Starling Bank Review
Comprehensive review and analysis of Starling Bank's digital banking services
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2014
- Head Office
- United Kingdom
- Active Customers
- 3+ million
- Total Funding
- £500 million
- Employees
- 1800+
- App Store Rating
- 4.9/5
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No monthly fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Interest on current account balance
- Excellent business accounts
- 24/7 customer support
- FSCS protected
Cons
- Limited international availability
- No crypto services
- Limited rewards program
- No physical branches
Supported Countries
- United Kingdom
- European Economic Area
Fees
- Personal Account Free
- Business Account Free for most services
- Euro Account £2/month
- ATM Withdrawals Free worldwide
- Foreign Transactions No fees, Mastercard exchange rate
Overview
Starling Bank has established itself as one of the UK’s leading digital banks since 2014. Known for its robust personal and business banking services, it stands out for offering interest on current account balances and having no fees for everyday banking.
Key Highlights
- Award-Winning: Multiple “Best British Bank” awards
- Interest Bearing: Earn interest on current account balance
- Business Focus: Strong business banking solutions
- Fee-Free Banking: No fees for standard services
- Global Access: Free international ATM withdrawals
- 24/7 Support: Round-the-clock customer service
Market Position
- Leading UK challenger bank
- Strong focus on business banking
- Emphasis on sustainable growth
- Innovation in banking technology
Key Features
Banking Services
- Full UK current account
- Business accounts
- Euro accounts
- Joint accounts
- Connected cards
- Marketplace integrations
International Features
- Fee-free overseas spending
- International payments
- Euro account option
- Competitive exchange rates
- Global ATM access
- Travel notifications
Business Banking
- Free business account
- Multi-user access
- Accounting integration
- Payment scheduling
- Expense management
- Business lending
Money Management
- Spending insights
- Saving spaces
- Goals
- Round-ups
- Split payments
- Receipt capture
Security Features
- Face/fingerprint login
- Card controls
- Location-based security
- 24/7 monitoring
- In-app card locking
- Secure messaging
Customer Support
- 24/7 customer service
- In-app chat
- Phone support
- Email support
- Help center
- Community forum
Verdict
Starling Bank distinguishes itself with a comprehensive, fee-free banking service that pays interest on current account balances. Its business banking offering is particularly strong, making it an excellent choice for both personal and business customers.
The absence of foreign transaction fees and worldwide ATM withdrawals make it ideal for travelers. While the lack of physical branches might deter some traditional banking customers, the 24/7 customer support and robust digital features more than compensate. For those seeking a full-featured digital bank with no hidden fees, Starling Bank is a top contender.