Monzo vs Starling vs Chase: Which App Bank Is Best in 2026?
Published 29th April 2026·Updated 29 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
Monzo, Starling, and Chase are the three most popular app banks in the UK. All three are free to open, fully FCA-regulated, and FSCS-protected up to £85,000. Chase stands out for its 1 per cent cashback on everyday spending. Starling leads on simplicity and fee-free international use. Monzo offers the most features on its free tier and a strong paid upgrade. The best choice depends on whether you prioritise cashback, savings rates, or spending tools.
Short Summary
Chase pays 1 per cent cashback on everyday debit card spending (up to £15 per month), making it the strongest choice for cashback without a fee.
Starling has no foreign transaction fees and no ATM withdrawal fees abroad, making it the best option for international spending and travel.
Monzo's free tier offers excellent budgeting tools, spending categories, and savings pots. Monzo Plus (£5/month) adds 1.5% AER on balances up to £2,000 and additional features.
All three are UK-regulated banks covered by FSCS deposit protection up to £85,000. None are e-money institutions.
Monzo vs Starling vs Chase: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Monzo (Free) | Starling | Chase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Free | Free | Free |
| Cashback on spending | No | No | 1% (up to £15/month) |
| Interest on balance | No | No | No (on standard account) |
| Savings pots / spaces | Yes | Yes (Spaces) | Yes (Pots) |
| Foreign transaction fees | Free up to £200/month, 3% above | None | None |
| ATM abroad | Free up to £200/month | Free | Free |
| Overdraft | Yes (fee-based) | Yes (fee-based) | No |
| Joint account | Yes | Yes | No |
| Business account | Yes | Yes | No |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FSCS protected | Yes | Yes | Yes |
For paid tiers, Monzo Plus at £5/month and Monzo Premium at £15/month add interest on balances, higher cashback on selected retailers, and travel insurance on the premium tier.
Chase: Best for Cashback
Chase is operated by JP Morgan, the US banking giant, and launched in the UK in 2021. Its standout feature is 1 per cent cashback on everyday debit card spending, up to £15 per month (equivalent to £1,500 of spending). This is the highest cashback rate available on any UK debit account.
Chase also pays a competitive rate on its easy-access saver account, linked to the current account. There are no foreign transaction fees and no ATM fees abroad, which makes it strong for travel as well.
The main limitations: Chase does not offer overdrafts, joint accounts, or business accounts. It is best used as a primary spending account alongside another bank for overdraft access or joint finances.
Best for: People who want cashback on everyday spending without paying a monthly fee.
Starling: Best for Simplicity and International Use
Starling Bank launched in 2014 and was the first major UK app bank to offer a full banking licence. It is consistently rated highly for customer service and app reliability.
Starling's free current account has no foreign transaction fees and no ATM withdrawal fees abroad, making it a popular choice for frequent travellers. The Starling app is widely considered the most straightforward of the three, with less feature bloat than Monzo.
Starling also offers joint accounts, business accounts, and euro accounts, giving it broader coverage than Chase. It does not pay cashback on spending and does not currently pay interest on its standard current account balance.
Best for: International spending, travel, simplicity, and people who need a joint or business account.
Monzo: Best for Budgeting Tools
Monzo launched in 2015 and has over 9 million customers in the UK. Its free current account has the most comprehensive set of budgeting features of the three, including spending categories, bill pots, and salary sorter (which automatically splits your pay between pots when it arrives).
Monzo's free tier does have one limitation: foreign ATM use is free up to £200 per rolling 30 days but attracts a 3 per cent fee above that. Starling and Chase have no such cap.
Monzo Plus at £5/month adds 1.5 per cent AER on your current account balance up to £2,000, plus discounts and a credit tracker. Monzo Premium at £15/month adds travel insurance, phone insurance, and a higher interest rate.
Best for: Budgeting, spending analysis, and people who want to pay a small fee for meaningful extras.
Which Is Best for Saving?
For savings linked to your current account, Monzo Plus (£5/month) currently pays 1.5 per cent AER on balances up to £2,000. Chase's linked saver account has offered competitive rates that change with the Bank of England base rate. Starling does not pay interest on its standard current account balance, though it offers access to third-party savings products through its marketplace.
For the best savings rates overall, dedicated easy-access savings accounts and cash ISAs from providers like Trading 212, Chip, and Marcus consistently outperform the rates offered by app banks. Use an app bank for your current account and a specialist savings account for your savings.
Can You Use More Than One App Bank?
Yes, and many people do. A common approach is to use Chase as the primary spending account for cashback, Starling as a travel card, and keep a traditional bank account for overdraft facilities, mortgage payments, or direct debits that work better with a longer-established bank.
There is no cost to holding multiple accounts, and doing so lets you take advantage of each account's strengths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app bank is best in the UK?
It depends on your priority. Chase is best if you want cashback on everyday spending. Starling is best for international use and simplicity. Monzo is best for budgeting tools and spending analysis. All three are free, FSCS-protected, and fully regulated by the FCA. Many people use two of the three for different purposes.
Is Chase Bank UK the same as Chase in the US?
Yes. Chase UK is operated by JPMorgan Chase, the same US banking group. However, Chase UK is a separate entity from its US operations, and US Chase accounts cannot be used in the UK or vice versa. Chase UK is FCA-regulated and your deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000.
Are app banks safe for large amounts of money?
Yes. Monzo, Starling, and Chase are all fully licensed UK banks (not e-money institutions), which means your deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 per person per institution, the same as any high-street bank. If you hold more than £85,000, spread it across multiple FSCS-protected institutions.
Does Monzo have an overdraft?
Yes. Monzo offers arranged overdrafts on its free current account. Interest is charged daily at a set rate depending on your credit score, typically between 19 per cent and 39 per cent EAR. Starling also offers overdrafts. Chase does not currently offer overdrafts.
Can I use Monzo, Starling, or Chase as my main bank account?
Yes. All three support direct debits, standing orders, CHAPS, and Faster Payments. Your salary can be paid in directly. They work as full current accounts for all practical purposes. Some people use them as a sole bank account; others keep a traditional bank account alongside them.
Which app bank is best for spending abroad?
Starling and Chase both have no foreign transaction fees and no ATM fees abroad, making them equally strong for international spending. Monzo's free tier charges 3 per cent on ATM withdrawals above £200 per rolling 30 days, which can add up on longer trips. For travel, use either Starling or Chase.
Does Chase UK pay interest on current account balances?
Not on the standard current account balance, but Chase offers a linked easy-access saver account that pays a competitive variable rate. The rate changes in line with the Bank of England base rate. Check the Chase website for the current rate, as it is updated regularly.