How do Starling and Monzo compare to the apps from the high street banks?
App banking is getting bigger and bigger. I very rarely log in to online banking on a computer, hardly ever visit a branch and only phone up when there’s a problem.
So it’s vital that I can do everything I need to do on my app. And sadly my main bank for years – Nationwide – is really limited, requiring a card reader to add new payees and missing many of the features that started on new digital banks but increasingly copied by established banks.
I’d go as far as to say that how good a bank’s app is the number reasons to choose a bank for your everyday banking.
Watch my full analysis in this video, or keep reading to see the features broken down app by app.
Bank features compared
I’ve compared the features on 13 different banking apps, from digital challengers Monzo, Starling and Revolut through to high street titans Barclays, Halifax and HSBC.
My top app banking features
So, what do I look for in a banking app? There are all sorts of things you can do – from adding photos of your receipts to individual transactions through to paying in a cheque. Lots of nice to haves.
But there are some basics which are essential – and surprisingly not all banks offer them. Here’s what I’ll check if I am going to use an app.
How easy is it to use?
Ease of use and being able to find everything are really important. Of course the more you use an app, the more familiar it’ll be, but there are some apps which are better than others
Can I set up new payees and amend existing ones?
I hate it when an app won’t let me do everyday things such as set up a new payee or amend a standing order. These are essentials that mean I’ll be able to do the basics whenever I want.
Sometimes there are payment limits on large transactions, largely to combat fraud, and I’m ok with these. It’s rare I transfer big sums so it’s only an occassional inconvenience.
Does it offer instant notifications?
More banks now offer this on their apps, and it’s a handy budgeting feature. You’ll get a notification on your phone as soon as the payment processes allowing you do check the amount is correct and also get aheads up of any fraud.
Can I search old transactions?
I want an app that’ll go back for at least 18 months and also offer filer options such as payments in or out.
Can I copy my account details?
This innovation is simple but so useful. With a couple of taps I can copy by account number and sortcode to share with people, or to enter into direct debit forms.
Does it let me control the card
Finally, it’s essential that my banking app lets me freeze my card. This is a security measure where you can stop anyone using your card if you lose it.
Extra app features I love
I’m a happy camper if the app contains all of the above, but there are extras offered by some banks which you might not be aware exist.
Look out for:
- Able to pay in a cheque (read more on this here)
- Able to see PIN
- Able to see debit card number etc
- Savings pots & features
- Virtual debit cards
App features you don’t really need
Of course, just because a bank app does something all shiny and new, it doesn’t mean you need it.
The biggest one here is being able to add other bank accounts to your app dashboard via Open Banking. This is a great idea, but the banks that do offer it only allow you to connect to a small range of banks.
You’re better off going for an app that is designed for and allows you to connect credit cards such as Yolt or Money Dashboard.
Similarly the auto-savings feature you’ll see with most banks (except Monzo) is a variation of the “Save the change” or “top-up” method where small amounts are transferred from your main account to a savings pot when you spend. There are better options out there, such as those from Plum and Chip.
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My top bank apps
So taking the above into account, which apps get my vote?
Monzo & Starling
As you’d expect, the banks which have been created from scratch to work primarily via apps are the best. You can do pretty much everything and more.
I really like the savings and budgeting features in Monzo, especially the way you can connect to IFTT to gamify savings.
If you want to have an easy life banking, then Starling does everything really well.
Revolut is worth a shout too, particularly for its virtual and disposable debit card feature. But as a bank I prefer the other two.
Barclays, Halifax & Lloyds
If you want to stick with an established bank then I was surprised to see how far along Barclays, Halifax and Lloyds have come.
Bank-by-bank app feature lists
Here’s where you can see what each bank offers.
Barclays app
| Savings | Savings pots | No |
| Auto savings | No | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | yes |
| New payee in app | Need debit card | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | Yes | |
| share account details | Yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | Yes |
| Set Budget | No | |
| Add other banks | Yes Bank of Scotland Halifax Lloyds Nationwide NatWest RBS Santander | |
| Instant notifications | Yes | |
| See upcoming regular payments | Yes | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | 3 years + | |
| Filter in/out | Yes | |
| Download statements | ||
| Add receipts/notes | No | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | Yes | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | Yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | Yes | |
| Update personal info | Yes | |
| Biometric log in | Yes |
First Direct app
| Savings | Savings pots | No |
| Auto savings | No | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | No | |
| change SO | No | |
| pay in cheque | Yes | |
| share account details | No | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | No |
| Set Budget | No | |
| Add other banks | No | |
| Instant notifications | No | |
| See upcoming regular payments | Yes | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | 6 months | |
| Filter in/out | Yes | |
| Download statements | ||
| Add receipts/notes | No | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | No | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | Yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | No | |
| Update personal info | Yes | |
| Biometric log in | Yes |
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Halifax app
The Halifax Rewards account can earn you £5 a month so it’s worth looking at. Here’s my review.
