bunq vs Starling Bank
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | bunq | Starling Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.0 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best for | Digital nomads needing EU banking + multi-currency | Free UK personal and business banking |
| Monthly fee | Free €0; Core €3.99; Pro €9.99; Elite €18.99 | Free personal account |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate + 0.5% (Free: 1.5% after €1,000 a year) | Mastercard rate, no Starling fee on card payments |
| Send / receive | Free instant euro transfers; SWIFT €5 | Free UK transfers; abroad 0.4% + £0.30–£5.50 delivery |
| Withdrawals | Free: €2.99 each; Pro/Elite: first 6 a month free | No Starling fee in the UK or abroad (£300 a day abroad) |
| Card | Yes — physical & virtual Mastercard | Yes — debit Mastercard |
| Availability | EU residents (new UK sign-ups paused) | United Kingdom (residents aged 16+) |
| Currencies | About 20 currencies; local IBANs from 7 EU countries | GBP + optional euro account (USD for limited companies only) |
| Regulation | De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) full EU banking licence | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) |
| Founded | 2012 | 2014 |
bunq
bunq is an Amsterdam-based challenger bank with a full Dutch banking licence and €100,000 deposit protection, popular with digital nomads for its multi-currency support, sub-accounts and savings interest. Its free plan is limited (virtual card only, €2.99 per ATM withdrawal), so most travellers will want Core or Pro. A strong choice for EU residents wanting flexible, feature-rich banking.
Pros
- Full Dutch banking licence, €100k protection
- Multi-currency holding with fair FX
- Multiple sub-accounts & budgeting tools
Cons
- Free plan has only a virtual card and €2.99 ATM fees
- Free plan FX rises to 1.5% after €1,000 a year
- EU residents only (UK sign-ups paused, US pending a licence)
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 4.0 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.