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Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team

bunq vs Step

bunq scores 8.9 and Step 8.8 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
bunq

bunq

Higher score in this comparison

8.9/10
Visit
Step

Step

8.8/10
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Where bunq and Step differ

bunq vs Step
ComparebunqbunqReviewVisitVisitStepStepReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives
Headline rate3.01%Higher3%
Deposit protectionEU DGS up to EUR 100,000FDIC up to USD 250,000
Access termsWithdraw any amount free up to 2 times a month, rising to 3 free monthly withdrawals after 12 months; interest paid weeklyNo savings minimums; 3.00% on savings requires Step Black status, earned by spending $500 with the Step Card or $300 in qualifying direct deposits each calendar month
Monthly fee€0$0
Minimum depositNot confirmed$0

Same on both: Rate type (Variable), Account kind (Easy access).

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

  • bunq scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
  • Founded is lower at bunq: 2012 vs 2020.
  • bunq is licensed in 6 more countries.
  • bunq is available in 6 more countries.
  • Headline rate is higher at bunq: 3.01% vs 3%.
  • Support channels: only Step offers Phone.

Our verdict on each

bunq

bunq suits savers who want an easy-access euro account that costs nothing to keep and pays a variable rate with weekly interest, protected by an EU guarantee. The rate of 3.01% is solid rather than remarkable, and support runs on email, chat and help centre only.

Read the full bunq review

Step

Step suits teens and students in the US who want a free everyday account and easy access savings, with an overall score of 6.3. Costs sit at $0 a month and savings run at 3% variable, but that rate waits on a status earned by card spending or qualifying direct deposits.

Read the full Step review

Score breakdown

bunq vs Step
AreabunqStep
Cost9.1Monthly fee of €0 on a no monthly fee account, with a currency conversion fee of 3% on the free plan.9.3HigherMonthly fee of $0 on a no monthly fee model, with free atm for ATM withdrawals.
Offer9.1Rate of 3.01% that is variable, close to the savings median of 3%.9.4Higher
Trust8.7Higher8.1

Pick bunq if, pick Step if

Pick bunq if trust and headline rate matter most.

Pick Step if offer matter most.

How they place

bunq vs Step
RankingbunqStep
Savings accounts6 of 1420490 of 1420
Student, teen and kids accounts3 of 273152 of 273

Every fact side by side

bunq vs Step
FactbunqStep
Pricing modelNo monthly feeNo monthly fee
Legal entitybunq B.V.Step Financial LLC
HeadquartersNetherlandsUnited States
Founded2012Lower2020
Support channelsEmail, Chat, Help centreChat, Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more

Everyday accounts

bunq vs Step
FactbunqStep
Currency conversion fee3%Not confirmed
AudienceExpats, Travelers, Business, StudentTeen
FeaturesJoint account, Digital onlyFree ATM
Local account detailsIBANUs ACH
Transfer feeNot confirmedSmall fee for Instant Transfer to a linked debit card

Where each stands against the rest

bunq vs Step
FactbunqStepMedian
Headline rate3.01%below the median3%below the median3.25%
Minimum depositNot confirmed$0at the median$0

Median across 658 listed accounts.

Pros and cons

bunq

Pros

  • The monthly fee is €0 and the pricing model is no monthly fee, so keeping the account open costs nothing each month.
  • Interest is paid weekly and the rate type is variable, so money keeps earning between withdrawals without a term to serve out.
  • Balances are covered by EU DGS up to EUR 100,000, so there is a payout route if the provider fails.

Cons

  • The rate type is variable, so the return follows the base rate and the account ranks 240 of 473 brands on the headline rate.
  • Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, which leaves phone callers with a narrower route in.
  • Features list joint account and digital only, so the service is digital only and there is no branch counter.

Step

Pros

  • Monthly fee of $0 on a no monthly fee account
  • Savings rate of 3% variable with a minimum deposit of $0
  • free atm means no ATM charge when you need cash

Cons

  • The full savings rate is tied to a status earned by card spending or qualifying direct deposits, so an inactive month earns less
  • Small fee for Instant Transfer to a linked debit card for an Instant Transfer to a linked debit card

Who each suits

bunq

Who it suits

  • People who want an easy-access euro account that pays interest weekly and costs nothing to hold.
  • Travellers and expats, part of the expats, travelers and business bunq targets, who convert currency and want a local IBAN.
  • Students and savers who value EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 over a higher rate.

Who should look elsewhere

  • Anyone chasing a top fixed rate, since 24.19% at plazo pays far more.
  • Customers who need a phone helpline, as support runs on email, chat and help centre only.
  • Anyone wanting a branch counter, because features list joint account and digital only and the service is digital only.

Step

Who it suits

  • Teens in the US building their first account
  • Students who keep a direct deposit in place to keep the better savings rate

Who should look elsewhere

  • bunq and bunq Spain Bank Account, where a euro account serves a euro market rather than a US teen account
  • Pixpay FR, which charges a monthly fee of €3.99

Current offers

Step

Current offer

  • Bonus

    Cashback on Step Card purchases with Step Black: Up to 10% cashback on purchases with select Step Black Partners, and unlimited 1% cashback on everything else

    Requires Step Black enrollment; Step Black is an earned status available at no cost and full status is earned by meeting qualifying activity thresholds each month

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

  • Bonus

    Step savings reward: 3.00% on your savings balance (cash rewards, not interest)

    Step Black is an earned status available at no cost; full status is earned by meeting qualifying activity thresholds each month; percentage is variable and may change

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

Country by country

bunq vs Step
CountrybunqStep
BelgiumYesNo
FranceYesNo
GermanyYesNo
IrelandYesNo
ItalyYesNo
NetherlandsYesNo
SpainYesNo
United StatesNoYes

Questions about each

bunq

What does bunq charge to keep a savings account?+

The monthly fee is €0 and the account is priced on a no monthly fee basis, so there is no recurring charge to keep it open. The one cost to watch when you spend abroad is currency conversion at 3% on the free plan. Interest is still paid weekly with no fee deducted.

How much interest does the account pay?+

The rate is 3.01% and the rate type is variable, so the figure follows the base rate instead of being fixed to a term. Across the savings accounts on the site, the median headline rate is 3%, which puts bunq near the middle. Interest is credited weekly rather than monthly.

Step

How much does a Step account cost each month?+

The monthly fee is $0 and the account follows a no monthly fee model, so there is nothing to pay simply for holding it. Cash handling is covered by free atm, so withdrawing at an ATM costs nothing either. The one charge to watch is Small fee for Instant Transfer to a linked debit card to a linked debit card.

What interest do I get on savings?+

The headline savings rate is 3% and it is variable, so it can move rather than being locked. The minimum deposit is $0, which means you can start small. Savings are easy access, so you can take money out without giving up a fixed term.

Other options to compare

bunq

Visit

Step

See alternatives