Lydia Review
Comprehensive review and analysis of Lydia's digital banking services
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2013
- Head Office
- France
- Active Customers
- 5.5+ million
- Total Funding
- €131 million
- Employees
- 800+
- App Store Rating
- 4.8/5
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Instant mobile payments
- Group expense management
- Virtual cards
- Investment features
- Social payment features
- No hidden fees
Cons
- Limited availability outside France
- Some features require premium
- No physical branches
- Limited business features
Supported Countries
- France
- Portugal
- Ireland
Fees
- Basic Account Free
- Lydia Plus €4.99/month
- Lydia Premium €7.99/month
- ATM Withdrawals Free up to limits
- Foreign Transactions Free with Premium
Overview
Lydia has transformed from a peer-to-peer payment app to a comprehensive financial platform since 2013. Known for its social payment features and user-friendly interface, it has become one of France’s leading fintech companies.
Key Features
Payment Services
- Instant transfers
- Group payments
- Bill splitting
- QR code payments
- Payment requests
- International transfers
Banking Features
- Current account
- Physical and virtual cards
- Real-time notifications
- Savings accounts
- Budget tracking
- Mobile top-ups
Social Features
- Group expense tracking
- Shared accounts
- Money pools
- Social payments
- Event planning
- Split bills
Investment Options
- Stock trading
- Crypto trading
- ETF investments
- Trading insights
- Portfolio tracking
- Market analysis
Security Features
- Biometric authentication
- PIN protection
- Card freezing
- Transaction limits
- Fraud detection
- 3D Secure
Customer Support
- In-app chat
- Email support
- Phone support
- Help center
- Community forum
- Social media support
Verdict
Lydia excels in providing a social-first approach to digital banking and payments. Its strength in mobile payments and group expense management makes it particularly attractive for younger users and those who frequently share expenses.
While some advanced features require premium subscriptions, the free tier offers comprehensive payment functionality. The addition of investment features and banking services has transformed Lydia from a simple payment app into a full-featured financial platform.
The main limitations are its primary focus on the French market and limited business features. However, for users seeking a modern, social-oriented payment and banking solution, Lydia offers an excellent combination of features and user experience.