N26 vs Bank Zero.
N26 (N85/100) and Bank Zero (B50/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. N26 leads Bank Zero 9-0.
| B Bank Zero №75 · SARB 50 /100 | N N26 №03 · BaFin 85 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 50 /100 | 85 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 2.00% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Payment inst. SARB | Full bank BaFin |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | Safeguarded ZA.CODI | €100,000 EU.DGS.DE |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 24 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | 400 coins |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | 4.1 ★ 130k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.5 · And 4.4 | 4.6 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.4 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Bank Zero if…
South Africa's first fully-digital mutual bank — SARB-licensed since 2018, operationally live since 2021. Founded by ex-FNB executives (Yatin Narsai, Michael Jordaan). Owner-operator model: no shareholders, profits flow back to depositors via lower fees and competitive sub-account interest. The fee-free counterpart to Discovery Bank's premium tier-based model.
Pick N26 if…
Pick if you want a German credit institution and a DE IBAN that every European employer recognises without question.
- Best for fees N26 won 1 of 4
- Best for protection N26 won 2 of 2
- Best for reach N26 won 3 of 3
- Best for ux N26 won 2 of 2
N26 vs Bank Zero — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Bank Zero better than N26?
Under our v3 methodology, N26 leads Bank Zero 9–0 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Bank Zero 50/100 vs N26 85/100. N26 is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Bank Zero or N26 cheaper?
Monthly fee — Bank Zero: €0; N26: €0. Card FX markup — Bank Zero: 2.00%; N26: Interbank. N26 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, Bank Zero or N26?
Bank Zero holds a Payment inst. licence under SARB; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. N26 holds a Full bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. N26 is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Bank Zero and N26?
Bank Zero operates in 1 country; N26 operates in 24 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.