Starling Bank vs N26
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Starling Bank | N26 |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.5 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Best for | Free UK personal and business banking | Everyday banking in the Eurozone |
| Monthly fee | Free personal account | Free → €16.90/mo (Metal) |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate, no markup | Mid-market on card payments |
| Send / receive | Free UK transfers | Free SEPA transfers in EUR |
| Withdrawals | Free in the UK and abroad | Limited free EUR; foreign ATM fee on free plan |
| Card | Yes — debit Mastercard | Yes — debit Mastercard; stainless on Metal |
| Availability | United Kingdom | ~24 European markets |
| Currencies | GBP (EUR/USD business accounts) | EUR account; spends worldwide at mid-market |
| Regulation | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) | BaFin / German full banking licence (ECB) |
| Founded | 2014 | 2013 |
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
N26
N26 is a Berlin-based mobile bank with a full German banking licence and €100,000 deposit protection, offering a polished app and fee-free card spending at the mid-market rate. It is EUR-centric and limited to around two dozen European markets, so it is not a true multi-currency account. Best for clean everyday banking within the Eurozone.
Pros
- Full German banking licence, €100k protection
- No FX markup on card spending
- Clean, well-designed mobile app
Cons
- EUR-only account; not truly multi-currency
- Available only in select European markets
- ATM withdrawal limits/fees on free plan
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.