bunq vs Penta.
bunq (b87/100) and Penta (P61/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. bunq leads Penta 7-1.
| b bunq №02 · DNB 87 /100 | P Penta №49 · BaFin 61 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 87 /100 | 61 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €9 /mo |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | 1.00% |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Full bank DNB | Partner-bank BaFin |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 EU.DGS.NL | Safeguarded No DGS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 30 countries | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.2 ★ 22k reviews | 3.2 ★ 0k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | — | 4.1 ★ iOS 4.2 · And 4.0 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick bunq if…
Pick if you travel constantly and want unlimited free FX with a Dutch licence — €3.99/mo for the Easy Bank tier.
Pick Penta if…
The German SME-focused partner-bank neobank with the deepest DATEV-first workflow in the category. Customer deposits sit at Solaris Bank AG (BaFin-licensed credit institution) with DGS pass-through cover — structurally distinct from EMI-licensed Tide / Finom / Anna / Holvi. The structural fit for German GmbH / UG companies needing DGS-protected operating cash plus DATEV / Lexoffice / sevDesk integration depth without Qonto's freelancer-tier UX baggage.
- Best for fees bunq won 2 of 4
- Best for protection bunq won 2 of 2
- Best for reach bunq won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Tied
bunq vs Penta — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is bunq better than Penta?
Under our v3 methodology, bunq leads Penta 7–1 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: bunq 87/100 vs Penta 61/100. bunq is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is bunq or Penta cheaper?
Monthly fee — bunq: €0; Penta: €9. Card FX markup — bunq: Interbank; Penta: 1.00%. bunq 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, bunq or Penta?
bunq holds a Full bank licence under DNB; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Penta holds a Partner-bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. bunq is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use bunq and Penta?
bunq operates in 30 countries; Penta 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.