UK neo banks compared: Monzo, Starling, Revolut and Wise

If you live in the UK, you can choose from several app-based accounts. Monzo and Starling are UK banks built for UK residents. Revolut became a fully licensed UK bank in 2026. Wise is a multi-currency account rather than a bank. Here is how they compare for personal use.

At a glance

	Monzo	Starling Bank	Revolut	Wise
Monthly fee	Free · Extra £3 · Perks £9 · Max from £19	£0	Standard free · Plus £3.99 · Premium £8.99 · Metal £16.99 · Ultra £60	No monthly fee
Spending abroad	Fee-free cash up to £200 (free plan)	No Starling fees abroad	Standard: weekday exchange allowance, then fair-usage fee	Conversion fee from 0.24%
Minimum age	16+ (18+ for paid plans)	18+	18+ (separate accounts for 6–17)	18+
Protection	FSCS up to £120,000	FSCS up to £120,000	FSCS up to £120,000 (Revolut Bank UK Ltd)	Safeguarded, not FSCS

Prices from each provider's website in October 2026.

Monzo

A free current account run entirely from the app, known for budgeting pots, instant notifications and bill splitting. Paid plans add perks such as higher fee-free withdrawals abroad (up to £600 on Perks and Max) and insurance. Monzo accounts are for UK residents.

Starling Bank

A free current account with no Starling fees on spending or cash withdrawals abroad, which makes it popular with travellers. It also offers saving spaces, joint accounts and debit cards for children. You must be 18 or over and live in the UK.

Revolut

Strong on multi-currency spending and exchange, with a free Standard plan and several paid plans. Revolut received its full UK banking licence in 2026 and is moving customers to Revolut Bank UK Ltd in stages; new customers get FSCS-protected accounts. Existing customers can check the entity name in the app.

Wise

Best suited to sending and receiving money internationally. There is no monthly fee; you pay a visible fee per conversion. Wise is not a bank, so balances are safeguarded rather than FSCS-protected. See Revolut vs Wise for a closer comparison.

Running a small business?

For sole traders and limited companies, Tide offers a UK business account with a free plan and paid plans from £12.49 a month. Read business accounts for freelancers and small businesses.

See UK providers in our comparison

This guide is general information, not financial advice. Fees, features and availability change, so check the provider's own website before you apply. Read how we compare providers and our affiliate disclosure.