bunq vs Bank Zero.
bunq (b87/100) and Bank Zero (B50/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. bunq leads Bank Zero 6-1.
| B Bank Zero №75 · SARB 50 /100 | b bunq №02 · DNB 87 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 50 /100 | 87 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 2.00% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Payment inst. SARB | Full bank DNB |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | Safeguarded ZA.CODI | €100,000 EU.DGS.NL |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 30 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | 4.2 ★ 22k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.5 · And 4.4 | — |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Bank Zero if…
South Africa's first fully-digital mutual bank — SARB-licensed since 2018, operationally live since 2021. Founded by ex-FNB executives (Yatin Narsai, Michael Jordaan). Owner-operator model: no shareholders, profits flow back to depositors via lower fees and competitive sub-account interest. The fee-free counterpart to Discovery Bank's premium tier-based model.
Pick bunq if…
Pick if you travel constantly and want unlimited free FX with a Dutch licence — €3.99/mo for the Easy Bank tier.
- Best for fees bunq won 1 of 4
- Best for protection bunq won 2 of 2
- Best for reach bunq won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Tied
bunq vs Bank Zero — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Bank Zero better than bunq?
Under our v3 methodology, bunq leads Bank Zero 6–1 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Bank Zero 50/100 vs bunq 87/100. bunq is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Bank Zero or bunq cheaper?
Monthly fee — Bank Zero: €0; bunq: €0. Card FX markup — Bank Zero: 2.00%; bunq: Interbank. bunq 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, Bank Zero or bunq?
Bank Zero holds a Payment inst. licence under SARB; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. bunq holds a Full bank licence under DNB; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. bunq is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Bank Zero and bunq?
Bank Zero operates in 1 country; bunq operates in 30 countries. 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.