Unfiltered comparison between Qonto and Shine (+ an alternative to these two neobanks)

Our Qonto vs Shine review in brief

Introducing Qonto

Qonto's ambition is to create an all-in-one business account specifically for SMEs and the self-employed. Alexandre Prot and Steve Anavi in 2016. You can open an account in just a few clicks.

Qonto's history and mission

The neobank is the fruit of the frustration of its two co-founders with the the rigidity and inadequacies of traditional banks particularly for the specific needs of SMEs.

Qonto has been designed to meet the needs of our customers. issues specific to small businesses The range is equally suited to the needs of larger structures.

Qonto's main features

Here are Qonto's main features:

Mastercard provided

Regardless of the plan you subscribe to, a Qonto pro account gives you access to at least one carte bancaire Mastercard . The basic offer for freelancers provides one bank card, while the Business offer provides 10.

In addition to the cards offered with the subscribed offer, it is still possible to obtain optional additional cards for a fee.

In addition, card features increase in line with the type of offer subscribed to, so the ceilings, services, assistance and insurance included in each card vary according to the offer subscribed to.

It's also possible to assign cards to your employees while they're working. keeping control of their spending From a centralized dashboard, you can set spending limits, monitor spending in real time, and even block cards... This kind of control reduces the risk of fraud, and ensures that budgets are respected...

Accounting tools

They allow you to :

• Create and process invoices

• Manage expenses and expense reports

• Control access authorizations to your account

• Etc.

Integration with the most common accounting tools

This saves time, as financial data is automatically synchronized. Your accounting teams avoid data entry errors.

Responsive customer service

Qonto customer support is available by chat and telephone. They are renowned for their responsiveness.

An intuitive tool

The dashboard lets you manage your accounts remotely with ease. In particular, you can :

• View your account balances

• Pay your suppliers

• Making transfers

• Track your expenses in real time

• Etc.

The tool's intuitive design makes it easy to learn and use.

Multi-user account management

Access to your pro account can be shared with your employees . You can also :

• Predefine access for each user

• Assign specific functions to them

• Monitor everyone's actions.

All this is designed to increase efficiency and effectiveness, as financial data is processed securely.

Qonto rates and offers

Qonto offers two types of professional account: one for freelancers and the other for companies.

Qonto offers for freelancers start at 9 euros/month.

Here are the details of Qonto's offers for businesses:

• Qonto Essential at 29 euros/mole . This package entitles you to 4 accounts, 100 SEPA transfers, 2 physical cards and 3 cheque collections.

• Qonto Business at 99 euros/month. This package includes 5 accounts, 1 check cashing and 500 SEPA transfers.

• Qonto Entreprise at 249 euros/month. This rate entitles you to an unlimited number of accounts, 10 physical cards and 1,000 SEPA transfers.

Each package comes with specific functionalities tailored to the needs of every type of company:

• The number of bank cards

• The number of users

• The number of monthly SEPA transfers

Introducing Shine

Here's everything you need to know about this neobank:

Shine's history and mission

Founded in 2018 in France by Nicolas Reboud and Raphaël Simon, Shine is a true neobank.

Originally a payment service provider, Shine was acquired by Société Générale in 2020. Acquired by Société Générale in 2020, it now offers a comprehensive range of services accessible via a mobile application, and is aimed at the self-employed, SMEs and MSEs.

Shine's main features

Here are Shine's main features. They are similar to those of Qonto.

Expense management

Shine's dashboard lets you track your expenses and those of your employees in real time, giving you total control over your employees' accounts:

• Modifying ceilings

• Edit payment options

• Block/unblock credit card

A simplified billing tool

The Shine application lets you create and issue customer invoices. It also enables you to collect payments by card, cash, check or bank transfer.

You can also monitor your outstanding receivables from a centralized dashboard.

Accounting management

Shine enables you to comply with the new regulations on electronic invoicing. You can keep your proof of payment and receipt.

You can send receipts directly to your accountant, or give him access to them through your accounting software.

Bank loans

Shine allows you to contract cash loans ranging from up to 30,000 euros The loan application procedure is quick and easy, and can be completed online without the need for a loan application.

Insurance and protection products

Shine offers a range of insurance products to protect equipment (manufacturer's warranty, mobile insurance), employees (hospitalization insurance) and income.

Shine also offers legal assistance.

Shine rates and offers

Shine offers three types of packages:

Shine Basic at €7.90 per month

This is the formula entry-level from Shine.

Like Qonto, the neobank does not offer a free account either . It provides access to :

• A Mastercard Basic bank card

• 30 free transfers and direct debits per month

• Withdrawal limit of 1,500 euros and payment limit of 40,000 euros

This offer remains tailored to self-employed workers with limited banking needs. You need to upgrade to benefit from advanced features.

Shine Plus at €14.90 per month

This is the most popular from Shine. It includes :

• A Mastercard business World Débit bank card

• 20 virtual cards

• 2 free ATM withdrawals

• 60 transfers and direct debits per month

• A payment ceiling of 60,000 euros

The Shine Plus offer also allows you to make a cash deposit of 500 euros and cash 2 cheques per month.

