Starling Bank Review

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Starling Bank is a digital "challenger" bank where you need an app on your phone to open and manage your account.
There are no branches to visit and no switching bonuses to get you to join. But you do get a user experience full of innovative features.
I've taken a look at this bank and its app to help you decide if it's worth using it for your day-to-day banking.
SIGN UP FOR STARLING: starling-bank.nny66p.net/c/44...
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The best digital bank: Monzo vs Starling
• The best mobile bank: ...
Best business bank accounts
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Beat the 40% overdraft charges
• Overdrafts: How to avo...
How to switch bank
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▶︎▶︎▶︎ ABOUT ANDY
Andy Webb is a money blogger and journalist. He runs the award-winning website Be Clever With Your Cash, presents Channel 5’s Shop Smart Save Money and writes every month for Reader's Digest. Andy also founded the community ukmoneybloggers.com.
Andy's KZbin channel won Best Money Vlogger at the 2017 SHOMO awards.
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DISCLAIMER
Content in these videos does not constitute regulated financial advice. Any offers mentioned were correct at the time of filming.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

If you want to read more here's my review over on the blog becleverwithyourcash.com/starling-bank-review/

[@charleychowmein3292]

Thanks Andy 👍

[@linpacnosa3539]

Is Starling bank only for UK residents?

[@hhcrew2640]

keep it up mate you will reach your dreams an love your videos 😍🥰🤩🙂🙃😄

[@jonathandelmont]

Thanks mate. I will check it out😁

[@truetopsoialusdclassicthro2177]

Can I pay wireless with my phone if I don't have my card on me?

[@Ann-bm5qg]

Thank you for the info. I like your podcasts because you don’t drag it out. You get straight to the point.

[@davegoodger]

Applied for account and was up and running in 3 1\2 hours. Impressive

[@finnodell8336]

Same, applied as soon as I woke up on my 16th birthday, was approved by lunch

[@a7eca13]

3/4 of the way switching from Barclays to Starling, still have a Natwest account which I will always keep but this video has made me realise I've chose the right account. Many Thanks Plus they gave me a overdraft right away where Barclays never did!

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Great, hope you like the account

[@leotaylor262]

Watched your curve card review and this one , one after the other . You clearly have a vast quantity of knowledge on the subject and your presentation is very nicely organised, thanks for helping me make the right choice :)

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Glad I could help!

[@MichaelJEdwards]

Thank you Andy for such a great review and demonstration of the app... this has been most helpful for me to make my decision!! I've liked and subscribed!!! :)

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Thanks!

[@terrywhite4039]

Thanks Andy. I found this video very helpful indeed. I'm looking to spread my cash around rather than having all my eggs in one basket. Thank you for your suggestion to keep a high street bank on hand as well.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

No problem! I think Starling is a great second bank to have, and ideally use it for your day to day spending

[@omareliwi9605]

Keep up the good work Andy. Love your work.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Thanks Omar!

[@petermcivor5881]

Really great review Andy

[@neilbird8496]

Great video very helpful thanks. It's amazing how quick it is to set up. Maybe I missed it but I didn't hear if Starling would link ok with Xero or Quickbooks. Would this work? Thanks

[@stephen6262]

Fantastic in-depth review cheers andy

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Thanks Stephen!

[@dimithri99]

Thanks for this bud. Best ❤️

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Any time!

[@Rydia704]

You mentioned here you can't send money to the spaces automatically like on Monzo but can you set up a standing order for the full amount and then split between the spaces?

[@niallwood]

The main reason why I switched to Starling was being able to pay in at the Post Office, my previous account (TSB) wouldnt allow you to pay in at the post office and the branch had closed down. Excellent app and support imo

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Sadly more and more branches are closing down all the time, and the post office is going to be vital for lots of people

[@leonjonesuk3521]

Hi, starling pay you less than 1% interest a year, how would you like 1-1.5% a day?

[@elixier33]

Monzo have the right idea. You can pay in at most BP petrol stations well most petrol stations in general that have PayPoint as well as about 80% of any newsagents that you walk into. You can pay money in at more locations than a conventional bank not that anyone really bothered to pay money in anymore.

[@goog82ac]

But you can only pay £300 i believe?

