NatWest vs Wise
Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
NatWest
UK high street bank with a widely used app for everyday banking, saving and credit score checks.
Wise
Multi-currency account and card for sending, spending and holding money abroad.
The short answer
NatWest is a mainstream UK bank whose app adds Round Ups, a Subscription Manager and a credit score check; Wise is a multi-currency account for sending and spending money abroad at the mid-market rate. NatWest suits people who want one bank for everyday money, savings and borrowing. Wise suits anyone who regularly handles foreign currencies, and works well alongside a NatWest account.
NatWest or Wise: our take
NatWest is a traditional bank with a capable app. Beyond payments it checks your credit score, rounds card spending up into savings, lists recurring payments in a Subscription Manager, and offers MyRewards on eligible spending. Child and teen accounts and a pocket money app make it workable for families, and deposits are protected up to £120,000. Wise is not trying to be that. It holds and converts 40+ currencies, gives you local account details for receiving money abroad, and charges a separate upfront fee on top of the mid-market exchange rate instead of a marked-up rate.
That makes the split fairly clear. Spending or sending money abroad usually costs more with NatWest than with Wise. But Wise is not a full bank in most countries, so it has no overdrafts or loans, and its funds are safeguarded rather than covered by deposit insurance in many regions. NatWest also offers mortgages and ISAs that Wise doesn't.
Pricing differs in shape. NatWest's Select account has no monthly fee, the Reward account starts at £2 a month, and Reward Silver and Reward Platinum cost £12 a month and £23 a month for added benefits. Wise is free to open, with fees per transfer or conversion that bite most on small amounts. Both have iOS, Android and web access; the NatWest app needs a UK mobile number or one from a short list of countries.
Pick NatWest as a main UK account if you value Round Ups, subscription tracking and an in-app credit score, plus branches and lending. Pick Wise if you live, work or travel across currencies. Many people will want both: NatWest for salary and bills, Wise for anything in a foreign currency.
Which should you pick?
Choose NatWest if…
- UK customers who want a mainstream bank with Round Ups, subscription tracking and a credit score in-app
- Subscription Manager helps catch forgotten recurring payments
- Round Ups and a built-in credit score check
Choose Wise if…
- Expats, freelancers and travellers who send, receive or spend money in several currencies
- Mid-market exchange rate with fees shown upfront
- Holds and converts 40+ currencies in one account
About each app
What is NatWest?
NatWest is a large UK high street bank, part of NatWest Group, and its app is the main way customers bank with it. Beyond balances and payments, the app checks your credit score, rounds up card spending to the nearest pound into savings, and has a Subscription Manager that lists recurring payments and helps spot unexpected Direct Debits. You can approve payments with face or voice checks and earn MyRewards on eligible spending. NatWest also offers child and teen accounts and a pocket money app, so the app works for families as well as adults. It fits people who want a traditional bank with branches, mortgages and ISAs but expect a capable app. Standard current accounts have no monthly fee, while premier and reward accounts add benefits for eligible customers. The app runs on iOS and Android for customers aged 11 and over, with online banking on the web.
What is Wise?
Wise, formerly TransferWise, started as a cheaper way to send money internationally and now offers an account that holds and converts more than 40 currencies. Transfers and conversions use the mid-market exchange rate with a separate, upfront fee rather than a marked-up rate, which usually makes it cheaper than a traditional bank for cross-border payments. The Wise card spends in local currency around the world, and you can get local account details to receive salaries or payments in several currencies. Opening an account is free; you pay fees per transfer or conversion, and some features such as card withdrawals above a free allowance cost extra. In some countries balances can earn a variable return through Wise's interest or assets products. Customer money is held in safeguarded accounts. Business accounts add team cards and accounting integrations. It runs on the web and on iOS and Android.
