Updated September 29, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Step vs Vivid Money
Step
Higher score in this comparison
Vivid Money
What sets them apart
| Compare | StepReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Vivid MoneyReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | €0 |
| Deposit protection | FDIC up to USD 250,000 | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 |
| Local account details | Us ACH | IBAN |
| Transfer fee | Small fee for Instant Transfer to a linked debit card | Free |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.25% |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 22 |
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
- Founded is lower at Vivid Money: 2019 vs 2020.
- Vivid Money is licensed in 1 more country.
- Local account details: only Step offers Us ACH.
- Local account details: only Vivid Money offers IBAN.
- Support channels: only Step offers Email, Phone.
- Features: only Step offers Free ATM.
- Features: only Vivid Money offers Digital only.
Our verdict on each
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.
Vivid Money
Vivid Money suits people who want everyday spending plus savings in the same app without monthly upkeep, with the standard plan priced at €0 a month. Cash stays within instant access pockets that suit flexible savers who also move money across currencies for travel or daily life abroad.
Score breakdown
| Area | Step | Vivid Money |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherMonthly fee of $0 on a no monthly fee model, with free atm for ATM withdrawals. | 9.2Conversion priced at 0.25% keeps cross currency spend modest versus broader market levels |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.1Interest pocket pays 3% on instant access balances with low entry threshold |
| Trust | 8.1 | 8.3HigherEligible balances covered by EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 with licensed EU supervision |
Licences and countries
| Country | Step | Vivid Money |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg | Not confirmed | |
| Netherlands | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Step | Vivid Money |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 490 of 1420 | 496 of 1420 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Step | Vivid Money |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Teen | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee |
| Features | Free ATM | Digital only |
| Legal entity | Step Financial LLC | Vivid Money B.V. |
| Headquarters | United States | Netherlands |
| Founded | 2020 | 2019Lower |
| Support channels | Chat, Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Chat, Help centre |
Savings
| Fact | Step | Vivid Money |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3% | 3% |
| Rate type | Variable | Fixed |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €0.010 |
| Access terms | 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 | Instant access |
| Account kind | Easy access | Easy access |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (AFM), Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Step | Vivid Money | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.25%below the median | 0.5% |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 22highest quarter | 5 |
Median across 536 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
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
Vivid Money
Pros
- Transfers cost free, which keeps routine euro moves easy to budget
- Supports 22 currencies and issues IBAN for getting paid across borders
- Savings start from €0.01 with withdrawals under Instant access for flexible access
Cons
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, so callers must use chat or articles
- Account is digital only through digital only, with no branch option for cash service
Who each suits
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
Vivid Money
Who it suits
- Travellers and expats holding balances across currencies
- Flexible savers wanting instant access pockets in the same app
- App led users happy with chat based service
Who should look elsewhere
- Consider bunq if conversion cost matters most and you want to compare against 3%
- Consider Bit2Me if crypto linked services matter and you want to compare against 0.95%
- Consider eToro if trading features matter and you want to compare upkeep against £0
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
| Country | Step | Vivid Money |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
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.
Vivid Money
What does Vivid Money charge for the account+
The standard plan is priced at €0 a month, which keeps upkeep predictable for everyday use. Transfers are listed at free, while currency conversion is listed at 0.25% for cross currency moves.
How many currencies can you hold+
Vivid Money supports 22 currencies, which helps if you hold balances for travel or pay across borders. Local euro details come through IBAN, making it easier to receive salary or transfers within the region.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Related by the facts
Step
Vivid Money