Monzo Takes Top Spot in UK Banks and Challengers Ranking

Digital bank Monzo has claimed the crown in the latest 11:FS Pulse feature rankings with a standout score of 98 out of 100, outscoring a crowded field of traditional and challenger banks.

The ranking is based on a comprehensive analysis of over 3,000 user journeys across UK banking apps, using an exclusive scoring methodology to determine which banks are truly delivering the best digital experiences.

Hot on Monzo’s heels are RBS and NatWest, both with feature scores of 93, while Revolut and Starling Bank round out the top five with scores of 89 and 84 respectively.

“Monzo is setting a blazing pace with its personalised, feature-rich user experience, but what’s really interesting is how much ground the incumbents are making up,” said Joe Colchester, Head of Product at 11:FS Pulse. “We’re seeing legacy banks evolving into genuine digital contenders — and they’re doing it fast.”

Monzo crowned, but incumbents dominate top 10

This is the second release of data for 11:FS Pulse’s official rankings, with Monzo successfully holding onto top spot. The digital bank’s user-centric app has redefined engagement for banking customers with tailored spending insights, personalised experiences, and unique features like the salary splitter, setting it apart from the rest of the pack.

But despite Monzo’s win, 7 of the top 10 spots are occupied by incumbents, proving that traditional banks still dominate when it comes to holistic financial offerings.

The likes of NatWest and HSBC, have invested heavily in feature-rich propositions — with NatWest offering a customisable dashboard, carbon tracking, and multi-currency accounts, and HSBC delivering a comprehensive security suite alongside full budgeting tools. Lloyds, meanwhile, stands out for its breadth, supporting everything from investments to accessibility controls.

Yet when it comes to user experience, most incumbents still lag behind their challenger rivals. While they may tick boxes on functionality, their app journeys are often clunky, inconsistent, or designed around legacy systems. In contrast, top-ranking challengers like Monzo, Revolut, and Starling deliver a rare balance: a full-service digital banking experience built around the needs of the user.

Warning signs for mid-tier banks

Despite some traditional banks making strong headway in digitising their services, the rankings show that many are still catching up to the intuitive, data-driven experiences that today’s fintech-savvy consumers expect.

The result is that mid-tier banks like Virgin Money (19th), Metro Bank (21st), and The Co-Operative Bank (23rd) are being overtaken by challengers like Monese (12th), Wise (16th), and Zopa (18th) that are expanding feature sets and offering a more curated approach to digital banking.

Here is the official top 10 and their respective scores:

How the rankings are calculated

Feature scores are calculated based on importance, ranging from basic conveniences to indispensable tools, with additional credit for standout “Hero Features.” Each feature is also categorised by how they help customers achieve real-world financial goals.

In addition to our Pulse Feature Score, we also offer a UX Score to evaluate the overall usability of the apps. This score combines Usability (66.67%) and Visual Design (33.33%). UX scores are from mobile journeys published in the last six months.

“The digital banking landscape in the UK is evolving rapidly,” added Colchester. “What we’re seeing is a shift from disruption to refinement — where both fintechs and established banks are competing on the strength of their features, usability, and ability to deliver meaningful value to customers’ financial lives.”

For the full list and further analysis, please see this article.