Kakao Bank vs Up Bank.
Kakao Bank (K78/100) and Up Bank (U55/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Kakao Bank leads Up Bank 4-2.
| K Kakao Bank №10 · KDIC 78 /100 | U Up Bank №48 · PRA 55 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 78 /100 | 55 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Full bank KDIC | Payment inst. PRA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €50,000,000 KR.KDIC | Safeguarded AU.FCS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 1 country | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | Yes | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | — | 4.0 ★ 2k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.5 | 4.8 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.7 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Kakao Bank if…
Largest Korean digital bank by user count (~24M). Public on KOSPI since 2021. Deep integration with KakaoTalk messenger — distribution moat. Mini Stock fractional investing is a strong consumer-investing entry point.
Pick Up Bank if…
Australian neobank built on top of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank's APRA-regulated charter — direct FCS AUD 250,000 cover via the parent. Strongest Australian neobank UX for under-35 consumers; budgeting and pay-day forecasting are best-in-class. No FX markup makes it travel-friendly.
- Best for fees Tied
- Best for protection Kakao Bank won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Kakao Bank won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Up Bank won 2 of 2
Kakao Bank vs Up Bank — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Kakao Bank better than Up Bank?
Under our v3 methodology, Kakao Bank leads Up Bank 4–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Kakao Bank 78/100 vs Up Bank 55/100. Kakao Bank is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Kakao Bank or Up Bank cheaper?
Monthly fee — Kakao Bank: €0; Up Bank: €0. Card FX markup — Kakao Bank: Interbank; Up Bank: Interbank. Tied across fee rows. See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, Kakao Bank or Up Bank?
Kakao Bank holds a Full bank licence under KDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: €50,000,000. Up Bank holds a Payment inst. licence under PRA; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Kakao Bank is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Kakao Bank and Up Bank?
Kakao Bank operates in 1 country; Up Bank operates in 1 country. Check each provider's signup page for the live country list — eligibility depends on residency, not just the licence footprint.
Want a 3- or 4-way comparison?
The dynamic compare picker handles up to four banks. Add this pair plus one or two more and we'll resolve every row.