Novo vs Aspire.
Novo (N72/100) 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. Novo leads Aspire 4-2.
| A Aspire №37 · MAS 70 /100 | N Novo №28 · FDIC 72 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 70 /100 | 72 /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 | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank MAS | Partner-bank FDIC |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | $250,000 US.FDIC |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 8 countries | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.3 ★ 1k reviews | 3.0 ★ 1k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.7 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.5 |
| 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 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.
- Best for fees Novo won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Novo won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Aspire won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Tied
Novo vs Aspire — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Aspire better than Novo?
Under our v3 methodology, Novo leads Aspire 4–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Aspire 70/100 vs Novo 72/100. Novo is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Aspire or Novo cheaper?
Monthly fee — Aspire: €0; Novo: €0. Card FX markup — Aspire: 0.30%; Novo: Interbank. 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, Aspire or Novo?
Aspire holds a Partner-bank licence under MAS; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Novo holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Novo is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Aspire and Novo?
Aspire operates in 8 countries; Novo 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.