[@michael-lt2lf]

Just joined (starling in mean) and no, I'm not going to blame you Andy... Thanks, I'll see how it goes

[@daviebevan]

I take more notice of this guy. Than anyone else. BTW I'm a Starling user... brilliant

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Thanks David!

[@samhadfield3032]

Fantastic review!

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Thanks Sam!

[@catleesie1235]

I know this is quite an old video now but I am looking at moving to starling , I’ve been with an online debt management bank for 15 years and I’m 6 years debt free good credit score so I’m used to online banking not had a high street bank in years , when you say have a separate bank account in place would a post office account count ? I only want the one bank account and post office or am I better getting going to a high st bank instead like Halifax if it’s just for Emergancy money would my post office account do ?

[@conlew4975]

Informative & helpful. Thanks :)

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Thanks!

[@gracxx162]

Can I get it if im not from uk? and is it still no cashwidraw limmits ? i have revolut however on my coming visit to dominicana limit of 200e is not soo good over there

[@sidkings]

I'm glad that people can now access their account on desktop too. I think this will increase their popularity and accessibilty. Not everyone likes using a mobile app all if the time. I would like to see them introduce some kind of incentive for switching to Starling as a main account, something worthwhile and not gimicky. Also at some point a cashback/reward type credit card (with no FX Fees).

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Yes that would be nice, but I think it's unlikely at the moment as the smaller banks (like Starling and Monzo) don't have the finds the other banks do.

[@andrewlee5237]

@@BeCleverWithYourCash Starling are looking to provide a Credit card next year but I suspect it will be a partnership with an established CC provider. I bank with Starling as my main and only bank and I’ve had 2 years with no issues. 🤞

[@hossain2010]

Thank u for nice videos, do I need proof of address and BRP card to open the account? (I will be going to London under a spouse visa soon )

[@aprilwilliams5560]

I decided to switch over to Starling because I really like the features on offer through the App and my old Halifax account gave me no incentive to stay. I'm just wondering if you would recommend keeping my euros also with Starling? I used Transferwise while I worked in Germany so have some euro's saved up(which I'll dip into for holidays now I'm back in the UK), in my mind, it's nice to have everything conveniently in one place but there might be more benefits to keeping them separate which I've not taken into account.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Hi April. I've not looked in detail at the Euro account, but I know there's a small transfer fee to change it into pounds. You might want to look at Monese for your Euros as you can swap them to GDP for free.

[@K9laura]

I have just got a starling account to use as my personal current account but keeping our joint account with Barclays

[@kuwpd]

what banks accept International student in UK?

[@a1office828]

Very helpful

[@alt8507]

Andy you didn't mention the lovely card delivery service and opening experience...A notch above others for sure!!

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Yeah it's a small but nice touch!

[@alt8507]

@@BeCleverWithYourCash it was on your review that I've joined and listening to you and Pete Matthew about pay yourself first and second bank accounts...Thanks for the help!

[@charleychowmein3292]

Hi Andy, got a couple of tech questions on the starling account. If you set up the account in UK, but in 2yrs decide to retire outside of EU. Is the account dependent on UK address? Also , how many years until card expires? And if at such time any known issues in swapping account/delivery of card to new overseas address? Great channel very helpful 👍

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Hi Charley. yes you need to live in the UK to have an account and get a replacement cards sent to you. Not sure how long cards last. It's normally a couple of years!!

[@Jerseytrucksci1]

Are these accounts available if you live in Jersey Channel Islands?

[@storytimewithanne]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts . I am looking to open a new business account . I'm researching which bank will be best for me

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

I've got a Starling business account and it works great for me. Did you see my video on the best free business accounts? kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5_Uc3mcfrefbs0

[@storytimewithanne]

@@BeCleverWithYourCash Yes I've watched thank you :)

[@elegantinfusions]

Is it true you have to have a personal account with them before they will give you a business account ?

[@allencarter7652]

I use starting business account how long do they keep it open if you do not use it

[@davidrutter2957]

Great review, thanks Andy! Quick question, have you had any problems with companies not accepting Starling’s sort code? I know Monzo had some issues, so wondered if you’d experienced similar with Starling?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

No, it’s all been fine so far!

