How Much Does Starling Bank Cost in the UK?
Starling Bank is a free digital bank — there are no monthly fees for personal or business current accounts. Starling does not offer paid upgrade tiers like Monzo Plus or Revolut Premium. According to Starling, the bank has over 4 million UK accounts and was named Best British Bank for 6 consecutive years.
| Account Type | Monthly Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Current Account | £0 | Free UK spending, free ATMs, savings spaces, round-ups |
| Joint Account | £0 | Shared account with any Starling customer |
| Business Account | £0 | Free business banking, invoicing, multi-currency |
| USD/EUR Accounts | £0 | Hold and spend in USD or EUR |
Starling charges no monthly fees, no UK ATM fees, and no fees for spending abroad (Mastercard exchange rate applies). The bank earns revenue through lending, business services, and interchange fees rather than subscription charges.
Compare all options on our UK Finance subscriptions page.
Does Starling Bank Have Any Paid Features?
Starling does not have a paid subscription model. Some services have individual charges: international transfers have a small fee, and replacement cards cost £5. There is no auto-renewing subscription to manage.
However, Starling integrates with other subscription services — your Starling feed shows all recurring payments, making it easy to identify subscriptions you may have forgotten. Prunely complements this by letting you set reminders and track total subscription spend.
How to Close a Starling Bank Account in the UK
- Open the Starling app
- Go to Account > Settings > Close Account
- Transfer any remaining balance to another account
- Confirm closure
Your transaction history is available for 7 years after closure as required by UK regulations. See also our guides to Monzo Plus UK subscription and Revolut Premium UK subscription.
Is Starling Bank Worth It in 2026?
Starling is the best free digital bank in the UK. By not charging monthly fees, it offers the features that Monzo and Revolut charge for at no cost.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely free — no monthly fees ever | No paid premium tier with travel insurance |
| Fee-free spending abroad | No airport lounge access |
| Excellent app with real-time notifications | Fewer flashy features than Revolut |
| Named Best British Bank 6 years running | No cashback programme |
| Business accounts are free (rare) | Smaller feature set than paid Revolut/Monzo |
For basic banking, Starling is the best option. For travel benefits and cashback, Revolut Premium or Metal are worth the monthly fee. Starling proves that excellent digital banking doesn't need to cost anything.
Track Your Subscriptions with Prunely
While Starling itself is free, Prunely helps you track all the subscriptions that charge your Starling account. See renewal dates, set reminders, and monitor total spend — no bank connection needed. Prunely is free for up to 5 subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Starling Bank charge monthly fees?
No. Starling Bank is completely free for personal, joint, and business accounts. There are no monthly fees, no UK ATM fees, and no fees for spending abroad.
Is Starling Bank safe?
Yes. Starling is authorised by the FCA and PRA. Deposits up to £85,000 are protected by the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme). The bank uses strong encryption and biometric authentication.
Is Starling better than Monzo?
For free banking, Starling offers more features at no cost. Monzo charges for features like custom categories and credit scores (£5/month). Starling includes fee-free foreign spending free. Choose Monzo for paid premium tiers, Starling for the best free experience.
How do I close Starling Bank?
Open the Starling app > Account > Settings > Close Account. Transfer your balance first. Transaction history remains accessible for 7 years. There are no closure fees.
Does Starling have savings accounts?
Yes. Starling Spaces let you create multiple savings pots within your account. Interest rates vary — check the app for current rates. Savings are FSCS protected up to £85,000.