Starling Bank is a popular digital-only bank based in the UK. It offers no-fee chequing and savings accounts along with a user-friendly mobile app, so you may be wondering: Can I open a Starling bank account in Canada?

Is Starling Bank available in Canada?

Unfortunately, no. Starling Bank is only available in the UK, so Canadian residents can’t open an account. But the good news is that there are several Starling Bank Canada alternatives that make it easy to manage your money online.

Top Starling Bank alternatives in Canada

If you’re looking for accounts that offer similar features to Starling Bank in Canada, check out these six Starling Bank alternatives.

Simplii Financial: A Starling Bank alternative in Canada

Launched in 2017, Simplii Financial is CIBC’s digital banking division. While it doesn’t have any physical branches, it does offer one of the widest ranges of financial products and services among Canadian digital banks. Its offerings include a chequing account, a savings account with one of Canada’s highest promotional rates, a Cash Back Visa credit card, GICs, mortgages, personal loans and lines of credit.

If you’re searching for banks like Starling Bank in Canada, Simplii should definitely be on your shortlist of options.

8.5 Great

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Simplii No Fee Chequing Account

Earn $350
Bonus Offer

$0
Monthly Account Fee

Unlimited
Free Transactions

• Info
• Pros + Cons
• More Details

This fee-free chequing account is a competitive option for anyone looking for a simple (and cheap) way to manage their day-to-day banking. It supports unlimited monthly transactions with no monthly fee, and you get free access to over 2,800 CIBC ATMs across Canada. You can add overdraft protection for a small fee if needed, and user-friendly online and mobile banking platforms make it easy to manage your finances.

• No monthly fee
• Unlimited transactions (including e-Transfers)
• No minimum deposit required
• Earn a $350 welcome bonus

• No physical branches
• Not available in Quebec
• Only pays a low interest rate

Monthly Account Fee	$0
Free Transactions	Unlimited
Interac e-Transfer Fee	$0
In-Network ATM Fee	$0
NSF Fee	$10
CDIC Deposit Insurance	$100,000
Bonus Offer	Earn $350

EQ Bank: A Starling Bank alternative in Canada

A subsidiary of Equitable Bank, EQ Bank is a top Starling Bank alternative for a host of reasons. With its Personal Account, it offers something that Starling no longer does—the convenient access to funds that a chequing account provides with the balance-boosting power of a high-interest savings account.

But it also offers competitive savings rates on its Notice Savings Account, GICs, registered accounts, an international money transfer service and free withdrawals from any ATM in Canada with the EQ Bank Card. All this serves to make it worth a look if you’re searching for banks like Starling Bank.

9 Excellent

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Neo Savings Account

2.25% - 3.00%
Interest Rate

$0 - $14.99
Account Fee

$0
Transaction Fee

• Info
• Pros + Cons
• More Details

Finder Reward

Get $80 from Finder Open a new Neo Financial Chequing or Savings Account online through Finder as a first-time customer, deposit a total of at least $50 within 30 days of opening and keep the account active until February 15, 2027. One Neo reward per member. Offer ends December 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

T&Cs apply.

The Neo Savings Account has a tiered interest rate structure, where you can earn one of the highest ongoing rates in Canada. You'll need a Grow membership to earn the highest interest rate. Earn 2.25% interest on your balance with a Neo Essentials membership, 2.75% interest with a Neo Build membership, and 3.00% with a Neo Grow membership..

• Earn a high interest rate
• No minimum balance to start earning interest
• CDIC insured for up to $100,000

Ongoing Interest Rate	3%
Promotional Interest Rate	No promotional rate available
Monthly Account Fee
Minimum Balance	$0
CDIC Deposit Insurance	$100,000

KOHO: A Starling Bank alternative in Canada

KOHO Financial is a Toronto-based fintech that was founded in 2014. One of the new wave of financial technology apps that has shaken up Canadian banking in recent years, KOHO offers a spending account that lets you manage your day-to-day transactions and earn cash back on your spending.

