Monzo vs Openbank
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Neobanks fits you best.
💰 Pricing
- FX markup: 0% – Monzo uses the interbank exchange rate with no markup (for all personal accounts).
- ATM fee outside free limits: 3% of the withdrawal amount.
- ATM fee in over 40 countries: 0% if within the free limit.
- International transfer fee: from £5 (free for Plus and Premium, £5 for Standard, Ultra includes 0.35% fee for transfers over £500)
- Card replacement fee: Standard – £5 for standard delivery, £25 for express; Plus/Premium – free; Ultra – free (even via express).
- ATM fee after free limit: 3% of withdrawal amount, applies for all plans.
- Cash deposit fee: 1% is free each month on Standard, then 0.45% fee for deposits over £100; for Plus/Premium/Ultra, 0.45% fee after £1000 free.
- International transfer: Standard users pay a fee of 0.4% (min £5) on top of the interbank rate; Plus and Premium have no fee but may include a spread.
- Premium and Ultra benefits include insurance, but check age and eligibility criteria to avoid claiming issues.
🔧 Features
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Instant spending notifications are a standout. Every transaction triggers a real-time push notification with merchant name and amount, helping you catch fraud or accidental spending immediately. This feature has saved many users from unauthorised transactions and helps maintain tight spending discipline.
- Pots are a simple but powerful tool for organising savings. You can create multiple pots for different goals (e.g., holiday, car repairs) and allocate money to them in seconds. Automated monthly transfers and round-ups make saving effortless. For example, you can set a rule to save 50 per month into a 'Christmas' pot without thinking about it.
- The mobile app's interface is consistently clean, intuitive, and reliable. Navigating between your home screen, transactions, and pots feels fluid, with no confusing menus. The app loads quickly, and the design is minimal yet effective, making daily banking feel pleasant rather than a chore.
- Salary Sorter is a gem. Once your salary lands, Monzo automatically splits it into predefined spending, bills, and savings amounts. This ensures that rent, utilities, and subscriptions are covered before you get a chance to overspend. It's a practical, no-nonsense approach to budgeting.
⚠ Watch out for
- No physical branches or video banking means you must handle everything through the app. For complex issues like disputed transactions, probate, or fraud that requires human intervention, the in-app chat can feel inadequate. It might be frustrating for less tech-savvy users who prefer face-to-face support.
- The free account has hidden fees for 'non-standard' activities. Depositing more than £1,000 in cash within a year incurs a 3% fee, and using your card outside the EEA costs 3% plus a fixed fee. These charges make Monzo less cost-effective for frequent international travellers or those who handle cash regularly.
- Useful features are locked behind paid subscriptions. For instance, interest on Pots (up to 4.6% AER on balances up to £2,000) is only available with Plus or Premium. Travel and phone insurance, as well as a premium metal card, are also exclusive to paying tiers. If you want these extras, the monthly cost adds up.
🎯 Best for
UK residents who are comfortable with mobile-only banking and want a free, feature-rich current account with smart budgeting, savings Pots, and real-time notifications.
🚫 Who should skip
If you frequently deposit cash in large amounts, travel extensively outside the EEA, or prefer in-person branch support, Monzo's free tier may be less convenient than a traditional bank.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal – the app is designed for first-time digital bankers with straightforward navigation, and all setup and day-to-day management is guided by clear on-screen steps.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Monzo is an excellent choice for UK-based individuals who are comfortable managing their finances entirely from a smartphone and value real-time control, automated savings, and a sleek, reliable app. It's especially strong for everyday budgeting and goal-based saving. However, if you heavily use cas
💰 Pricing
- Monthly account maintenance: €0
- Card issuance and annual fee: €0
- SEPA transfers in EUR: €0
- ATM withdrawals in Spain and worldwide: €0
- International non-EUR transfers: approximately 0.15% commission with minimum €6 and maximum €60, plus exchange rate spread
- Card payments in non-EUR currencies use Visa's exchange rate, typically 0.5–1% above interbank
- International wire transfers may incur correspondent bank charges
- Rush delivery for card replacement costs extra (e.g., €15)
- No dormant account fees, but account closure may require a notary if official documents are needed
🔧 Features
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Completely free current account: The Cuenta 1,2,3 has no monthly maintenance fees, no debit card fees, and no charges for basic transfers. You also get a free credit card (if you want) with no annual fee. This is a huge advantage over traditional banks that often charge €100+ per year for similar accounts.
- Santander backing and ATM network: Openbank is owned by Santander Group, providing financial stability and trust. More practically, you can withdraw cash from any Santander ATM in Spain for free. With over 4,700 branches and thousands of ATMs, this is unmatched by other digital banks like N26, which charge fees for ATM use outside their partner network.
