Alternatives to N26 in the UK

Digital banks and money apps have become hugely popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. They offer an easy, convenient way to manage your money and make payments all from your phone.

One of the most popular European neobanks is N26, based in Germany. Unfortunately though, it no longer operates in the UK. So if you’re looking for similar services, read on.

We’ve put together a helpful list of N26 alternatives for money transfers in the UK, so that you can choose the best option for you.

This includes the money services provider Wise and its Wise account, which lets you send, spend, and receive money in multiple currencies (including in GBP) for low fees and great exchange rates - and offers a handy mobile app too.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

---

Table of Contents

What services and products does N26 offer? Where is N26 available? Why is N26 no longer available in the UK? Quick comparison of N26 and alternatives 12 best alternatives to N26 for sending money abroad 1: Monzo 2: Wise 3: Starling Bank 4: Revolut 5: Skrill 6: Western Union 7: Remitly 8: Ria Money Transfer 9: Xoom 10: MoneyGram 11: WorldRemit 12: TorFX Wise – Money for here, there and everywhere FAQ on alternatives to N26 What bank is similar to N26? What is unique about N26? Which is better, N26 or Wise?

What services and products does N26 offer?

N26 offers a choice of app-first bank accounts, including both free and paid plans. There are plenty of features on the free N26 Standard Account, including 24/7 support and a virtual card.¹

But if you’re after more perks, you can upgrade to a paid plan to access features such as a real debit card, ‘Spaces’ subaccounts or even travel insurance. Prices for paid plans range from €4.90 to €16.90 a month.¹

N26 also has dedicated plans for businesses, as well as offering crypto products.

For sending money abroad, N26 offers international payments across Europe powered by Wise. This means that users can take advantage of Wise’s great exchange rates, low fees and wide global reach, all from the convenience of the N26 app.

Where is N26 available?

N26 is available across Europe, with a couple of notable exceptions. You can open an account in any of the following countries:²

• Austria
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Latvia
• Lichtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

The company used to operate in the UK and in Italy too, but has since ceased operations in these countries.² This unfortunately means that you can’t open an account with N26 if you live permanently in the UK.

Why is N26 no longer available in the UK?

N26 left the UK as a result of Brexit, when the UK left the European Union. It stated that it had made the decision as it would no longer be able to operate in the UK using its European banking licence.³

Quick comparison of N26 and alternatives

As N26 isn’t available in the UK and you need to make a money transfer, you might want to check out some alternatives.

Here’s your at-a-glance look at some of the main contenders, including both digital banks and money transfer specialists.

Provider name	Transfer fees	Exchange rate	Coverage
Monzo	From 0.43%	Mid-market rate, powered by Wise⁵	35+ currencies⁵
Wise	From 0.43%	Mid-market rate	160 countries 40+ currencies
Starling Bank	£0.30 to £5.50, depending on delivery method + speed⁷	Mid-market rate + 0.4% fee⁷	35 countries 19 currencies⁶
Revolut	Varies	Mid-market rate + likely markup¹⁰	29 currencies⁹
Skrill	- None (bank-to-bank) - 1% - 2.99% for other payment methods¹²	Mid-market rate + up to 4.99% markup¹²	40+ countries¹¹
Western Union	Varies	Mid-market rate + markup³¹	200 countries 130 currencies¹³
Remitly	Varies	Mid-market rate + markup¹⁷	170 countries 100+ currencies¹⁵
Ria Money Transfer	Varies	Mid-market rate + likely markup¹⁹	165+ countries¹⁸
Xoom (a PayPal service)	Varies	Mid-market rate + markup²³	160+ countries²⁰
MoneyGram	Varies	Mid-market rate + markup²⁶	200+ countries²⁴
WorldRemit	Varies	Mid-market rate + markup²⁹	130+ countries 70+ currencies²⁷
TorFX	None	Mid-market rate + markup³⁰	40+ currencies³⁰

12 best alternatives to N26 for sending money abroad

1: Monzo

Monzo is a fully licenced bank in the UK, and its accounts come with FSCS protection of up to £85,000 per person.⁴

It offers online accounts for personal and business customers. Like Revolut, there are free and paid account plans available - the latter offering more features and extras. And it’s all focused on managing your account and money via a smartphone app.

Monzo also offers savings accounts, loans, overdrafts and investment products.

When it comes to making international transfers, Monzo has teamed up with Wise - just like with N26. This means you can send money with Monzo in 35+ currencies, taking advantage of Wise’s low fees and mid-market exchange rates.⁵ And you can do it all right from within the Monzo app.

Pros:

• Monzo offers a full range of accounts and financial services
• You’ll get the mid-market exchange rate on international transfers, thanks to the Monzo partnership with Wise⁵
• Access to the user-friendly Monzo app

Cons:

• No options for cash pickup on transfers

2: Wise

Wise is a UK-based international money transfer specialist, which works a little differently to other providers. Wise has also partnered with N26, powering their international payments worldwide.

