Novo vs Ualá.
Novo (N72/100) and Ualá (U49/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Novo leads Ualá 6-3.
| N Novo №28 · FDIC 72 /100 | U Ualá №81 · BCRA 49 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 72 /100 | 49 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | 4.00% |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank FDIC | Payment inst. BCRA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | $250,000 US.FDIC | Safeguarded AR.SEDESA |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 3 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | 6 coins |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 3.0 ★ 1k reviews | 2.4 ★ 5k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.7 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.5 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.5 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Novo if…
The integration-first US business neobank. Boost is the structural feature: Stripe and Square payouts arrive 1-2 business days earlier than at any competitor, which materially shifts cash-flow timing for e-commerce sellers and agencies invoicing on net-30. The third-party app marketplace (~11+ named integrations including Wise for cross-border) is deeper than Bluevine, Mercury, or Found, and Middlesex Federal Savings has been the continuous sponsor bank since launch — uncommon stability in BaaS. Trade-off: $250K single-bank FDIC ceiling (no sweep), no yield product, and weaker multi-user permissions than Relay.
Pick Ualá if…
The default Argentine fintech card (~9M users in AR). Wilobank acquisition (2022) gave Ualá a full Argentine banking licence — converts the wallet to a chartered bank for AR depositors. Mexican + Colombian expansions via local subsidiaries. Argentine inflation-hedge yield (Rendimientos) is a near-mandatory product for ARS holders.
- Best for fees Novo won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Novo won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Ualá won 3 of 3
- Best for ux Novo won 2 of 2
Novo vs Ualá — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Novo better than Ualá?
Under our v3 methodology, Novo leads Ualá 6–3 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Novo 72/100 vs Ualá 49/100. Novo is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Novo or Ualá cheaper?
Monthly fee — Novo: €0; Ualá: €0. Card FX markup — Novo: Interbank; Ualá: 4.00%. Novo 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, Novo or Ualá?
Novo holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Ualá holds a Payment inst. licence under BCRA; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Novo is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Novo and Ualá?
Novo operates in 1 country; Ualá operates in 3 countries. 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.