Aspire vs Brex.
Aspire (A70/100) and Brex (B70/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Brex leads Aspire 3-2.
| A Aspire №37 · MAS 70 /100 | B Brex №34 · FDIC 70 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 70 /100 | 70 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 0.30% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank MAS | Partner-bank FDIC |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | $250,000 US.FDIC |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 8 countries | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.3 ★ 1k reviews | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Aspire if…
The APAC-first multi-currency business-account platform for SaaS startups and e-commerce sellers — SG-HQ MAS Major Payment Institution with native multi-currency accounts (USD/SGD/EUR/GBP/IDR + HKD/AUD/IDR/MYR) plus local-currency receiving in 30+ countries and local account issuance in 6 jurisdictions (SG, HK, US, UK, EU, AU). Built for APAC startups taking USD revenue who need a SGD operating account without the friction of running Mercury (US) + a SG-bank relationship side-by-side. Stripe + Shopify + Xero integration depth makes Aspire the structural fit for SaaS / e-commerce / fintech operators in the region. MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution status is the structural anchor.
Pick Brex if…
SMB-business neobank built around corporate cards + spend management. Brex Cash uses partner-bank sweep (Choice Financial + Lead Bank + Citi) for FDIC pass-through up to $6M+. Y Combinator alumni; ~$12B valuation. The default for VC-backed US startups.
- Best for fees Brex won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Brex won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Tied
- Best for ux Aspire won 1 of 2
Aspire vs Brex — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Aspire better than Brex?
Under our v3 methodology, Brex leads Aspire 3–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Aspire 70/100 vs Brex 70/100. Brex is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Aspire or Brex cheaper?
Monthly fee — Aspire: €0; Brex: €0. Card FX markup — Aspire: 0.30%; Brex: Interbank. Brex wins more fee rows (1 of 4). See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, Aspire or Brex?
Aspire holds a Partner-bank licence under MAS; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Brex holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Brex is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Aspire and Brex?
Aspire operates in 8 countries; Brex operates in 1 country. Check each provider's signup page for the live country list — eligibility depends on residency, not just the licence footprint.
Want a 3- or 4-way comparison?
The dynamic compare picker handles up to four banks. Add this pair plus one or two more and we'll resolve every row.