Application virtualization, IoT and Cloud Computing, Blog of Sacha Thomet

Monthly Archives: July 2019

Virtual bank accounts – FinTech compairson

Some weeks ago, I created my first FinTech blog post about using ApplePay without an expensive Credit card instead of using a Revolut card.

Now I try to share a bit more my experiences with different virtual bank accounts I’ve tested. If you have read the other blog post you have maybe seen in the comments that I was asked about Boon. I’ve used Boon already some years ago and I also had the chance to test TransferWise more than a year ago. Last days I gave the Neon-free and ZAK a chance, this was the first two Swiss virtual bank account I’ve found.

I’m not working for a bank and so I can give now with my current standpoint my view and insights as a normal customer.

First I have not focused about fees, more about functionality and created the following table:

Boon Revolut Transfer
Wise
Neon
(Hypothekarbank
Lenzburg)
ZAK
(Bank Cler)
physical Card No Yes Yes Yes Yes
virtual Card Yes Yes No No No
Disposal Card No Yes,
only
Premium
No No No
ApplePay Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Instant Card Freeze
in App
N/A Yes Yes No No
Instant Info by Transaction Yes Yes Yes Only SMS No
Advanced Payment Security

N/A Yes,
Location Based,
ATM, Contactless,
Magnetic stripe
(Swipe),
Online Transactions
Yes,
ATM,
Chip&Pin,
Contactless,
Magnetic stripe
(Swipe),
Online Transactions
No No
Payer authentication
(e.g. 3D Secure)
N/A Yes ? ? ?
Location of the Company UK UK UK CH CH

There are also other virtual banks like e.g. N26, but honestly I had not the time to test all what is currently existing. Also my insights are a snapshot in time snapshot in time from now July 2019. New features are coming fast and things are gonna changing every week.

physical cards of virtual bank accounts

Now I can say Revolut has the most comprehensive offer! But I have some friends here in Switzerland which don’t trust to a foreign bank and they are sceptical about the worker conditions in this company.

Everyone needs to do his own choice, the world is changing and the disruption of the classic banks has started. I’m sure that this is not only good for the Country I’m living in, but I really hope that it has it’s good sides for the consumer of banking services.

If you have any questions to the virtual bank account’s I’ve tested feel free to add a comment to this blog post. If you have your own experience and want to share, a comment is also appreciated!

If you want to sign-up for Revolut, ZAK or Neon, feel free to use my invitation Link and get some perks.

Revolut: Sign-up with my link and get a physical card for free as soon you topped up 10.- and used your card.
ZAK: Ask me for an invitation and get 50.- CHF
Neon: Use my invite code BTNN4F and get 10.- CHF

updated 2.2.21