But its hybrid account also pays competitive interest on your balance, and you can manage your money via a user-friendly mobile app. Other perks like interest-free cash advances, credit score monitoring and no foreign transaction fees on some plans help make KOHO a worthy Starling Bank alternative.

9.2 Excellent

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KOHO Core Plan

2%
Interest Rate

$0
Account Fee

Unlimited
Transaction Fee

• Info
• Pros + Cons
• More Details

The KOHO Core Plan offers a blend of chequing and savings account features. You can earn 2% interest on your balance as well as cash back on your purchases.

• No monthly fee
• 2% interest
• Earn cashback on your spending
• Highly-rated mobile app
• Also provides access to interest-free cash advances and other perks

• ATM fees apply
• Paid KOHO accounts earn higher interest and cashback

Ongoing Interest Rate	2%
Promotional Interest Rate	No promotional rate available
Monthly Account Fee	$0
Minimum Balance	$0
CDIC Deposit Insurance	$100,000

Tangerine: A Starling Bank alternative in Canada

Tangerine Bank is one of Canada’s leading digital banks. Established in 1997 as ING DIRECT Canada, it was acquired by Scotiabank in 2012 and remains a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Big Five bank.

This means customers can access Scotiabank’s nationwide ATM network for free, while there’s also a full suite of banking products to choose from. As well as a no-fee chequing account, Tangerine offers a savings account, two cash back credit cards, registered accounts, GICs, mortgages and lines of credit.

8.5 Great

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Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account

Earn $250
Bonus Offer

$0
Monthly Account Fee

unlimited
Free Transactions

• Info
• Pros + Cons
• More Details

This fee-free account is designed for stress-free day-to-day banking. There are no fees for everyday transactions and no minimum balance requirement, while you get unlimited transactions, including free e-Transfers. You can also take advantage of access to Scotiabank's ATM network, and managing your money is simple with Tangerine's highly rated mobile app.

• Unlimited transactions
• No monthly fee or minimum balance
• 50 free cheques
• Free access to over 3,500 ABMs

• No physical branches
• Only pays a low rate of interest
• No cash back

Monthly Account Fee	$0
Free Transactions	unlimited
Interac e-Transfer Fee	$0
In-Network ATM Fee	$0
NSF Fee	$10
Foreign Transaction Fee	2.5%
CDIC Deposit Insurance	$100,000
Bonus Offer	Earn $250

Neo Financial: A Starling Bank alternative in Canada

Calgary-based fintech Neo Financial arrived on the scene in 2019. Its fully online offerings include an account for everyday spending, a high-interest savings account, credit cards like the Neo Mastercard and online investing and portfolio management.

Neo also offers a range of monthly subscriptions known as Perks. You can add these to your Neo credit cards to earn extra cash back and other rewards across categories like Travel, Food & Drink and Mind & Body. That’s why it’s worth a closer look if you’re on the hunt for Starling Bank alternatives.

8.3 Great

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Neo Chequing Account

N/A
Bonus Offer

$0
Monthly Account Fee

unlimited
Free Transactions

• Info
• Pros + Cons
• More Details

Finder Reward

Get $80 from Finder Open a new Neo Financial Chequing or Savings Account online through Finder as a first-time customer, deposit a total of at least $50 within 30 days of opening and keep the account active until February 15, 2027. One Neo reward per member. Offer ends December 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

T&Cs apply.

Neo Financial's Chequing Account is a no-monthly-fee account managed via a user-friendly mobile app. You get unlimited transactions with no minimum balance requirement, plus a Neo Money prepaid card you can use to access cash or pay for in-store and online purchases. And when you shop at partners in Neo Financial's network, you'll be rewarded with cash back.

