Grasshopper vs Penta.
Grasshopper (G72/100) 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. Grasshopper leads Penta 5-1.
| G Grasshopper №29 · OCC 72 /100 | P Penta №49 · BaFin 61 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 72 /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 | Partner-bank OCC | Partner-bank BaFin |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | $250,000 US.FDIC | Safeguarded No DGS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | 3.2 ★ 0k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.2 ★ iOS 4.3 · And 4.0 | 4.1 ★ iOS 4.2 · And 4.0 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Grasshopper if…
The OCC-chartered US national bank for startups — the structural distinction from Mercury / Brex / Bluevine / Rho is that Grasshopper IS the bank. Direct FDIC cover at the chartered-bank level, multi-bank Cash Sweep extending to $25M. Free business checking with API access. The structural fit for US-incorporated startups wanting a real bank relationship rather than a partner-bank fintech.
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 Grasshopper won 2 of 4
- Best for protection Grasshopper won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Tied
- Best for ux Tied
Grasshopper vs Penta — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Grasshopper better than Penta?
Under our v3 methodology, Grasshopper leads Penta 5–1 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Grasshopper 72/100 vs Penta 61/100. Grasshopper is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Grasshopper or Penta cheaper?
Monthly fee — Grasshopper: €0; Penta: €9. Card FX markup — Grasshopper: Interbank; Penta: 1.00%. Grasshopper 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, Grasshopper or Penta?
Grasshopper holds a Partner-bank licence under OCC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Penta holds a Partner-bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Grasshopper is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Grasshopper and Penta?
Grasshopper operates in 1 country; 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.