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Best online banks

We researched over 130 banks and credit unions to bring you the best 7 online banks.

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By

Cassidy Horton

Updated

Fact checked

The best online banks offer competitive interest rates, low fees and the digital tools you need to stay on top of your money and pay bills. For our best list, we researched over 130 banks and credit unions to find the best 7 online banks available today. This meant digging into factors like mobile apps, website interfaces and online features, as well as the bank’s overall product range, fees and minimum deposits to open.

7 best online banks

BankBest for…Recommended accountMore info
DiscoverMinimal feesDiscover Online Savings Account Go to site
on Discover's secure site
Quontic BankBest for CD ratesQuontic Bank CD Go to site
on Quontic Bank's secure site
SynchronySavingsSynchrony High Yield SavingsRead Review
Capital OneChecking accountsCapital One 360 CheckingRead Review
TIAA BankSmall businessesTIAA Bank Small Business Checking
Marcus by Goldman SachsHigh interest ratesMarcus by Goldman Sachs Online SavingsRead Review
AllyOnline banking overallAlly Bank Interest CheckingRead Review

A closer look at the top online banks

Discover logo

Go to site
on Discover's secure site

Discover

Best for minimal fees

Discover is the biggest online-only bank in the country. We’ve crowned it best online bank for minimal fees for one good reason — customers never pay fees for monthly maintenance, insufficient funds, expedited check or debit card deliveries, stop payment orders and more.
Pros
  • Special rewards. Checking account holders earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in eligible purchases each month.
  • Large ATM network. Discover is part of the Allpoint and MoneyPass networks, which gives you free access to over 60,000 ATMs nationwide.
  • Competitive APYs. Across the board, Discover has competitive APYs that consistently rank among the top in the industry.
Cons
  • Small line of products. You won’t find a lot of variety at Discover. The bank only offers one checking, one savings and one money market account. Plus, a small selection of CDs.
  • Difficult cash deposits. Discover has one branch located in Greenwood, Delaware. If you live outside of this area, you won’t be able to deposit cash.

Quontic Bank logo

Go to site
on Quontic Bank's secure site

Quontic Bank

Best for CD rates

While some banks may offer high CDs rates for one or two terms, Quontic Bank has consistently competitive APYs across all its CDs. Plus, you only need $500 to open an account, which is lower than opening deposits for CDs at other banks.

Pros
  • Competitive APYs. Enjoy 5.05% interest on six-month terms, 5.15% on one-year terms, 4.5% on two-year term, 4.4% on three-year terms, and 4.3% on five-year terms.
  • $500 opening deposit. Most banks require you to have at least $1,000 to open a CD, but you can get started with just $500 at Quontic Bank.
  • Automatic renewal. Once your CD matures, Quontic Bank will renew it for the same term at your current rate.
Cons
  • Fewer term options. Quontic Bank has CD terms ranging from six months to five years, but some banks have terms going all the way up to 10 years.
  • Early withdrawal penalties. As with most CDs, you’ll pay a penalty if you withdraw funds early — and you could lose some of your initial deposit if your penalty is higher than your earned interest.

Synchrony Bank logo

Read Review

Synchrony

Best for savings

Synchrony is an online-only bank offering competitive interest rates and unique perks like identity theft resolution services and travel discounts.
Pros
  • Strong APY. Earn 4.15% APY on your total balance with a High Yield Savings account.
  • Optional ATM card. Synchrony High Yield Savings account comes with an ATM card so you can withdraw cash from anywhere. If you use an out-of-network ATM, Synchrony reimburses up to $5 a month in fees.
  • Synchrony Perks program. As a Synchrony customer, you enjoy no monthly fees and special access to perks such as identity theft resolution services, discounts and more.
Cons
  • Difficult cash deposits. To deposit cash, you’ll need to get a money order and mail it to Synchrony.
  • Limited customer service. While most online banks have customer service hours on the weekends, Synchrony is only available on weekdays from 7 a.m. to midnight ET.

Capital One logo

Read Review

Capital One

Best for checking accounts

Capital One has a saving suite of online banking tools that allow you to pay bills online, make peer-to-peer transfers, mobile deposit checks, manage transactions and set up an Automatic Savings Plan for all your financial goals.

Pros
  • Earns interest. With a Capital One checking account, you’ll earn 0.1% on your total account balance.
  • No monthly fees. All of Capital One‘s checking accounts are free of monthly fees and can be opened with as little as $0.
  • Complimentary credit monitoring. Enroll in CreditWise and get the inside scoop on your credit score and how to improve it.
Cons
  • No 24/7 support. Some online banks offer 24/7 support via phone and chat, but Capital One‘s support window is daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Miscellaneous fees. The checking accounts are low on fees, but expect to pay $20 for overnight check deliveries, $25 for overnight card replacements and $25 for stop payment requests. Plus, you’ll pay a $9 fee if a check bounces due to insufficient funds — even with overdraft protection.
  • Only two accounts. Capital One aims for quality over quantity by only offering two personal checking accounts: one for adults and one for teens.

