |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you sell to customers in several countries and want company, accounts, banking and CRM in one place.
Qonto
Choose Qonto if you have employees or an external accountant, want several cards and sub-accounts, or want interest on a larger cash balance.
Shine
Choose Shine if you work alone, want a free tier, or regularly deposit cash or cheques and can accept the per-deposit fee.
What the table does not show
Fees at the entry level
Qonto lists Basic at €9 per month, billed annually (€108 per year, excluding VAT), with 30 transfers, one physical and two virtual cards, then €0.20 per extra transfer. Shine lists Free at €0, Start at €9, Plus at €20 and Business at €45 per month excluding VAT. Start also includes 30 transfers. Shine Free includes only 3 transfers a month, then €0.50 each. Qonto also offers monthly billing, at a price not read here.
Cash, cheques and interest
Shine publishes a cash deposit fee: 5% on Free, 3% on Start, 2.5% on Plus and 2% on Business. Qonto's pricing page does not list cash deposits. Both charge €2 per cheque beyond the included ones, and Shine charges €5 on Free. Qonto's own comparison page, a competitor source, reports caps of €30,000 per month at Qonto and €10,000 per month at Shine. Qonto pays 5% for the first two months, then 1.5% on Smart and Premium, 2% on Business and 2.5% on Enterprise, with balance caps.
Team and accounting features
Qonto adds accountant access, accounting integrations and one sub-account on Smart. Premium brings 4 sub-accounts with their own IBAN, Essential adds unlimited users and expense reports, and Business adds EBICS. Shine states that accounting integrations and unlimited transaction exports are included in every plan. Shine's page does not list team or sub-account features.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not run bank accounts, and a Malaysian or Hong Kong company cannot open Qonto or Shine without a French entity. If you form a French subsidiary, the home company's books and the subsidiary's statements still need to be reconciled. OCTIS bookkeeping can handle the home-country side, and you may get 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Qonto or Shine cheaper?
Shine is cheaper at the very bottom because it has a €0 Free tier, but that tier allows 3 transfers a month. Both list €9 per month, excluding VAT, for a plan with 30 transfers. Qonto's Smart at €19 gives 100 transfers, while Shine's Plus at €20 gives 150.
Can I deposit cash on Qonto or Shine?
Shine publishes a cash deposit fee of 2% to 5% per deposit, depending on the plan. Qonto's pricing page does not list cash deposits, so confirm with Qonto before you rely on it. If you take cash from customers, check this before you open an account.
Do Qonto and Shine pay interest?
Qonto pays 5% a year for two months to new clients, then 1.5% on Smart and Premium, with caps of €50,000 and €100,000. Higher plans pay 2% to 2.5%. Qonto's comparison page says Shine does not offer a remunerated account.
Which is better for a micro-entrepreneur?
Shine targets freelancers and small companies and has a free tier, so it often fits a micro-entrepreneur. Qonto's Basic at €9 per month also works and adds invoicing features. Compare the number of transfers and cheques you really make each month.
Can I deposit my company's share capital?
Yes. Qonto's own comparison page lists capital deposit from €69 excluding VAT at both Qonto and Shine. Check the current price on each site before you start, because the fee is paid once during incorporation.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.