[@drkfuture1305]

can you please tell me if I can open starling account from overseas, provided that I have a UK mobile number, address, visa etc (I want to open the account couple of days before I reach there)

[@flamehairdisaster1]

Great video and review. Andy, your mic needs better, closer placement and you could do with reducing the acoustic reflection with some acoustic dampening panels so that the audio quality matches video. Thank you for your work.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Glad you enjoyed it. I think with this one it was an editing thing on the sound!

[@matthewmcb1089]

Bullshit, it sounds pretty great to me

[@levionsticks3039]

Is this a good bank to get as a first ever bank at 18?

[@saidahmed8448]

thank you

[@tomhuttlestonemusic]

Hi Andy, I’m a musician and have operating as a business (now in my second financial year) but have only used my personal bank account as not much work in the last couple of years as you can imagine 😂. I’ve started getting more work and would like to set up a separate account for my business. So far, Starling seems to be a good option. Would you recommend this is my best option? Cheers 👍🏻

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Hi Tom, yes it's a really good option - as long as you don't get huge amounts of cash. You can pay in at the Post Office, but from March 2022 it'll be limited to £1,000 a year

[@joeymarchant3241]

Just got Starling as a backup account mainly for travel use, I’m slightly concerned about whether or not they’ve hard checked me and it will affect my credit score. I have also taken out an Amex rewards card this month and I don’t want to affect my good credit score too much as hopefully within the next few years I’m going to buy my first place. I have not taken out an overdraft with starling knowingly so I’m hoping they haven’t hard checked me do you know if that’s correct? Thank you for all these videos they’ve helped me a lot recently

[@ollymk_]

The Starling check shouldn't affect your credit score. From their website: 'We perform a 'soft' credit check when you apply for an account. A soft credit involves a request for information from credit reference agencies, and we'll only ever do this once. You might see this check on your credit file, but it won’t be visible to other financial services companies or affect your credit score.'

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Olivia is right, you shouldn't have been credit checked unless you have asked for an overdraft

[@ThalysAguiarGomes]

Could you share which is your main account currently?

[@adamidris5316]

Hi Andy. Excellent review. I travel extensively. I have been using Starling for getting cash abroad. I am always concerned about blocking or losing my card. In my last tour for 10 months my Starling card was blocked while I was in Brazil because of suspicion of fraud. Is there any other debt or credit card for using abroad would you recommend? I already have Barclaycard reward and Halifax Clarity credit cards. Thank you very much

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Chase and Virgin Money are both completely fee free too

[@adamidris5316]

@@BeCleverWithYourCash I will need to transfer between $10 k to $20 to the Philippines. I would be most grateful if you can let me know which is the most cost effective way to do This? This is my last query! Thank you very much for your help.

[@markriches2464]

Can you do a online transfer from my current account to a Starling?

[@stewartborland]

Plus this is one of the very few banks who have bothered to make sure their App works on Huawei phones ;p

[@Nogzz1]

i would like to switch to this but at the moment i get features with my halifax ultimate reward such as breakdown cover, phone insurance etc.. so not sure whether it would be a good swap ?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

You can just open up a Starling account without switching and use it as a second account. You would need to change direct debits yourself, but that’s only a minor bit of admin.

[@kronniichiwa9909]

Sounds pretty good. Do you think it would be fit for a student? Things such student loans

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Yes it absolutely could be - as long as you don't need to go to a branch. It's worth looking at Monzo too - it has better budgeting features which help you as a student.

[@Sam-pn2kc]

Like starling

[@desislavdinkov854]

Great ,useful video.Please let me know where did you bay thise beeshelf :))

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

It's from a company called Made.com

[@rdfn7]

Do they offer credit cards?

[@clive18227]

Hey, you should point out that the screen layout is very different on Android, as your screen is on apple. My menus are not at the bottom of the screen.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Thanks Clive, good to know!

[@kimbritchford8056]

Can I pay over the phone

[@TheOptimation]

Andy, I have been offered an incentive to switch my business banking to Starling. They are telling me that I cannot use my laptop (Mac), I have to use my phone or ipad. Is that correct?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

That doesn't sound right. I've got the business account and I use the desktop, though you will need your phone to authorise some transactions via the desktop and one or two things can only be done on the app.

