Grasshopper vs Wise.
Grasshopper (G72/100) and Wise (W68/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Wise leads Grasshopper 5-2.
| G Grasshopper №29 · OCC 72 /100 | W Wise №42 · FCA 68 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 72 /100 | 68 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 /mo |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | €200 /mo |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank OCC | E-money inst. FCA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | $250,000 US.FDIC | Safeguarded GB.FSCS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 160 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | 4.3 ★ 220k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.2 ★ iOS 4.3 · And 4.0 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.7 · And 4.2 |
| 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 Wise if…
Pick if FX and multi-currency receiving accounts dominate your usage — not for stocks or crypto.
- Best for fees Wise won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Grasshopper won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Wise won 2 of 3
- Best for ux Wise won 2 of 2
Grasshopper vs Wise — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Grasshopper better than Wise?
Under our v3 methodology, Wise leads Grasshopper 5–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Grasshopper 72/100 vs Wise 68/100. Wise is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Grasshopper or Wise cheaper?
Monthly fee — Grasshopper: €0; Wise: €0. Card FX markup — Grasshopper: Interbank; Wise: Interbank. Wise 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 Wise?
Grasshopper holds a Partner-bank licence under OCC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Wise holds a E-money inst. licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Grasshopper is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Grasshopper and Wise?
Grasshopper operates in 1 country; Wise operates in 160 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.