Monzo vs Aspire.
Monzo (M78/100) and Aspire (A70/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Monzo leads Aspire 4-3.
| A Aspire №37 · MAS 70 /100 | M Monzo №08 · Central Bank of Ireland 78 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 70 /100 | 78 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 0.30% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | €200 /mo |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank MAS | Full bank Central Bank of Ireland |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | €100,000 EU.DGS.IE |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 8 countries | 2 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.3 ★ 1k reviews | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | — |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Aspire if…
The APAC-first multi-currency business-account platform for SaaS startups and e-commerce sellers — SG-HQ MAS Major Payment Institution with native multi-currency accounts (USD/SGD/EUR/GBP/IDR + HKD/AUD/IDR/MYR) plus local-currency receiving in 30+ countries and local account issuance in 6 jurisdictions (SG, HK, US, UK, EU, AU). Built for APAC startups taking USD revenue who need a SGD operating account without the friction of running Mercury (US) + a SG-bank relationship side-by-side. Stripe + Shopify + Xero integration depth makes Aspire the structural fit for SaaS / e-commerce / fintech operators in the region. MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution status is the structural anchor.
Pick Monzo if…
Pick if you bank in the UK or Ireland and value the best budgeting tools in the category.
- Best for fees Monzo won 2 of 4
- Best for protection Monzo won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Aspire won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Aspire won 2 of 2
Monzo vs Aspire — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Aspire better than Monzo?
Under our v3 methodology, Monzo leads Aspire 4–3 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Aspire 70/100 vs Monzo 78/100. Monzo is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Aspire or Monzo cheaper?
Monthly fee — Aspire: €0; Monzo: €0. Card FX markup — Aspire: 0.30%; Monzo: Interbank. Monzo wins more fee rows (2 of 4). See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, Aspire or Monzo?
Aspire holds a Partner-bank licence under MAS; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Monzo holds a Full bank licence under Central Bank of Ireland; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Monzo is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Aspire and Monzo?
Aspire operates in 8 countries; Monzo operates in 2 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.