Starling Bikes vs Planch
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Starling Bikes
Easily find and rent bikes or e-bikes for a faster, more convenient, and sustainable way to travel. Unlock a ride from numerous stations across Greater Manchester and enjoy a fun, efficient journey. The app guides you through starting and ending your rental.
- Find bike and e-bike stations
- Unlock bikes via the app
- Safe and easy-to-use bikes
- Pay As You Ride options
- Minute Bundles and passes
- View promotions and rates
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Cities are better when more people are on two wheels! Travel in a faster, more convenient, and sustainable way by bike or e-bike. We can guarantee it's more fun than sitting in traffic. Use the Starling Bank Bikes app to find and unlock a bike or e-bike from one of the many bike hire stations across Greater Manchester! We've designed our bikes to be safe and easy to use for an enjoyable ride. It's as easy as app, tap, and roll. Getting started ------------------------------- Download the Starling Bank Bikes App Create an account and add a payment method Enjoy your ride! Ending your ride ------------------------------- Find a convenient bike hire station in the app. Head there and park up your ride. Follow the instructions in the app to finish your journey How much does it cost? ------------------------------- Get rolling right away with our Pay As You Ride options. We also have a range of Minute Bundles and passes to suit more regular riders. Open the app to see the latest promotions and rates for your scheme. Download the Starling Bank Bikes App and start riding with us today.
Planch
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Need a ride? Our e-hailing app connects you with reliable drivers for a fast, safe, and affordable journey. Whether you’re commuting to work, heading to an event, or just exploring the city, our app ensures a seamless experience. Why Choose Us? Fast & Reliable Rides – Book a ride in seconds and get matched with nearby drivers. Safe & Secure – Verified drivers, live tracking, and emergency assistance. Multiple Payment Options – Pay via cash, card, or in-app wallet. Ride Anywhere – Available in multiple cities with competitive fares. User-Friendly Experience – Simple interface, easy booking, and ride history.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Planch at 13.0 against Starling Bikes's 15.1. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Starling Bikes ships an update every 11 days, Planch weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Starling Bikes | Planch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 5.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 141 MB | 74 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Beryl | Omenka |
Bugs and requests
Starling Bikes
Reported bugs
28 issues- Bikes do not unlock
- Bikes do not lock properly
- App charges incorrect fees/fines
- App shows bikes as available when they are not
- Locking system jams or fails
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- Contactless scanners are damaged
- Bike seats slide down
- Brakes are non-existent or faulty
- Chains are broken
- App glitches or freezes
- Stations are broken or do not work for returning bikes
- App does not geolocate automatically
- App requires downloading multiple applications
- App requires a strong signal to function
- App bans users for minor issues
- App does not recognize when a bike is locked
- App glitches when trying to dispute fines
- App allows submission of only one picture at a time
- App does not have a bike stand search function
- App incorrectly charges for parking outside bays
- App shows bikes in a rack as 'not available' when they are present
- App fails to unlock bikes after pausing a ride
- App crashes or becomes unresponsive
- Rear lock mechanism issues
- Front lock mechanism issues
- App does not update bike status accurately
- Electric bikes have limited functionality (e.g., only 3 levels)
- App bans users for trying to fix unlock issues (e.g., wiggling handle)
Requested features
19 requests- Improve bike unlocking reliability
- Improve bike maintenance
- Improve app reliability and performance
- Fix the lock system
- Provide clearer instructions for locking bikes
Show 14 moreShow fewer
- Implement proper docking stations like in London
- Add a bike stand search function to the app
- Improve customer service response and helpfulness
- Ensure accurate charging and refund processes
- Increase the number of electric bikes
- Address bike availability in underserved areas
- Make the app require less signal strength
- Improve the user interface and onboarding process
- Reduce the number of required apps
- Add more levels to electric bikes
- Provide a better solution for phone mounting
- Clarify out-of-zone charges with warnings
- Investigate and resolve account blocking issues
- Improve the overall design and user experience
Planch
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Starling Bikes
No in-app purchases
Planch
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Starling Bikes free?
Is Planch free?
Do Starling Bikes or Planch have ads?
Which is updated more often, Starling Bikes or Planch?
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