Updated September 29, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
PKO Bank Polski vs Varo Bank
PKO Bank Polski
Higher score in this comparison
Varo Bank
What sets them apart
| Compare | PKO Bank PolskiReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Varo BankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | PLN 0 | $0 |
| Local account details | IBAN | Us ACH |
| Transfer fee | 0 zł for internal, standard and SEPA Standard foreign transfers in iPKO and the IKO app; 10 zł for standard or SEPA Standard foreign transfers to another account holder in a branch or by phone line | Free |
| Licence type | Not confirmed | Bank |
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FDIC up to USD 250,000 |
| Currencies | 10 | Not confirmed |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0 |
Same on both: Currency conversion fee (0%).
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Key differences
- PKO Bank Polski scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.9.
- Local account details: only PKO Bank Polski offers IBAN.
- Local account details: only Varo Bank offers Us ACH.
- Support channels: only Varo Bank offers Email.
- Features: only Varo Bank offers Digital only, No credit check.
Our verdict on each
PKO Bank Polski
PKO Bank Polski pairs a monthly fee of PLN 0 with a currency conversion fee of 0%, so the everyday costs sit at the floor. It suits expats and Polish residents who want an easy-access account with local IBAN details, a variable savings rate and free ATM withdrawals.
Varo Bank
Varo Bank suits people who want a free digital bank account and an easy-access savings balance without a minimum deposit. It charges a monthly fee of $0, pays a variable rate of 1% to 3.75% and holds deposits under FDIC up to USD 250,000.
Score breakdown
| Area | PKO Bank Polski | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4HigherMonthly fee PLN 0 and currency conversion at 0%, ranking 1 of 312 on conversion. | 9.3 |
| Offer | 9.2HigherSavings headline rate 4%, variable, 10 currencies and iban local details. | 9.0 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.5 |
How they place
| Ranking | PKO Bank Polski | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 156 of 1420 | 440 of 1420 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | PKO Bank Polski | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Expats | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee |
| Features | Free ATM | Free ATM, Digital only, No credit checkCovers more |
| Legal entity | PKO Bank Polski Spółka Akcyjna | Varo Bank, National Association |
| Headquarters | Poland | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Savings
| Fact | PKO Bank Polski | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 4%Higher | 1% to 3.75% |
| Rate type | Variable | Variable |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Access terms | Interest capitalised monthly, first monthly transfer out and branch withdrawals free of charge | No minimum balance or deposit, no savings cap, access in the Varo app with free instant transfers |
| Account kind | Easy access | Easy access |
Money transfer
| Fact | PKO Bank Polski | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery time | Immediate between own accounts | Not confirmed |
| Payout methods | Bank | Not confirmed |
| Fee to send 1,000 | PLN 0 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | PKO Bank Polski | Varo Bank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 0%below the median | 0%below the median | 0.5% |
| Currencies | 10above the median | Not confirmed | 5 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 536 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
PKO Bank Polski
Pros
- Monthly fee PLN 0 and a currency conversion fee of 0% on everyday and foreign transfers.
- The savings headline rate is 4% on an easy access account, with interest capitalised monthly.
- Transfers between own accounts are Immediate between own accounts, and the local account details are iban.
Cons
- Only 10 currencies, ranking 103 of 379.
- Foreign transfers to another account holder cost more in a branch or by phone line than the PLN 0 charged in the app.
- The 4% headline sits on a variable rate, so it can move.
Varo Bank
Pros
- A monthly fee of $0 applies, matching the site median of €0
- The savings account takes a minimum deposit of $0 and pays a variable rate of 1% to 3.75%
- Transfers are free and the ATM allowance is $0
Cons
- The savings rate is variable, so the 1% to 3.75% range can move
- The service is digital-only, which needs a phone and app access for everyday banking
- It is a US bank licence, and the local payment detail is us ach
Who each suits
PKO Bank Polski
Who it suits
- Expats and residents in Poland who want an easy access account with iban details.
- Savers happy with a variable rate and interest capitalised monthly.
- People who send money abroad but need only 10 currencies.
Who should look elsewhere
- PayPal Colombia, whose monthly fee is $0, suits a wallet rather than a Polish bank account.
- Skrill, whose monthly fee is €0, suits readers who want wallet balances.
- eToro, whose monthly fee is £0, suits balances held on an investment platform.
Varo Bank
Who it suits
- You want a savings balance you can reach at any time from the app
- You want no monthly charge on the everyday account
- You want a bank rather than an e-money or payment institution
Who should look elsewhere
- You want a fixed-rate term deposit, since the rate here is variable
- You need branches or in-person service, as the service is digital-only
- You need euro or UK payment details, and the local detail is us ach
Current offers
PKO Bank Polski
Current offer
Bonus
Do 600 zł z PKO Kontem za Zero (Letni Bonus): up to 600 zł
Open PKO Konto za Zero online with a Visa card, enter code LATO and meet the remaining terms of the 'Letni Bonus' promotion
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Do 600 zł do sklepu Samsung (Rabat w górę): up to 600 zł
Open PKO Konto za Zero online and meet the terms of the 'Rabat w górę' promotion
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Nawet 1200 zł zwrotu za zakupy na Allegro (Allegro Klik): cashback up to 3%, max 100 zł per month, up to 1200 zł
Open a personal account, link it to an Allegro account and activate Allegro Klik; cashback paid for purchases made with Allegro Klik
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | PKO Bank Polski | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
PKO Bank Polski
What does it cost to keep an account here?+
The monthly fee is PLN 0 on the everyday account, so keeping it open carries no standing charge. Interest on the linked savings side is a separate matter, paid at a 4% headline rate that can move.
Is there a charge for converting currency?+
The currency conversion fee is 0% in the app, which places PKO Bank Polski at 1 of 312 brands on that measure, well under the site median of 0.5%. Transfers between own accounts are Immediate between own accounts.
Varo Bank
What does Varo Bank charge each month?+
Varo Bank charges a monthly fee of $0 on the everyday account, which matches the site median of €0. Transfers are free and the ATM allowance is $0, so day to day banking costs nothing extra.
How much interest does the Varo savings account pay?+
The savings account pays a variable rate of 1% to 3.75%. Because the rate is variable, the range can move over time. The site median headline rate is 3%, so this sits at the higher end of typical savings listings.
Other options to compare
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Related by the facts
PKO Bank Polski
Varo Bank