[@leonjonesuk3521]

Hi would you like 1-1.5% interest a day instead of 1% a year?

[@kimbritchford8056]

Cam you use the car on any cash machine

[@belikewater3038]

How do I pay invoices to India?

[@sufyanpatel9706]

I'm with first direct. How does starling work. Is it a separate bank account or it's linked with my first direct bank? is starling bank like a curve card?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Hi Sufyan. So Starling is a separate bank account. Like with FD there are no branches. It's not like Curve as that's just a smart card that goes on top of other current accounts

[@DarylSkinner]

Why dose it take 10hours

[@stephen6262]

Andy I really like your videos and reviews and I have watched your episodes on telly .I have a starling account and also a euro account .It all looks excellent I am very keen to move my Spanish direct debits to starling and I bet 1000s of people expats or non residents in europe would also.like to .The Spanish and probably other eu banks are now charging a lot of money to hold bank accounts with them .I wondered if you could help regards Stephen

[@netcalibur]

Would Starling work with GPay for contactless payments? 'cos Barclays just won't work and I'm fed up with it

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Yep!

[@zohaibazeb]

Starling bank does not let me open an account

[@midhunchandran9707]

If I change my phone, or if i am going to change my phone phone, how will I move this to new phone

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

I’ve just done it! It’s very easy. You log in and then record a video which they use to check your identity. It took maybe 30 mins to sort

[@MrAnthonyfraser16]

Hi Andy can you use it in mainland Europe for withdrawing cash or shopping.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Yep, it’s perfect for that (in fact anywhere) as there are no charges for either

[@MrAnthonyfraser16]

@@BeCleverWithYourCash thanks Andy I am heading to Berlin for a few days so I just need to have money in my starling account and I am good to go.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

@@MrAnthonyfraser16 Great, it'll be perfect for that

[@7thheaven-finalfantasy-hip717]

What about overdraft, is that active?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

You can apply for an overdraft with Starling, which will mean a credit check.

[@AdrianTheGit]

Can I use this as my main bank? Like can I get payed from work in this account ?

[@tonybramley7649]

Yes

[@relaxedsoul8600]

How much money we can keep in Monzo and Revolut ?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

There's no limit, though only Monzo and Starling are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (up to £85,000). Revolut isn't

[@frank9648]

excellent, and I'm a financial idiot thank you

[@danish664u]

Can I use my Starling card at any ATM?

[@tonybramley7649]

Yes

[@times7171]

You can also have it on your tablet

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Yes, that's true!

[@jonathandelmont]

I live in Canada and I’m having huge problems trying to open account with this bank. I want to spend my time between Cyprus and Canada as I have family in both places and I am 68 years old and retired. Trying to communicate with this bank is an absolute nightmare

[@AirTMZ]

What problems are you having? It's not particularly hard to open the account. I completed the process in about 3 mins at 1:30am and it was open by the time I woke up

[@jonathandelmont]

@@AirTMZ they won't allow me to open an account without a UK or Cyprus address

[@anastasiatempest2372]

A very good presentation.💜🌻🧑🏻‍🦼

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Thank you 🤗

[@farzadjahanfard]

2 years with starling as my mane bank 100 percent satisfaction highly recommend.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

If I didn't do most of my spending with a cashback credit card I'd be using it a lot more. It's a really good bank.

[@times7171]

i am a bit nervous to use it as my main bank. Take it you have had no issues ?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

@@times7171 I think as long as you have access to cash in another account it should mitigate most issues. You could always have your salary come into another account and transfer spending money over.

[@farzadjahanfard]

@Sir. Albion71 never plus every post office is a branch you don't need to go to somewhere to find a branch everything is fast and online customer service is excellent they add new features so often. I switch from first direct tbh and no regret in 2/5 years.

[@farzadjahanfard]

@@BeCleverWithYourCash same i used my amex and Amazon cashback all the time starling is my main account for income direct debit and everything else

[@princess26ism]

Hi, if you have a certain amount in account, do they reward you with interest? If i am transferring money from middle east account to this what is the charge?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

HI Amanda, the interest is really, really tiny so not worth it for large sums

[@peterwhimster]

This video does not talk about features e.g. how to find messages. How to communicate with Starling.