You can send money in 40+ currencies all over the world, using your Wise multi-currency account. You can do it online or via the handy Wise app. There’s even a Wise card for spending like a local in 150+ countries.

Pros:

• Mid-market exchange rates - with no markups
• Offers a multi-currency account and a card alongside money transfers
• Free account sign-up
• Fast and secure payments
• Wise app for managing your money on the go

Cons:

• Wise does charge transfer fees, but these are always low and transparent
• No cash pickup

Learn more about the Wise account 💰

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

3: Starling Bank

Starling Bank is similar to Monzo, in that it’s a fully regulated UK bank with FSCS protection.⁶ It offers app-managed current accounts for personal and business customers, with features such as fixed-rate savings, virtual cards and bills management tools. Starling also offers overdrafts and loans.

Unlike with Revolut and Monzo, Starling Bank accounts are all free to open.⁶

You can also make international transfers using the Starling Bank app, sending to 35 countries in 19 currencies.⁶

Pros:

• Free accounts, offering a full range of features and services
• Low, transparent pricing, with option to send via local partners from just £0.30 - although it does take a little longer⁷

Cons:

• You’ll pay more (a fee of £5.50) for priority delivery with SWIFT⁷
• Starling Bank adds a 0.4% fee to the mid-market exchange rate⁷
• No cash pickup available

📚 Read more: Best digital banks in the UK

4: Revolut

If you like managing your money on your phone, just like with N26, then Revolut could be a good alternative. It’s a digital money app, offering many of the same services as a bank account.

There’s a free plan available, or you can upgrade and pay between £2.99 and £45 a month for a paid plan.⁸ These offer an increasing number of extras the more you pay, including higher limits, lower fees and perks like travel insurance. Revolut plans also come with a debit card.

When it comes to sending money internationally, Revolut lets you make fast, easy payments in 29 currencies⁹ using just your phone. It offers low fees and competitive exchange rates.

Pros:

• Account and card available alongside money transfer services
• Transparent fees and pricing
• User-friendly Revolut app
• Wide range of features available, including on the free Standard plan

Cons:

• You’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to get discounted international transfer fees
• Revolut charges a 1% fee for currency exchange on weekends⁹
• There’s a monthly exchange allowance, and fees if you exceed it⁹
• Revolut is likely to add a markup to the mid-market exchange rate¹⁰

📚 Read more: Revolut vs. Wise (UK): everything you need to know

5: Skrill

Skrill is a digital wallet owned by global payments platform Paysafe Limited. It’s been around for a while, as it first launched all the way back in 2001.

With the Skrill app on your phone, you can send money within the UK and to 40+ countries worldwide.¹¹ It’s also useful for paying for things online (including betting and gaming).

And like Revolut, you can also use it to trade cryptocurrency. There’s even a Skrill Prepaid Mastercard for real-world spending.

Pros:

• Offers both personal and business accounts
• Safe and secure transfers
• Optional prepaid card available
• User-friendly Skrill mobile app
• No fees for bank-to-bank international transfers¹²

Cons:

• No options for cash payment or pickup
• Up to 4.99% markup on the exchange rate for international transfers¹²

6: Western Union

If it’s just money transfers you need, Western Union could be a good choice. It’s a trusted name in international money transfer, operating in 200+ countries and territories.¹³

With Western Union, you can send money online or via the mobile app, delivering to bank accounts and mobile wallets worldwide. But you can also make and receive transfers in person and in cash, at one of thousands of Western Union agent locations.

Pros:

• A huge global network
• A wide choice of delivery and collection methods, including cash payment and pickup
• Easy tracking with the Western Union app
• Fully regulated around the world

Cons:

• Western Union adds a markup to the mid-market exchange rate³¹
• Some transfer fees do apply
• You may pay more for faster services, as well as for payment in cash¹⁴
• Not all delivery/collection methods are available for all destinations¹⁴

7: Remitly

The US-based money transfer service Remitly offers fast, convenient online payments worldwide. It doesn’t have any physical locations, but instead delivers money through partners, such as banks and other money transfer services.

Remitly lets you send to 170+ countries in 100+ currencies.¹⁵ And you can choose from a range of payment and receiving methods, including cash delivery in some destinations.

Pros:

• Promotional offers available for new customers¹⁵
• Send online or via the Remitly app
• Global network

Cons:

• Transfer fees apply for some transactions, and you’ll pay more for faster services¹⁶
• Adds a markup to the mid-market exchange rate¹⁷

📚 Read more: Best Money Transfer Apps For UK

8: Ria Money Transfer

Ria Money Transfer is a popular choice for international transfers, with an extensive worldwide reach covering 165 countries.¹⁸

It offers a choice of methods to set up a payment, including online, from its own mobile app and in person from one of 500,000+ worldwide locations.¹⁸

Pros:

• Promotional offers for new customers¹⁸
• Choice of delivery methods, including cash pickup (depending on destination)
• User-friendly Ria Money Transfer mobile app available

Cons:

• Likely to add a markup to mid-market exchange rate¹⁹
• Transfer fees apply, and may not be the most competitive¹⁸

9: Xoom

A PayPal service, Xoom is a specialist money transfer service, letting you make online transfers to bank accounts, mobile wallets and debit cards in over 160 countries.²⁰ And in some locations, you can request cash collection and even delivery right to your recipient’s door.

