Comparison

first direct vs Zempler Bank

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

Head to head
About

first direct

Manage your finances on the go with this intuitive banking app. Check balances, view transactions, and send money to friends and family with ease. This app simplifies everyday money management with a host of features designed for convenience.

Highlights
  • Check account balances
  • View transaction history
  • Pay friends and family
  • Simplified money management
  • Intuitive user interface
Features
Read full description

Your everyday just got a whole lot easier. Even better banking has arrived. At the coffee shop, deciding if it’s a skinny soy latte or a cup of tea. In a taxi stuck in traffic, wondering how much you’ve saved for your trip to Machu Picchu. On a rollercoaster, planning the decorations for your dog’s third birthday party… Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, our new and improved mobile app makes banking even simpler. From checking your balances and viewing transactions to paying family and friends, mobile banking takes all the hassle out of everyday money stuff. You can now do more than ever from the comfort of your own phone - and if that’s not exciting enough, this is just the start of our mini digital revolution, with loads more improvements on the way. So go on. Get yourself up to date. Update now >> • Free to use, but providers may charge for download and usage • Use in accordance with local laws and check charges if using abroad • Use in accordance with our App terms and conditions • Use in accordance with Apple terms and conditions • This app may be withdrawn at any time, but we’ll always keep you in the loop.

About

Zempler Bank

Open a business bank account online in minutes with a fast application and instant decision. Manage spending, track transactions, and keep your money safe with advanced security features. Designed for small to medium businesses and sole traders.

Highlights
  • Fast online business account application
  • No credit check required
  • Accept payments immediately
  • Track spending and categorize transactions
  • Manage multiple cards
  • 24-hour fraud monitoring
  • Add team cards
Features
Read full description

Download the app to open a business bank account in minutes. Over 1.6 million people use Zempler Bank to manage their money. OPEN A BUSINESS ACCOUNT ONLINE There’s no credit or trading history required, and you won’t have to visit a branch to open your account. • Fast online application & instant decision • No credit check to apply • Start accepting payments immediately with your account number and sort code MANAGE YOUR SPENDING • Check your account balance, track spending & make payments seamlessly • Manage multiple cards, including foreign currency cards • Request your pin number on the go • Access your account from the mobile app or online from your PC • Friendly UK based telephone support – 7 days a week KEEP YOUR MONEY SAFE • 24 hour fraud monitoring for your security • FSCS protection up to £85,000 on eligible deposits • Secure face and biometric ID • Block cards from the app or online • Instant app notifications when money leaves your account BUSINESS CURRENT ACCOUNTS MADE SIMPLE Our business current account is designed for small to medium business and sole traders. From startups to contractors, freelancers to entrepreneurs – all kinds of businesses trust Zempler business accounts. IMPROVE YOUR BOOKEEPING • Download statements to your phone or PC • Categorised transactions help organise your spending • Customise categories to match your business • Store logos in your statement make it easy to find transactions • Mark transactions as non-allowable expenses, add notes and a photo of your receipt EXTRA CARDS FOR YOUR TEAM • Add up to 20 cards, personalised with your business name • Block cards and restrict transactions like gambling and ATM withdrawals • Order travel cards for USD and EURO spending LENDING OPTIONS We’ve been helping businesses grow for 14 years. We offer a range of different credit products, with personalised limits that vary based on your individual circumstances. • Opportunities to apply for an overdraft or business credit card -------------- Zempler cards are issued by Zempler Bank Ltd (APS) pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Zempler Bank Ltd is registered in England and Wales at Cottons Centre, Cottons Lane, London SE1 2QG (No.04947027). Zempler Bank Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under Firm Reference Number 671140.

Screenshots

first direct4 screens
Zempler Bank4 screens

Verdict

The call

first direct and Zempler Bank both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 77% of first direct's written reviews are positive against 55% of Zempler Bank's. first direct also leads on ratings volume (2K vs 201). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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 — 4.9 for first direct against 4.8 for Zempler Bank. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: first direct has 2K ratings behind it against 201, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 77% of first direct's written reviews are positive against 55% of Zempler Bank's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

first direct ships an update monthly, Zempler Bank every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
first direct versus Zempler Bank: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterfirst directZempler Bank
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (2K ratings) — better4.8 (201 ratings)
Positive reviews76.6% of reviews — better55.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2K — better201
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size319 MB89 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerfirst directAdvanced Payment Solutions Ltd

Customer experience

first direct

All ratings1,974 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral1.1%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews996 reviews
Positive76.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative18.5%

Zempler Bank

All ratings202 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews498 reviews
Positive55.0%
Neutral3.4%
Negative41.6%

User reviews

first direct

From 2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast and accurate
  • 🔒 Excellent security
  • 💡 Helpful customer service
  • 👍 Consistent and reliable

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional app crashes
  • 🔒 Overly complex security measures
  • 💡 Outdated and basic design
  • 🔒 Frustrating authentication process
  • 🐛 Buggy cheque deposit feature

Zempler Bank

From 201 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient and easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure banking
  • 👍 Great customer service
  • 💡 Helpful credit building features
  • 👍 Smooth and seamless banking experience

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy app with limited functionality
  • 💰 High fees and charges
  • 🔒 Overly strict security measures
  • ⏱️ Slow transaction processing times
  • 🤖 Poor communication and unresponsive support

Bugs and requests

first direct

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezing and crashing
  • Issues with cheque deposit functionality
  • Problems with multi-device authentication
  • Inconsistent behavior when updating payee details

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved transaction history and insights
  • Ability to edit scheduled payments and payees
  • Streamlined payment flow
  • Better categorization and budgeting tools

Zempler Bank

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes and freezes frequently
  • Inconsistent account balance display
  • Issues with activating and using the card
  • Problems with transferring and receiving payments

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add Apple Pay support
  • Improve in-app navigation and usability
  • Provide more detailed transaction history and statements
  • Offer higher credit limits and overdraft options

In-app purchases

None

first direct

No in-app purchases

None

Zempler Bank

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is first direct free?
first direct is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Zempler Bank free?
Zempler Bank is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, first direct or Zempler Bank?
first direct is rated higher. first direct averages 4.9 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while Zempler Bank averages 4.8 from 201 ratings.
Do first direct or Zempler Bank have ads?
Neither first direct nor Zempler Bank shows ads.
Which is updated more often, first direct or Zempler Bank?
first direct ships an update monthly, and Zempler Bank every 3 weeks. Most recently, first direct was updated on November 10, 2026 and Zempler Bank on November 11, 2026.

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