Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
PagBank vs Step
PagBank
Higher score in this comparison
Step
What sets them apart
| Compare | PagBankReviewVisitVisit | StepReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | R$0 to R$75 | $0 |
| Transfer fee | Free (unlimited TED and Pix to any bank) | Small fee for Instant Transfer to a linked debit card |
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FDIC up to USD 250,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 5% | Not confirmed |
| Local account details | Not confirmed | Us ACH |
| Free ATM withdrawals | R$0 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- PagBank scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
- Founded is lower at PagBank: 2006 vs 2020.
- Audience: only PagBank offers Business, Freelancer.
- Audience: only Step offers Teen.
- Features: only PagBank offers Digital only, No credit check.
Our verdict on each
PagBank
PagBank suits Brazilian businesses and freelancers who want a free everyday account with instant Pix payouts and a savings option on the side.
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.
Score breakdown
| Area | PagBank | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.6Cost score rests on BRL 0 to BRL 75 monthly charges, BRL 0 for cash withdrawals and 5% for card conversion. | 9.3HigherMonthly fee of $0 on a no monthly fee model, with free atm for ATM withdrawals. |
| Offer | 9.2Offer score rests on variable savings, Daily liquidity, redeem whenever you want and payouts to bank and wallet. | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | 8.8Higher | 8.1 |
How they place
| Ranking | PagBank | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 28 of 1420 | 490 of 1420 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | PagBank | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Business, Freelancer | Teen |
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee |
| Features | Free ATM, Digital only, No credit checkCovers more | Free ATM |
| Legal entity | PAGSEGURO INTERNET INSTITUIÇÃO DE PAGAMENTO S/A | Step Financial LLC |
| Headquarters | Brazil | United States |
| Founded | 2006Lower | 2020 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, Chat | Chat, Email, Phone, Help centre |
Savings
| Fact | PagBank | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | Not confirmed | 3% |
| Rate type | Variable | Variable |
| Minimum deposit | R$1 | $0 |
| Access terms | Daily liquidity, redeem whenever you want | No 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 |
| Account kind | Easy access | Easy access |
Money transfer
| Fact | PagBank | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery time | Within minutes: cross-border payouts cleared in minutes to Pix or a PagBank account; Pix transfers instant 24/7 | Not confirmed |
| Payout methods | Bank, Wallet | Not confirmed |
| Fee to send 1,000 | R$0 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | PagBank | Step | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 5%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
Median across 377 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
PagBank
Pros
- Transfers to any bank are Free (unlimited TED and Pix to any bank), which covers both Pix and TED.
- Cash access carries an allowance of BRL 0, so withdrawals do not add to the bill.
- Payouts reach bank and wallet, and cross-border money clears in minutes to Pix or a PagBank account.
Cons
- Currency conversion on the card costs 5%, which ranks 304 of 312 and sits above the site median of 0.5%.
- The service is digital-only, as free atm, digital only and no credit check shows, so it suits people comfortable running money from an app.
- Savings pay a variable rate, so returns can move.
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
PagBank
Who it suits
- Brazilian sole traders and small companies that bill and pay in Pix
- Freelancers who want an everyday account with an easy access CDB alongside
- Anyone happy to manage the account from a phone
Who should look elsewhere
- Skrill, if a wallet outside Brazil fits better: its monthly fee is €0
- Plazo ES, if a Spanish product suits you instead: its monthly fee is €0
- PayPal Colombia, if a wallet for cross-border online payments is the job: its monthly fee is $0
Step
Who it suits
- Teens in the US building their first account
- Students who keep a direct deposit in place to keep the better savings rate
Who should look elsewhere
- bunq and bunq Spain Bank Account, where a euro account serves a euro market rather than a US teen account
- Pixpay FR, which charges a monthly fee of €3.99
Current offers
PagBank
Current offer
Discount code
Taxa 0% para novos clientes (0% merchant rate on card readers): 0%
New customers of the Conta PJ PagBank; card reader without rental fee
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Moderninha ProFit com 90% off (Super Max): R$ 83,88 à vista (12x de R$ 6,99)
Super Max plan; promotional price valid under campaign terms
Source, checked September 26, 2026
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
| Country | PagBank | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
PagBank
What does PagBank charge to hold an account?+
The monthly fee runs BRL 0 to BRL 75, and the account is built around no monthly charge. PagBank ranks 1 of 500 on monthly fee across the site, the site median is €0, and the top of the site range reaches €449.
Are Pix and TED transfers really free?+
Transfers to any bank are Free (unlimited TED and Pix to any bank), and the Pix transfer charge is BRL 0. Pix is instant around the clock, and cross-border payouts clear in minutes to Pix or a PagBank account, with payouts landing on bank and wallet.
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.
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PagBank
Step