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Starling Bank VS Recognise Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Starling Bank or Recognise Bank better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Starling Bank and Recognise 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.

Starling Bank Homepage
Starling Bank Homepage


Recognise Bank Homepage
Recognise Bank Homepage
 

Starling Bank vs Recognise Bank Trustpilot Reviews

Starling BankRecognise Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)4.34.6
Percent 5-Star Reviews76%77%
Percent 1- Star Reviews11%5%
Total Number of Reviews38,869539
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/starlingbank.com
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/recognisebank.co.uk

Starling Bank vs Recognise Bank App Reviews

Starling BankRecognise Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.9No Rating
Number of iPhone Reviews477,500No Reviews
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.5No Rating
Number of Android Reviews114,000No Reviews
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/starling-bank-mobile-banking/id956806430
https://www.apple.com/uk/app-store/

Starling Bank vs Recognise Bank Account Fees & Charges

Starling BankRecognise Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term LengthNo LimitNo Limit
Cheapest Monthly Account FeeNoNo
Most Expensive Monthly Account FeeNoNo
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)FreeFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)0.70%Free
Cheques (in/out)FreeFree
CHAPS Payments Cost£20£15
SEPA Payments CostNo25p

Starling Bank vs Recognise Bank Business Savings Rates

Starling BankRecognise Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsNoneNotice account, Fixed Rate, Instant access
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)NA3.15%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)NA4.50%
Minimum Savings AmountNo£1,000
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Starling Bank vs Recognise Bank Account Opening Times

Starling BankRecognise Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
1 to 5 Working daysFew minutes
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesNo

Starling Bank vs Recognise Bank Features & Account Types

Starling Bank Account Types
Starling Bank Features & Account Types


Recognise Bank Account Types
Recognise Bank Features & Account Types


Starling BankRecognise Bank
Business Current AccountYesNo
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardNoNo
Business OverdraftYesNo
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesYesNo
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeMastercardNone
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesNo
In Person/Branch BankingYesNo
Branch LocationsNone, but can use post office locations for some servicesNone, online and phone only

Starling Bank vs Recognise Bank Customer Support Options

Starling BankRecognise Bank
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesNo
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesNo

Starling Bank vs Recognise Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

Starling BankRecognise Bank
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesYes
Other Currencies Available:
  • CAD (Canadian Dollar)
  • CHF (Swiss Franc)
  • AUD (Australian Dollar)
  • CAD (Canadian Dollar)
  • JPY (Japanese Yen)
  • NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
  • SGD (Singapore Dollar)
  • HKD (Hong Kong Dollar)

Other Business Services From Starling Bank and Recognise Bank

Starling Bank Account Types
Other Starling Bank Services


Recognise Bank Account Types
Other Recognise Bank Services


Starling BankRecognise Bank
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesNoYes
Invoice FinancingNoNo
International PaymentsYesNo
Merchant Payment ServicesYesNo
Card MachinesYesNo
Free Accounting SoftwareNoNo

Starling Bank vs Recognise Bank Banking Basics

Starling BankRecognise Bank
Bank TypeChallengerChallenger
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number730166849404
WebsiteStarling Bank WebsiteRecognise Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Starling Bank or Recognise Bank have better customer reviews?

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

Whereas, Recognise Bank scores 4.6 out of 5 based 539 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 77% are 5-star and 5% are 1-star.

Does Starling Bank or Recognise Bank have a better App?

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.

In comparison, Recognise Bank’s iPhone App is rated No Rating out of 5 based on No Reviews reviews. And it’s Android App is rated No Rating out of 5 based on No Reviews reviews.

Does Starling Bank or Recognise Bank have better business savings rates?

Starling Bank offers the following types of business savings accounts: None with interest rates ranging from NA to NA. (AER)

In contrast, Recognise Bank offers Notice account, Fixed Rate, Instant access accounts with interest rates ranging from 3.15% to 4.50% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Starling Bank vs Dudley Building Society
Starling Bank vs MyPOS
Starling Bank vs Ampere
Shawbrook Bank vs RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland)
Shawbrook Bank vs Wise


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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