Betterment Checking review
- Fee
- $0 per month
- Minimum deposit to open
- $0
Our verdict
A free mobile checking account with unlimited ATM reimbursements and cashback rewards.
The Betterment Checking account charges no monthly fee, has no minimum deposit requirement and offers unlimited ATM reimbursements worldwide. Plus, it earns anywhere from 3% to 20% cash back at participating retailers when you use your Betterment debit card. But the account is missing a few key banking features, such as the ability to write checks, perform wire transfers, or deposit cash.
Best for: Those looking for a free checking account with unlimited ATM reimbursements and cashback rewards.
Pros
-
No monthly fee
-
Up to 20% in cash back rewards
-
No minimum opening deposit
-
Unlimited ATM reimbursements worldwide
Cons
-
No check writing, wire transfers or cash deposits
-
$510 ATM withdrawal limit
-
$2,000 debit card and bank transfer limit
Who is Betterment Checking best for?
Given the lack of traditional banking features, Betterment Checking is best for those who want a digital banking app that allows for basic spending and debit card usage, while also allowing for cash back at select retailers. It also proves useful for frequent travelers: Betterment refunds all fees associated with ATM usage worldwide, including the conversion fee. This is a relatively rare find on a debit card as most banks typically charge this fee. Plus, it has a low 0% foreign transaction fee.
What makes Betterment Checking shine
The Betterment Checking account’s biggest asset is its overall lack of fees and requirements. There are no monthly fees, no minimum opening deposit requirements, and all ATM fees are reimbursed no matter where you’re using your debit card. Plus, there are also no overdraft fees. If you make a purchase with insufficient funds, Betterment alerts the vendor and the transaction is denied.
Cashback rewards
On top of a lack of fees, Betterment offers anywhere from 3% to 20% in cashback rewards when you use its debit card at any of its participating retailers. Rewards are deposited into your checking account up to 90 days after you’ve made a purchase. Valid offers are visible in the Earn rewards section of your Betterment account. In-store offers are applied automatically. But if you make an online purchase, you need to activate the offer on the Betterment app.
This rewards program is provided through Dosh, which works with more than 10,000 retailers to offer cash back opportunities. A few merchants that participate include:
- Walmart
- Asos
- Instacart
- Pizza Hut
- Proactiv
- Disney Plus
- Dunkin’
- GNC
- Backcountry
- Philosophy
- Ollie
- Sephora
- World Market
- The Honest Co.
- Thrive Market
- Finish Line
Each retailer and offer may have different limits on cash back earned, so carefully read the terms of each offer before making your purchase.
Where it falls short
The Betterment Checking account lacks a number of typical banking features, including the ability to write checks, offer cashier’s checks or money orders, perform wire transfers of any kind, and deposit cash at an ATM. The account is also saddled with rather low withdrawal limits: $510 limit on ATM withdrawals and a $2,000 limit for debit card and bank transfer transactions.
If you’re after an interest-bearing checking account with more ways to make deposits and withdrawals, compare other checking accounts before you decide.
Betterment Checking fees and access
| Type of fee | Fee details |
|---|---|
| Monthly service | $0 |
| Opening deposit | $0 |
| ATMs | Reimbursed worldwide |
| Debit card fees | None |
| Overdraft or nonsufficient funds | N/A |
| Wire transfers | N/A |
Betterment Checking customer experience
Betterment has few customer reviews online. It isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and it only has a handful of customer reviews on that organization’s website. On Trustpilot, Betterment has an average rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars based on one review.There have been a few discussions about Betterment on Reddit, with several customers noting the checking account is simple but effective at what it sets out to accomplish.
Email support@betterment.com or call 718-400-6898 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET to speak with Betterment customer support.
Compare Betterment Checking with other checking accounts
Narrow down top checking accounts by fees, minimum opening deposits and more to find the best account for your financial goals. Select Compare for up to four products to see their benefits side by side.
How do I deposit or withdraw my money?
Betterment doesn’t support cash deposits or wire transfers, but you can access your money by:Deposits
- Direct deposit
- Transfer from an external bank
- Mobile deposits for paper checks
Withdrawals
- ATM using your debit card
- Transfer to an external bank
- Cashback at a retailer
Checking account ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We analyze top checking accounts and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include: monthly fees, the ease at which monthly fees can be waived, the breadth of ATM access, ATM and overdraft fees, and customer service.
Betterment Checking is not currently available on Finder
Have you considered SoFi Checking and Savings?
Earn up to 4.60% APY on savings by meeting deposit requirements, and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Members without deposit requirements will earn 0.50% APY on both savings and checking balances. Turn on automatic savings or use the Roundups feature to help you reach your savings goals faster. Get up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance through a network of participating banks.
- 0.50% APY on checking balance
- Up to 4.60% APY on savings
- $0 account or overdraft fees
- Get a $300 bonus with direct deposits of $5,000 or more
Your reviews
Cassidy Finder
Writer
Hi there, looking for more information? Ask us a question.
You are about to post a question on finder.com:
- Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
- finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
- We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
- Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked
Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our finder.com Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