Side by side
| Attribute | NatWest | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Best for | UK customers who want a mainstream bank with Round Ups, subscription tracking and a credit score in-app | Expats, freelancers and travellers who send, receive or spend money in several currencies |
| Status | Active | Active |
NatWest vs Wise pricing
NatWest: free plan + paid
- Starting price: £2 a month (Reward account) source
- Free plan: Yes, Select account with no monthly fee source
- Reward Silver plan: £12 a month source
- Reward Platinum plan: £23 a month source
Wise: free
We couldn't verify Wise's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Platforms
| Platform | NatWest | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Web | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
NatWest facts
9 of 9 verified- Daily app users
- Over 10 million
- Checked Nov 8, 2026natwest.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “No wonder over 10 million customers use it every day.”
- Minimum age
- 11
- Checked Nov 8, 2026natwest.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Our app is available to customers aged 11+ using compatible iOS and Android devices.”
- Subscription tracking
- Yes
- Checked Nov 8, 2026natwest.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Track subscriptions Subscription Manager helps you manage recurring payments and quickly spot unusual Direct Debits.”
- Round Ups
- Yes
- Checked Nov 8, 2026natwest.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Save as you spend Round up purchases to the nearest pound with Round Ups.”
- Deposit protection
- Up to £120,000
- Checked Nov 8, 2026natwest.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Eligible deposits in current and savings accounts up to a total of £120,000”
- Starting price
- £2 a month (Reward account)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026natwest.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Information Message £2 monthly fee.”
- Free plan
- Yes, Select account with no monthly fee
- Checked Nov 8, 2026natwest.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Select account offers no monthly fee.”
- Reward Silver plan
- £12 a month
- Checked Nov 8, 2026natwest.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Reward Silver £12 monthly fee European travel insurance.”
- Reward Platinum plan
- £23 a month
- Checked Nov 3, 2026natwest.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Information Message Continue to Reward Silver Open in new window Reward Platinum £23 monthly fee Worldwide family travel insurance.”
Wise facts
3 of 3 verified- Currencies
- 40+
- Checked Nov 8, 2026wise.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Get everything you need to pay, get paid, and manage your money in 40+ currencies — all in one place.”
- Fund protection
- Safeguarded accounts
- Checked Nov 8, 2026wise.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “See our security Safeguarded funds Your money is held in a safeguarded, separate account.”
Pros and cons of NatWest
- Subscription Manager helps catch forgotten recurring payments
- Round Ups and a built-in credit score check
- Used by more than 10 million customers a day, so it's well tested
- Child and teen accounts plus a pocket money app
- Spending abroad usually costs more than with Monzo, Starling or Wise
- Some rewards need a qualifying account or paid package
- App needs a UK mobile number, or one from a short list of countries
Pros and cons of Wise
- Mid-market exchange rate with fees shown upfront
- Holds and converts 40+ currencies in one account
- Local account details for receiving payments abroad
- Not a full bank in most countries, so no overdrafts or loans
- Per-transfer fees still apply, especially for small amounts
- Funds are safeguarded rather than covered by deposit insurance in many regions
Other apps to consider
BarclaysInstead of NatWest
Similar full-service UK bank whose app adds cardless cash and cheque imaging, usable from age 11.
MonzoInstead of NatWest
App-only bank with budgeting Pots, instant notifications and fee-free card use abroad.
Cash AppInstead of Wise
For people in the US who mostly send money domestically, it offers free peer-to-peer payments.
PayPalInstead of Wise
Sends money abroad to anyone with an email address, and the balance can be spent at many online stores.
PayoneerInstead of Wise
Gives freelancers and online sellers receiving accounts in several currencies to get paid by foreign clients.
NatWest vs Wise: common questions
Is NatWest better than Wise?
NatWest is a mainstream UK bank whose app adds Round Ups, a Subscription Manager and a credit score check; Wise is a multi-currency account for sending and spending money abroad at the mid-market rate. NatWest suits people who want one bank for everyday money, savings and borrowing. Wise suits anyone who regularly handles foreign currencies, and works well alongside a NatWest account.
Is NatWest free?
NatWest has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Wise free?
Yes, Wise is free.
Is NatWest or Wise open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do NatWest and Wise support?
NatWest: iOS, Android and Web. Wise: Web, iOS and Android.