ACE Money Transfer
ACE Money Transfer
28 Sep 2026
Choosing between Starling and Wise depends on what you actually need. One is a full UK bank. The other is a multi currency account built for international payments. And if your main goal is sending money abroad to family.
This Wise vs Starling comparison breaks down fees, exchange rates, currency support, security, and everyday banking so you can pick the right provider for your situation.
Account opening is free for both Starling and Wise, but they serve different purposes. Starling Bank is a fully licensed UK digital bank with FSCS protection up to £120,000, while Wise is an international money transfer and multi currency account provider, not a bank. Wise accounts do not have FSCS protection.
| Feature | Starling Bank | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Type of provider | UK bank | E money institution |
| Key focus | UK bank account, everyday banking | International transfers, multi currency account |
| FSCS protection | Yes, up to £120,000 | No (funds safeguarded, not deposit-protected) |
| Currencies / destinations | 17 currencies, ~34 countries | 40+ currencies, 160+ countries |
| Foreign transaction fees | None on card spending abroad | None if you hold the currency; small conversion fee otherwise |
| International transfer fees | 0.4% FX margin + delivery fee | From ~0.24% + small fixed fee |
| Free ATM abroad | Yes, up to £300/day (6 withdrawals) | Up to ~£250/month, then ~2.69% |
Key takeaway: Choose Starling for everyday UK banking. Choose Wise for multi currency management and international transfers. Consider ACE Money Transfer when you need fast, low-cost bank transfer or cash pickup to popular remittance corridors.
Starling Bank is primarily tailored for UK residents and businesses, offering personal and business accounts alongside joint, teen, and euro account options - all backed by FSCS protection. It's primarily focused on domestic UK banking and payments rather than specialist money transfer services.
Starling directly supports UK banking features like Direct Debits, has the ability to deposit physical cash and checks via the Post Office, and provides overdrafts, loans, and traditional banking services. The app offers budgeting tools and spending insights across 50+ categories, Spaces for savings goals, and instant notifications for transactions with a user-friendly interface for managing accounts.
For travel, the Mastercard debit card charges no foreign transaction fees. Starling allows unlimited free ATM withdrawals abroad, subject to daily limits of roughly £300 and six withdrawals per day.
On international payments, Starling allows transfers to 34 countries in 17 currencies. Starling charges a 0.4% fee for international transfers, plus Starling charges £5.50 for SWIFT payments or has a £0.30 delivery fee for low-cost local network payments. Starling uses the Mastercard exchange rate for international transfers, which isn't always the mid market rate.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) operates as an electronic money institution regulated by financial authorities - not a traditional bank. It's designed for managing international payments and exchanges, and targets global travelers, freelancers, and international businesses.
A Wise account lets you hold and manage funds in 40+ currencies. Wise provides personal and business accounts supporting 40+ currencies, with local account details like routing numbers for multiple regions so you can receive money like a local. Wise supports international transfers in 40+ currencies to 160+ countries.
Wise uses the mid market exchange rate for currency conversions without a markup, adding only a small transparent fee. Wise has variable fees that depend on the currency and transfer route - starting from around 0.24% on common corridors. The payment method (bank transfer vs card) also affects pricing.
The bright green Wise debit card works for contactless, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Free ATM withdrawals are capped at roughly £250/month, with a ~2.69% fee after that.
Wise does not offer overdrafts or loans, and Wise does not support cash deposits as it is a digital-only platform. It's built for sending money and managing different currencies, not full-service banking.
Both Starling Bank and Wise provide debit cards for spending, but account types differ significantly. Starling offers personal, business, joint, teen, and euro accounts. Wise offers personal and business accounts only - no joint or teen options.
Cards: Starling's teal Mastercard debit card and Wise's green debit card both support Apple Pay, Google Pay, and contactless payments.
ATM withdrawals: Starling allows unlimited free ATM withdrawals abroad, subject to daily limits. Wise has a limit of free ATM withdrawals per month, after which fees apply (~2.69%).
Budgeting: Starling's personal account includes budgeting tools and spending insights, Spaces for saving money, and overdraft facilities. Wise lacks these traditional banking features.
Spending abroad: Neither provider will charge foreign transaction fees on card purchases. Starling uses the Mastercard exchange rate; Wise uses the mid market exchange rate if converting.
Starling Bank is superior for everyday UK banking needs. If you need a primary UK bank account with a savings account, overdraft, and Post Office cash deposits, Starling Bank is a better choice for UK domestic banking. For managing money across multiple currencies within one app, Wise is stronger.
This is the core Wise comparison for anyone focused on sending money abroad. Wise is the better option for international money transfers and currency management, and Wise offers better solutions for international transfers and currency exchanges than Starling.
Wise sends to 160+ countries, allowing holding and converting in 40+ currencies at the mid market exchange rate. Wise fees start at 0.24% for international transfers, vary depending on corridor and funding method, and delivery times range from instant to two business days.
Starling supports transfers in 17 currencies to 34 countries. Starling has a 0.4% transfer fee for international transfers, plus delivery fees. Starling uses the Mastercard exchange rate for currency conversions, which can make a big difference on large purchases or a large amount compared to the mid market rate. Transfers only process during UK business hours.