It’s all set up for transfers funded with your PayPal account, although you can also use other payment methods.

Pros:

• Money-back guarantee if anything goes wrong²¹
• Transfer fees available upfront
• Xoom app available
• Backed by PayPal and all of its customer protections

Cons:

• Transfer fees can be quite high for some transactions, such as those involving cash pickup²²
• Exchange rates include a margin on the mid-market rate²³

10: MoneyGram

MoneyGram is one of the world’s largest money transfer providers. It offers a wide range of options for sending, funding and collecting transfers, and has an extensive global network. Payments are fast, secure and easy to set up online.

With MoneyGram, you can send to 200+ countries and territories worldwide.²⁴

Pros:

• Promotional offers for new customers²⁵
• Fast and secure payments - many arriving within minutes²⁶
• MoneyGram app available
• Cash pickup available

Cons:

• Must register/sign in to see fees and exchange rates
• Fees can be high with MoneyGram, depending how you fund the payment and your chosen collection method²⁶
• Exchange rates include a margin on the mid-market rate²⁶

📚 Read more: The best UK banks for sending money abroad

11: WorldRemit

Money transfer provider WorldRemit offers fast, secure online transfers all over the world. You can send to 130+ countries in 70+ currencies²⁷, taking your pick from a range of flexible payment and delivery options. Depending on the destination, you can send to mobile money accounts, mobile airtime top-ups or arrange cash pickup.

Pros:

• Promotional offers for new customers²⁸
• Track payments via the WorldRemit mobile app
• Wide choice of payment and delivery methods, including cash pickup
• WorldRemit mobile app

Cons:

• Exchange rates include a margin on the mid-market rate²⁹

12: TorFX

Based in the UK, transfer specialist TorFX offers 24/7 online transfers in 40 currencies for no upfront fees.³⁰

Pros:

• No transfer fees³⁰
• TorFX mobile app available
• Free account registration
• Fast, secure transfers

Cons:

• Fees and rates aren’t available upfront - you need to register to get quotes for your transfer
• Exchange rates include a margin on the mid-market rate³⁰
• No cash pickup available

Wise – Money for here, there and everywhere

Want low fees, great rates and an easy way to send money worldwide? Open a Wise account online in just a few clicks, and you can start managing your money in 40+ currencies (including in British pounds).

You can send payments worldwide for low fees and mid-market exchange rates. There’s even a Wise card for spending in over 150 countries, where your pounds are automatically converted to the local currency at a great rate.

There aren’t any monthly fees with Wise, and you can open an account for free.

Sign up with Wise today 🚀

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees. Eligibility is subject to verification of customers' identity.

FAQ on alternatives to N26

What bank is similar to N26?

In the UK, Revolut, Monzo and Starling Bank have a similar setup to N26.

What is unique about N26?

In the places it operates, N26 offers a fully digital banking experience, while also being backed by a full banking licence. It was one of the first neobanks aiming to make it easier and more convenient to manage your money.

Which is better, N26 or Wise?

In Europe, N26 and Wise work in perfect harmony. Wise powers N26’s international payments, so that customers can take advantage of Wise’s great exchange rates and global reach, all from the user-friendly N26 app.

---

Sources used:

1. N26 - Plans
2. N26 Support - Can I open an N26 account in my country?
3. N26 - Blog - Leaving the UK does not change our global vision to transform retail banking for the better
4. Monzo - Home
5. Wise - Blog - Monzo International Payments
6. Starling Bank - Home
7. Starling Bank - Send money abroad
8. Revolut - Our Pricing Plans
9. Revolut - International Money Transfers
10. Revolut - Standard Fees
11. Skrill - International Money Transfers
12. Skrill - Fees
13. Western Union Corporate - About Us
14. Western Union - Send Money
15. Remitly - Home
16. Remitly - Vietnam - Pricing
17. Remitly - User Agreement
18. Ria Money Transfer - Home
19. Ria Money Transfer - FAQs on fees and exchange rates
20. Xoom - About
21. Xoom - Austria - Send Money
22. Xoom - Australia - Send Money
23. Xoom Help - How much does it cost to send with Xoom?
24. MoneyGram - Sending money
25. MoneyGram - Home
26. MoneyGram - How to send money online
27. WorldRemit - About Us
28. WorldRemit - International Money Transfer
29. WorldRemit - FAQ
30. TorFX - FAQs
31. Western Union - Terms and Conditions

Sources last checked on date: 22-Sep-2023