Lili vs Kuda.
Lili (L73/100) and Kuda (K60/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Lili leads Kuda 4-3.
| K Kuda №50 · FCA 60 /100 | L Lili №26 · FDIC 73 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 60 /100 | 73 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 5.00% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | E-money inst. FCA | Partner-bank FDIC |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | Safeguarded NG.NDIC | $250,000 US.FDIC |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 2 countries | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | Yes | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.0 ★ 1k reviews | 4.7 ★ 1k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.7 ★ iOS 4.7 · And 4.6 | 4.6 ★ iOS 4.7 · And 4.4 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Kuda if…
Largest Nigerian neobank by user count (~7M+). CBN microfinance bank charter — NDIC-insured but with the smaller microfinance-class ceiling. UK presence as Kuda Technologies adds GBP exposure for Nigerian diaspora customers. Free transfer limit (25/mo) is generous for the Nigerian market.
Pick Lili if…
The 1099-native US neobank — Tax Bucket auto-set-aside, pre-filled Schedule C / 1065 / 1120-S, and a quarterly tax estimator built into business checking. Where Mercury targets venture-funded startups and Bluevine targets lower-mid-market SMBs, Lili targets the solopreneur and 1099 freelancer who needs banking + bookkeeping + tax in one app. Sponsor bank moved from Choice Financial Group to Sunrise Banks, N.A. in 2024-2025; FDIC pass-through to $3M via sweep network now available on all tiers including the free Core plan.
- Best for fees Lili won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Lili won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Kuda won 2 of 3
- Best for ux Tied
Lili vs Kuda — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Kuda better than Lili?
Under our v3 methodology, Lili leads Kuda 4–3 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Kuda 60/100 vs Lili 73/100. Lili is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Kuda or Lili cheaper?
Monthly fee — Kuda: €0; Lili: €0. Card FX markup — Kuda: 5.00%; Lili: Interbank. Lili 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, Kuda or Lili?
Kuda holds a E-money inst. licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Lili holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Lili is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Kuda and Lili?
Kuda operates in 2 countries; Lili 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.