Apple Pay vs Starling Bank
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Apple Pay | Starling Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.4 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best for | Contactless payments on Apple devices | Free UK personal and business banking |
| Monthly fee | Free | Free personal account |
| Exchange rate | Uses your card's FX terms | Mastercard rate, no Starling fee on card payments |
| Send / receive | Apple Cash P2P free; instant 1.7% | Free UK transfers; abroad 0.4% + £0.30–£5.50 delivery |
| Withdrawals | Standard Apple Cash free; instant 1.7% | No Starling fee in the UK or abroad (£300 a day abroad) |
| Card | No standalone card; tokenises existing cards | Yes — debit Mastercard |
| Availability | Apple Pay in 101 countries and regions (Apple list, 27 Oct 2026); Apple Cash US-only | United Kingdom (residents aged 16+) |
| Currencies | Local card currency; Apple Cash USD | GBP + optional euro account (USD for limited companies only) |
| Regulation | Apple Cash via Green Dot Bank (US); rides card networks | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) |
| Founded | 2014 | 2014 |
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is the default contactless wallet for iPhone and Apple Watch users, offering fast, private, tokenized tap-to-pay available in 100+ countries and regions with no Apple fee. Apple Cash adds US-only peer-to-peer payments inside iMessage. Excellent for everyday spending within the Apple ecosystem but offers no standalone account or Android support.
Pros
- Seamless, secure contactless on iPhone/Watch
- Tokenization keeps real card numbers private
- Available in 100+ countries and regions
Cons
- Apple Cash P2P is US-only
- Locked to the Apple ecosystem
- Instant Apple Cash transfers cost 1.7%
Starling Bank
Starling Bank is a fully licensed UK app bank with FSCS-protected deposits, no fees on overseas spending or ATM withdrawals, an optional euro account and highly regarded free business accounts. It is one of the strongest all-round UK options, especially for freelancers and small businesses, though it is UK-only and GBP-focused.
Pros
- Full UK bank, FSCS-protected deposits up to £120,000
- No Starling fees on overseas spending or ATM withdrawals
- Euro account with its own IBAN, no monthly fee
Cons
- UK-only
- GBP-focused for personal accounts
- Fewer lifestyle perks than some rivals
The bottom line
Overall, Starling Bank edges ahead with a score of 4.5 versus 4.4 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.