Monzo vs AstroPay
Uno sguardo fianco a fianco a come si confrontano questi due portafogli — e quale vince per ciascun compito.
| Caratteristica | Monzo | AstroPay |
|---|---|---|
| Punteggio | 4.4 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Ideale per | Everyday UK banking and budgeting | Payments in LatAm & emerging markets |
| Canone mensile | Free → Plus/Premium plans | No annual maintenance/card fee |
| Tasso di cambio | Mastercard rate, no Monzo markup | Conversion margin varies |
| Invia / ricevi | Free UK transfers | P2P supported; varies by corridor |
| Prelievi | Free in UK; overseas cap then fee on free plan | Bank-transfer charges may apply |
| Carta | Yes — debit Mastercard | Yes — virtual & physical debit cards |
| Disponibilità | UK (US in rollout) | LatAm, Asia, Africa & beyond |
| Valute | GBP (spends abroad at Mastercard rate) | Multiple currencies |
| Regolamentazione | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) | UK FCA EMI; Isle of Man FSA; Brazil Central Bank |
| Fondata | 2015 | 2009 |
Monzo
Monzo is a fully licensed UK app bank with FSCS-protected deposits, best known for its budgeting tools (Pots, spending categories) and fee-free card spending abroad at the Mastercard rate. It is one of the most polished everyday banking apps in the UK, with overseas ATM limits and premium perks reserved for paid tiers.
Pro
- Full UK bank, FSCS-protected deposits
- Excellent budgeting with Pots and categories
- No FX markup on card spending
Contro
- GBP-only current account
- Overseas ATM limits on the free plan
- Best perks on paid tiers
AstroPay
AstroPay is a London-headquartered, Uruguay-born wallet specialising in Latin American and emerging-market payments, offering local funding options, virtual/physical debit cards and multi-currency balances with no card or maintenance fees. It is a natural fit for cross-border payments into the region, though FX and withdrawal pricing varies. Best for users transacting in or with Latin America.
Pro
- Strong coverage of Latin American payment methods
- No card or annual maintenance fees
- Virtual & physical cards with multi-currency balances
Contro
- FX/withdrawal fees vary and can be unclear
- Coverage thinner outside LatAm/emerging markets
- FCA authorisation briefly restricted in 2024 (restored 2025)
In conclusione
Nel complesso, Monzo ha la meglio con un punteggio di 4.4 contro 3.5 — ma la scelta giusta dipende dalle tue priorità. Verifica entrambi rispetto al tuo Paese e al tuo caso d'uso prima di decidere.