Best Banking Apps [2026]: Stress-Free Mobile Banking
Mobile banking apps are no longer just a "nice bonus." Today, they're essential and expected. The best banking apps should go well beyond giving you easy 24/7 access to your account, and these do.
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Mobile banking apps have never been more critical than they are now, and they're likely to only get more important in our increasingly digital world. You shouldn't settle for your bank just offering an app. Today, that's the bare minimum. You should prioritize banks with excellent mobile apps if you ever find yourself checking your accounts on your phone (whether you choose a bank with or without in-person branches).
The best banking apps are exceptionally user-friendly and intuitive, with rich features like chatbot support, automated savings tools, credit-tracking dashboards, and budgeting capabilities. And if a banking app is top-notch, it'll go through updates often. An app that stays the same will only become outdated.
To get you started, we've rounded up a list of banks with the best mobile apps.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
Up to $300New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Minimum Opening Balance
$0
Monthly Fee
$0
Why We Like It
Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> and up to 4.00% APY2 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> on your money
Limited-Time Offer: +0.70% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.00% for up to 6 months on new accounts. Terms apply.2 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p>
No account, overdraft, or monthly fees3 <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p>
Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit4 <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million5 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
To determine the best banking apps, we researched different financial institutions that provide online and mobile banking services. We did not include all financial institutions or research all available banking apps in the market, but we did try to capture data for many of the most popular banks and most downloaded mobile banking apps.
We used different criteria — including mobile app ratings and the total number of reviews, features included in the mobile banking platform, account availability, security, and overall popularity — to determine which banking apps are best according to our editorial judgment.
These apps stood out in our testing for offering better functionality, reliability, and unique features for an improved banking and money management experience.
Chime®6 <p class="">Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. <br></p>
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
Get a $400 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.7 <p>Receive your bonus within 15 days of completing the necessary requirements. To receive the bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval; AND 2) Have your direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more made to this account within 90 days of coupon enrollment.</p>
$15 monthly service fee but you have multiple ways to waive it8 <p>$15 Monthly Service Fee OR $0 with one of the following, each monthly statement period: </p>
<p>$500+ in qualifying electronic deposits</p>
<p> OR $1,500+ balance at the beginning of each day</p>
<p> OR $5,000+ average beginning day balance in this account, or in combination with any linked qualifying personal deposits or in investments</p><p class="">OR Link this account to a qualifying checking account</p>
Over 5,000 in-person branches and more than 15,000 ATMs
No overdraft fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day.9 <p>With Chase Overdraft Assist℠, we won’t charge an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day (you have until 11 PM ET (8 PM PT) to make a deposit or transfer). Chase Overdraft Assist does not require enrollment and comes with eligible Chase checking accounts.</p>
Big, brick-and-mortar banks don't have the best reputation for mobile banking. Often, institutions with large physical presences lag behind smaller, digital-only banks and fintechs in terms of technology. This can be for a host of reasons, but big banking juggernauts often have legacy systems that can take longer and cost more to update. As a result, brick-and-mortar banks may sometimes have pretty lousy mobile banking apps compared to their lighter, online counterparts.
Chase is the largest bank in the U.S. by assets, and its app is incredibly well-rated for its user base. High ratings on more reviews obviously reflect better on the bank than a few good reviews would. Especially for a big bank, Chase provides a top-notch banking experience through its mobile app. It stands out for how easy it is to use and how many valuable features are baked into the interface.
Account numbers, credit monitoring tools, cash back, net worth tracking, spending habits, and more are all right there, front and center, when you log into the app. The navigation is smoother, quicker, and more intuitive than what we've experienced from other banking mobile apps, and you have to do less clicking around to get from one account or service to the next. We won't say that the app reads your mind, but it sure seems to know what people are looking for.
Perspectives
Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®
Writer
Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®, is credit cards specialist. For over a decade, he's leveraged credit card points and miles to travel the world. His expertise extends to other areas of personal finance — including loans, insurance, investing, and real estate — and you can find his insights on The Washington Post, Debt.com, Yahoo! Finance, and Fox Business.
