# AIB Mobile vs Starling

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Starling at 74% against AIB Mobile's 15%. Starling also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.9 vs 4.5). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Starling holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 2.8K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of AIB Mobile's written reviews are positive against 74% of Starling's.

AIB Mobile ships an update every 2 weeks, Starling weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AIB Mobile | Starling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aib-mobile/id468042881/reviews) | **[4.9 (2.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starling-mobile-banking/id956806430/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K | **2.8K** |
| Positive reviews | 15.0% of reviews | **73.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 159 MB | 529 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.](https://appshunter.io/developer/468042884) | [STARLING BANK LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/956806429) |

## What reviewers say

### AIB Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aib-mobile/id468042881)

Manage your everyday banking conveniently and securely from your smartphone. Apply for loans, credit cards, and overdrafts, make payments, and access account statements. The app offers features like quick balance checks and card management for enhanced financial control.

**Highlights:** Open new accounts, Apply for loans and overdrafts, Make payments with phone number, Manage standing orders and direct debits, View and save statements, Freeze/unfreeze cards, Secure login with FaceID/TouchID

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Nice app, enjoyable to use
- 🚀 Efficient and quick to use
- 💡 Fantastic transfers, saved time service

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Archaic, outdated, and unreliable
- 🔒 Excessive security measures, complicated
- 🔒 Requires card readers, inconvenient
- 🐛 Constant issues, crashes, and bugs
- 🐛 Fails to update, authentication issues

**Reported bugs**

- Selfie check operates sideways
- Payee information cannot be saved
- Security update consistently fails to install

**Requested features**

- Add ability to block betting sites
- Improve credit card balance display


### Starling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starling-mobile-banking/id956806430)

Manage personal, business, and joint finances with a seamless mobile banking experience. Enjoy fee-free international transactions, advanced budgeting tools, and secure, human support.  It offers features for individuals, families, and businesses, making banking simple and satisfying.

**Highlights:** Fee-free overseas spending and ATM withdrawals, Virtual 'Spaces' for saving and budgeting, Real-time payment notifications and spending insights, Automated bill management, Seamless international money transfers, Digital cheque deposits, 24/7 in-app human support

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use app
- 🚀 Instant transactions
- 🔒 Secure banking
- 💡 Useful features like Spaces
- 👍 Excellent customer service

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and freezes
- 🔒 Overly strict security measures
- 💰 Fees for cash deposits
- 🚫 Inability to open certain account types
- 🚫 Declined payments with no explanation

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues after phone updates
- Inability to record video for verification
- App crashes on certain devices
- Delayed or failed money transfers

**Requested features**

- Joint account cards with different designs
- Ability to set up automatic transfers to savings
- More customization options for Spaces
- Integration with password managers
- Showing pending payments in balance


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AIB Mobile free?

AIB Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Starling free?

Starling is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, AIB Mobile or Starling?

Starling is rated higher. AIB Mobile averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Starling averages 4.9 from 2.8K ratings.

### Do AIB Mobile or Starling have ads?

AIB Mobile shows ads; Starling does not.

### Which is updated more often, AIB Mobile or Starling?

AIB Mobile ships an update every 2 weeks, and Starling weekly. Most recently, AIB Mobile was updated on October 23, 2026 and Starling on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*