Wio vs Zand.
Wio (W74/100) and Zand (Z74/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Wio leads Zand 1-0.
| W Wio №24 · CBUAE 74 /100 | Z Zand №26 · CBUAE 74 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 74 /100 | 74 /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 CBUAE | Full bank CBUAE |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | Safeguarded AE.DPS | Safeguarded AE.DPS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | Yes | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.2 ★ iOS 4.4 · And 4.0 | 4.2 ★ iOS 4.3 · And 4.0 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Wio if…
UAE-native digital full-bank, CBUAE-licensed since 2022. Backed by ADQ + Alpha Dhabi + Mubadala + e&. Instant onboarding via Emirates ID and a multi-currency core (AED + USD + EUR + GBP) make it the strongest local-licensed competitor to Liv. and Mashreq Neo. The UAE has no statutory deposit-guarantee scheme, so deposits rest on the bank's CBUAE licence.
Pick Zand if…
UAE's first fully-digital full bank — CBUAE-licensed since 2021. Holds its own banking licence (not a partner-bank). Both retail and corporate banking offered. Adds full-bank diversity to the UAE set alongside Wio.
- Best for fees Tied
- Best for protection Tied
- Best for reach Tied
- Best for ux Wio won 1 of 2
Wio vs Zand — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Wio better than Zand?
Under our v3 methodology, Wio leads Zand 1–0 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Wio 74/100 vs Zand 74/100. Wio is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Wio or Zand cheaper?
Monthly fee — Wio: €0; Zand: €0. Card FX markup — Wio: Interbank; Zand: Interbank. Tied across fee rows. See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, Wio or Zand?
Wio holds a Full bank licence under CBUAE; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Zand holds a Full bank licence under CBUAE; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Both score equally on regulatory protection rows.
Where can I use Wio and Zand?
Wio operates in 1 country; Zand 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.