Monzo Business vs Starling Business: two free accounts, one clear difference
If you’re choosing between these two, you’re already doing something right, both are strong, free, well built accounts. The distinction that actually matters isn’t features, it’s what each one legally is.
The core difference
Starling is a fully licensed UK bank. Deposits are FSCS protected up to the scheme limit, the same protection you’d get from any major high street bank. Monzo Business runs off the same Monzo banking licence, so it also carries FSCS protection, which puts these two closer together than people often assume compared to e-money alternatives.
Where the day to day experience differs
Monzo’s app design leans toward a slightly more consumer feel, pots, spending breakdowns, a very polished interface. Starling has a strong reputation for reliability and has been serving business customers for longer, with a slightly more traditional but still very capable business toolset.
Integrations and extras
Both connect well to popular accounting software. Starling has a marketplace of third party integrations that’s grown substantially. Monzo’s business tools have caught up quickly but the range is still a touch narrower.
The honest call
You genuinely can’t go wrong with either. If you want the most established, broadest integration ecosystem, Starling. If you want the most polished day to day app experience, Monzo. We earn nothing from either, which is exactly why we can say that without an agenda.
Some links here are referral links, if you sign up with a partner we may earn a fee at no cost to you. It never changes what we recommend or the order we list it, and where the free option is genuinely the best one, that’s what we’ll say. Details change, always check current terms on the provider’s own site. This is information, not financial advice.