Starling Bank vs Payz
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Starling Bank | Payz |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.5 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Best for | Free UK personal and business banking | Established multi-currency wallet for gaming |
| Monthly fee | Free personal account | No standard monthly fee |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate, no Starling fee on card payments | ~2.99% standard tier |
| Send / receive | Free UK transfers; abroad 0.4% + £0.30–£5.50 delivery | Free P2P from Gold VIP up |
| Withdrawals | No Starling fee in the UK or abroad (£300 a day abroad) | Varies by method & VIP tier |
| Card | Yes — debit Mastercard | Yes — Mastercard (Silver VIP tier and above) |
| Availability | United Kingdom (residents aged 16+) | 180+ countries |
| Currencies | GBP + optional euro account (USD for limited companies only) | 45+ currencies |
| Regulation | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) | UK FCA (PSI-Pay Ltd) |
| Founded | 2014 | 2000 |
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
Payz
Payz is the rebrand of ecoPayz, one of the oldest e-wallets (since 2000), run by FCA-regulated PSI-Pay and offering 45+ currencies worldwide with a Mastercard and a tiered VIP programme. Its standout is a ~2.99% FX rate, undercutting Skrill and Neteller, though the best perks and the card are gated behind VIP tiers. A dependable, slightly cheaper alternative for everyday multi-currency use.
Pros
- Long track record (ecoPayz since 2000)
- Lower ~2.99% FX than Skrill/Neteller
- Supports 45+ currencies worldwide
Cons
- Best rates & card gated behind VIP tiers
- Card requires Silver VIP+ status
- Rebrand from ecoPayz still confuses users
The bottom line
Overall, Starling Bank edges ahead with a score of 4.5 versus 3.5 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.