| Savings | Savings pots | No |
| Auto savings | Yes | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | Yes | |
| share account details | yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | limited |
| Set Budget | No | |
| Add other banks | Yes Bank of Scotland Barclays Barclaycard First Direct Lloyds M&S Bank MBNA Nationwide NatWest RBS Santander | |
| Instant notifications | Yes | |
| See upcoming regular payments | yes | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | 3 years + | |
| Filter in/out | No | |
| Download statements | ||
| Add receipts/notes | No | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | Yes | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | yes | |
| Update personal info | Yes | |
| Biometric log in | Yes |
HSBC app
As I don’t have the app for this bank there are a few TBCs here.
| Savings | Savings pots | No |
| Auto savings | No | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | Yes | |
| share account details | No | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | No |
| Set Budget | No | |
| Add other banks | No | |
| Instant notifications | Rolling out | |
| See upcoming regular payments | Balance After Bills | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | TBC | |
| Filter in/out | TBC | |
| Download statements | ||
| Add receipts/notes | TBC | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | No | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | Yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | TBC | |
| Update personal info | Yes | |
| Biometric log in | Yes |
Lloyds app
The Club Lloyds account is a decent bet for freebies and interest on savings. Here’s my review.
| Savings | Savings pots | No |
| Auto savings | Yes | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | Yes | |
| share account details | yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | limited |
| Set Budget | No | |
| Add other banks | Yes Bank of Scotland Barclays Barclaycard First Direct Halifax M&S Bank MBNA Nationwide NatWest RBS Santander | |
| Instant notifications | Yes | |
| See upcoming regular payments | yes | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | 3 years + | |
| Filter in/out | No | |
| Download statements | ||
| Add receipts/notes | No | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | Yes | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | yes | |
| Update personal info | Yes | |
| Biometric log in | Yes |
Monzo
This looks at the free Monzo account. The paid options have some added features. Here’s more on Monzo Plus and Monzo Premium.
| Savings | Savings pots | Yes |
| Auto savings | Yes | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | No | |
| share account details | Yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | Yes |
| Set Budget | Yes | |
| Add other banks | Not on free | |
| Instant notifications | Yes | |
| See upcoming regular payments | Yes | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | Yes | |
| Filter in/out | Yes | |
| Download statements | PDF, CSV, QIF | |
| Add receipts/notes | Yes | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | Yes | |
| See card number | Yes | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | Yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | No | |
| Update personal info | Yes | |
| Biometric log in | Yes | |
| Extras | Pay friends instantly | |
| Split bill |
Nationwide app
As much as I love Nationwide as building society, I really hate the app. Here’s my review of the Nationwide FlexDirect account.
| Savings | Savings pots | No |
| Auto savings | Yes | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | No | |
| New SO | No | |
| change SO | No | |
| pay in cheque | No | |
| share account details | No | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | No |
| Set Budget | No | |
| Add other banks | No | |
| Instant notifications | No | |
| See upcoming regular payments | No | |
| See pending payments | No | |
| Go back more than one year | 15 months | |
| Filter in/out | No | |
| Download statements | No | |
| Add receipts/notes | No | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | No | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | No | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | No | |
| Update personal info | Not address | |
| Biometric log in | Yes | |
Natwest
| Savings | Savings pots | No |
| Auto savings | No | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | No | |
| share account details | Yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | Yes |
| Set Budget | Yes | |
| Add other banks | Yes Allied Irish Bank Bank of Scotland Barclays Danske Bank First Direct First Trust Halifax HSBC Lloyds Monzo Nationwide NatWest RBS Santander Ulster Bank | |
| Instant notifications | Yes | |
| See upcoming regular payments | No | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | Yes | |
| Filter in/out | Yes | |
| Download statements | ||
| Add receipts/notes | No | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | No | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | Yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | Yes | |
| Update personal info | No | |
| Biometric log in | Yes | |
| Extras | Get cash | |
Revolut
| Savings | Savings pots | Yes |
| Auto savings | Yes | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | No | |
| share account details | Yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | Yes |
| Set Budget | Yes | |
| Add other banks | Yes Amex Bank of Scotland Barclays Danske First Direct HSBC Halifax Lloyds M&S Bank Monzo Nationwide Natwest RBS Santander Starling TSB Ulster Bank | |
| Instant notifications | Yes | |
| See upcoming regular payments | Yes | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | TBC | |
| Filter in/out | TBC | |
| Download statements | PDF, XLS | |
| Add receipts/notes | Yes | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | Yes | |
| See card number | Yes | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | Yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | No | |
| Update personal info | Yes | |
| Biometric log in | Yes | |
| Extras | Virtual Card | |
| Group bills |
Santander
Another app I don’t currently have access to so there are a handful of gaps.
