Compare UK Digital Banks
Independent reviews of digital & app based banking
Starling Bank Review
Starling Bank is one of the UK's leading digital banks, known for its award-winning current account, comprehensive money management tools, and exceptional customer service. As an app-only bank, Starling offers fee-free spending abroad, instant payment notifications, flexible savings Spaces, overdraft facilities, and an intuitive mobile-first experience.
FSCS Protection — If you want to understand how the £120,000 FSCS guarantee protects your savings, click here to read our helpful guide →
Key Features
| FSCS Protection | Yes — up to £120,000 per person across all accounts |
| Monthly Fee | £0 — No monthly fee for the personal current account |
| Current Accounts | Yes — Award-winning digital current account with Spaces, Mastercard debit card, and 24/7 support |
| Savings Accounts | Yes — Includes Easy Saver (3.00% AER variable) and Fixed Saver (3.80% AER fixed) |
| Credit Card | Not offered — The bank provides Mastercard Debit cards only |
| Spending Abroad | Fee-free — Uses Mastercard's exchange rate with no fees from Starling for spending or withdrawals |
| App Features | Spending insights, budgeting Spaces, instant notifications, bill splitting, virtual cards |
| Loans | Yes — Personal loans available (amounts subject to eligibility) |
| Top Savings Rate | 3.80% AER/gross fixed — For the 1-Year Fixed Saver |
Starling Bank at a Glance
- Starling offers a fully-featured personal current account with instant notifications, detailed spending insights, goal-based savings Spaces, and fee-free international spending, all protected by FSCS up to £85,000.
Starling Bank Services
Starling provides personal banking services including a current account, savings Spaces, Fixed Saver accounts, detailed spending analytics, cash deposits via Post Office, fee-free international transactions, personal loans, arranged overdrafts, and integrated in-app customer support.
✅ Pros
- Award-winning mobile app and customer service
- No fees for spending abroad or ATM withdrawals worldwide
- Advanced budgeting and real-time spending categorization
- Savings Spaces for organizing money into separate pots
- Full FSCS protection up to £85,000
- Excellent business banking features available
- Free cash deposits via Post Office (up to £1,000 per year)
- Cheque deposit via mobile app
- 24/7 customer support through the app
⚠️ Cons
- No cashback rewards on everyday spending
- No automated round-up saving feature (available through third-party integration only)
- Overdrafts and loans require credit check and eligibility assessment
- Fewer promotional offers compared to some competitors like Chase
- No physical branches for in-person service
- No credit card option (debit card only)
Why We Like Starling Bank
We like Starling because it consistently delivers one of the most reliable and comprehensive digital banking experiences in the UK. Its combination of powerful money management tools, completely fee-free international spending, innovative savings Spaces, and consistently excellent customer support makes it ideal for everyday banking and financial organization.
How We Compare Digital Banks
Compared with other UK digital banks, Starling excels through its balanced approach combining usability with robust features. While Monzo offers more social features and Chase provides cashback rewards, Starling maintains its position as one of the most dependable all-round digital banks with superior customer service and money management capabilities.
Financial Information Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and may not always reflect the latest fees, rates, or terms offered by each bank. While we do our best to keep content accurate and up-to-date, you should always check the bank’s official website or app before applying for an account. Nothing on this site constitutes financial advice.
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