TIAA Bank logo

Read Review

TIAA Bank

Best for small businesses

TIAA Bank has a wide range of business bank accounts for commercial, nonprofit and small business use. The online banking platform goes way beyond simple cash management by giving you the tools and resources you need to stay organized.
Pros
  • Large ATM network. Use your business debit or ATM card to withdraw cash at over 80,000 ATMs in the Allpoint and MoneyPass networks for free.
  • Minimal fees. Some business accounts are completely are free of monthly fees while you can avoid others by meeting certain balance requirements.
  • Earns interest. Unlike other business checking accounts, most of TIAA Bank‘s accounts reward you with interest.
Cons
  • High opening deposits. You’ll need at least $1,500 to open a TIAA Bank business account.
  • Limited free transactions. Similar to other business accounts, there’s a cap on how many free transactions come with each account. If you go over that limit, you’ll pay a fee.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs logo

Read Review

Marcus by Goldman Sachs

Best for high interest rates

Marcus by Goldman Sachs is the online-only banking arm of Goldman Sachs. Its online banking platform emphasizes security and simplicity. Plus, all accounts have consistently high APYs and minimal fees.
Pros
  • Competitive interest rates. Enjoy a 4.15% APY on its high-yield online savings account and up to 4.75% APY on Marcus by Goldman Sachs CDs.
  • Security. This bank’s mobile app and online banking platform come with multi-factor authentication, SSL encryption, firewalls and more to help keep your money safe.
  • Daily customer service. Get help seven days a week by phone or live chat.
Cons
  • No ATM access. None of Marcus by Goldman Sachs’ accounts come with an ATM card, so you’ll have to transfer money to an external account before you can withdraw it.
  • No checking accounts. You won’t find any checking accounts here, so it may not be a good option if you’re wanting to keep all your banking under one roof.

Ally Bank logo

Read Review

Ally

Best overall

Ally takes the cake as best overall bank and best online bank for customer service thanks to its 24/7 phone and live chat support, transparent fees, easy account minimums and competitive APYs. You’ll find a wide range of products here, including checking, savings and CDs.
Pros
  • All accounts earn interest. No matter what account you open with Ally, you’ll earn a competitive interest rate on your total balance.
  • Minimal fees. Ally prides itself on transparency with its “Straight Talk Product Guide”. Every account is free of monthly fees, minimum deposit requirements and incoming wire fees.
  • Free security software. Ally keeps your money safe by giving every customer free security software and an online security guarantee.
Cons
  • No business accounts. Ally doesn’t offer any bank accounts for business owners.
  • Limited access. As with most online banks, Ally doesn’t accept cash deposits and its savings account doesn’t come with an ATM card, which may limit your ability to quickly access funds in your account.

How to choose the best online bank for you

When shopping around for the best online bank account, weigh factors like:

  • The website. Is it easy to navigate the bank’s website? Look out for speed, accuracy and convenience. After all, you’ll spend a good bit of your time managing your account online.
  • Range of products. Most people want to keep all their bank accounts under one roof so they’re easier to manage. If that’s you, explore the bank’s complete product line to see if there are multiple accounts that suit your needs.
  • Security and protection. Your bank should publish its security measures online, letting you know how it protects your sensitive information from hackers and phishing. Review this information to make sure your funds are guaranteed against cybercrime.
  • Range of features. The top banks allow you to check your balances, pay off bills and sign up for autopay, among other perks.
  • Financial literacy tools. Many banks offer general information and tools that can help you manage your finances, maximize your savings and budget for the future.
  • Customer service. A good online banking platform should offer phone support or live chat during business hours. Some even offer it 24/7.

Are online banks safe to use?

Yes, most banks are federally insured, which means they’re safe to use. You’d get all your money back if the bank were to fail or go under, typically up to $250,000.

What’s the difference between an online bank and a digital bank?

Online banks are built on traditional banking infrastructure, so they look and feel a lot like traditional accounts, but they have fewer fees and higher interest rates. Digital banks are built on brand new infrastructure, and often have more tech-forward features like early direct deposits and the ability to budget and save for certain goals directly in the mobile app.

Alternatives to online banks

If you’re thinking online banks aren’t for you, here are some alternatives to explore:

  • Prepaid cards. Prepaid cards work like debit cards, allowing you to make purchases and withdraw cash at an ATM. But unlike debit cards, you can’t overdraft with prepaid cards, making them a good option if you need to build good spending habits.
  • Digital banks. Unlike online banks, digital banks utilize new technology to create innovative banking solutions. A digital bank account can sync with your budget, analyze your spending habits and help you save automatically.
  • Mobile banking. Want to do all your banking without ever having to log in to your computer? There are several banks that have feature-rich mobile apps that help you manage your finances from anywhere in the world.

