Comparison

Monese vs Modulr

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Monese

This app offers a digital banking alternative, allowing users to manage multiple currencies, send and receive money internationally, and access a contactless debit card. It provides budgeting tools, real-time notifications, and features like savings pots and virtual cards for secure online payments.

Highlights
  • Multi-currency accounts (GBP, EUR, RON)
  • Contactless Mastercard debit card
  • International money transfers
  • Virtual card for online payments
  • Savings pots
  • Real-time spending notifications
  • Credit score building (UK only)
Features
Read full description

Monese is the banking alternative you’ve been waiting for. We’re the money app that helps you budget smartly, spend wisely and switch between currencies in a flash. Whether you need a GBP, EUR or RON account (or all 3!), you’ll be able to manage your money straight from your phone and enjoy the flexibility to live, work, travel, study and thrive wherever life takes you. We even have business accounts! Join over 2 million people and open a Monese mobile money account today. It’s simple, fuss-free and easy – so how does it work? • Open a GBP, EUR or RON account, straight from your phone • Easily switch between currencies and manage your money all in one place • Get a contactless Mastercard debit card you can use globally – online, in-store or at ATMs • Spend abroad with no extra fees on card spending and ATM withdrawals • Quickly send and receive money locally and internationally in multiple currencies • Create a virtual card and pay online or in-store for an extra layer of security • Open a joint account to easily spend, share and save with a loved one, roommate or friend With our feature-rich smartphone app, you’ll also get: • Real-time notifications: Instant updates whenever you use your account • A detailed spending overview: Full transparency around your transactions • Savings pots: Put money aside for something special • Apple Pay: A fast, easy and secure way to pay with your Apple Pay • Automatic Direct Debits and recurring payments: the easy way to pay for things like mobile phone contracts, rent, or gym memberships Plus, you can also: • Build your credit score: Use Credit Builder to grow your credit history and savings at the same time (UK only) • Link your PayPal account: Manage your PayPal balance and transactions from Monese, and add your Monese card to your PayPal wallet • Enjoy state-of-the art security features: 3D Secure, card locking, strong encryption and biometric login • Get instant account statements in PDF or XLS whenever you need Enjoy the convenience of being able to send and receive money straight from your phone, get your salary paid in, set up Direct Debits and recurring payments, all while maintaining a complete overview of your earning, spending and saving. Withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide for free, within generous allowances, and add money to your account by bank transfer, debit card, or with cash at over 84,000 locations in the UK, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal or Spain. You can open an account with us regardless of your citizenship or financial history, as long as you’re at least 18 years old and live in the European Economic Area (EEA).

About

Modulr

Streamline your payment approval process from anywhere. This companion app allows you to approve single, multiple, or batch payments directly from your mobile device, fitting approvals around your schedule. You can also view account balances in real-time.

Highlights
  • Approve single payments
  • Approve batch payments
  • View account balances
  • Approve on the move
  • Streamlined approvals process
Features
Read full description

Manage accounts, funding, approvals, cards and receipts. Modulr Payroll Portal users: Payment approvals Approve single, multiple or batch payments for your business, or for your customers, wherever you are. If you’re a delegate (e.g. an accountant or payroll bureau) managing approvals on behalf of customers, you’ll know how much time gets spent chasing them for approvals. Modulr Mobile App solves this: customers get a push notification when approval is needed, and can respond in seconds – no desktop required. Add funds Add funds from your bank, directly in the app. From any account, select ‘Add Funds’, choose the bank you’re paying from, and confirm securely at your bank. Funds transfer straight to your Modulr account, ready for any scheduled or approved payments to go out. Funding requirements are clearly shown for your accounts and your customers’ accounts, so you always know what’s needed and when. Accounts and balances Check balances and account activity for your business and your customers, any time. Modulr Accounts Payable users: Cards You can now activate your Modulr virtual payment cards straight from the app and view their secure details. You can freeze and unfreeze each card to stay in control of spending, and check spend limits and current spend at a glance. Receipts Upload receipts on the go – straight from your phone’s camera or files – so your spend stays reconciled wherever you are. For payroll payments, user management, accounts payable invoice approvals, and everything else, continue to use the Modulr AP or Payroll portals on desktop. www.modulrfinance.com/help-and-support

Screenshots

Monese4 screens
Modulr4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Modulr at none against Monese's shown. Modulr also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Monese's advantage is review sentiment (19% vs 0%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Monese ships an update every 3 weeks, Modulr monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Monese versus Modulr: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMoneseModulr
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2.4K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews18.6% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2.4K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size199 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMonese LTDModulr Finance

Customer experience

Monese

All ratings2,401 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral1.7%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews365 reviews
Positive18.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative79.5%

Modulr

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Monese

No in-app purchases

None

Modulr

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Monese free?
Monese is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Modulr free?
Modulr is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Monese or Modulr have ads?
Monese shows ads; Modulr does not.
Which is updated more often, Monese or Modulr?
Monese ships an update every 3 weeks, and Modulr monthly. Most recently, Monese was updated on September 24, 2026 and Modulr on August 30, 2026.

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