Travel · Card comparison
Monzo Card vs Starling Bank Card
UK digital bank comparison for travel
Monzo Card
Forex fee
None
ATM fee
3%
Score
8.2/10
Starling Bank CardWinner
Forex fee
None
ATM fee
Free*
Score
9/10
Starling Bank Card wins — UK digital bank comparison for travel
Category
Monzo Card
Starling Bank Card
Forex fee
None
None
ATM free tier
Unlimited globally
£200/month abroad
ATM fee above limit
No limit
3%
Monthly fee
Free
Free (basic)
Exchange rate
Mastercard rate
Mastercard rate
FSCS protection
Yes (£85k)
Yes (£85k)
Verdict
Starling wins for travel, specifically on ATMs. Unlimited free withdrawals globally versus Monzo's £200/month cap on the free plan. For card spending both are equivalent. Heavy cash users should choose Starling — there's no contest.
Frequently asked questions
Monzo Card
UK digital bank with no foreign transaction fees — ATM use limited to £200/month on the free plan.
Forex feeNone
ATM3%
MonthlyFree (basic) / £5 (Plus) / £15 (Premium)
Score8.2/10
Winner
Starling Bank Card
A full UK bank account with zero fees on spending and ATM withdrawals anywhere in the world.
Forex feeNone
ATMFree*
MonthlyFree
Score9/10