The UK’s first digital bank, smile is known for its role in past technological innovations in banking. It now operates as a trading division of The Co-operative Bank, but its unique history ensures it’ll always remain a distinct entity. While it was on the cutting edge of banking in the late 90s, is it still today? We’ve had a look at the smile app to see how it measures up to its peers.
The smile app is an app for smile customers, allowing them to quickly and easily check their balance and to manage their money wherever they are in the world. It also boasts a fair few extra features.
In order to set up the smile mobile banking app, you’ll need to register with smile online banking. If you’re not already registered, you can be do this through the app itself. Once you’ve registered with online banking, you can log in to your smile account in the app. You’ll then be able to see balances and transactions for each account. You can also do the following:
Smile is no longer (October 2026) accepting new account applications.
Aside from the option to manage your savings account alongside your current account, and also set up standing orders, there’s no budgeting tool built in to the smile app. While some apps, such as Starling or Barclays Bank for example, allow you to see a categorised “breakdown” of your spending, the smile app has no such feature.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is an independent statutory fund set up to safeguard consumer finances in the event of a bank being unable to meet its payment demands. The Co-operative Bank, and therefore smile, has full FSCS protection, which provides compensation for the loss of up to £120,000 – as is the standard for UK bank accounts.
With Revolut, you’ll get a mobile-only current account and a debit card, but there’s so much more than that available.
You’ll face no fees when spending money overseas and on limited ATM withdrawals in foreign countries overseas.
Revolut customers can make free international money transfers. You can use the Revolut app to buy gold, buy cryptocurrency or trade stocks. There are a few features to assist with your personal budgeting too.
The sign-up process is quick and easy. You only have to provide a picture of your photo ID and a selfie for verification. No need for a credit check, proof of address or any other documents.
There’s no overdraft available with Revolut.
Monzo is another online bank account that lets you spend money overseas at no extra cost.
The app has plenty of budgeting features to help you reach your savings goals.
You can apply for an overdraft or a personal loan.
Monese is another mobile bank account that works similarly to Revolut and Monzo.
It doesn’t have as many complex features as those 2 apps, although it’s pretty easy to set up.
It includes generous limits for overseas spending and ATM withdrawals. There are a few budgeting features to help you reach your savings goals on the Monese app too.
Starling is another popular digital-only bank, with similar features to those listed above.
When you sign up to its current account, you won’t be charged for overseas purchases or ATM withdrawals (up to £300 a day). You can also apply for a Euros account.
You can apply for an overdraft and savings accounts using Starling too.
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As an online-only bank, it’s key that Smile offers its customers easy ways to manage their account via the web and on their smartphones. Broadly speaking, it meets this goal with its app, but user experience can be patchy.
Conveniently, the app allows customers to view over a year’s worth of previous transactions, which can be an enormous help if you need to check your spending on a certain day. Unfortunately, the app doesn’t really offer any budgeting features. If you’re interested in using a digital banking service, there are other players on the market that offer a greater wealth of app features.
New to Starling? See if you can keep some more money in your pocket with our promo codes and special offers.
Discover whether Kroo’s account and card could work for you.
New to Revolut? Check out what it offers and see if you can save more with our discount codes and deals.
Nationwide has one of the most competitive current account offers available on the market. Discover their features, compare options and apply.
Barclays offers a full range of current accounts with different sets of perks and rewards. We compare and contrast them to help you choose the right one.
Compare Halifax current accounts to find the best option for you.
With a current account from The Co-operative Bank, you’ll get access to worldwide travel insurance from AXA, UK and European breakdown cover from RAC, everyday rewards and the option to have a greater degree of control over your spending.
Ireland’s largest financial services group offer a variety of eye-catching features with their current accounts, including cashback rewards.
Copenhagen-based Danske Bank has a current account for everyone, from 11-to 17-year olds to those wanting fee-free cash withdrawals in non-sterling currencies. You can earn a £7 cash reward paid into your account each month, zero interest and fees on the first £100 of an overdraft and favourable interest rates on personal loans.
