K Bank vs Starling Bank.
K Bank (K78/100) and Starling Bank (S77/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. K Bank leads Starling Bank 3-0.
| K K Bank №09 · KDIC 78 /100 | S Starling Bank №12 · FCA 77 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 78 /100 | 77 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Full bank KDIC | Full bank FCA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €50,000,000 KR.KDIC | £85,000 GB.FSCS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.5 · And 4.4 | — |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick K Bank if…
Korea's first Internet-Only Bank to launch (April 2017) — predates Kakao Bank by three months. KT Corporation (Korea Telecom) is the largest shareholder, providing carrier-bundled distribution and ASEAN remittance corridors via Wirebarley. The cash-settlement counterparty for Upbit, Korea's largest crypto exchange — exposure to crypto-cycle deposit flows. Listed on KOSPI in 2024 after two shelved IPO attempts.
Pick Starling Bank if…
Pick if you bank in the UK and want a clearing bank for personal + business with no retail crypto, no brokerage.
- Best for fees Tied
- Best for protection K Bank won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Tied
- Best for ux K Bank won 1 of 2
K Bank vs Starling Bank — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is K Bank better than Starling Bank?
Under our v3 methodology, K Bank leads Starling Bank 3–0 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: K Bank 78/100 vs Starling Bank 77/100. K Bank is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is K Bank or Starling Bank cheaper?
Monthly fee — K Bank: €0; Starling Bank: €0. Card FX markup — K Bank: Interbank; Starling Bank: Interbank. Tied across fee rows. See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, K Bank or Starling Bank?
K Bank holds a Full bank licence under KDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: €50,000,000. Starling Bank holds a Full bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: £85,000. K Bank is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use K Bank and Starling Bank?
K Bank operates in 1 country; Starling 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.