Kroo and Starling are both popular digital banks, with Starling having been around since 2014 and Kroo being established in 2016.
Both banks operate a free personal current account, and while there are plenty of similarities between them, there are also some key differences. Let’s take a closer look.
Kroo’s current account comes with black contactless card, while you’ll get a teal-coloured vertical card with Starling.
Neither bank has branches, but you can withdraw or deposit money into your Starling account at Post Office counters.
You can apply for an overdraft with both the Kroo and Starling accounts, but while Kroo charges 24.9% EAR, the rate you get with Starling depends on your credit score and personal circumstances and ranges from 15% to 35% EAR.
Both accounts also pay interest on your credit balances, with Kroo paying a higher rate of 4.35% versus Starling’s 3.25%.
Kroo and Starling both have a UK banking licence which means your funds are protected up to £85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if your bank ceases trading.
It’s easy to monitor your banking transactions with Kroo and Starling’s mobile banking apps. Both have spending categories, where your transactions are automatically placed into pre-set categories such as eating out or groceries. However, while Kroo offers 12 categories, Starling has an impressive 53.
Starling’s app is slightly more comprehensive as you’ll be able to set spending budgets and take advantage of its round ups feature. This rounds up your transactions and deposits the spare change into a savings pot. Starling also lets users send money abroad and scan in cheques through the app.
You can pay your salary into either your Kroo or Starling account through the app, freeze or unfreeze your card and contact the customer services teams through the in-app chats.
Winner: Starling. It’s fairly close, but Starling’s app offers a greater range of features.
You can spend on both the Kroo and the Starling card overseas without incurring fees – and with no limits.
You can also withdraw cash abroad for free on both cards. This is limited to £300 a day with Starling. From 1 November 2024, Kroo is introducing a £200 monthly limit, with a 3% fee on anything over this.
Winner: Currently Kroo, but Starling wins from November 2024.
Both Kroo and Starling only offer one personal current account – and it’s free. However, Starling also operates a teen account for those aged 16 to 17, plus a kids’ card called Starling Kite which is managed by the parent’s Starling account.
Both joint accounts and business accounts are available from Starling, too.
Winner: Starling, as it offers a much broader range of accounts.
The application process is very similar for both Kroo and Starling. It’s easy to apply via the app and no credit check is carried out, although you will need to provide a photo of your ID and a selfie. Accounts are usually up and running the same day and your card will be sent out to you for free in 3-5 working days.
Winner: Tie. The sign up process is similarly quick and easy for both Starling and Kroo.
Overall winner: Starling Bank
It’s close, but ultimately the winner’s crown goes to Starling. Its app is more sophisticated and it offers a greater variety of accounts. You’ll also be able to deposit and withdraw cash at your local Post Office branch.
However, overall, they are both great options if you want to open an account with a digital provider. What’s more, you can use either card abroad without being charged, making them great options for overseas travel.
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Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time. See full bio
Is Monzo’s app-only current account the right option for you? Read our review to get the low-down on all of the features of the account, its card and the app.
Is the digital-only bank the right option for you? Read our review to get the low-down on all of Starling’s features and benefits. We cover everything from Starling’s overdraft service to whether the card can be used abroad.
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