WHY I LIKE THIS APP
I've used the Chase mobile app and online banking for many years with little to no issues. I especially like how fast I'm able to check on my deposit and credit card accounts through the app, as well as send and receive secure messages through my online account. Mobile check deposits are always quick and easy.
2026 AWARD WINNERBest Checking for Bad or No Credit
4.9
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
No minimum balance, no monthly service fees10 <p>There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.</p>
Get your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit11 <p> Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.</p>
Eligible Members can access fee-free overdraft up to $20012 <p>SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest / no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Card Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Chime Card service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime® Checking Account each month and have activated your physical secured Chime Visa® Credit Card or Chime Visa® Debit Card.</p><br>
<p>Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Secured Deposit Account up to $20, but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Chime Card Limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s or its banking partners’ discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Chime Card, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. SpotMe on Chime Card won’t cover non-card transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">SpotMe on Chime Card Terms and Conditions</a>.</p>
50K+ fee-free ATMs nationwide13 <p>Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.</p>
Automatic savings helps you grow your money faster14 <p>You can automatically transfer part of your direct deposits of $1 or more from your Checking Account into your selected Chime account(s).</p>
We included Chime on this list because, in many ways, its online and mobile banking platforms have raised the bar for modern digital banking. The Chime app is one of the top free financial apps on Google Play and App Store. Chime is a financial technology company known for its fee-free online banking accounts and feature-packed platform.15 <p>Optional services and products may have fees or charges, such as outbound instant transfers, out-of-network transactions, and credit products. Learn more here. Link leads to <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/fees-info/">chime.com/feesinfo</a></p> 10 <p>There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.</p>
Chime stands out from the other banking apps because it offers more helpful features, especially related to saving money, making transfers, and stretching your paycheck. You'll see us talk about the Chime Checking account's SpotMe® overdraft16 <p>SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your physical Chime Visa® Debit Card or secured Chime Visa® Credit Card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime's sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/">SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions</a>.</p> feature often because it offers one of the highest fee-free overdraft limits we've found. The Chime app is also a great option for getting your paycheck up to two days early and sending instant money transfers without your friends and family needing to sign up for any new accounts.11 <p> Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.</p> 17 <p>Funds are automatically debited from your Checking Account and typically deposited into the recipient’s Checking Account within seconds. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed.</p>
Another feature that makes the Chime mobile app better than others is the option to enroll in automated savings. With Save When I Get Paid,14 <p>You can automatically transfer part of your direct deposits of $1 or more from your Checking Account into your selected Chime account(s).</p> you can allocate a percentage of your direct deposit to your high-yield Chime Savings18 <p class="">Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account.<br></p> account. And with debit card Round Ups,19 <p class="">Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account. <br></p> Chime will round all of your debit card purchases up to the nearest dollar and send the excess to savings. The Chime Savings account earns 0.75% APY20 <p class="">The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is accurate as of 01/29/26. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. </p> on any balance.
Many of the best mobile banking apps like Chime include a feature to automatically send a portion of your paycheck to your savings, but debit card round-ups are rarer. Chime isn't the oldest fintech by any stretch, but many platforms have tried to copy what it's doing with online banking.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
Up to $500 cash offer. Click 'Learn More' for more details
Multiple ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee
Thousands of ATMs and financial centers
24/7 security with Total Security Protection® and fraud monitoring
As another one of the largest banks in the U.S., Bank of America offers a wide range of accounts — and a mobile app that does the trick no matter what services you use. We picked it for this list of banks with the best mobile apps because it has a lot going on in a way that doesn't feel overwhelming.
It also has a great chatbot, Erica, that we'd recommend checking out if you're the type of person who likes to get answers with a quick search rather than a phone call or lots of scrolling around in FAQs. Erica was one of the first mobile banking bots out there, and it's (she's?) still one of the most impressive. It's not the same as live chat, but the feature helps get most common questions taken care of quickly and painlessly.
Capital One's mobile app is especially great for managing credit card accounts, but you can also manage Capital One 360 bank accounts like 360 Checking, 360 Performance Savings, CDs, MONEY Teen Checking, and more. We're not surprised by the app's high ratings, especially when it's time to check up on a credit card.
