N26 vs Penta.
N26 (N85/100) 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. N26 leads Penta 10-0.
| N N26 №03 · BaFin 85 /100 | P Penta №49 · BaFin 61 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 85 /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 BaFin | Partner-bank BaFin |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 EU.DGS.DE | Safeguarded No DGS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 24 countries | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | 400 coins | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | Yes | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.1 ★ 130k reviews | 3.2 ★ 0k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.6 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.4 | 4.1 ★ iOS 4.2 · And 4.0 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick N26 if…
Pick if you want a German credit institution and a DE IBAN that every European employer recognises without question.
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 N26 won 2 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 Penta — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is N26 better than Penta?
Under our v3 methodology, N26 leads Penta 10–0 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: N26 85/100 vs Penta 61/100. N26 is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is N26 or Penta cheaper?
Monthly fee — N26: €0; Penta: €9. Card FX markup — N26: Interbank; Penta: 1.00%. N26 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, N26 or Penta?
N26 holds a Full bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Penta holds a Partner-bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. N26 is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use N26 and Penta?
N26 operates in 24 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.