Kakao Bank vs Found.
Kakao Bank (K78/100) and Found (F69/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Kakao Bank leads Found 5-1.
| F Found №39 · FDIC 69 /100 | K Kakao Bank №10 · KDIC 78 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 69 /100 | 78 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 1.00% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank FDIC | Full bank KDIC |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | $250,000 US.FDIC | €50,000,000 KR.KDIC |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.7 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.6 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.5 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Found if…
The tightest 1099-workflow loop in US neobanking — deposit lands → user-defined percentage auto-routes to a Taxes Pocket → quarterly tax estimator computes the federal liability → in-app federal payment closes the loop. Plus and Pro tiers add APY (1.50% capped at $20K / 2.50% uncapped) and Pro layers in 1% cashback on a metal debit card. Sponsor bank migrated from Piermont Bank to Lead Bank in October 2025 — legacy customers should verify their rails have moved.
Pick Kakao Bank if…
Largest Korean digital bank by user count (~24M). Public on KOSPI since 2021. Deep integration with KakaoTalk messenger — distribution moat. Mini Stock fractional investing is a strong consumer-investing entry point.
- Best for fees Kakao Bank won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Kakao Bank won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Kakao Bank won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Found won 1 of 2
Kakao Bank vs Found — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Found better than Kakao Bank?
Under our v3 methodology, Kakao Bank leads Found 5–1 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Found 69/100 vs Kakao Bank 78/100. Kakao Bank is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Found or Kakao Bank cheaper?
Monthly fee — Found: €0; Kakao Bank: €0. Card FX markup — Found: 1.00%; Kakao Bank: Interbank. Kakao Bank 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, Found or Kakao Bank?
Found holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Kakao Bank holds a Full bank licence under KDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: €50,000,000. Kakao Bank is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Found and Kakao Bank?
Found operates in 1 country; Kakao Bank 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.