Starling vs HSBC Comparison At a Glance
We've divided the key information you need to know when comparing HSBC vs Starling into several aspects: pros & cons, coverage, pricing, limits, supported asset management, accounts and their onboarding, security, user experience and the company's info. However, if you want a quick side-by-side HSBC vs Starling comparison to see which one is rated better, check out the table below.
With an overall score of 9.1, HSBC clearly comes out on top. Starling, by comparison, holds a rating of 8.7. As for the service quality and advantages you get considering the platform’s costs, HSBC outperforms Starling as well, offering better value for money.
To give you a broader view of the money transfer service market, we've also put Starling and HSBC next to Ogvio, which has the highest overall score. You'll see how all three compare throughout this page.
Compare Other Money Transfer Services
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| Per-transaction | Per-transaction | Plan + per-transaction | |
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| A global money transfer service with an additional volatile currency rate pegging to USD or EUR. | A freelancer-friendly platform offering local receiving accounts in multiple currencies. | An award-winning UK digital bank with transparent international fees. | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site | Visit site |
A Detailed Comparison of HSBC vs Starling
Find out which provider offers the fastest, cheapest, and simplest ways to send money with this elaborate Starling vs HSBC international transfer comparison table. From supported delivery methods and fees to any extra features, you'll see it all in one place.
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Coverage |
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UK
Germany
France+160 more |
US
Indonesia
Australia+200 more |
UK |
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EN ID CN +6 more |
EN ID CN + more |
EN |
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USD
EUR
CAD+40 more |
USD
AUD
GBP+60 more |
GBP
EUR |
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USDC
BTC
ETH+ 7 more |
Fiat-only |
Fiat-only |
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Pricing |
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Bank - free Crypto - free Card - varies |
Up to 1.5% | Cash - 0.7% over £1k/yr | |
| Varies |
Global Money - free Premier - 2.75% Other ATMs - 4.75% |
Free | |
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Limits |
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| No minimum | Bank - $10 | Not specified | |
| Varies | ATM - set by ATM operator | ATM - set by ATM operator | |
| No minimum | Not specified | Not specified | |
| Varies |
HSBC UK - £50,000/day HSBC US - $200,000/day HSBC HK - HK$3,000,000/day |
Faster Payments - £1,000,000 | |
| Varies | Varies on account level | ATM - £300/day | |
Asset Movement |
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Accounts |
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| Coming soon | Physical/Virtual | Physical/Virtual | |
Security |
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| Name, surname, ID, selfie, and proof of address | Name, surname, ID + selfie | Name, surname, a ID, and UK proof of address | |
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User Experience |
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| Coming soon | Android/iOS | Android/iOS | |
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1 Crypto swapping 2 Simple Earn |
1 Savings accounts offered 2 Investments available |
1 Spaces (savings buckets) 2 Bills Manager |
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1 @Tag functionality 2 No freezes 3 Referral program |
1 Global View |
1 Spending Insights 2 Post office cash deposits 3 Cheque imaging |
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Company's info |
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| 2025 | 1865 | 2014 | |
| Vytautas Zabulis | Thomas Sutherland | Anne Boden | |
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| MSB | FCA, HKMA, MAS, OCC, FDIC, CFPB, DFA | FCA, PRA | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site | Visit site | |
HSBC vs Starling Comparison Result Analysis
It's clear there are both HSBC vs Starling differences and similarities. Let's go over some of the key aspects and see which is more suited for your remittance needs.
Supported Countries & Currencies
Speaking of worldwide reach, HSBC is supported in US, Indonesia, Australia and +200 more countries, while Starling is supported in UK.
As for fiat currency support, HSBC can be used to transfer USD, AUD, GBP and +60 more currencies. In the meantime, Starling supports GBP and EUR. Keep in mind that some money transfer services also support crypto – check out the table above to see which ones are available on HSBC and Starling (if any).
Verdict at a Glance:
Considering the overall reach, HSBC offers broader country support than Starling. When it comes to fiat you can transfer, HSBC is a clear winner with USD, AUD, GBP and +60 more currencies.
Fees
When it comes to the pricing structure, HSBC uses the per-transaction pricing model with up to 2.99% transaction fees.
Starling, on the other hand, bases its pricing on the plan + per-transaction model, and has up to £20 transaction fees.
Check HSBC vs Starling fees comparison of deposits, withdrawals and any other priced actions in the table above. You can also see if these platforms apply an exchange rate markup.
Verdict at a Glance:
HSBC uses the per-transaction pricing model, while Starling bases its pricing on the plan + per-transaction model. HSBC has up to 2.99% transaction fees & Starling has up to £20 transaction fees.
Transfer Speeds
HSBC is known to offer average transaction speed. It may sometimes vary depending on the delivery method, though – HSBC supports Bank deposit, ATM and Cash pickup.
