Comparison

NEO vs barq

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

Head to head
About

NEO

This digital banking app allows users to open accounts, transfer money globally with competitive rates, and manage multiple currencies from a single platform. It offers travel cards with exclusive benefits, secure transactions, and a rewards program for purchases.

Highlights
  • Open account in minutes
  • International money transfers
  • Multi-currency account management
  • Travel cards with lounge access and discounts
  • Earn rewards points (Neons)
  • Secure, bank-grade encryption
  • Islamic Sharia compliant banking
Features
Read full description

NEO is a smart digital banking app that lets you open an account in minutes, transfer money worldwide, and manage multiple currencies, all in one secure app. Start today and experience secure, fast, and modern digital banking with NEO. Our Services International Money Transfers ● Competitive exchange rates ● Low transfer fees with no hidden costs ● Receiving options tailored to the recipient’s needs ● Earn "NEONS" points when issuing a card Your money reaches the world in moments! Send SAR, USD, EUR, and more worldwide in seconds. No borders, no delays. Multi-Currency Account ● Manage multiple currencies from a single account ● Easily exchange between currencies with no hidden fees ● Perfect for travel enthusiasts and global shoppers ● Supports over 19 currencies, including QAR, USD, EUR, GBP, and more Travel Cards ● Access to international and local airport lounges ● Exclusive discounts ● Uniquely tailored benefits for each card ● Get neons on every purchase Currency Exchange – Best Rates, No Surprises ● Instant exchange through the app with no delays ● Best exchange rates ● No hidden fees ● Supports multiple currencies All in One Digital Banking App Your banking, simplified into one secure app. Key Features: ● Open your bank account in minutes ● Transfer money locally and internationally ● Track your spending and manage expenses ● Earn Neons with every purchase ● Pay bills instantly ● Onboarding Minors (15-18) years old ● Issue and manage your cards ● Request money (Qattah) ● Bank-grade encryption for 24/7 security ● Available for users aged 15 and above Islamic Digital Banking At NEO, we provide a fully integrated digital banking experience, 100% compliant with Islamic Sharia principles, ensuring every financial transaction you make aligns with approved Sharia standards. NEO App is fully compliant with Islamic Sharia standards. Track Your Money – Easily and Securely With the smart tracking feature, you can: ● Monitor all your transactions ● Receive personalized notifications for every financial movement ● Get a clear view of your cash flow with smart income and expense insights, all in one simple dashboard. Stay on top of your spending with smart alerts, income insights, and a simple dashboard. Exclusive Offers & Vouchers Open your account and start enjoying rewards. Neo offers real benefits and valuable promotions that make every transaction count: ● Earn “Neons” points for every Riyal you spend ● Get bonus Neons when you sign up and issue your first card ● Enjoy instant discounts with our partners ● Unlock exclusive offers tailored for you ● Redeem digital vouchers for shopping, dining, and entertainment With NEO, every transaction = added value, Download NEO digital banking app today and let the rewards begin! Flexible Payment Methods Your Card, Is Your Phone or Smartwatch. Pay effortlessly with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Mada Pay, or Samsung Pay. No need to carry a physical card. Request a physical card anytime, delivered straight to your door Smart Payment Benefits: ● Instant, secure payment with a single tap ● Compatible with major smart payment platforms ● Advanced protection to keep your data safe Issue and manage virtual or physical cards anytime. Explore the App Features Your NEO Account Offers: ● Open an account in minutes with our digital banking app ● Issue an instant virtual/physical card ● Multi-currency account ● International money transfer ● local transfer ● Easy transfer using phone number ● Expense tracking and categorization ● Savings & investment calculator ● Government payments ● Freeze or cancel your card instantly ● 24/7 customer support and security Whether you're opening your first account or managing money across currencies, NEO gives you full control with simplicity and security. Start your digital banking journey today with NEO.

About

barq

Manage your finances with unparalleled convenience and flexibility. This app empowers you to send money internationally, optimize card transactions with dynamic exchange rates, and transfer funds instantly between wallets. Upgrade your financial prowess and live life on your own terms.

Highlights
  • International money transfers
  • Optimized card foreign exchange rates
  • Instant wallet-to-wallet transfers
  • Secure cross-border payments
  • Seamless money management
Features
Read full description

No more guesswork, no more limitations. With barq, the only boundaries are the ones you choose to set for yourself. Upgrade your financial prowess and start living life on your own terms. Offering unparalleled convenience and flexibility, our app empowers you to seamlessly manage your money like never before. Key Features: International Transfers - Securely send money across borders with minimal transaction costs, making global payments a breeze. Cards - Enjoy dynamic foreign exchange rates optimized for your card transactions, ensuring you get the best value when traveling or making international purchases. Instant Wallet-to-Wallet Transfers - Instantly move funds between your various wallets and accounts, facilitating seamless money movement at the tap of a button. Download barq today and unlock a world of financial empowerment, convenience, and rewards. The future of money is here and it’s limitless... حلول تقنية مالية لتحويل حياتك اليومية من خلال تجربة رقمية مبتكرة. برق تطبيق مستوحى منك وبنيناه لك، يسهل عليك كل احتياجاتك. خلي حدود أحلامك تلامس السماء. برق تطبيق ماله آخر..

Screenshots

NEO4 screens
barq3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: barq at 14K against NEO's 214. On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for NEO against 4.5 for barq. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: barq has 14K ratings behind it against 214, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 32% of NEO's written reviews are positive against 39% of barq's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NEO ships an update monthly, barq fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
NEO versus barq: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNEObarq
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (214 ratings)4.5 (14K ratings) — better
Positive reviews31.7% of reviews38.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings21414K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size675 MB535 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperThe Saudi National BankBarraq Finance Company

Customer experience

NEO

All ratings214 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative13.6%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive31.7%
Neutral3.2%
Negative65.1%

barq

All ratings13,562 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral2.1%
Negative9.7%
Written reviews350 reviews
Positive38.6%
Neutral5.4%
Negative56.0%

Bugs and requests

NEO

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

barq

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent app crashes
  • Issues with international transactions and withdrawals
  • Delayed or missing fund transfers
  • Unreliable cashback system

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand to more countries
  • Add stock trading and investment options
  • Improve customer support channels
  • Increase cashback rates and consistency

In-app purchases

None

NEO

No in-app purchases

None

barq

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NEO free?
NEO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is barq free?
barq is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NEO or barq?
barq is rated higher. NEO averages 4.4 out of 5 from 214 ratings, while barq averages 4.5 from 14K ratings.
Do NEO or barq have ads?
Neither NEO nor barq shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NEO or barq?
NEO ships an update monthly, and barq fortnightly. Most recently, NEO was updated on September 24, 2026 and barq on September 24, 2026.

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