- Deposit protection and security: Your deposits are insured up to €100,000 by the Spanish Deposit Guarantee Fund, giving you the same legal protection as any other EU-based bank. Openbank also uses two-factor authentication and biometric login to secure your account, and you can freeze your card instantly if lost.
- High-interest savings options: While the current account offers a modest interest rate (1.2% on the first €30,000), the linked savings account and term deposits often offer competitive rates, especially for longer terms. For example, their 12-month term deposit has offered rates around 2.5% in recent promotions, which is higher than many traditional banks in Spain.
- Integrated service: The app allows you to do everything: open accounts, manage cards, make SEPA transfers instantly, set up bill payments, and even buy investment products like mutual funds and ETFs. It's a one-stop shop for your daily financial needs, with a modern and responsive interface.
⚠ Watch out for
- Requires Spanish tax residency and NIE: You must be a tax resident in Spain and hold a NIE or DNI to open an account. This excludes tourists, non-residents, and even expats who haven't been registered for tax purposes. Many immigrants on temporary visas might struggle with this requirement.
- Spanish-only interface and support: The mobile app, website, and customer service are entirely in Spanish. The FAQ, help articles, and contact center agents speak Spanish only. This is a significant barrier for the large expat community in Spain, many of whom prefer English. Even basic notifications and security alerts are in non-translatable Spanish.
- No physical branches: All interactions are done digitally, and while that's the point of a neobank, it means no walk-in assistance. Sensitive issues like signing a mortgage or resolving complex disputes may be more difficult without a representative. Some customers might miss the ability to talk to someone in person.
- Debit card only available as virtual initially: When you open the account, you get a virtual card first. The physical card takes about a week to arrive, and if you want immediate access to cash, you might have to rely on contactless payments via your phone using Google Pay or Apple Pay. The virtual card can't be used for ATM withdrawals.
- Interest rates are not market-leading: While the 1.2% interest on the current account is decent, it's not the highest available in the Spanish market. Some other neobanks or online banks offer up to 2.5% or 3% on unconditional savings. Openbank's smart savings might not beat the rate on a straightforward high-yield savings account from a competitor.
🎯 Best for
Spanish residents who want a reliable, fee-free digital bank backed by a major banking group and who are comfortable banking primarily through a mobile app in Spanish.
🚫 Who should skip
Non-residents, those seeking English-language support, and people who prefer physical bank branches or more advanced budgeting features.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — online onboarding is straightforward and the mobile app is intuitive, though non-Spanish speakers may face a language barrier.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Openbank is an excellent choice for Spanish-speaking residents in Spain who want a free, reliable everyday banking app backed by a major bank. Its Santander ATM access and deposit insurance are standout benefits. However, if you're not a Spanish tax resident or don't speak Spanish, you're better off
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Monzo if...
- You are: UK residents who are comfortable with mobile-only banking and want a free, feature-rich current account with smart budge
- 👍 Instant push notifications for every transaction help you catch fraud or accidental spending immedia
- 👍 Pots are a simple but powerful way to organise savings for different goals, with easy automated tran
- 👍 The mobile app is consistently clean, intuitive, and reliable, making everyday banking feel quick an
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: No physical branches or video banking – you must handle nearly everything throug
Choose Openbank if...
- You are: Spanish residents who want a reliable, fee-free digital bank backed by a major banking group and who are comfortable ban
- 👍 Completely free current account with no monthly maintenance fees and no debit card fees.
- 👍 Backed by Santander Group, providing financial stability and access to Spain's largest ATM network.
- 👍 Deposits are protected up to €100,000 by the Spanish Deposit Guarantee Fund.
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Requires Spanish tax residency and a NIE, so it's not open to tourists or non-re
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monzo a regulated bank and is my money safe?
Yes, Monzo is FCA-regulated with a full UK banking license, so it follows strict rules for handling customer money. Your deposits are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person.
How much does Monzo really cost?
The standard current account is free with no monthly fee, but Monzo offers optional paid tiers called Monzo Plus and Monzo Premium that unlock perks like higher savings interest and insurance. Standard account holders may still incur fees for things like cash deposits, overdraft interest, and some foreign transactions outside the EEA.
Can I use Monzo card abroad without fees?
On the free plan, card spending in the EEA is fee-free, but outside the EEA there's typically a 3% foreign transaction fee. The paid Premium plan does away with most foreign fees and gives you free cash withdrawals worldwide, so it depends on your account level and destination.
Does Monzo have physical branches where I can talk to someone?
No, Monzo is mobile-only, so there are no high street branches. You manage everything through the app, and customer support is via in-app chat, phone (for some plans), or email.
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