• No monthly fee or minimum balance requirement
• Unlimited transactions
• Earn cash back on spending
• Highly rated app

• Cash back earn rate depends on your balance
• Monthly cash back limit
• Online only

Monthly Account Fee	$0
Free Transactions	unlimited
Interac e-Transfer Fee	$0
In-Network ATM Fee	$0
NSF Fee	$0
Foreign Transaction Fee	2.5%
CDIC Deposit Insurance	$100,000
Bonus Offer	N/A

Wise: A Starling Bank alternative in Canada

UK-based Wise made its name as an international money transfer service, but it offers a full suite of products and services for Canadians who frequently send, receive and spend in foreign currencies. These include a multi-currency account that supports 40 currencies, the Wise card with no foreign transaction fees and global payment services for businesses that regularly deal in foreign currencies.

It’s easy to manage your Wise account using streamlined online and mobile app interfaces, making Wise a solid option as a Starling Bank alternative in Canada.

Go to site

Wise Personal Account

N/A
Bonus Offer

$0
Monthly Account Fee

unlimited
Free Transactions

• Info
• Pros + Cons
• More Details

A Wise personal account offers a host of handy features for anyone who needs to spend, hold, send and receive money in multiple currencies. The account supports 40+ currencies, while you also get the mid-market exchange rate when you need to convert currencies. And with a highly rated mobile app along with a Wise card that lets you spend money in 160 countries, there's a lot to like about this multi-currency account.

• Spend and hold funds in 40+ currencies
• Get the mid-market rate when converting currency
• Skip foreign transaction fees
• User-friendly app

• Money transfer fees apply
• No branches
• Limited number of free ATM withdrawals per month

Monthly Account Fee	$0
Free Transactions	unlimited
Interac e-Transfer Fee	N/A
In-Network ATM Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee	0%
Bonus Offer	N/A

What is Starling Bank?

UK-based Starling Bank is one of a growing group of “challenger banks” looking to simplify how people manage their finances. Starling is a digital-only bank that offers a current account (similar to a chequing account), joint account, savings account, euro account, business accounts, a teen account and a prepaid card for kids.

Starling Bank was founded in 2014, received a banking licence in 2016 and launched its Current Account in 2017. Since then, Starling Bank customers have opened over four million accounts.

Starling has no physical branches, but customers can manage their accounts via streamlined online and mobile banking platforms.

What is Starling Bank’s SWIFT code?

The Starling Bank SWIFT code is SRLGGB2L. You can use this code to send an international transfer to a Starling account. But if you’re sending to a euro account, the SWIFT code is SRLGGB3L.

Is Starling Bank only for UK residents?

Yes. To sign up for a Starling Bank account, you must be a UK resident with the right to reside in the UK. You’ll also need to be 16 years of age or older.

Can you use Starling in Canada?

If you’re a UK resident with a Starling Bank account, you can use your debit card to withdraw cash or pay for purchases while abroad, including in Canada. Starling Bank also won’t charge you any fees for doing so, which means you can use your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

But while Starling Bank doesn’t charge fees, there are some costs to watch out for. For example, the ATM network you use may charge a fee for withdrawing money. If you choose to pay in the local currency, you’ll receive the Mastercard exchange rate, which includes a markup on top of the mid-market rate.

Starling Bank account options

Starling Bank’s accounts aren’t available to Canadian residents, but UK residents can sign up for the following accounts.

• Current account. This chequing account is used to pay bills, transfer money and pay for purchases with a linked debit card.
• Joint account. You can open a Starling Bank Joint Account with one other person to make it easier to manage your shared finances.
• Euro account. UK residents can use this no-fee account to send, receive and hold euros.
• Starling Kite. This kids’ debit card is designed for 6- to 15-year-olds and is designed to help parents send pocket money and monitor spending.
• Teen account. This current account is designed for 16- and 17-year-olds and comes with a Mastercard debit card.
• Easy Saver. This savings account provides easy access to your funds and has no minimum deposit requirement.
• Fixed Saver. This account pays a competitive interest rate when you deposit money for a 1-year fixed term.
• Personal overdraft. This short-term overdraft is designed to help you cover any unexpected expenses that may arise.
• International money transfers. Starling Bank also allows customers to send money abroad to 34 countries in 17 currencies.
• Business accounts. Business chequing accounts, multi-currency accounts, savings accounts, overdrafts and loans are also available.

