Starling Bank vs Cash App.
Starling Bank (S77/100) and Cash App (C70/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Cash App leads Starling Bank 6-2.
| C Cash App №31 · FDIC 70 /100 | S Starling Bank №12 · FCA 77 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 70 /100 | 77 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank FDIC | Full bank FCA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | $250,000 US.FDIC | £85,000 GB.FSCS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 2 countries | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | 1 coins | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | Yes | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 1.6 ★ 50k reviews | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.8 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.7 | — |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Cash App if…
The largest US peer-to-peer payments + neobank hybrid by user count (~50M monthly actives). Block-owned, public via NYSE:XYZ. Bitcoin-native — was the first major US fintech to integrate BTC buy/sell. Partner-bank model via Sutton Bank means FDIC pass-through, not direct charter cover.
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 Tied
- Best for protection Tied
- Best for reach Cash App won 3 of 3
- Best for ux Cash App won 2 of 2
Starling Bank vs Cash App — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Cash App better than Starling Bank?
Under our v3 methodology, Cash App leads Starling Bank 6–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Cash App 70/100 vs Starling Bank 77/100. Cash App is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Cash App or Starling Bank cheaper?
Monthly fee — Cash App: €0; Starling Bank: €0. Card FX markup — Cash App: Interbank; Starling Bank: Interbank. Tied across fee rows. See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, Cash App or Starling Bank?
Cash App holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Starling Bank holds a Full bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: £85,000. Both score equally on regulatory protection rows.
Where can I use Cash App and Starling Bank?
Cash App operates in 2 countries; 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?
The dynamic compare picker handles up to four banks. Add this pair plus one or two more and we'll resolve every row.