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Dave Banking account review

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Dave
4.2
★★★★★
Finder score
Fee
$1 per month
APY
N/A

Summary

Offers cash advances, no overdraft fees and automatic budgeting — but right now there’s a waitlist.

finder.com's rating: 4.2 / 5.0

★★★★★

Dave Banking is a mobile-only deposit account aimed at helping young savers build their credit, prevent overdrafts and learn to budget. But prospective new account holders are waitlisted.

Pros

  • No fees
  • No overdrafts
  • Interest-free cash advance

Cons

  • Membership fee
  • No joint accounts
  • Limited product offerings

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How do I open a Dave Banking account?

Waitlist for a Dave Banking account using the following four steps:

  1. Go to the provider’s site and follow the steps to apply.
  2. From the Dave banking website, download the official Dave app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
  3. Click Sign up for Dave.
  4. Follow the prompts to go through Dave‘s tutorial and set up notifications.
  5. Connect an existing bank account.
  6. Click the Banking tab at the bottom of the screen and click Join Waitlist.

Eligibility

  • At least 18 years old
  • Government-issued ID
  • US resident
  • Social Security number

Required information

  • Legal name
  • US address
  • Social Security or Tax Identification number
  • Date of birth
  • Government-issued ID number

What are the benefits of a checking account with Dave?

In addition to FDIC-insured deposits through Evolve Bank & Trust and its thousands of positive reviews in the Apple Store and Google Play, Dave has the following perks:

  • Interest-free cash advance. In a pinch for cash? Get an advance from your next paycheck up to $200.
  • No overdrafts. Dave uses AI technology to predict how much money you have left once bills are paid. If you’re going to overspend, Dave notifies you and offers an interest-free cash advance if needed.
  • No fees. No minimum balance requirements, overdraft fees or ATM fees — even at non-network ATMs.
  • Digital features. Freeze your debit card and send a paper check straight from your mobile app.
  • Credit-building features. Boost your credit with CreditPop, a Dave partner that helps you report rent payments to major credit bureaus.
  • Automatic budgeting. Dave creates an automatic budget based on past expenses.
  • Side-hustle helper. Dave helps you earn extra cash through its partnerships with SurveyJunkie, Doordash, Lyft, Rover, Airbnb and other companies.

Dave‘s ATM network and fees

Dave is part of the MoneyPass ATM network, which gives account holders access to over 32,000 ATMs nationwide. You can use non-network ATMs for free, but you may be subject to service-provider charges.

What should I look out for?

In addition to its waitlist, before you open an account with Dave, watch out for the following drawbacks:
  • New. Dave rolled out its checking account in June 2019, so the product is relatively young.
  • No joint accounts. Only one person can manage the checking account.
  • Membership fee. You’ll pay $1 a month for Dave, but you can earn a free monthly membership if you shop at qualifying merchants based on your location.
  • Limited product offerings. Not ideal for those who want a savings account or other services.

Compare to other checking accounts

Name Product Fee Minimum deposit to open Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Offer
BMO Smart Advantage Checking
Finder Rating: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
BMO Smart Advantage Checking
$0 per month
$25
N/A
Earn a $400 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days.
Earn a $400 cash bonus after $4,000 deposits in the first 120 days. Pay $0 monthly fees and no minimum balance. Access a large nationwide network of free ATMs. Member FDIC.
Cash Card by Cash App
Finder Rating: 4.4 / 5: ★★★★★
Cash Card by Cash App
$0 per month
$0
N/A
The Cash App Cash Card lets you pay for goods and services both online and in stores using your Cash App balance. Enjoy features like ATM access, direct deposit, instant discounts at select stores and a customizable card.
Chime Checking account
Finder Rating: 4.8 / 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.
Revolut
Finder Rating: 4.8 / 5: ★★★★★
Revolut
From $0 per month
$0
4.25% on balances of $0+
3.25% on balances of $0+
Use Revolut Premium for three months for $0 when you sign up for Revolut. Just make one qualifying transaction with your Revolut card during the promotion period. Terms and conditions apply.
Revolut is a global fintech that offers up to 40% off international transfers.
SoFi Checking and Savings
Finder Rating: 4.5 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
SoFi Checking and Savings
$0 per month
$0
4.60% on balances of $0+
0.50% on balances of $0+
1.20% on balances of $0+
Get up to $250 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until December 31, 2023.
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.
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How do I deposit or withdraw my money?

Deposits

  • Direct deposit
  • Mobile check deposit through the mobile app
  • Direct transfer from another bank

Withdrawals

  • ATM using your debit card
  • Cash back at a merchant
  • Transfer to another bank

What other checking options does Dave offer?

Dave only offers the Dave Banking account.

Bottom line

If you’re brand new to banking and looking for a no-fee challenger bank that helps you budget and manage funds, Dave is a solid option. But if you need a checking account now or are looking for one that offers more banking products, shop around for other accounts before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

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Read the full methodology of how we rate checking accounts.

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