Revolut vs Starling Bank

Revolut and Starling are both part of a new generation of digital banking services designed to offer more flexibility than traditional banks.

Starling Bank was founded in 2014 with the goal of providing a fully digital UK bank account focused on everyday money management. It offers a simple, all-in-one current account with no monthly fees and strong domestic banking features.

Revolut, launched in 2015, was built as a global financial super-app. Our aim is to create a borderless financial experience, combining spending, saving, investing, and travel tools in one place.

While there is some overlap, the positioning is quite different:

• Both offer app-based banking with features like spending insights, instant notifications, and savings spaces
• Revolut supports multi-currency accounts and global transfers, while Starling focuses more on UK-based banking
• Revolut includes in-app investing and trading features, which Starling doesn't offer
• Starling provides a single, free account, while Revolut offers a free to sign up account and the option to upgrade to one of our paid plans

This comparison is based on publicly available information published by other providers as of 10 March 2026. You should visit their websites for confirmation of their most updated costs and charges and value proposition.

Revolut vs Starling at a glance: a quick comparison

We know you might need a quick answer when deciding between Revolut or Starling. Here's a high-level summary of how the 2 providers compare across their core offerings:

¹Revolut is in the process of migrating existing UK customer e-money accounts to its UK bank.

²The Annual Equivalent Rate (AER) shows the interest you can earn over 1 year. AER is compounded, so you’ll earn interest on interest already earned. A lower rate might apply depending on balance. Instant Access Savings T&Cs apply. Rates vary by plan. Subscription fees and Paid Plan Terms apply to paid plans. Interest earned is subject to ‌applicable taxes.

³Capital at risk. Investment services are provided by Revolut Trading Ltd, a firm authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 933846)
18+. T&Cs and fees apply

Revolut and Starling account types, tiers, and fees

The most significant difference between Starling and Revolut is our approaches to account plans and pricing.

Revolut’s flexible, multi-tiered ecosystem

We offer a tiered subscription model, meaning you can scale your account benefits as your financial needs change. Our 5 plans — Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal, and Ultra — are designed to cater to different customer profiles:

• Standard (free to sign up): provides the essential features for everyday spending, budgeting, currency exchange and ATM withdrawals. It’s a great entry point into the Revolut ecosystem.
• Paid plans (Plus, Premium, Metal, and Ultra): these plans offer higher limits, and bundled lifestyle benefits. Metal and Ultra are particularly appealing to travellers, offering comprehensive travel insurance options, discounted or included airport lounge passes, and higher discounts on fees.

This approach means that if you rarely travel, the free to sign up Standard plan may be perfect for you. If you travel every month, upgrading to a plan like Metal or Ultra can save you money overall thanks to travel insurance benefits and unlimited currency exchange.

Compare our plans to find the right fit for your money management needs.

Paid Plan Terms apply. Insurance T&Cs apply. Exchange and transfer fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.

No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits. Third parties may charge ATM fees.

RevPoints T&Cs apply.

Starling’s banking model

Starling, by contrast, operates on a single-account model for personal customers. There are no monthly subscription fees for the current account, and core banking features are included for every customer.

Customers know exactly what they’re getting: a bank account with no running costs. While this is a strong option for everyday banking and savings, Starling doesn't offer additional benefits like travel insurance or in-app investment features. Insurance T&Cs apply.

International money: Revolut vs Starling rates, spending, and transfers

For anyone who travels, shops internationally, or sends money abroad, comparing international offerings is crucial.

Currency exchange rates: market rates and weekend mark-ups

When you use your card abroad, the rate at which your GBP is converted to the local currency matters most.

• Starling Bank's rates: Starling uses the Mastercard exchange rate for all card transactions abroad. It doesn't add extra fees or mark-ups to this rate, regardless of the day of the week or how much you spend.
• Revolut's rates: we offer highly competitive market exchange rates. For customers on the free Standard plan, exchanges with no additional fees on weekdays up to a monthly limit. However, a small mark-up applies to currency exchanges on weekends (5pm Friday–6pm Sunday). Paid plans give you higher exchange limits and can remove weekend fees entirely.

If you convert money frequently, a paid Revolut plan offers much better value by unlocking higher allowance limits and extra benefits. The Standard plan is normally enough for casual spenders, but keep in mind that weekend mark-up fees apply on that plan.

Global payment reach and fee structures

Methods for sending money internationally highlight the difference in global scope.

Revolut’s global payment advantage

We support holding and exchanging over 38 currencies in-app, and we facilitate transfers to more than 160 countries. This is an enormous network, making us a powerhouse for global finance. Transfers within the SEPA zone are often free. For transfers outside SEPA, a small fee may apply depending on the currency, destination, and your plan. These fees are typically a low percentage of the transfer amount (starting from 0.15%), with minimum and maximum limits depending on the route. However, fees are competitive, calculated in real-time, and always shown in-app before you make your payment.

Exchange and global transfer fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.

Starling Bank’s transfer model

Starling’s international reach is more limited than ours as you can transfer money to bank accounts in only 34 countries, and its approach to fees is different. It applies a 0.4% fee to the conversion amount when you're sending an international transfer, as well as a fixed delivery fee depending on the country and transfer speed (SWIFT or local network). This fee is applied to every transfer, regardless of your account status.

If you often send money abroad, we could be a better fit due to our broader reach and our unlimited no-fee international transfers included on higher-tier plans.

