Grasshopper vs Ualá.
Grasshopper (G72/100) 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. Ualá leads Grasshopper 5-4.
| G Grasshopper №29 · OCC 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 OCC | 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 | — | 2.4 ★ 5k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.2 ★ iOS 4.3 · And 4.0 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.5 |
| 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 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 Grasshopper won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Grasshopper won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Ualá won 3 of 3
- Best for ux Ualá won 2 of 2
Grasshopper vs Ualá — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Grasshopper better than Ualá?
Under our v3 methodology, Ualá leads Grasshopper 5–4 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Grasshopper 72/100 vs Ualá 49/100. Ualá is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Grasshopper or Ualá cheaper?
Monthly fee — Grasshopper: €0; Ualá: €0. Card FX markup — Grasshopper: Interbank; Ualá: 4.00%. 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 Ualá?
Grasshopper holds a Partner-bank licence under OCC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Ualá holds a Payment inst. licence under BCRA; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Grasshopper is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Grasshopper and Ualá?
Grasshopper 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.