Zand vs Penta.
Zand (Z77/100) 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. Zand leads Penta 7-1.
| P Penta №49 · BaFin 61 /100 | Z Zand №15 · CBUAE 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 CBUAE |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | Safeguarded No DGS | €250,000 AE.DPS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 3.2 ★ 0k reviews | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.1 ★ iOS 4.2 · And 4.0 | 4.2 ★ iOS 4.3 · 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 Zand if…
UAE's first fully-digital full bank — CBUAE-licensed since 2021. Holds its own banking licence (not a partner-bank). Both retail and corporate banking offered. Adds full-bank diversity to the UAE set alongside Wio.
- Best for fees Zand won 2 of 4
- Best for protection Zand won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Zand won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Tied
Zand vs Penta — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Penta better than Zand?
Under our v3 methodology, Zand leads Penta 7–1 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Penta 61/100 vs Zand 77/100. Zand is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Penta or Zand cheaper?
Monthly fee — Penta: €9; Zand: €0. Card FX markup — Penta: 1.00%; Zand: Interbank. Zand 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 Zand?
Penta holds a Partner-bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Zand holds a Full bank licence under CBUAE; deposit guarantee per depositor: €250,000. Zand is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Penta and Zand?
Penta operates in 1 country; Zand 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.