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Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto

Banco Pichincha scores 9.4 and Qonto 8.7 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
Qonto

Qonto

8.7/10
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Banco Pichincha

Banco Pichincha

Higher score in this comparison

9.4/10
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Banco Pichincha vs Qonto: the differences

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto
CompareBanco PichinchaBanco PichinchaReviewSee alternativesSee alternativesQontoQontoReviewVisitVisit
Monthly fee$0€19
Currency conversion fee1%0.8% to 1.8%Lower
Transfer fee1% currency-change charge on branch transfers; 5% ISD applies to the amount above the exempt allowance30 SEPA transfers/month included, then EUR 0.20 per extra transaction (Basic plan)
Licence typeNot confirmedPayment institution
Deposit protectionNot confirmedEU DGS up to EUR 100,000
CurrenciesNot confirmedfrom 30
Local account detailsNot confirmedIBAN

We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.

Key differences

  • Banco Pichincha scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.7.
  • Founded is lower at Banco Pichincha: 1906 vs 2017.
  • Qonto is available in 7 more countries.
  • Currency conversion fee is lower at Qonto: 0.8% to 1.8% vs 1%.
  • Support channels: only Qonto offers Email.
  • Audience: only Banco Pichincha offers Teen.
  • Audience: only Qonto offers Business.

Our verdict on each

Banco Pichincha

Banco Pichincha suits Ecuadorian savers who want an easy-access account that pays interest every day and still reaches cash locally. The flexible savings account carries a monthly fee of $0, opens from a minimum deposit of $1 and withdraws without penalty at any branch.

Read the full Banco Pichincha review

Qonto

Qonto suits businesses and freelancers who want their day to day banking in one app and will not chase the highest rate. The monthly fee of €19 is the trade off, and the 1.5% headline rate ranks 350 of 473 brands.

Read the full Qonto review

Score breakdown

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto
AreaBanco PichinchaQonto
Cost9.1HigherCost leans on $0 a month and a 1% conversion fee, softened by the ISD tax on branch transfers.8.8A monthly fee of €19 on the standard plan and a minimum deposit of €0, against a site median of €0
Offer9.2Higher9.1Headline rate of 1.5% is variable and sits at 350 of 473
Trust9.9Higher8.3

How they place

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto
RankingBanco PichinchaQonto
Savings accounts79 of 14208 of 1420
Business bank accounts31 of 5635 of 563
Accounts for freelancers15 of 1302 of 130

Availability and regulation

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto
CountryBanco PichinchaQonto
EcuadorNot confirmed
FranceNot confirmed
FR_ACPR PSD_PI FR_ACPR!68677

Additional countries for Banco Pichincha: 1. Additional countries for Qonto: 8.

If neither fits

eToro has currency conversion fee at 0%, against 1% for Banco Pichincha and 0.8% to 1.8% for Qonto.

eToro review

What we checked

Banco Pichincha

  • pichincha.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026

Qonto

  • qonto.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
  • euclid.eba.europa.eu: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026

Every fact side by side

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto
FactBanco PichinchaQonto
AudienceTeen, FreelancerBusiness, Freelancer
Pricing modelNo monthly feeNot confirmed
FeaturesNot confirmedDigital only
Legal entityBANCO PICHINCHA C.A.QONTO
HeadquartersEcuadorFrance
Founded1906Lower2017
Support channelsPhone, Help centre, ChatChat, Phone, Email, Help centreCovers more

Savings

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto
FactBanco PichinchaQonto
Headline rate4.75%Higher1.5%
Rate typeVariableVariable
Minimum deposit$1€0
Access termsInterest credited daily on balance; withdraw any time without penalty to a Transaccional account via digital channels or at any branchInstant access to the money, no notice period; remuneration activated in the app, calculated daily on the total balance and paid on the 2nd of each month; requires at least 5 eligible payment transactions of at least 1 EUR per month
Account kindEasy accessCash management

Money transfer

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto
FactBanco PichinchaQonto
Delivery timeUnder one minute to account; immediate for cash collection at agencies and Mi Vecino pointsNot confirmed
Payout methodsBank, Cash pickupNot confirmed

Where each stands against the rest

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto
FactBanco PichinchaQontoMedian
Currency conversion fee1%above the median0.8% to 1.8%above the median0.5%
CurrenciesNot confirmedfrom 30highest quarter5

Median across 536 listed accounts.

