Starling Bank vs Volet
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Starling Bank | Volet |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.5 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Best for | Free UK personal and business banking | Multi-currency wallet with prepaid cards |
| Monthly fee | Free personal account | Free |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate, no markup | Spread on conversions |
| Send / receive | Free UK transfers | Free wallet-to-wallet; external 0.5–3.5% |
| Withdrawals | Free in the UK and abroad | SEPA ~EUR 1 flat; card/SWIFT vary |
| Card | Yes — debit Mastercard | Yes — Visa/Mastercard prepaid (virtual & physical) |
| Availability | United Kingdom | 150+ countries |
| Currencies | GBP (EUR/USD business accounts) | 20+ fiat + major crypto |
| Regulation | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) | EEA registrations; lightly regulated globally |
| Founded | 2014 | 2014 |
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
Volet
Volet (formerly AdvCash) is a versatile multi-currency e-wallet that blends fiat and crypto with prepaid cards and free internal transfers. It suits crypto-savvy users in 150+ countries, though external fees and a relatively light regulatory profile are worth weighing.
Pros
- Free internal wallet-to-wallet transfers
- Holds 20+ fiat currencies plus native crypto
- Prepaid cards for spending crypto/fiat
Cons
- Light/unclear regulatory oversight
- High physical card issuance fee (~$90)
- External transfer fees up to 3.5%
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.