Compare accounts from online banks and traditional banks

We gathered a list of popular bank accounts and put them in this interactive table so you can quickly sort and compare your options by APY, minimum deposit to open, ATMs and more.

1 - 6 of 14
Name Product Fee Minimum deposit to open Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Offer
Chime Checking account
Finder Rating: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
Chime Checking account
$0 per month
$0
N/A
Save easily and access your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit. Pay $0 monthly fees, and no minimum balance is required. Access 24/7 support and get daily balance and transaction alerts. FDIC insured.
Go to site
View details
BMO Harris Smart Advantage™ Account
Finder Rating: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
BMO Harris Smart Advantage™ Account
$0 per month
$25
N/A
Get a $300 bonus when you open a new Smart Advantage account and have a cumulative total of $4,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits in the first 90 days.
Earn a $300 cash bonus after $4,000 deposits in the first 90 days. Pay $0 monthly fees and no minimum balance. Access a large nationwide network of free ATMs. Member FDIC.
Go to site
View details
Chase Total Checking®
Finder Rating: 3 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
Chase Total Checking®
$12 per month
(can be waived)
$0
N/A
New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a new Chase Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit.
Chase Total Checking® is easy to use and gives you access to 16,000 ATMs and more than 4,700 branches. It offers a $200 signup bonus to new Chase customers. Member FDIC.
Go to site
View details
PSECU checking account
Finder Rating: 4.4 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
PSECU checking account
$0 per month
$0
0.20%
Earn up to $300: $100 when you get a savings and checking account and activate your debit card with digital banking within 30 days. $100 with monthly payroll direct deposit of $200+ within 90 days. $100 when you maintain direct deposits for an additional 90 days. Select Level Up Your Banking to see terms and get the promo.
Earn a bonus and 5 or 10 cents in rewards on all eligible purchases. Pay $0 in monthly fees, no overdraft fees and get ATM fee reimbursements. NCUA insured.
Go to site
View details
US Bank Smartly Checking
Finder Rating: 3.3 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
US Bank Smartly Checking
$6.95 per month
(can be waived)
$25
N/A
Earn up to $400 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and a Standard Savings account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through June 20, 2023. Member FDIC.
Take control of your spending with integrated tools such as automated budgeting, upcoming due date alerts, low balance alerts and more, available in the US Bank Smartly Checking mobile app. Easily send and receive funds via Zelle. Waive overdraft fees by depositing money before the forgiveness deadline. Member FDIC.
Go to site
View details
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
Finder Rating: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
$0 per month
$50
3.30% on balances of $0 to $50,000
Earn up to a $100 welcome bonus when you apply for a new account using the promo code RC100 and direct deposit $1,500+ in a single month within the first 3 months. Offer expires on June 30, 2023.
Earn up to 3.3% APY after meeting deposit and spending requirements. Get ATM free reimbursements at all domestic ATMs. Pay $0 monthly or overdraft fees. FDIC insured.
Go to site
View details
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1 - 6 of 27
$
Name Product Account type Annual Percentage Yield (APY) FDIC or NCUA Insured Minimum balance to earn interest Minimum deposit to open Offer Estimated total balance
SoFi Checking and Savings
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
SoFi Checking and Savings
Traditional savings,Checking

4.20%

1.20%

$0
$0
Earn up to $250 with a qualifying direct deposit, terms apply. This offer is available until December 31, 2023.
$1,042
Go to site
View details
Western Alliance Bank High Yield Savings Account through SaveBetter
Finder Rating: 4.9 / 5: ★★★★★
Western Alliance Bank High Yield Savings Account through SaveBetter
Traditional savings

5.05%

$0
$1
$1,050.50
Go to site
View details
American Express® High Yield Savings Account
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
American Express® High Yield Savings Account
Traditional savings

4.00%

$1
$0
$1,040
Go to site
View details
Step
Finder Rating: 4.4 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
Step
Savings app

5.00%

$0.01
$0
Earn $1 for every person that joins using your unique link or code. They'll also get $1
$1,050
Go to site
View details
CIT Bank Platinum Savings
Finder Rating: 4 / 5: ★★★★★
CIT Bank Platinum Savings
Traditional savings

4.85%

0.25%

$0
$100
$1,048.50
Go to site
View details
Upgrade - Premier Savings
Finder Rating: 4.3 / 5: ★★★★★
Upgrade - Premier Savings
Traditional savings

4.81%

$1,000
$0
Upgrade to Rewards Checking and earn 2% cash back on common everyday expenses and recurring payments and unlimited 1% cash back on every other debit card charge2
$1,048.10
Go to site
View details
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Bottom line

Choosing the best online bank for your needs will ensure you’re able to manage your money with ease wherever life takes you. Consider these top picks and learn more about how online banking works so you know what to expect when you open and set up your account.

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