Starling Bank vs Curve
Un comparatif côte à côte de ces deux portefeuilles — et lequel l'emporte selon le besoin.
| Fonctionnalité | Starling Bank | Curve |
|---|---|---|
| Note | 4.5 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Idéal pour | Free UK personal and business banking | Consolidating multiple cards into one |
| Frais mensuels | Free personal account | Free → ~£14.99/mo (Pay→Metal) |
| Taux de change | Mastercard rate, no markup | Mid-market weekdays; weekend surcharge |
| Envoyer / recevoir | Free UK transfers | N/A (overlays existing cards) |
| Retraits | Free in the UK and abroad | Limited free ATM, then fees |
| Carte | Yes — debit Mastercard | Yes — single Mastercard overlaying your cards |
| Disponibilité | United Kingdom | 30+ European countries (+ US rollout) |
| Devises | GBP (EUR/USD business accounts) | Spends in multiple currencies via linked cards |
| Réglementation | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) | FCA-authorised e-money institution |
| Création | 2014 | 2015 |
Starling Bank
Starling Bank is a fully licensed UK app bank with FSCS-protected deposits, no fees on overseas spending or ATM withdrawals, interest on balances 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.
Avantages
- Full UK bank, FSCS-protected deposits
- No fees on overseas spending or ATM withdrawals
- Excellent free business accounts
Inconvénients
- UK-only
- GBP-focused for personal accounts
- Fewer lifestyle perks than some rivals
Curve
Curve is a London-based smart card that consolidates all your existing debit and credit cards into one Mastercard and app, with a standout "Go Back in Time" feature to retroactively switch a payment's funding card. It offers mid-market FX on weekdays but adds a weekend surcharge, and its best perks sit behind paid tiers. An overlay layer rather than a bank or transfer account.
Avantages
- Combine all cards into one card & app
- Mid-market FX on weekdays
- "Go Back in Time" to switch a payment's card
Inconvénients
- Weekend FX surcharge applies
- Not a transfer/IBAN account — overlay only
- Best features behind paid plans
En résumé
Globalement, Starling Bank prend l'avantage avec une note de 4.5 contre 3.8 — mais le bon choix dépend de vos priorités. Vérifiez les deux selon votre pays et votre usage avant de décider.