Starling supports Bank deposit, ATM and Cash pickup as delivery methods and offers average transaction speed.
Verdict at a Glance:
HSBC and Starling generally offer the same transfer speed, though it can sometimes depend on your chosen transfer method and the countries you send from/to.
Limits & Funding Methods
HSBC can be funded via IBAN, BIC/SWIFT, Bank, Cash and ATM, and it limits its transfers in the following way - HSBC UK - £50,000/day; HSBC US - $200,000/day; HSBC HK - HK$3,000,000/day.
Starling puts limits on transactions as follows – Faster Payments - £1,000,000. Considering available funding methods, you can deposit money to Starling via Faster Payments, Bacs Direct Debit, CHAPS, SEPA, Post Office and Cheque imaging.
By the way, many (but not all) providers set minimum deposit, withdrawal, and transfer amounts, which you can check in the HSBC vs Starling comparison table above.
Verdict at a Glance:
Regardless of how similar or different HSBC and Starling seem, always check your account for actual limits because some platforms tie them to your verification level and country.
Summary
This thorough HSBC vs Starling comparison puts HSBC ahead based on several factors. However, if we compare either with Ogvio, it outperforms both, having an overall score of 9.8. It provides the highest value for money considering its low-to-no costs, ease of use, worldwide support, and transaction speed. That's why it ranks as the top money transfer service provider.
How Is This HSBC vs Starling Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
All information in this HSBC vs Starling comparison comes from official provider pages, their fee schedules, verified payout samples, and personal testing. We check each country/currency coverage, fees, funding & payout methods, limits, and much more. You can be sure that all the collected information is accurate and up to date.
2. We Examine
Our experts double- and triple-check every data entry in the provider pages and trusted sources. We convert different fee formats into one standard layout, bring all info to the same baseline, and ensure you get all the essential details. The result is clean, comparable information you see in our Money Transfer Services Comparison Tool.
3. We Rate
We rate each provider to make choosing between Starling vs HSBC for travel or remittances simple. Our score blends fees, markup presence, transfer speed, coverage, limits, security, and other factors. Each provider gets a clear score and a short verdict so you can quickly see which is cheapest, fastest, or best for specific use cases.
4. You Choose
Then, it's your call. After we compile the data and rate each provider, you can go over the quick and detailed HSBC vs Starling comparison tables to place each provider's fees, coverage, delivery methods or any other aspects that matter to you side-by-side. This way, you can pick the best money transfer service for your needs.
FAQ
Is HSBC better than Starling?
For some users, HSBC might be better, while others might prefer Starling. It generally depends on your needs. When comparing HSBC vs Starling for international payments or other use cases, always start with coverage and asset support, then make sure to check total costs and available delivery options. If neither option is suitable for you, consider exploring alternative money transfer services.
What is the best international money transfer service?
"The best" is a subjective term. Users seeking cash pickup or home delivery options will opt for more traditional money transfer services. Others, who seek speed, convenience and low costs, might choose neobank-like services. Speaking of which, one of the best new generation money transfer providers to watch is Ogvio. It’s all about low-to-zero fees, worldwide reach, and instant money transfers. On top of that, with EUR- or USD-denominated accounts, it helps protect funds from local inflation or currency depreciation.
Can I use more than one money transfer app?
Yes, using multiple money transfer apps sometimes might even be a better idea than sticking to one. For example, one provider might offer the lowest costs and fastest speeds, which would be highly beneficial for everyday transfers, while another can provide you with home delivery or cash pickup when you need it. You can surely find the most suitable providers for you using our Money Transfer Service Comparison Tool.
How do HSBC vs Starling compare in terms of country and currency support?
HSBC is supported in US, Indonesia, Australia and +200 more countries and can be used to transfer USD, AUD, GBP and +60 more currencies. Starling, on the other hand, is supported in UK and allows GBP and EUR transfers. Some providers might be better than others in specific countries or regions (e.g., the Philippines, India, Mexico, etc.).
Which is cheaper for international transfers, Starling or HSBC?
HSBC uses the per-transaction pricing model, while Starling bases its pricing on the plan + per-transaction model. To see which is the cheaper option, check HSBC vs Starling fees comparison above in the "Pricing" field. There, you'll find transaction, deposit, withdrawal, and any other costs, including whether or not they add an exchange rate markup. If neither is cheap enough, check out other money transfer providers.
How to compare platforms with this Money Transfer Service Comparison Tool?
It's very easy to use, just pick two services you want to compare in the drop-down menu and click "Compare Now". Once you do that, you'll get an instant money transfer service comparison. As you scroll through it, you'll find all the key info, including the platform's reach, speed, supported methods, limits, extra features, and the best money transfer fee comparison for 2025 and beyond.
