Check Out Some Awesome Tools & Resources to Get You Started!
Bonus: Get £10-50 when you sign up and make a payment
Real-time spending notifications to track transactions instantly
Automatic spending categories for simple budgeting
Pots for setting aside money separately
Free UK ATM withdrawals (limits apply for international use*)
Premium account options with higher withdrawal limits and interest on pots
Protected by FSCS (up to £85,000)
Bonus Features
Cashback Offers at popular retailers like Asda, Boots, and Disney+
Savings Interest on Instant Access Savings Pots or Cash ISAs (up to 3.75% AER)
Virtual Cards for safer online shopping
Credit Insights from TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax
Best for Everyday Use & Budgeting:
👉 Monzo offers a user-friendly app, real-time spending alerts, and dedicated savings pots for easy money management.
Accounts benefit from FSCS protection up to £85,000, a reassurance not offered by some competitors.
International usage is limited, and premium features require a paid plan, but overall Monzo is ideal for those who want clear insights into their spending.
Check out our comparison of Best Digital Banks for Everyday Use.
Bonus: Look out for sign-up bonus offers, regularly offered by Revolut
Multi-currency accounts: Hold and manage up to 36 currencies in-app, including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and more.
Real-time spending alerts: Instant notifications for all transactions.
Vaults for saving: Set aside money with optional interest-earning features.
Fee-free currency exchange: Exchange currencies at interbank rates during weekdays, with some limits based on your plan.
Investments via Trade: Access to stocks, ETFs, and the ability to open an ISA directly within the app.
Budgeting and analytics tools: Track spending and manage finances efficiently.
Bonus Features
Disposable virtual cards for safer online shopping
Premium travel perks: available on Plus, Premium, and Metal plans
Higher ATM withdrawal limits on paid plans
Access to cryptocurrency trading (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)
Rewards & cashback on certain purchases (available with premium plans)
Best for travel, international payments, and flexible savings & investing
👉 Revolut provides a user-friendly app with multi-currency accounts (holding up to 36 currencies), Vaults for saving, and the ability to invest and open ISAs via Trade — a clear advantage over many competitors.
Unlike Monzo, Revolut accounts are not FSCS-protected, so users should weigh this when choosing an account.
Some premium features come with fees, but overall it’s an excellent choice for those who want travel-friendly banking with investment options and global currency flexibility.
Check out our comparison of Best Digital Banks for Everyday Use.
Bonus: £10 for sign-up & opening an account
Easy-access and fixed-term savings accounts (offering up to 7.1%p.a.)
Competitive interest rates compared to traditional banks
Credit cards and personal loans available
Mobile app with money management tools
Protected by FSCS (up to £85,000)
Bonus Features:
Smart Saver pots for flexible saving goals
Automatic round-ups or “spare change” saving options
Optional alerts or notifications for interest milestones
Best for Savings & Borrowing
👉 Zopa combines competitive savings rates (up to 7.1%p.a.) with simple borrowing options, including credit cards and loans. Its mobile app is straightforward, with Smart Saver pots that help you set and manage goals.
Unlike some rivals, your money is FSCS-protected up to £85,000, giving extra security. Zopa is best for people focused on saving and credit, though it lacks the international perks of travel-focused banks.
Check out our comparison of Best Digital Banks for Everyday Use.
Bonus: Your first transfer (up to £500) is fee-free
Multi-currency accounts: Hold and manage balances in over 40 currencies
Local bank details: Receive payments with UK sort code, US routing number, and more
Wise debit card: Spend globally with low conversion fees and no foreign transaction fees
Instant currency conversion: Exchange currencies at mid-market rates with minimal fees
Bonus Features:
Virtual cards: Create up to 3 virtual cards for secure online purchases
Auto-conversion: Set up automatic currency conversions when exchange rates reach your desired level
Best for Currency Exchange
👉 Wise offers a multi-currency account holding over 40 currencies, with local bank details in several countries for easy payments.
The Wise debit card allows spending worldwide with low fees, and instant currency conversion is available at mid-market rates.
While not FSCS-protected, Wise is ideal for users needing flexible, low-cost international banking.
Easy Saver & Fixed Saver: Flexible access, seamlessly managed via Spaces in the app .
Spaces & Virtual Cards: Organise money into goal-based “Spaces” with linked virtual cards
Instant insights & AI spending analysis: Real-time notifications, spending categorisation.
FSCS-protected up to £85,000 across Starling accounts for deposit security .
Bonus Features:
Free cash deposits at Post Office branches
In-app Marketplace: Access third-party services like insurance, mortgages, and pensions directly via the app .
