Starling Bank vs Penta.
Starling Bank (S77/100) 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. Starling Bank leads Penta 5-2.
| P Penta №49 · BaFin 61 /100 | S Starling Bank №12 · FCA 77 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 61 /100 | 77 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €9 /mo | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 1.00% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank BaFin | Full bank FCA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | Safeguarded No DGS | £85,000 GB.FSCS |
| 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 | 4.1 ★ iOS 4.2 · And 4.0 | — |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
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.
Pick Starling Bank if…
Pick if you bank in the UK and want a clearing bank for personal + business with no retail crypto, no brokerage.
- Best for fees Starling Bank won 2 of 4
- Best for protection Starling Bank won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Tied
- Best for ux Penta won 2 of 2
Starling Bank vs Penta — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Penta better than Starling Bank?
Under our v3 methodology, Starling Bank leads Penta 5–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Penta 61/100 vs Starling Bank 77/100. Starling Bank is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Penta or Starling Bank cheaper?
Monthly fee — Penta: €9; Starling Bank: €0. Card FX markup — Penta: 1.00%; Starling Bank: Interbank. Starling Bank 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, Penta or Starling Bank?
Penta holds a Partner-bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Starling Bank holds a Full bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: £85,000. Starling Bank is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Penta and Starling Bank?
Penta operates in 1 country; Starling Bank 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?
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