Vivid vs Starling Bank
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Vivid | Starling Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 3.8 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best for | Cashback, saving and investing in one app | Free UK personal and business banking |
| Monthly fee | Standard €4.90 (waivable); Plus €6.90; Prime €9.90 | Free personal account |
| Exchange rate | 1% over the Visa rate on non-euro card payments | Mastercard rate, no Starling fee on card payments |
| Send / receive | Free SEPA and instant SEPA; no SWIFT | Free UK transfers; abroad 0.4% + £0.30–£5.50 delivery |
| Withdrawals | €200 / €500 / €1,000 free a month, then 3% (min €1) | No Starling fee in the UK or abroad (£300 a day abroad) |
| Card | Yes — Visa debit (metal on premium) | Yes — debit Mastercard |
| Availability | AT, CY, FR, DE, IT, LU, NL, PT, ES, CH | United Kingdom (residents aged 16+) |
| Currencies | EUR (only supported retail currency) | GBP + optional euro account (USD for limited companies only) |
| Regulation | Vivid Money S.A., e-money institution regulated by the CSSF (Luxembourg) | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) |
| Founded | 2020 | 2014 |
Vivid
Vivid is a Berlin-founded money app combining a euro account, cashback, budgeting pockets and in-app investing in stocks, ETFs and crypto. It is feature-rich and well-designed, though Standard now costs €4.90 a month unless you keep €3,000 or spend €1,000 by card, non-euro payments cost 1%, and it is offered in a limited set of European markets by Vivid Money S.A., a Luxembourg e-money institution.
Pros
- Cashback and rewards on spending
- Invest in stocks, ETFs and crypto in-app
- Sub-accounts (pockets) for budgeting
Cons
- Standard costs €4.90 a month unless you meet the waiver
- 1% on every non-euro card payment
- Euro only: no other currencies or SWIFT
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
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.