It also includes a range of insurance products.

Shine Pro at 29 euros

This is Shine's most comprehensive offering. It includes :

• 2 cartes bancaires Mastercard Business World Debut

• Unlimited number of virtual cards

• 4 free withdrawals

• 100 transfers and direct debits per month

• 6 cheque collections

• 1,500 euros cash deposit in two instalments.

The Shine Pro offer also gives access to 4 accounts (3 sub-accounts).

Shine offers a 2-month free, no-obligation trial when you subscribe to the Basic and Pro offers.

Qonto and Shine feature comparison

The 2 banks have a lot in common, but they differ in the details of their offers:

Account management

Qonto and Shine are both online banks. Everything is done via a mobile application: from account creation to management.

In fact, both neobanks offer an intuitive, ergonomic mobile application.

Additional services (insurance, accounting, etc.)

Shine offers insurance protection services starting with the Shine Plus offer:

• Phone protection

• Equipment protection

• Legal assistance

• Accident coverage

Qonto also offers legal assistance and legal protection services.

Ease of use and intuitive user interface

The Shine and Qonto applications both get high marks from users. Both are renowned for their ease of use and ergonomic, intuitive user interface.

Price comparison

Here is a summary of the fees charged by the two neobanks:

Qonto subscriptions

Qonto subscriptions start at 9 euros a month.

Shine subscriptions

The Shine calling plan costs 7.90 euros per month.

Value for money

When it comes to value for money, Qonto is acclaimed by its users for the wealth of features it offers and the transparency of its charges. Shine, for example, has additional fees for transfers on top of those included in your package.

Customer support and user reviews

The quality of customer support is a decisive criterion when choosing a solution.

The quality of Qonto's customer support

Qonto's customer service is appreciated for its responsiveness. He is available by phone or chat.

The quality of Shine's customer support

Shine's customer service is renowned for its responsiveness. In fact, it has been awarded the Customer Service of the Year 2024.

User feedback

Both neobanks score highly on customer review platforms. Shine obtains (at the time of writing) :

• 4.6/5 on Google store

• 4.6/5 on Trustpilot

• 4.8/5 on the Apple store.

Users are particularly keen on the responsive customer service and attractive pricing .

For its part, Qonto scores 4.75 on Trustpilot. Among the most frequent positive comments are the following customer service and the simplicity of the application.

Advantages and disadvantages

Here are the pros and cons of Qonto and Shine, respectively.

The benefits of Qonto

Here are the main advantages of Qonto:

• Rapid account opening . That's the whole point of opening an account with an online bank. You save time, because everything is done online in just a few clicks.

All you have to do is fill in the required information and upload the necessary documents.

• Practical features specifically designed for the needs of small businesses

• A 100% online account

• Integration with your company's management tools

• Responsive customer support

• An easy-to-use, intuitive application

• A French IBAN

Qonto's drawbacks

Here are Qonto's main drawbacks:

• No cash deposits possible

• No checkbook

• No authorized overdraft

• No savings offer

• More expensive formulas than Shine

The benefits of Shine

The main advantages of Shine are :

• Free one-month trial with no commitment. This allows you to test the tool's functionality

• An intuitive application

• Affordable rates and tailored offers different user profiles and needs

• The cash deposit option . Few neobanks offer this functionality, which provides Shine with real added value for customers who need it.

• An efficient and practical quotation and billing tool . It provides ready-to-use invoices and quotes. All you have to do is personalize them, then send them off.

• 24/7 customer service

• More attractive rates than Qonto

Shine's drawbacks

The main drawbacks of Shine are :

• The absence of banking products such as chequebooks and overdrafts

• No SWIFT transfers possible

• Withdrawals and payments outside the euro zone are subject to a charge.

• Cash receipts and deposits are limited (2 only for the Plus subscription and 4 for the Pro offer)

• Customer support is only available by email

Which solution to choose?

Both neobanks offer products tailored to freelancers and businesses. However, because of the features offered, one or the other may be more suitable for freelancers or businesses.

For freelancers and self-employed workers

Thanks to its more affordable pricing, Shine may be more suitable for freelancers.

For VSEs and SMEs

Qonto is more suitable if you are a VSE or SME with more advanced banking functionality.

What's the alternative to Qonto and Shine?

logo-hero

Are you looking for a neobank that combines the functionalities of a bank with those of a payment service provider? Launched in 2021, Hero is the ideal alternative to Shine and Qonto.

Here are our main strengths compared to the two neobanks:

• A digital factoring service which allows a company to pay for purchases even if it does not have sufficient cash.

• Easy payment for paying customer invoices. Hero offers fractional and deferred payment. You can pay your invoices in 2 or 3 instalments, or after 60 to 90 days.

• A free pro account with physical and digital bank cards and a deferred payment option

In short, between Qonto and Shine, it's best to choose according to your needs, the nature of your activities and the size of your structure: a self-employed person would be better off with Shine, while a company would be better off with Qonto, Qonto vs Shine, does not offer a factoring service or payment facilities like Hero.