Puzzle vs Starling: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of Puzzle and Starling to help you choose the right tool for your business.
Last updated: November 2026
Puzzle
6.1/10
AI-native accounting software and optional bookkeeping services that automate categorization, reconciliation and month-end close for startups and small businesses.
Starling
6.6/10
A UK digital bank business account with built-in invoicing, bookkeeping, and Making Tax Digital tax tools for sole traders and small limited companies.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 6.1/10 | 6.6/10 |
| Analytics | 7/10 | 4/10 |
| Compliance | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Cost | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Customization | 5/10 | 3/10 |
| Ease of Use | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Integration | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Scalability | 5/10 | 3/10 |
| Security | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| Support | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | $30/mo Starter | £7/mo Accounting Plus |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | $120/mo Complete | Free Business Account + Accounting Essentials |
| Features | ||
| Accountant Access | ||
| Bank Reconciliation | ||
| Invoicing | ||
| Tax Compliance | ||
| Budgeting and Forecasting | Not listed | |
| Expense Management | Not listed | |
| Financial Reporting | Not listed | |
| General Ledger | Not listed | |
| Multi-entity Consolidation | Not listed | |
| Online Payments | Not listed | |
| Payroll | Not listed | |
Puzzle vs Starling cost by team size
| Team size | Puzzle | Starling |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | $30/moStarter | FreeBusiness Account + Accounting Essentials |
| 5 users | $72/moCore | FreeBusiness Account + Accounting Essentials |
| 10 users | $120/moComplete | FreeBusiness Account + Accounting Essentials |
| 25 users | $120/moComplete | FreeBusiness Account + Accounting Essentials |
| 50 users | $120/moComplete | FreeBusiness Account + Accounting Essentials |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose Puzzle
- Higher Analytics score (7/10 vs 4/10)
- Higher Customization score (5/10 vs 3/10)
- Better fit for startups (9/10 vs 6/10)
Why choose Starling
- Has a free plan (Puzzle does not)
- Higher Security score (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Compliance score (7/10 vs 5/10)
Pros & Cons
Puzzle
Pros
- Most transactions are categorized automatically: the vendor claims 85 to 90 percent on every plan.
- Reviewers praise the clean interface for non-accountant founders.
- Direct integrations with Stripe, Mercury, Brex, Ramp, Gusto and Rippling suit startup tool stacks.
- Entry pricing is low and flat, at $30 a month, and annual billing gives two months free.
- Optional bookkeeping, CFO and tax services are available from the same vendor.
Cons
- Users report AI miscategorizations that are hard to fix manually.
- Some reviewers say it feels immature, with missing basics and occasional lag.
- Reviewers report support lapses, such as a missed onboarding call.
- Revenue recognition and classes only come with Complete at $120 a month.
- Multi-currency support is not documented.
Starling
Pros
- The business account has no monthly fee, and UK transfers, invoicing, and up to five expense cards are free.
- The free Essentials tier includes MTD for Income Tax submissions, which helps sole traders and landlords facing the April 2026 rules.
- VAT returns can be filed to HMRC from inside the banking app for £7 a month until April 2027.
- Bank feeds connect to Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent.
- UK-based support is available 24/7 in the app, and Finder ranked it highly for customer satisfaction in 2026.
Cons
- It is not a full accounting system: there is no general ledger, payroll, or multi-entity support.
- Accountants only get view-only access.
- Only GBP and EUR accounts are available, and new USD account applications are paused.
- Eligibility is strict: directors and people with significant control must be UK residents.
- Overdrafts and loans are not available to new business customers, and there are no branches.
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
Starling scores higher on our Finance Software criteria: 6.6/10 against 6.1/10 for Puzzle. The largest gap is in Analytics: 7/10 for Puzzle and 4/10 for Starling.
Starling has a free plan; Puzzle does not list one.
Puzzle is the better fit for startups: we rate it 9/10 for them, against 6/10 for Starling.
