Monese
Depends
Confidence: Low
Buy if you're an individual living or spending across the UK and EEA who wants multi-currency accounts from £0/month; skip it if you need business banking, lending, or branch service.
Comparison
Monese vs Monzo
Monese lands on Depends, and Monzo lands on Worth it.
Monzo
Worth it
Confidence: High
Great fit for UK residents who want a free, app-first everyday account with automated saving.
| Compare | Monese | Monzo |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Worth it |
| Best for | Expats splitting life between UK and Europe | UK residents wanting app-first everyday banking |
| Who it's not for | Businesses needing full business banking or lending | US-based buyers . Monzo shut down US accounts |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.¹ | UK-regulated bank, but history includes a 2019 breach affecting ~480k customers and a £21m FCA anti-money-laundering fine.14 |
| Support quality | No support evidence in sources | Complaints team effectiveness questioned by users |
| Public sentiment | The few available testimonials praise fast, easy app signup and multi-currency convenience, but independent review volume is nearly absent.¹ | Long-term users mostly praise the app and saving features, but gripes about support quality and rising paid-tier prices recur. |
| Biggest gotcha | ATM withdrawals are free only 'within allowances' . expect fees past the cap² | US service is being wound down . don't sign up expecting US banking.12 |
Pick Monese when
- Expats splitting life between UK and Europe
- Frequent multi-currency travelers
- People who struggle to open traditional bank accounts
- App-first users wanting fast signup
When Monese is not a fit
- Businesses needing full business banking or lending
- Anyone outside the UK/EEA
- People wanting branch service, overdrafts, or credit products
- Heavy ATM users . free withdrawals are capped
Pick Monzo when
- UK residents wanting app-first everyday banking
- Budgeters who automate saving with Pots
- First-bank users aged 16+
When Monzo is not a fit
- US-based buyers . Monzo shut down US accounts
- Anyone needing branches, cash deposits, or in-person service
- Businesses wanting full-service banking . better options exist
Sources
- Monese homepagemonese.comofficial
- Monese on Google Playplay.google.comofficial
- Monese on the App Storeapps.apple.comofficial
- Monese LinkedIn post . 3-minute signup claimlinkedin.comnews
- Facebook expat group recommendationfacebook.comreview
- Monese Review (2026) . Pros, Cons & Ratingfactchecktool.comreview
- ScamAdviser check for monese.comscamadviser.comsecurity
security
- Monzo | Open a Free Accountmonzo.comofficial
official
- Monzo Perks | £9 a Monthmonzo.comofficial
- Monzo fined £21m by FCA for compliance lapsescomputerweekly.comnews
- Almost half a million Monzo customers affected by data breachfintechfutures.comsecurity
security
- 15 Million Monzo Customerslinkedin.comnews