What are the downsides of Starling Bank?

Aside from the fact that Starling Bank doesn’t offer accounts to Canadian residents, there are a few other areas where it falls short compared to Canadian digital banks.

No interest-yielding chequing account

One recent development that has seen Starling Bank attract criticism from customers is its decision to stop paying interest on personal and joint Current Accounts as of February 10, 2025.

Interest-earning capability is available through separate Easy Saver or Fixed Saver accounts, but there’s no longer the convenience of an all-in-one account. That’s where Canadian products like the EQ Bank Personal Account and KOHO offer attractive alternatives.

Overdraft interest

Another area where Starling Bank falls short is overdraft interest charges. While there’s no fee for overdraft protection, you’ll pay either 15%, 25% or 35% interest. The rate you get is determined by your credit score.

Compare that to KOHO Cover, which provides overdraft protection in the form of interest-free cash advances of up to $250 for a low fee. While Tangerine and Simplii charge a fee for overdraft protection on their chequing accounts, their interest rates of 19% are much lower than the maximum 35% Starling Bank charges.

Downsides of all digital banks

The other main downsides of Starling Bank are the same as other digital banks—you can’t pop into a branch to access face-to-face customer service, and Starling has a limited range of products compared to traditional banks.

Starling reviews: What are its customers thinking?

Customer reviews for Starling are generally positive, but like all banks, it’s also picked up some mixed feedback. Positive reviews mention factors like an easy-to-use app, fast customer service and attractive interest rates and account features.

Customers who leave negative reviews mention factors like being denied when trying to open an Easy Saver Account and the fact that Starling’s Current Account no longer pays interest.

Starling’s average rating of 4.2/5 on Trustpilot compares favorably to Canadian providers like EQ Bank (2.3/5), Tangerine (1.3/5), KOHO (1.4/5), Neo Financial (1.5/5) and Simplii Financial (2/5) and is similar to Wise’s rating of 4.3/5 (as of January 2025).

As for its mobile app, there are plenty of Canadian banks that would look with envy at Starling’s average ratings of 4.9/5 and 4.8/5 from the Apple App Store and Google Play, respectively (as of January 2025).

Summary of Starling Bank reviews

Bottom line

Starling Bank isn’t available in Canada, but there are several great Starling Bank Canada alternatives that are well worth a closer look. Check out what they have to offer to find the right digital banking solution for your needs.

Frequently asked questions about Starling Bank

• Does Starling Bank work abroad?

  Starling Bank accounts are only available to UK residents. But if you're a UK resident with a Starling Bank account, you can use your debit card to withdraw cash and pay for purchases overseas. Starling also won't charge you for spending abroad.

• What is the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC)?

  The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation is a federal Crown corporation that provides deposit insurance. When you open an account with a bank, credit union or financial institution that is a CDIC member, up to $100,000 you deposit will be covered by CDIC insurance if the bank fails.

• Can you get cashback with Starling?

  Starling doesn't offer cashback as a standard perk. Instead, it's partnered with the cashback app Verve. Part of its Starling Marketplace, Verve gives customers access to cashback offers at a range of retailers.

  Verve can be activated within the Starling app, which links both accounts. When Starling customers pay with their cards, cashback is paid directly into their bank accounts.

• Can I open a Starling Bank account if I don't have a UK phone number?

  Yes, Starling Bank accepts phone numbers from 40 countries, including Canada. However, you will need to be a UK resident to be eligible for an account.

Written by

Tim Falk

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Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 20-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

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