ACE Money Transfer is a dedicated remittance app for sending money from the UK to supported destinations, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and the Philippines. Applicable fees, exchange rates, and total costs vary by transfer amount, destination, and transaction details. Available delivery methods can include bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile wallets such as EasyPaisa and JazzCash, depending on the destination.
For each international transfer, check Wise and Starling costs in-app, then compare to ACE Money Transfer's real-time rate and fee before choosing the cheapest option.
The total cost of money transfers depends on both explicit fees and the exchange rate margin. Here's how each provider stacks up:
Wise: Small fixed fee plus a percentage fee, using the mid market exchange rate without hidden fees. Before confirming, you see the exact exchange rate, fees, and expected arrival time.
Starling: Domestic faster payments are free; Starling charges a £20 fee for CHAPS payments. For international payments, Starling charges a 0.4% fee for international transfers plus delivery fees. The exchange rate is based on Mastercard's rate, which can be slightly less favourable than mid market rate outside major currencies.
ACE Money Transfer: Low fees (sometimes zero-fee promotions for first transfers) combined with competitive exchange rates on popular remittance currencies. You see upfront exactly how much the recipient gets in local currency.
Exchange rates fluctuate, and the rate applicable to your transfer can differ from rates shown at another time. Check the current rate atacemoneytransfer.combefore sending.
Worked example - sending £2,000 to Pakistan (PKR):
| Provider | Exchange rate type | Approx. fee | Additional fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starling | Mastercard rate + 0.4% margin | £5.50 (SWIFT) | Possible intermediary bank fees |
| Wise | Mid market rate | ~£5–8 (varies) | None |
| ACE Money Transfer | Competitive market rate | ~£1.99–£2.99 | None |
On this corridor, the amount received in PKR varies by provider, exchange rate, fees, and transfer details. Always check the current rates and applicable charges before confirming a transfer.
Summary: Compare both fees and exchange rates, not just "no fee" marketing claims. Use ACE Money Transfer as a benchmark for specialist remittance pricing.
Currency support matters for large transfers and managing multiple currencies.
Wise: Hold, convert, and send 40+ currencies. Receive via local bank details in GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, and more. Wise allows transfers up to £20,000,000 when sending GBP - ideal for property or business transactions.
Starling: Primarily GBP and an optional euro account. Sends international payments in 17 currencies. Starling has a £1,000,000 limit for Faster Payments domestically. Less flexible for extensive multi currency management.
ACE Money Transfer: Focused on key remittance currencies (PKR, INR, BDT, NGN, PHP, etc.) with transfer limits that accommodate both small and large remittances subject to KYC verification.
Wise's multi currency account works like a wallet for holding and swapping between currencies at the mid market exchange rate. For widest currency support, Wise is the clear winner. For targeted remittance currencies and competitive local currency payouts, ACE Money Transfer is more suitable.
All three providers operate under UK financial regulations, but their structures differ:
Starling: Regulated by the PRA and FCA. Deposits enjoy FSCS protection up to £120,000. Starling uses 24/7 transaction monitoring for security, requires identity confirmation for all account applicants, and offers multi-factor authentication for added security.
Wise: FCA-regulated as an electronic money institution (Wise Payments Limited). Funds are safeguarded in segregated accounts but not FSCS-protected. Wise employs two-factor authentication for account protection and has a dedicated anti-fraud team monitoring transactions.
ACE Money Transfer: FCA-authorised payment institution following strict AML and KYC rules, with encrypted online and in-app transfers.
All three support card freeze/unfreeze, app locks, and transaction monitoring. Choosing any of these regulated providers is considerably safer than informal channels for international payments and money transfers.
Starling is a UK bank account with strong everyday banking. Wise is a multi currency account and international transfer specialist. ACE Money Transfer is a dedicated money transfer app for remittances.
Choose Starling if you mainly need a UK bank account, debit card, travel insurance compatibility, and occasional travel use. Starling handles salary, bills, and domestic spending with low fees and full banking features.
Choose Wise if you're a freelancer, remote worker, or SME managing invoices and payments in multiple currencies with regular cross-border business expenses. Wise interest on balances and local account details add extra value.
Choose ACE Money Transfer if you're a migrant, student, or family member sending recurring money transfers home. It supports international transfers with available delivery options such as cash pickup and mobile wallets, depending on the destination and transaction.
Many users combine all three: Starling for salary and bills, Wise for overseas card spending and receiving money in different currencies, and ACE Money Transfer whenever they need the cheapest or fastest remittance.
Always compare fees, exchange rates, and delivery times in real time before each transfer. When your main goal is sending money abroad quickly and affordably - not managing a full bank account.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, regulatory, tax, business, or financial advice. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all facts, figures, and data are accurate and valid as of the date of publication, no warranty or guarantee is given as to the ongoing completeness, accuracy, or currency of the information.
The content is based on information available at the time of publication. Regulations, government policies, market conditions, and service offerings may change over time and vary across jurisdictions and providers. As a result, some information may no longer be current or applicable. Readers should independently verify all information and consult qualified professional advisors before making any financial, legal, or business decisions.