There's no shortage of Capital One credit cards to choose from. And if you do open one, you'll see a clean view of your card(s) from the app's dashboard, with your current balance, available credit, scheduled payments, and a button to "Get your virtual card" right on top of a graphic for the card. It's sleeker than other apps we've used, and we find it less stressful to check transaction histories and schedule payments. The tab that shows you your credit card rewards is similarly excellent, making it easier to see all of your redemption options, earning activity, and the value of your rewards than you might be used to with non-Cap cards.
"I've used a host of mobile finance apps, including those from Capital One, Chase, Bank of America, Discover, Citi, TIAA/EverBank, M1, and more. I can confidently say I like Capital One the best. It's snappier to load for me than other apps, and I find the interface to be visually appealing and actually helpful. Plus, it seems to be updated more often than some of my other apps, and I always like to see the new improvements it rolls out. Just recently, I logged in to check my credit card balance, and a pop-up appeared that asked me if I wanted to find and manage my recurring subscriptions well before the next charge date." — Lauren Graves, FinanceBuzz Editor
Wells Fargo
All-in-one banking
App store ratings
App Store rating: 4.9/5 stars (10.1M+ reviews)
Google Play rating: 4.8/5 stars (2.75M+ reviews)
Many people compare the Wells Fargo mobile app to the Chase mobile app, and we're inclined to agree. It's similarly feature-packed without feeling overwhelming, and it's highly usable whether you're trying to check up on the accounts you already have or look into new ones. It isn't all that innovative, in our opinion, but it does most things right – and has the highest overall rating of any app on this list.
It's worth noting that the Wells Fargo app wasn't always top-tier material. It's undergone some pretty significant changes in the last few years and gone from an app we wouldn't have wanted to use as often to one we would like to open. It used to be more buggy and bloated than it is now, and the developers seem to stay on top of issues well by rolling out frequent updates and patches (and responses to many reviews). However, some users miss how powerful the previous version was since many features have been stripped away.
Make your money work harder with these top picks to maximize your savings.
Bank/Institution
APY
Annual Percentage Yield
Bonus Offer
Open Account
Bonus Offer
2026 AWARD WINNERBest Online Checking
5.0
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
4.00
%APY
With $0 min. balanceEarn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Limited-Time Offer: +0.70% boost on Savings APY to up to 4.00% for up to 6 months on new accounts2 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> + $50 or $300 Bonus with eligible direct deposit.1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> Terms apply.
Limited-Time Offer: +0.70% boost on Savings APY to up to 4.00% for up to 6 months on new accounts2 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> + $50 or $300 Bonus with eligible direct deposit.1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> Terms apply.
2026 AWARD WINNERBest Savings for Customer Service
5.0
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
3.30
%APY
With $0 min. balance21 <p class="">There is no minimum balance required to open your Account, to avoid being charged a fee, or to obtain the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) disclosed to you. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as advertised is accurate as of December 30, 2025. Interest rate and APY are subject to change at any time without notice before and after a High Yield Savings Account is opened. Interest Rate and APY of a Certificate of Deposit account is fixed once the account is funded.</p>
Consider these factors to help you choose the bank with the best mobile app:
Customer reviews: Be picky about which banking mobile app you go with and read a few reviews from real users to help you decide. While a mobile app rating of 3.5 out of 5 is above average, the best online banks tend to have ratings of 4 out of 5 or better.
Account benefits: Depending on what type of account you're looking at, you might want to prioritize banks with the best APYs, apps that'll help you build or repair your credit most, minimal checking fees, or something else.
Customer service: Especially if you do a lot of your banking from your phone, it's important to be able to get help when and how you need it. Many mobile banking apps offer helpful support features like live chat or automated chatbots to help you get or find answers to questions quickly, while others only offer phone, email, or secure message support.
Product/account variety: It's often more convenient to use multiple services from the same bank, so it's worth checking to see if a financial institution offers all the different products you need. You'll often be able to see and manage all of these from one mobile banking app.
Credit and net worth tools: A good banking app will let you dig deeper than just your bank accounts and balances, with reporting on broader aspects of your finances, like your credit, net worth, debt, and more. For example, many mobile banking apps have their own credit monitoring tools now to show you changes to your credit just about as soon as they're posted to your file.
