By akademiotoelektronik, 18/02/2023
Boursorama Banque VS Monabanq: which is the best online bank?
You may have already considered switching to a 100% online bank, but you never knew how to choose among the many platforms. To better guide your choice, we have pitted two of our favorite online banks against each other, namely Boursorama Banque and Monabanq.
After pitting Hello Bank against each other! and Fortuneo on the online banking side, here we go again for a second match between two challengers with radically different profiles: Boursorama Banque and Monabanq. In a few criteria, we tried to find out which offered the best offer and the best experience.
Bousorama Banque and Monabanq offers in brief
Boursorama Banque VS Monabanq: opening an account
Opening an account at Boursorama couldn't be simpler. It is possible to do it from the mobile application or the web platform. The bank announces a procedure not exceeding more than 5 minutes and our test showed that we were not far from the truth. We nevertheless noticed a few questions that were intrusive to say the least in the procedure: assets, professional information, employers, etc. No doubt to sort out access or not to certain offers. In the rest of the registration process, proof of address is requested including surname, first name and address, as well as a photo of the handwritten signature, no online signature. The validation of the registration file generally takes 5 to 10 working days, but the time before having access to your card and your account can be much longer... so you have to be patient. However, it is possible to use your account before receiving the card via the application's mobile payment functions (mainly Google Pay or Apple Pay). You should also know that Boursorama Banque requires an initial deposit of at least 50 euros, which can then be used on your account.
As with Boursorama, Monabanq relies on the simplicity of opening an account and it is possible to do so from the bank's application or from its website. The procedure is fairly standard and only requires a few identity documents such as a photo of both sides of the identity card, proof of address and some other basic information. Once his bank card has been chosen and the initial deposit of 150 euros has been made, a validation starts and the account becomes usable a few hours later via his virtual card, then the physical card received by mail after a week maximum.
In this round, we preferred to give the point to Monabanq, which benefits from a shorter delay in distributing the card, even if the procedures are quite similar in the two banks.
Winner: Monabanq
For more information, you can read our full Monabanq review.
Discover the offers of MonabanqBoursorama Banque vs Monabanq: the prices
The Boursorama Banque offer is designed for simplicity while delivering services adapted to a wide range of individuals. First of all, you should know that the first two levels of the bank, the Welcom and Ultim offers, are free (but subject to at least one monthly payment with). For the first, you are entitled to a classic VISA card already allowing you to benefit from a satisfactory level of services, such as free payments abroad, very satisfactory basic payment ceilings (5,000 euros/month) as well as than the insurance of the basic banking organization. This is an excellent offer to start. Then comes the Ultim offer which benefits from a free VISA Premier card, but which requires an initial deposit of 300 euros. The services are even better with an even higher level of insurance, particularly with regard to travel. Finally, the Metal offer corresponds to the highest level and is paid for (9.99 euros/month) to be able to take advantage of the entire VISA insurance package as well as the best level of options and services possible. In the last two cases, Boursorama Banque still requires a minimum income for the activation of deferred debits: 1500 euros/month for the Ultim offer and 2500 euros/month for the Metal offer.
Boursorama has recently also offered the Freedom offer. The latter is only accessible to 12-17 year olds and allows you to manage your account yourself with parental control.
For its part, Monabanq offers a very different offer. The global offer is made up of 4 levels corresponding to card levels. The first levels - Pratiq and Pratiq+ correspond to entry points between 2 and 3 euros per month and the Uniq and Uniq+ offers are more complete between 6 and 9 euros per month. In both cases, you will be entitled to a classic VISA card, but it is possible to subscribe to a VISA Premier card and benefit from the advantages and insurance of the latter, even with the lowest level. The big advantage is that all these offers are accessible without income conditions. No additional fees are expected, whether on withdrawals or payments – subject to at least one use per month of the VISA card – even abroad. In any case, the initial deposit is 150 euros for each type of card and no income condition is required.
Finally, we preferred Boursorama Banque's pricing approach, which is more readable and with a free offer that is not very restrictive. Monabanq is still doing very well with inexpensive offers, but lacking visibility.
Winner: Boursorama Bank
For more information, you can consult our complete opinion on Boursorama Banque.
Discover Boursorama Banque's offersBoursorama Banque vs Monabanq: the applications
The Boursorama Banque application could not be more complete, with a very responsive customer area. On the good side, we note the automatic categorization of the financial operations of the account (food, gasoline, leisure), transfers are very simple to make and the visualization of the account only takes a glance. With this, you have to rely on the direct management of the card limit, the various graphics, the automatic receipt of invoices and statements... in short, the services are numerous. The only real problem: transactions take 24 hours to be displayed in the customer area, even if it is possible to know at all times whether or not you are far from the payment limit for your bank card. Compatible mobile payments are also very numerous: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Paylib, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and even Garmin Pay, where other online banks are timidly content with the first two.
Even if it is not the most shimmering mobile application, Monabanq comes out with the honors in this area. The application uses the color codes of the bank and allows you to accurately track your expenses thanks to automatic categorization. We also find the integration of Google tools, in particular for the location of CIC and Crédit Mutuel branches nearby. Some will find this feature a little intrusive, especially since it is possible to withdraw money from any ATM. The application supports authentication via fingerprint or Face ID on the security side, but this is also the case at Boursorama Banque. It is therefore a solid application, but does not shine by its originality. It is only compatible with Paylib and Apple Pay for mobile payments.
Clearly, we preferred Boursorama Banque's more comprehensive approach, even though Monabanq is defending itself very well and has improved significantly on this point over time.
Winner: Boursorama Bank
For more information, you can consult our complete opinion on Boursorama Banque.
Discover the offers of Boursorama BanqueVerdict
It is therefore Boursorama Banque who wins this versus. Online banking enjoys a better reading of its offer, free offers, widely usable as well as a very satisfactory overall experience that can largely serve as a main account. Monabanq is no slouch, but will surely be more suitable as a backup bank, although the customer service is still one of the best on the market.
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