| Savings | Savings pots | No |
| Auto savings | No | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | No | |
| share account details | Yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | Limited |
| Set Budget | No | |
| Add other banks | No | |
| Instant notifications | TBC | |
| See upcoming regular payments | TBC | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | TBC | |
| Filter in/out | Yes | |
| Download statements | TBC | |
| Add receipts/notes | TBC | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | Yes | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | Yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | Yes | |
| Update personal info | TBC | |
| Biometric log in | Yes | |
Starling
Starling is a feature packed app. Here’s my full review of the account.
| Savings | Savings pots | Yes |
| Auto savings | Yes | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | Yes | |
| share account details | Yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | Yes |
| Set Budget | Yes | |
| Add other banks | No | |
| Instant notifications | Yes | |
| See upcoming regular payments | Yes | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | Yes | |
| Filter in/out | No | |
| Download statements | PDF, CSV | |
| Add receipts/notes | Yes | |
| Management | Freeze card | Yes |
| See Pin | Yes | |
| See card number | Yes | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | Yes | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | Yes | |
| Update personal info | Yes | |
| Biometric log in | Yes | |
| Extras | Split bill | |
TSB
This is for the Spend & Save account. Older accounts don’t have the savings pots feature.
| Savings | Savings pots | Yes |
| Auto savings | Yes | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | No | |
| share account details | Yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | No |
| Set Budget | No | |
| Add other banks | No | |
| Instant notifications | No | |
| See upcoming regular payments | No | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | Yes | |
| Filter in/out | No | |
| Download statements | No | |
| Add receipts/notes | No | |
| Management | Freeze card | No |
| See Pin | No | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | No | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | No | |
| Update personal info | Not Address | |
| Biometric log in | Yes | |
Virgin Money
Here’s my review of the Virgin Money M Plus account, including a video looking at the app in more detail.
| Savings | Savings pots | Yes |
| Auto savings | No | |
| Banking | Easy transfer | Yes |
| New payee in app | Yes | |
| New SO | Yes | |
| change SO | Yes | |
| pay in cheque | Yes | |
| share account details | Yes | |
| Budgeting | Analyse spending | Yes |
| Set Budget | Yes | |
| Add other banks | No | |
| Instant notifications | Yes | |
| See upcoming regular payments | Yes | |
| See pending payments | Yes | |
| Go back more than one year | TBC | |
| Filter in/out | Yes | |
| Download statements | ||
| Add receipts/notes | No | |
| Management | Freeze card | No |
| See Pin | No | |
| See card number | No | |
| Order new card | Yes | |
| Gambling blocks | No | |
| Spending controls (eg block contactless) | No | |
| Update personal info | No | |
| Biometric log in | Yes | |
Hi, you need to update Nationwide as a lot has changed with the app. Also the card reader is going im January
@Andy – just checked my Revolut app for history available (I’ve had it since 2016, and the transactions go all that way back).
HTH
I closed my bank account because of the HSBC app. It’s horrendous.
Really useful comparison, thanks. It would be good to add what the limits on transfer amounts are, both daily totals and individual transactions. My current account limits a transaction to £1000 which is a pain especially when transferring cash between different savings accounts.
For Nationwide Flexdirect, you actually can see pending transactions and view upcoming regular payments
For Nationwide Flexdirect, you actually can see pending transactions and view upcoming regular payments.
“Add other bank” feature in Barclays app doesn’t seem to work for LBG. Truelayer say there are no service issues, Barclays says “successfully added”, and then nothing appears. They keep showing a card for an account closed long ago too.
LBG apps seem to rejoice in adding as many “interstitial” pages of meaningless “help” that I get the “Jerry McGuire” catchphrase in my head.
Good to know George, thanks. I think using something like Yolt or Money Dashboard is a better option to see multiple accounts