Starling Bank vs Vivid
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Starling Bank | Vivid |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.5 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Best for | Free UK personal and business banking | Cashback, saving and investing in one app |
| Monthly fee | Free personal account | Free plan → paid Prime |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate, no markup | Interbank on weekdays (limits apply) |
| Send / receive | Free UK transfers | Free SEPA transfers |
| Withdrawals | Free in the UK and abroad | Free ATM up to a cap, then fee |
| Card | Yes — debit Mastercard | Yes — Visa debit (metal on premium) |
| Availability | United Kingdom | Several EU markets |
| Currencies | GBP (EUR/USD business accounts) | EUR + multi-currency pockets |
| Regulation | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) | BaFin via partner bank (Solaris); EEA |
| Founded | 2014 | 2020 |
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
Vivid
Vivid is a Berlin-based money app combining a multi-currency account, cashback, budgeting pockets and in-app investing in stocks, ETFs and crypto. It is feature-rich and well-designed, though the strongest perks sit behind its Prime plan and it operates through partner bank Solaris across a limited set of EU markets.
Pros
- Cashback and rewards on spending
- Invest in stocks, ETFs and crypto in-app
- Sub-accounts (pockets) for budgeting
Cons
- Best features on the paid Prime plan
- Relies on a partner bank (Solaris)
- Available only in some EU markets
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.