ATM withdrawals at home and abroad

Accessing cash on holiday or even at home is another important comparison point.

• Starling Bank's ATM policy: Starling offers no-fee ATM withdrawals both in the UK and abroad for up to 6 withdrawals a day with a daily limit of £300. This is a basic feature for all customers.
• Revolut's ATM policy: we offer no-fee withdrawal limits based on your plan. Standard customers can withdraw up to £200 per month (or up to 5 withdrawals, whichever limit is hit first), after which a 2% fee applies (minimum £1). Paid plans increase this no-fee limit (up to £2,000 on Ultra).

No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits on a rolling monthly basis. Third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee. Currency and ATM fair usage fees apply. Currency exchange fees may apply. Weekend mark-ups on currency exchange apply. Plan fees and T&Cs apply.

Core features and money management tools

Our modern digital account is designed to help you manage your money, not just hold it.

Savings accounts

When it comes to savings accounts, both Revolut and Starling offer ways to grow your money, but their approaches differ quite a bit. Revolut provides Instant Access Savings directly in-app, with variable interest rates that depend on your plan — up to 4% AER (variable)³ on higher plans, with interest paid daily and no minimum deposit or withdrawal restrictions.

Starling also offers savings features, including easy-access accounts with 2.50% AER paid monthly and fixed-term savings with 3.30% AER for a 12-month fixed account.

³The Annual Equivalent Rate (AER) shows the interest you can earn over 1 year. AER is compounded, so you’ll earn interest on interest already earned. A lower rate might apply depending on balance. Instant Access Savings T&Cs apply. Rates vary by plan. Subscription fees and Paid Plan Terms apply to paid plans. Interest earned is subject to ‌applicable taxes.

Budgeting, saving, and financial goal setting

Both providers offer in-app tools to help you track spending and build savings. These include:

• Spending analysis: both apps provide real-time transaction notifications and categorise your spending instantly. This gives you clear, immediate insight into where your money goes, helping you stick to a budget.
• Saving tools: both offer the ability to set money aside into separate pockets for specific goals, ring-fencing your savings from your main spending balance.

Beyond money management: investments, trading, and lifestyle tools

We're known as an all-in-one financial app for a reason: our features extend far beyond simple accounts and payments.

Beyond banking: investments and lifestyle features

This is where the biggest difference lies.

Revolut extends beyond everyday banking with a wide variety of features:

• In-app stock trading and investment tools.
• Travel-related benefits such as insurance and accommodation booking. Insurance T&Cs apply.

• Rewards programs like RevPoints. RevPoints T&Cs apply.

Starling focuses more on core banking services. It offers features like overdrafts and access to a marketplace of third-party financial products, but doesn't include built-in investment tools.

In-app stock trading and investment tools. Capital at risk. 18+ T&Cs and fees apply

Revolut vs Starling: safety, security, and customer protection

For UK customers, security and protection are paramount.

Understanding UK regulation and customer safeguarding

Starling and Revolut FSCS protection: both banks are fully regulated, licensed UK banks. Eligible deposits held in Revolut's UK bank are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per customer. If you hold an e-money account, your funds are deposited into client money accounts held at a range of partner banks — each also covered by FSCS protection up to £120,000 per person, per bank. For more information, visit the FSCS website at https://www.fscs.org.uk/.

If you hold an e-money account instead, your funds are safeguarded. This means that we deposit the money we receive from you, or on your behalf, into a client money bank account. We hold these client accounts at a range of large banks that meet both Revolut and our regulator's requirements. In the unlikely event of insolvency, these funds are protected and returned to customers. See FAQs.

Advanced in-app security features

Both Revolut and Starling offer in-app control:

• Instant freezing: if you lose your card, both apps allow you to instantly freeze and unfreeze your physical or virtual card with a single tap.
• Biometrics: both use biometric login (Face ID or fingerprint) and two-factor authentication for sensitive actions, ensuring only you can access your account.

Revolut offers disposable virtual cards for online purchases. They self-destruct after each transaction, reducing the risk of online fraud.
Please note that you can have one active disposable card at a time, with a limit of five payments every 24 hours. Additionally, there's a limit of four new virtual cards (including disposable) per month. T&Cs apply. See Virtual card FAQs.

Start managing your money globally with Revolut

If our global reach, and flexible paid plans align with your financial goals, getting started is straightforward. We can have your new account up and running in minutes.

1. Download the app: search for the Revolut app on the App Store or Google Play.
2. Open your account: follow the quick, guided steps in-app to open your personal account. You’ll need to provide some basic details and verify your identity using photo ID.
3. Choose your plan: select the free to sign up Standard plan or upgrade instantly to a paid plan (Plus, Premium, Metal, or Ultra) to unlock enhanced benefits.
4. Add money: securely add money to your new account by linking an external bank account or using a debit card.
5. Start spending: order your physical card (delivery fees may apply) and start using your virtual card immediately for smart, worldwide money management.

Sources

• Starling euro bank account
• Starling current account
• Starling currency calculator
• Send money abroad with Starling
• Starling ATM limits
• Starling spending insights
• Starling Marketplace
• Starling FSCS protection
• Starling Easy Saver
• Starling personal overdraft

This comparison is based on publicly available information published by other providers as of 10 March 2026.

Please note that actual charges and services offered may change and vary depending on individual circumstances. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend visiting each provider’s official website.

This article and the information provided herein are not intended to constitute legal, regulatory advice.