Starling Bank vs Luxon Pay
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Starling Bank | Luxon Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.5 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Best for | Free UK personal and business banking | High-volume players wanting fast free transfers |
| Monthly fee | Free personal account | Free |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate, no markup | 1% standard; 0% at top VIP |
| Send / receive | Free UK transfers | Free wallet-to-wallet |
| Withdrawals | Free in the UK and abroad | SWIFT ~EUR 20 standard; free at top tier |
| Card | Yes — debit Mastercard | Yes — Mastercard (virtual & physical) |
| Availability | United Kingdom | Multiple regions |
| Currencies | GBP (EUR/USD business accounts) | 38+ currencies (plus select crypto) |
| Regulation | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) | FCA-authorised Electronic Money Institution |
| Founded | 2014 | 2018 |
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.
Pros
- Full UK bank, FSCS-protected deposits
- No fees on overseas spending or ATM withdrawals
- Excellent free business accounts
Cons
- UK-only
- GBP-focused for personal accounts
- Fewer lifestyle perks than some rivals
Luxon Pay
Luxon Pay is an FCA-authorised multi-currency e-wallet known for free transfers and a Mastercard across 38+ currencies, popular with high-volume users. Standard-tier FX and SWIFT fees apply, but high-volume VIP members can reduce nearly all fees to zero.
Pros
- Free deposits, withdrawals & internal transfers
- FCA-authorised electronic money institution
- 38+ currencies with virtual & physical Mastercard
Cons
- Best rates require high VIP tier deposits
- 1% FX & EUR 20 SWIFT fee at standard tier
- Niche brand with limited mainstream recognition
The bottom line
Overall, Starling Bank edges ahead with a score of 4.5 versus 3.8 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.