Best for: Daily Banking • Joint Accounts • Reliability
Starling is a fully licensed UK bank. Your deposits are protected up to £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Starling Bank was founded by Anne Boden with a clear mission: to build a bank that actually works for people. In 2026, it remains one of the most reliable and feature-rich options in the UK.
Unlike some competitors, Starling doesn't overwhelm you with "lifestyle" features. It focuses on great banking: "Saving Spaces" to reach your goals, instant spending notifications, and a superb joint account feature that is much better than traditional banks.
Starling was one of the first to offer zero fees for spending abroad and no fees for withdrawing cash (up to certain limits). It uses the Mastercards exchange rate with no markups, making it a favorite for travelers.
FSCS protection and full banking features make it the best neobank for your primary account.
The joint account process is seamless and much easier than traditional banks.
Excellent business banking features with no monthly fees for many users.
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