N26 vs Wise.
N26 (N85/100) and Wise (W68/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. N26 leads Wise 5-3.
| N N26 №03 · BaFin 85 /100 | W Wise №36 · FCA 68 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 85 /100 | 68 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 /mo |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | Interbank | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | €200 /mo |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Full bank BaFin | E-money inst. FCA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 EU.DGS.DE | Safeguarded GB.FSCS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 24 countries | 160 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | 400 coins | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | Yes | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.1 ★ 130k reviews | 4.3 ★ 220k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.6 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.4 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.7 · And 4.2 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick N26 if…
Pick if you want a German credit institution and a DE IBAN that every European employer recognises without question.
Pick Wise if…
Pick if FX and multi-currency receiving accounts dominate your usage — not for stocks or crypto.
- Best for fees Wise won 1 of 4
- Best for protection N26 won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Tied
- Best for ux Tied
N26 vs Wise — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is N26 better than Wise?
Under our v3 methodology, N26 leads Wise 5–3 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: N26 85/100 vs Wise 68/100. N26 is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is N26 or Wise cheaper?
Monthly fee — N26: €0; Wise: €0. Card FX markup — N26: Interbank; Wise: Interbank. Wise wins more fee rows (1 of 4). See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, N26 or Wise?
N26 holds a Full bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Wise holds a E-money inst. licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. N26 is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use N26 and Wise?
N26 operates in 24 countries; Wise operates in 160 countries. 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.