Debit cards give you convenient access to funds in your current account. But sometimes you don’t even need a physical card – with a virtual debit card you can easily access your money when spending online or by using your smartphone at the checkout. We also have a guide on virtual credit cards.
A virtual debit card is essentially a digital version of a plastic debit or prepaid card. Most have randomly generated numbers for added security when shopping online or over the phone. If the number is compromised, you can quickly cancel the virtual card and generate a new number without losing access to your entire account.
Revolut Standard Account
Finder Score 4.3★★★★★
If you open a Revolut account, you can choose from physical, virtual and disposable cards. You can have up to 20 active virtual cards and 1 disposable card linked to your account. With a multi-use virtual card, the card details are stored on the app and you can use it instantly for online purchases and in-person payments with Google or Apple Pay. You can also freeze it at any time and order a new card for free. If you have a single-use virtual card, this regenerates with a new, unique card number after each use, making it ideal if you're worried about security when shopping online.
Starling Current Account - Age 18 and over
Finder Score 4.7★★★★★
Starling's virtual cards work like normal debit cards but they are linked to your account's Savings Spaces. You can create them for free as part of your current account and when you spend, the money is taken out of your chosen Space instead of your main balance - for example, you might have one Savings Space for holiday spending and another for food costs. This makes it easier to budget and keep on top of your spending. Each virtual card has its own card number, CVV and expiry date linked only to the Savings Space. You can create up to 5 virtual cards for each account and choose a different colour for each card.
Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 15% EAR variable.
Monese Free Account
Finder Score 3.8★★★★★
| Minimum opening balance | £0 |
|---|---|
| Account fees | £0 |
| Interest (AER) | 0% AER |
Every Monese customer can set up 1 virtual card per currency account. You can use your virtual card immediately and add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay. It's easy to create your virtual card within the Monese app. Your card will come with a unique 16-digit number which is different from your physical debit card. You can then use it to make payments online or shop in store via Google and Apple Pay. The app will also notify you of all your transactions and you can easily lock and unlock your card. Virtual cards can also be linked to your PayPal account.
| Minimum opening balance | £0 |
|---|---|
| Account fees | £0 |
| Interest (AER) | 0% AER |
There are three different ways to get a virtual card:
The first type of virtual debit card is just a number that you use to securely shop online and is usually linked to a prepaid account. These card numbers remain active for certain periods of time or can only be used for certain websites, so they are more secure than using a single debit card for all of your online shopping. Learn more and compare prepaid cards and children’s prepaid cards.
The second type of virtual debit card is a version of your debit card that exists in a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or a banking app. You access the virtual debit card from your digital wallet and pay using contactless payment technology, just like you would with your physical card. You can also use it to withdraw cash at a cardless cashpoint.
Some digital banks assign you a virtual debit card immediately after your application is approved, so you can start using it while you wait on your physical card to come in the mail. Most virtual cards have a different number than your physical debit card, so you can easily cancel it if it gets compromised. Popular digital banks include Starling, Revolut and Monzo.
A virtual debit card is essentially a card number you can store on your phone and use to make contactless payments in store or online. It will also come with its own expiry date and CVC (card verification code), so it’s easy to cancel if it gets compromised.
On the other hand, a digital card is a copy of your physical debit card which means it will have the same number, expiry date and CVC. Again, you can store this information on your phone and then use Apple Pay or Google Pay to make contactless payments.
A disposable card is one that can only be used once. Once you’ve made a payment with it, no further payments can be made, so if anyone else gets hold of the number, they won’t be able to use it.
As its name suggests, a single-use virtual card can only be used once. It has a unique number that can only be used for one transaction. This can make it ideal if you’re making a purchase on a website that’s new to you or if you’re concerned about online security. If a fraudster gets hold of your card details after you’ve paid, they can’t do anything with them. You won’t be able to use your card for recurring payments or subscriptions, but you can still get a refund for your purchase even after the card has been used.
By contrast, a multi-use virtual card can be used more than once. You can usually use the card details to make online purchases and pay for subscriptions, plus you can make in-person contactless payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.
If you want to set up a virtual debit card, you’ll need to sign up with a provider that offers one. Many of these providers are app-based and you can usually create a virtual card within the app with ease. There will typically be a ‘Cards’ tab which you can tap and then select to add a new card. Once set up, you should be able to use your card straight away.
Virtual debit cards are quickly gaining in popularity, but it’ll be a while before contactless cards are accepted everywhere. If you’re interested in using one, compare bank accounts to find one with virtual and contactless card options.
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
To find out more, read our full methodology.
Use our guide to compare the free current accounts from digital challenger banks Chase and Monzo.
Discover whether Kroo’s account and card could work for you.
New digital bank Chase has now opened its virtual doors in the UK. Find out more about its free current account.
Learn how current accounts with cashback work, whether they’re right for you and how to find the best current account.
Unsure which of these two digital banking brands is right for you? Our side by side comparison of their features and fees will help you decide.
We compare the free current accounts from these two digital banking brands, exploring their apps, features and any card use limits.
We compare accounts from these two digital banking providers, assessing which is best for app features or for spending in the UK and abroad.
Mobile banking apps are often difficult to tell apart. We take a closer look at two of this new crop of “digital challengers”.
We take a closer look at two of the digital banking brands leading the way in the UK. Compare Revolut and Monzo in our side by side guide.
You can open and use a Monese account in the UK and across Europe. We round up the fees and features of this app-based current account.