Sony Bank vs Grasshopper.
Sony Bank (S77/100) and Grasshopper (G72/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Sony Bank leads Grasshopper 4-2.
| G Grasshopper №32 · OCC 72 /100 | S Sony Bank №15 · JFSA 77 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 72 /100 | 77 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | 0.15% |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank OCC | Full bank JFSA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | $250,000 US.FDIC | €10,000,000 JP.DICJ |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.2 ★ iOS 4.3 · And 4.0 | 4.1 ★ iOS 4.2 · And 4.0 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Grasshopper if…
The OCC-chartered US national bank for startups — the structural distinction from Mercury / Brex / Bluevine / Rho is that Grasshopper IS the bank. Direct FDIC cover at the chartered-bank level, multi-bank Cash Sweep extending to $25M. Free business checking with API access. The structural fit for US-incorporated startups wanting a real bank relationship rather than a partner-bank fintech.
Pick Sony Bank if…
Japan's longest-running internet-only bank (operational since June 2001) — predates Rakuten Bank's eBank acquisition and tied with SBI Sumishin for first-net-bank tenure. The structural specificity is multi-currency forex strength: foreign-currency deposit accounts in 12+ currencies plus retail FX margin trading, the deepest retail-FX product among Japanese chartered net banks. Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Financial Group, in turn part of Sony Group Corporation (TYO: 6758). Sony Bank ≠ Sony Pay / Sony Mobile Wallet — the bank holds a full Banking Act licence, the wallet brands do not.
- Best for fees Grasshopper won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Sony Bank won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Sony Bank won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Grasshopper won 1 of 2
Sony Bank vs Grasshopper — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Grasshopper better than Sony Bank?
Under our v3 methodology, Sony Bank leads Grasshopper 4–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Grasshopper 72/100 vs Sony Bank 77/100. Sony Bank is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Grasshopper or Sony Bank cheaper?
Monthly fee — Grasshopper: €0; Sony Bank: €0. Card FX markup — Grasshopper: Interbank; Sony Bank: 0.15%. Grasshopper 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, Grasshopper or Sony Bank?
Grasshopper holds a Partner-bank licence under OCC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Sony Bank holds a Full bank licence under JFSA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €10,000,000. Sony Bank is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Grasshopper and Sony Bank?
Grasshopper operates in 1 country; Sony Bank 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.