Best for tech-savvy users seeking flexible savings and intelligent budgeting
👉 Starling combines a clean, powerful app with features like Easy Vaults and Fixed Savers offering competitive interest, Spaces with linked virtual cards for streamlined budgets, and AI-enhanced tools for spending insight.
Deposits are protected by FSCS up to £85,000. With extra perks like Post Office cash deposits and an integrated Marketplace, it stands out as a modern banking alternative.
Cashback on groceries, transport, and fuel (up to £15/month)
Easy-access savings: 2.75% AER (variable) on Chase Saver account
Round-up savings: 5% AER on spare change with Round-ups
Numberless debit card: Enhanced security with card details stored in-app
Bonus Features:
Instant access to savings with no withdrawal penalties
Multiple saver accounts: Up to 10 goals with individual targets
24/7 UK-based support via app, phone, or secure message
Investing via Nutmeg: Access investment options within the Chase app
Best for everyday banking with cashback and flexible savings
👉 Chase provides a user-friendly app with 1% cashback on essentials, easy-access savings at 2.75% AER, and round-up savings at 5% AER.
The numberless debit card enhances security, and 24/7 UK-based support ensures assistance is always available. While it lacks FSCS protection, Chase is a solid choice for those seeking a simple, rewarding banking experience.
Zero-commission trades on 13,000+ stocks and ETFs in both Invest and ISA accounts
AutoInvest & Pies for partial shares, portfolio diversification, and automatic reinvestment
Practice (demo) account with virtual funds for risk-free learning
High interest on uninvested cash (e.g., ~4.9% AER on GBP), paid daily
Bonus Features:
Multi-currency account for investing in up to 13 currencies and earning interest
Advanced charting tools: 60+ indicators, pattern detection, drawing tools
Extended trading hours & 24/5 US market access
Safety & Protections:
Client investments and cash are segregated, held with regulated custodians to protect your assets
FSCS protection up to £85,000 applies to uninvested cash held in UK banking partners; QMMF-based interest may not be protected
Best for UK investors seeking a low-cost, market-leading DIY investing platform
👉 Trading 212 offers commission-free access to thousands of global stocks and ETFs, with features like AutoInvest and Pies to simplify diversification.
A free demo account helps beginners practise, while daily interest on idle cash adds value. Client funds are safeguarded, with FSCS protection on cash in UK banks (note: cash in QMMFs may not qualify).
With advanced charting tools and extended trading hours, it’s a leading choice for investors who want low-cost, DIY investing made simple.
In all honesty, T212 is one of our all-time, all-round favourites.
Bonus: Get a £10 to £100 (randomised) Free Share
Commission-free trades on UK, US, and European stocks, ETFs, and gilts, with access to over 6,200 instruments
Tax-efficient accounts including flexible Stocks & Shares ISA (£4.99/month) and SIPP via higher tiers
Fractional shares, recurring orders, and pre-market access for diversified, automated investing
Interest on uninvested cash, up to 3% AER on cash balances depending on plan
FSCS protection up to £85,000 on cash and segregated custody for investments
Bonus Features
Referral rewards & promo campaigns: Frequent sign-up, top-up, and switch offers for ISA/SIPP accounts, often more generous than competitors.
Best for beginner UK investors seeking simple, low-cost investing
👉 Freetrade delivers zero-commission access to thousands of global stocks and ETFs, including US fractional shares, within a mobile-first interface.
Tax wrappers like SIPP or an ISA are available at a low fixed cost and include flexible withdrawals.
Investments are held securely, and cash is FSCS-protected, reinforcing trust in the platform. Referral bonuses and friendly pricing further enhance its appeal, although more advanced tools remain limited.
Customer Support used to be a bit of a hit and miss, but is improving steadily.
Bonus: Get a £20-£200 reward by investing £100 for 12 months
Commission-free DIY investing in 600+ ETFs (minimum £1 per trade) with 0% platform fees for self-directed users
Managed portfolios at just 0.25% annually, among the lowest in the UK robo-adviser space
AutoInvest, Savings Plans, fractional investing, and one-click rebalancing to streamline long-term portfolio maintenance
FCA-regulated with FSCS protection up to £85,000; client assets are ring-fenced in NatWest and Euroclear/Crest accounts
Bonus Features:
Welcome bonus offers: Eligible for £20–£100 when investing £100 for a 12-month period
Best for DIY investors focused on cost efficiency and automation
👉 InvestEngine delivers zero-fee DIY ETFs, competitively priced managed portfolios at 0.25% annually, and automatic tools like AutoInvest, fractional trades, and rebalancing for simple, hands-off portfolio management.
Investor funds are safeguarded and FSCS-protected, while a generous £20–£100 bonus sweetens the launch experience.
While it limits you to ETF-only investing and has less advanced trading flexibility, it stands out for its transparency and affordability.