stc Bank vs Grasshopper.
stc Bank (s76/100) and Grasshopper (G72/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. stc Bank leads Grasshopper 3-2.
| G Grasshopper №29 · OCC 72 /100 | s stc Bank №17 · SAMA 76 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 72 /100 | 76 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | 1.50% |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank OCC | Full bank SAMA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | $250,000 US.FDIC | €200,000 SA.SAMA-DPS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.2 ★ iOS 4.3 · And 4.0 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.5 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Grasshopper if…
The OCC-chartered US national bank for startups — the structural distinction from Mercury / Brex / Bluevine / Rho is that Grasshopper IS the bank. Direct FDIC cover at the chartered-bank level, multi-bank Cash Sweep extending to $25M. Free business checking with API access. The structural fit for US-incorporated startups wanting a real bank relationship rather than a partner-bank fintech.
Pick stc Bank if…
First SAMA-licensed digital full bank in Saudi Arabia (received bank licence 2023, originally launched as stc pay in 2017). Backed by Saudi Telecom (stc) — telecom-grade reach across the Kingdom. Multi-currency support and instant onboarding via Absher distinguish it from legacy KSA banks. SAMA Deposit Protection Fund cover.
- Best for fees Grasshopper won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Tied
- Best for reach Tied
- Best for ux stc Bank won 1 of 2
stc Bank vs Grasshopper — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Grasshopper better than stc Bank?
Under our v3 methodology, stc Bank leads Grasshopper 3–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Grasshopper 72/100 vs stc Bank 76/100. stc Bank is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Grasshopper or stc Bank cheaper?
Monthly fee — Grasshopper: €0; stc Bank: €0. Card FX markup — Grasshopper: Interbank; stc Bank: 1.50%. Grasshopper 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, Grasshopper or stc Bank?
Grasshopper holds a Partner-bank licence under OCC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. stc Bank holds a Full bank licence under SAMA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €200,000. Both score equally on regulatory protection rows.
Where can I use Grasshopper and stc Bank?
Grasshopper operates in 1 country; stc 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.