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Nationwide VS Starling Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


By: Ian Wright | Last Updated: May 22, 2025

Is Nationwide or Starling Bank better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Nationwide and Starling Bank reviews on Trustpilot along with their App reviews from Apple and Google.

We then look at typical fees, business savings rates, foreign currency options and a whole bunch of other account features to help you make up your mind.

Nationwide Homepage
Nationwide Homepage


Starling Bank Homepage
Starling Bank Homepage
 

Nationwide vs Starling Bank Trustpilot Reviews

NationwideStarling Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.74.3
Percent 5-Star Reviews15%76%
Percent 1- Star Reviews75%11%
Total Number of Reviews5,50938,869
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.nationwide.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/starlingbank.com

Nationwide vs Starling Bank App Reviews

NationwideStarling Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.9
Number of iPhone Reviews595,000477,500
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.54.5
Number of Android Reviews106,000114,000
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nationwide-mobile-banking/id542355130
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/starling-bank-mobile-banking/id956806430

Nationwide vs Starling Bank Account Fees & Charges

NationwideStarling Bank
Free Business Bank AccountNoYes
Free Business Account Term LengthNANo Limit
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£6.50No
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£30No
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)FreeFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)1%0.70%
Cheques (in/out)£1.50Free
CHAPS Payments Cost£15£20
SEPA Payments CostNoNo

Nationwide vs Starling Bank Business Savings Rates

NationwideStarling Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, Limited access, Fixed rateNone
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)2.25%NA
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)6.50%NA
Minimum Savings Amount£1No
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Nationwide vs Starling Bank Account Opening Times

NationwideStarling Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
7 Working days1 to 5 Working days
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

Nationwide vs Starling Bank Features & Account Types

Nationwide Account Types
Nationwide Features & Account Types


Starling Bank Account Types
Starling Bank Features & Account Types


NationwideStarling Bank
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYesNo
Business OverdraftYesYes
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesYesYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeVisaMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesYes
Branch LocationsUK-wideNone, but can use post office locations for some services

Nationwide vs Starling Bank Customer Support Options

NationwideStarling Bank
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesYes
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesYes

Nationwide vs Starling Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

NationwideStarling Bank
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesYes
Other Currencies Available:
  • Canadian Dollar
  • Australian Dollar
  • CAD (Canadian Dollar)

Other Business Services From Nationwide and Starling Bank

Nationwide Account Types
Other Nationwide Services


Starling Bank Account Types
Other Starling Bank Services


NationwideStarling Bank
Business LoansNoYes
Commercial MortgagesYesNo
Invoice FinancingNoNo
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesNoYes
Card MachinesNoYes
Free Accounting SoftwareNoNo

Nationwide vs Starling Bank Banking Basics

NationwideStarling Bank
Bank TypeBuilding SocietyChallenger
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number106078730166
WebsiteNationwide WebsiteStarling Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Nationwide or Starling Bank have better customer reviews?

Nationwide scores 1.7 out of 5 based 5,509 Trustpilot reviews. Of these reviews 15% are 5-star and 75% are 1-star.

Whereas, Starling Bank scores 4.3 out of 5 based 38,869 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 76% are 5-star and 11% are 1-star.

Does Nationwide or Starling Bank have a better App?

Nationwide’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 595,000 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.5 out of 5 based on 106,000 reviews.

In comparison, Starling Bank’s iPhone App is rated 4.9 out of 5 based on 477,500 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.5 out of 5 based on 114,000 reviews.

Does Nationwide or Starling Bank have better business savings rates?

Nationwide offers the following types of business savings accounts: Instant access, Limited access, Fixed rate with interest rates ranging from 2.25% to 6.50%. (AER)

In contrast, Starling Bank offers None accounts with interest rates ranging from NA to NA (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Nationwide vs Shawbrook Bank
Nationwide vs RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland)
Nationwide vs Wise
Nationwide vs Revolut Business
Nationwide vs Danske Bank UK


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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