[@adamwest5625]

I still go into branches to hand over or draw out bundles of cash

[@daviebevan]

I do also

[@andrewwebb2866]

I made the mistake of getting a Monzo and Starling account in the same week due to some planned working abroad. Don't do this! Turns out your credit score takes a hit.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Hey there another Andrew Webb! Actually as long as you don't apply for an overdraft you won't be credit checked when you apply for either bank (apart from a soft check to confirm your ID).

[@andrewwebb2866]

@@BeCleverWithYourCash It cost me 2 points on the Credit Karma app along with a warning not to open anymore until the next financial year!

[@elvir18]

@@andrewwebb2866 Dont worry about your credit score, just us it as a guide.

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

@@andrewwebb2866 Did you apply for an overdraft? If not, that's bad if it does as both banks say they only conduct "soft checks"

[@airportdocumentaries]

@@BeCleverWithYourCash I don't have any overdraft on any of my accounts and I've been hit with hard searches and a drop in my credit score, but that has shot back up after about 5 months, I opened 4 different accounts this year

[@midhunchandran9707]

Can international students take starling account

[@hmbb_2937]

yes

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Hi. It says you can apply if you are a UK resident. I know sometimes banks want a longer address history, but it's easy to try and you won't be credit checked

[@lech000]

Why I would join Stalin’s bank

[@smoothie9931]

what?

[@smoothie9931]

It's such a small gripe I have... but If Starling Bank updated their app so the menus made sense, and used Visa instead of Mastercard, I bet everyone would switch to it

[@kiank3559]

What’s wrong with MasterCard?

[@smoothie9931]

@@kiank3559 in the UK, quite a while ago now, they used to charge more for some things, thats what my parents say anyway. Quite a few shops didn't accept Mastercard either for some reason, which is still why the UK is primarily using Visa... no one ever forgets, even though they are now pretty equal

[@smoothie9931]

@@handlin7333 I wouldn't say it's anymore ethical than any other bank... they seem woke, which I would say is a negative, but they seem pretty good. Building society is just for savings, you cannot take money out of it like you can with a bank... no atm etc..

[@smoothie9931]

@@handlin7333 I wouldn't switch to Starling. I have starling but still don't feel right about putting my main money on it. Personally, I would switch to Natwest, seems to be the best app and the best interest on current accounts at the moment, at 0.35%. Natwest also has a very good app, potentially better than Starling and Monzo, in my opinion anyway

[@robertyou9030]

I found them to be absolutely useless made application they wanted another video altogether sent them four each one was rejected so I decided not to bother with bank inform them twice with emails they took no notice they keep on insistently for more videos In end I gave up there communications is terrible

[@viharsarok]

Is this a proper bank? Is your money protected by FSCS or something similar? Also, can you open an account if you're not a British citizen?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Hi Viharsarok. Yep it's a proper bank with full FSCS protection. You have to live in the UK but can be any nationality

[@MsBimbobear]

What happens when you have to leave the UK? I'm on a Tier 2 visa.

[@moizmoin6889]

@@MsBimbobearis your account still open after leaving the UK?

[@RahimRahim-cc7rl]

like like

[@davinaprasad4536]

Starling has queried 1 transaction on my business account and proceeded to block my personal account. I have given them all the information they requested and they refuse to unblock my personal account In short, DO NOT USE THIS UNTRUSTWORTHY BANK!

[@garrygibbons2989]

Wait a minute I'm going to give them £50 grand and they're going to charge me a fee are they having a laugh

[@079070108]

Starling . Don't deal with them. they can't manage the properly account.

[@24321619]

Funny thing there is no straight deposit/savings account

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Yeah. I wonder if it's because they want you to use the main account as your primary account. And if you do, it's easy to then send cash to the spaces.

[@elixier33]

I'm not a fan of this bank to be fair. It's a cheap imitation of monzo.

[@alextindal2640]

Hi Andy, this may be a stupid question but can I switch my bank account and collect the reward without having to completely close my old account?

[@BeCleverWithYourCash]

Hi Alex, afraid when there’s a switching offer they require a full switch and for the old account to be closed. You could set up a quick account elsewhere and then use that to switch for bonuses