the only thing that is certain is Starling aren’t for saying how many customers they have 
3 Likes
Yes. They are as transparent as a lump of coal 
6 Likes
Depends on how many are treating it like a prepaid card…which is a loss maker…as we know.
Interesting point. As a proportion of users, I wonder how many people have fully switched from a legacy bank to Starling (or Monzo, for that matter)?
Im still testing the water. I have the accounts with Monzo and Starling. I’m keeping an eye on them but I’ve not switched to either of them from a legacy Bank, yet.
Switched from Santander to Monzo and then Monzo to Barclays 
I’ll have to wait a bit and see the progress on some of the things important to me and then might be back with Monzo or maybe N26. Starling is great but for some reason lacks something I can’t put into words. Starling is not as appealing to me personally as Monzo, Revolut or N26 at the moment although their product is solid and would like them to grow to have some balance in this new FinTech market.
Operating a prepaid card that was provided by a third-party (Wirecard) was a loss maker for Monzo. That doesn’t mean that operating accounts which people are using in a similar manner to a prepaid card is a loss maker. We don’t know anything about Starling’s cost per customer, but they have run their own systems from day 1, not relying on a third-party like Wirecard. So even customers that are using Starling as a second or third account might be profitable, or at least cost-neutral, to Starling. We just don’t know. SimonB had a good explanation of this above.
4 Likes
But why should they publish that data ?
2 Likes
Agree. No obligation to do so. It was not a criticism of them. I like them. It was just a comparision of the different business style compared with Monzo, who known as transparent.
3 Likes
I did fully switch over to Starling and I must say the process was smooth
Instant notifications where good but I did sometimes wonder if I actually needed so much information in such a short amount of time ?
Customer service scaled from exceptional to non at all. Again having used the chat, e mail, and telephone lines to communicate with CS I have had various experiences. Some times very proactive other times very scripted?
That said the switching out from Starling was also exceptional and now that I am with a legacy bank I’m beginning to miss some of those instant notifications
I have recommended to several friends and family members and I am aware that some have now transferred over and are so far very pleased.
1 Like
The data debate has been around before and also mentioned on the Starling forum
I just wonder if the bank had 1 million customers would they then remain silent about this
At the end of the day it is there choice no matter what we say or argue or debate
1 Like
As long as Starling are hitting their customer number forecasts to investors then really that’s the only audience it really matters for… Starling growth plans (business accounts) differs from Monzo (l think). No bad thing. Competition is a good thing they say.
Have to say l am happy with Starling, having been a bit fed up with them in the past. I am a bit frustrated by Monzo at the moment. Perhaps l am too fickle.
6 Likes
When it comes to banks…being fickle is no bad thing 
1 Like
The best thing that happened to banks was this new breed. There’s definitely fun to be had in this bank-building adventure.
6 Likes
I fully agree - both have regular releases, and it is interesting to watch how it plays out.
1 Like
Starling have now added Google Pay.
So they have Android Pay, Fitbit Pay, Google Pay, and another one that I can’t remember, anyhow can’t be important as Monzo don’t have it
4 Likes
But they have a card which is contactless and coloured the same as a fishing float 
1 Like
Android Pay is becoming Google Pay https://pay.google.com/about/
3 Likes
It’s already changed for me
1 Like
Bottom box for Monzo
only thing keeping me from switching fully. Till Apple Pay arrives Monzo is my second card.
1 Like