What about mobile check deposit?
For anyone who enjoys mobile banking, mobile check deposit is a must. That said, this is commonplace for mobile banking apps today, so you shouldn't have a hard time finding this feature.
Banking apps that didn't make our list
SoFi®
Even though we feel strongly that SoFi has something truly special in its SoFi Checking and Savings account, we couldn't include SoFi in our top five banks with the best mobile app because it does get more negative reviews on Google Play. With a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars for Android users, its overall rating was on the lower side for this analysis.
However, it's worth noting that some user complaints aren't really based on the app itself despite being featured on the mobile app's review page. For example, one (who shall remain nameless) reported direct deposit issues not related to the app. Others, though, have valid and relevant gripes, like saying that the app's design is busy.
SoFi is a Member FDIC. It offers up to $250,000 of standard FDIC insurance for applicable accounts.5 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
AWARD WINNERBest Online Checking
SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit
Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.30% APY1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.2 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> FDIC Insured.5 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
Although Varo's mobile app ratings speak for themselves, and the online bank no doubt offers a great mobile banking experience, we didn't include it in the top mobile banking apps because it has far fewer ratings and downloads overall compared to the others on this list.
All that said, we'd still confidently recommend Varo to anyone looking for fee-free banking, since that's where this digital institution shines. It's also a particularly good choice if you've struggled with bad credit and/or are looking for second-chance checking since it caters to both of these crowds better than most.
Discover's mobile banking app is impressive, but it fell slightly short of the other apps we chose in our research because its overall rating-to-total-review ratio is a bit lower. That doesn't mean its app isn't great, though. We've used it and loved it, but it isn't quite as powerful and user-friendly as Chase, Bank of America, or Capital One's offerings, for example.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
Enjoy $400 as a new Chase checking customer
When you open a new Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities.22 <p>Offer not available to existing Chase checking customers, or those whose accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance within the last 3 years. You can receive only one new checking account opening related bonus every two years from the last coupon enrollment date and only one bonus per account. Coupon is good for one-time use. To receive the bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval; AND 2) Have your direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more made to this account within 90 days of coupon enrollment. Your direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government. Person to Person payments (such as Zelle®) are not considered a direct deposit. Micro-deposits do not qualify as a direct deposit for the bonus. Micro-deposits are small deposits, typically less than $1, that are sent to your account to verify it is the correct account. After you have completed all the above requirements, we'll deposit the bonus in your new account within 15 days. To receive this bonus, the enrolled account must not be closed or restricted at the time of payout. Eligibility may be limited based on account ownership. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT (or Form 1042-S, if applicable). Offer availability subject to change. Other Chase checking bonus offers may exist concurrently.</p> FDIC Insured. Offer valid through 4/15/2026.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
Bank of America Advantage Banking
Up to $500 cash offer. Click ‘Learn More' for more details. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
AWARD WINNERBest Online Checking
SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit
Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.30% APY1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.2 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> FDIC Insured.5 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
These banks provide fast and free mobile check deposit:
Chase: Funds are typically available by the next business day.
Bank of America: Funds are typically available by the next business day.
Capital One: Funds are typically available by the next business day.
Bottom line
Big banks and online or hybrid banks alike can offer high-quality mobile banking experiences. In fact, many banking apps today get the job done, and they seem to be only getting better. However, banks with the best mobile apps based on our analysis and customer reviews include Chase, Chime, Bank of America, Capital One, and Wells Fargo.
These banking apps stand out for being more intuitive and user-friendly than others, and they have the user ratings to back that up.
If these banking apps aren't quite right for you, explore other options with our list of the best banks.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
AWARD WINNERBest Online Checking
High APY of up to 4.00% on Savings (3.30% APY1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.2 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p>
Paycheck access up to 2 days early with direct deposit4 <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees3 <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p>
Streamlined savings and savings goals with Vaults
Access to a large ATM network23 <p>We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees may be incurred when using out-of-network ATMs. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.</p>
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All About Privacy does not include all offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
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