Bank | Best for | Pros | Cons |
TransferWise | Multicurrency transfers | Competitive fees on international transfers.Access to multicurrency Mastercard. | No cash or cheque options.For larger transfers, specialist providers are often cheaper. |
Revolut | International payments | Rates are given in real-time. Basic account is free and full of features. | Optional features cost extra. No cash or cheque options. |
bunq | Ethical banking | Innovative and ethically conscious bank. International transfers available. | Monthly cost for holding an account. Many additional fees. |
Monese | Overseas students | Accounts in GBP and EUR. Open account without credit check. | Limits on cash transactions. Not part of FSCS scheme. |
Monzo | Effective budgeting | Different pots for budgeting. Instant spending notifications. | App only – no browser option.Fees for paying in cash and cheques. |
Zopa Bank | Savings accounts | Established P2P lender.Range of investment options. | High minimum deposit rate. Returns can be relatively low. |
Anna | Business banking | Business and personal accounts. Low fees, free trial. | No credit or overdraft features. Fees for foreign currency transactions. |
Starling | Everyday accounts | Interest on current account balance. Overdrafts and loans available. | Cash and cheque payments are inconvenient. Replacement card is costly. |
Atom | Mortgages and savings | Good range of saving options. Competitive AER interest rates. | App isn’t the best. Product range is still fairly limited. |
goHenry | Teaching financial responsibility | Full parental control, including spending limits. Reward system teaches about finances. | Fees for many of the best features. Only one free top-up to child account per month. |