Choose Starling if...
- You want a simple free main account.
- You travel often.
- You value joint accounts or business banking.
- You prefer a practical, less cluttered app.
Updated June 2026 - Digital bank comparison
Starling Bank vs Chase UKWhich should you choose?
Starling and Chase are both strong free current accounts. Starling is more complete for main-account banking, travel, joint accounts and business use, while Chase is especially attractive for cashback and savings organisation.
Quick verdict
Pick Starling if you want a fuller current account with travel features, joint accounts, business banking and UK-based support.
Pick Chase if you want cashback on eligible spending, a clean app and simple saver accounts.
Choose Chase if...
- You want cashback on eligible spending.
- You like simple savings organisation.
- You want a polished app with no monthly fee.
- You do not need overdrafts, loans or business banking from the same account.
Starling vs Chase: side-by-side
| Category | Starling | Chase | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall fit | A simple main current account, travel and business banking | Cashback, savings organisation and a clean everyday app | Tie |
| Monthly fee | No monthly fee on the standard personal current account. | No monthly fee on the current account. | Tie |
| Budgeting tools | Strong: Spaces, Bills Manager, round-ups, virtual cards and spending insights. | Good: multiple saver accounts, round-ups and spending insights. | Tie |
| Spending abroad | Very strong: no Starling fee for card spending abroad or overseas ATM withdrawals. | Strong: no Chase foreign transaction fee for debit card spending abroad. | Starling |
| Deposit protection | Eligible deposits protected by FSCS up to the current UK limit. | Eligible deposits protected by FSCS up to the current UK limit. | Tie |
| Support | 24/7 UK-based support through app and phone channels. | In-app customer support. | Starling |
| Business banking | Strong business and sole trader accounts, plus optional business toolkit features. | No UK business account currently offered. | Starling |
| Extra products | Savings, joint accounts, business accounts and overdrafts may be available. | Cashback, saver accounts, round-ups and investment access through J.P. Morgan. | Chase |
Protection note
Deposit protection can depend on the exact account and legal entity. Always check the provider's latest terms before applying. You can also read our FSCS protection guide and how we review banks.
Final verdict
Starling is more complete as a main bank account, while Chase is stronger for cashback-focused users.
The best choice depends on what you want the account to do. If one option fits your day-to-day habits better, that usually matters more than a single headline feature.
Continue researching
Read the full reviews and guides
We link to every digital bank review here so the comparison pages do not favour one provider over another.
All digital bank reviews
Finished comparing Starling and Chase?
Return to the top, compare more banks, or browse the full set of digital bank reviews.