Whilst Monzo had a prepaid card, Starling released their current account. Starling’s Account was sub par at best, it lacked some of the very basic features. It seems to me they rushed it out to gain some traction and then intended to update it on the hoof. Maybe that’s the way things are done now, but it was poor, and even now features that should have been in st the start are just being added now.
I got the impression that Monzo put their prepaid app out which was quite good then left it to start thinking about their current account.
I look forward to my card arriving and me being able to start giving it a proper go.
Exactly this! Prior to this year, when quite early on, focus shifted to building our new systems, we shipped feature updates pretty quickly. Early adopter folks will remember
With Android Pay, NFC Card activation both launched and Pots coming VERY soon I think it’s fair to say we are returning to that pace, and actually faster since we have way more devs than we used to!
I seriously cannot imagine us operating any other way. Our staff represent most - if not all - people of the LGBTQ community so the idea of us being exclusionary in any way… I mean, it just wouldn’t happen! I couldn’t be more proud of our company culture in that (and many other) respects. It’s quite disheartening when you hear that may not be the case with other companies - from what I’ve read here.
Positive support experience with Starling - had to go to the web chat cos I couldn’t get into the app. It turns out my last iphone was on the account three times, so when I tried to add the new one it complained. Quite why the same iphone was registered three times is a little puzzling, but the support chap had it sorted pronto, and a re-install of the app allowed me to re-verify.
You forgot Fitbit Pay!!! Starling are the exclusive UK bank to offer this. Now that maybe because no one else wanted it, but it’s a Starling exclusive nontheless!!
Starling is unreliable (at times). I wouldn’t trust it as I would my FD card which has never failed me in 14/15+ years.
They appear to have blind faith in GPS, these card people. The fact it’s damaging Starling’s brand and reputation doesn’t seem to overly concern them. They do have a ‘head in the sand’ approach, then when it happens again, say they’ll look into it, it’s dies down and then the whole cycle starts again. But nothing seems to get better. Then you get, ‘well we are in beta, you should always have another card’, but that can’t last forever. I don’t want to take 2+ cards with me, I might as well just leave Starling’s card at home and just use my always reliable FD card!
Everyone from the CEO down writes on the forum when there’s (another) outrage/downtime, saying how sorry they are. It is wearing a bit thin.
Surely get the basics right (reliable) first, before you add fancy additions, and more customers, which surely just put more strain on the card processor.
Just to say I have both accounts, before anyone says I’m biased!
Compared to legacy banking… Starling still looks pretty good to me. But I have both Monzo and Starling current accounts - so for me the main differentiator is that Starling has it’s interest but that can be beaten by a B instant saver account (no £2000 limit) and both of these are still well below inflation
So right now I have no strong drive to keep using Starling but I’ll likely keep my account - things could change in future!
Been using Starling for a while and I have no problems with them. Been fine for me. I’m very impressed and I could see myself using a lot more. Their customer service responds within seconds unlike hours for Monzo. They have overdraft, “pots” with auto schedules. I also find if someone complains on their forum you normally get a response. For example yesterday someone complained about their card limits. On the same day Starling replied and said they listen to feedback and adjusted the rates.
But…
I am concern of their card processor has history that has shown this could cause issues. This gives me pause.
I can concern that sometimes they show a legacy bank side. For example with their Black Friday promotions with a weird legal T&Cs it was very unclear.
But when Starting get things right they are really good.
Things that stop me using Monzo is there is a lot of “coming soon” stuff with no dates. For example : overdrafts.
I know this will be fixed in the future and just have to wait. But at same time Monzo engage with the community on new products that are work in progress.
I do like the Monzo culture and community and the 100% transparency and openness. Monzo staff reply on here a lot more and is more chatty. Starling response on their forums is more formal and corporate.
For me it could go either way. Both banks have pros and cons. It’s easy to dislike the other. But in reality both banks are challenging the market. I think as the both CA get established we will start to see more the unique selling point with them.
Not sure if they are useful unlike responses from Monzo team here which I always found very thorough and they get involved in converstations. I could list few examples here but I am sure if you open most threads you will see Monzo staff contributation.
I agree generic responses are frustrating but sometimes you do get a better response. Every question is different. But you do see a lot more generic responses from Starling. Monzo is more responsive and open and more conversational Monzo engagement on the forums is far more personal and responsive. Easily.
I couldn’t be more proud of our company culture in that (and many other) respects. It’s quite disheartening when you hear that may not be the case with other companies - from what I’ve read here.
