Meem vs Up Bank.
Meem (M74/100) and Up Bank (U55/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Meem leads Up Bank 4-3.
| M Meem №24 · SAMA 74 /100 | U Up Bank №60 · PRA 55 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 74 /100 | 55 /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 | Full bank SAMA | Payment inst. PRA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €200,000 SA.SAMA-DPS | Safeguarded AU.FCS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | Yes | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | 4.0 ★ 2k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.1 ★ iOS 4.2 · And 4.0 | 4.8 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.7 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Meem if…
Digital banking arm of Gulf International Bank — one of the first KSA digital-only banking offerings (launched 2014). Sharia-compliant by structure (profit-share rather than interest). SA Deposit Protection cover via the GIB licence. Distinguishes itself vs. stc Bank by depth of wealth-management access through the GIB private-banking heritage.
Pick Up Bank if…
Australian neobank built on top of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank's APRA-regulated charter — direct FCS AUD 250,000 cover via the parent. Strongest Australian neobank UX for under-35 consumers; budgeting and pay-day forecasting are best-in-class. No FX markup makes it travel-friendly.
- Best for fees Up Bank won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Meem won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Meem won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Up Bank won 2 of 2
Meem vs Up Bank — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Meem better than Up Bank?
Under our v3 methodology, Meem leads Up Bank 4–3 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Meem 74/100 vs Up Bank 55/100. Meem is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Meem or Up Bank cheaper?
Monthly fee — Meem: €0; Up Bank: €0. Card FX markup — Meem: 2.00%; Up Bank: Interbank. Up Bank 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, Meem or Up Bank?
Meem holds a Full bank licence under SAMA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €200,000. Up Bank holds a Payment inst. licence under PRA; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Meem is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Meem and Up Bank?
Meem operates in 1 country; Up 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.