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 | Free plan → paid Prime | Free personal account |
| Exchange rate | Interbank on weekdays (limits apply) | Mastercard rate, no markup |
| Send / receive | Free SEPA transfers | Free UK transfers |
| Withdrawals | Free ATM up to a cap, then fee | Free in the UK and abroad |
| Card | Yes — Visa debit (metal on premium) | Yes — debit Mastercard |
| Availability | Several EU markets | United Kingdom |
| Currencies | EUR + multi-currency pockets | GBP (EUR/USD business accounts) |
| Regulation | BaFin via partner bank (Solaris); EEA | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) |
| Founded | 2020 | 2014 |
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
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
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.