Pros and cons

Banco Pichincha

Pros

  • The account model is no monthly fee, so the monthly fee is $0.
  • Interest is credited on the balance every day, and withdrawals to a Transaccional account carry no penalty.
  • Currency conversion costs 1%, under Skrill at 3.99% and bunq at 3%.

Cons

  • The rate type is variable, so the 4.75% headline rate can move and interest income shifts with it.
  • Support is limited to phone, help centre and chat, so help is not offered by email.
  • Branch transfers add a currency-change charge on top of the 1% fee, and an ISD tax falls on the amount above the exempt allowance.

Qonto

Pros

  • Minimum deposit of €0, so the account opens without tying up money
  • Support runs on chat, phone and email
  • Currency conversion of 0.8% to 1.8% suits frequent international invoicing

Cons

  • The monthly fee of €19 makes it expensive for anyone holding a small balance
  • The account is digital only, so there is no branch to visit
  • The 1.5% rate is only paid while the transaction condition is met

Who each suits

Banco Pichincha

Who it suits

  • Ecuadorian teens and freelancers, the audiences named: teen and freelancer.
  • People who want interest to build daily but still reach the balance, as easy access describes.
  • Senders inside Ecuador who want payouts to a bank account or cash pickup: bank and cash pickup.

Who should look elsewhere

  • Skrill and PayPal Colombia, if you convert often, since their fees are 3.99% and 3% to 4% against 1% here.
  • bunq, when you want a euro-denominated setup rather than an account from a bank headquartered in Ecuador.
  • Anyone who needs a locked rate, since the rate type is variable.

Qonto

Who it suits

  • Freelancers and sole traders billing across borders
  • Small businesses paying and receiving in several currencies
  • Anyone who wants their accounts, cards and invoices in one app

Who should look elsewhere

  • Anyone saving mainly for yield, since the 1.5% rate is variable and ranks 350 of 473
  • People who want to hold a large balance while paying nothing, given the monthly fee of €19
  • Anyone who prefers a branch, as the account is digital only

Current offers

Banco Pichincha

Current offer

  • Bonus

    Efectivo Express: up to 5,000 Pichincha Miles: Up to 5,000 Pichincha Miles

    Register and request Efectivo Express from $500

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

Qonto

Current offer

  • Bonus

    Up to 5% AER account remuneration for 2 months for new customers: 5% AER for 2 months, then 1.5% AER on the Smart plan

    New customers only, first 2 months of the contract, on plans Smart and above; requires at least 5 eligible payment transactions of at least 1 EUR per month; remuneration capped at 50,000 EUR on Smart and 100,000 EUR on Premium; Account Remuneration currently available in France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

  • Free trial

    1-month free trial on business account plans: 1 month free

    Offered on the Basic, Smart and Premium business account plans, prices excl. VAT

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

Country by country

Banco Pichincha vs Qonto
CountryBanco PichinchaQonto
AustriaNoYes
BelgiumNoYes
EcuadorYesNo
FranceNoYes
GermanyNoYes
ItalyNoYes
NetherlandsNoYes
PortugalNoYes

8 of 9 countries where either is available.

Questions about each

Banco Pichincha

Is there a monthly fee on the Banco Pichincha savings account?+

There is no monthly fee on the flexible savings account, shown as $0. It is an easy-access account (easy access), so the everyday running cost is thin. The parts to watch are the conversion fee of 1% and the extra charges that apply to branch transfers.

What interest rate do I get, and can it change?+

The flexible savings account pays a variable rate with a headline of 4.75%, and the rate type is variable, so that figure can move. Interest is credited on the balance every day, and you can withdraw at any time without penalty to a Transaccional account through digital channels or at any branch.

Qonto

How much does Qonto cost each month?+

The standard plan charges a monthly fee of €19. SEPA transfers are included up to a set monthly allowance, and each transfer beyond it carries a small fixed charge. Currency conversion adds 0.8% to 1.8% on converted payments.

Is there a minimum deposit to open a Qonto account?+

There is no minimum, and the stated minimum deposit is €0. The account can therefore be opened and funded with a small balance, which suits a new business or a first freelance invoice.

Other options to compare

Qonto

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Banco Pichincha

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