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N26 app and debit card review

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Cassidy Horton
Last updated:  

Skip visits to the bank and control your money from an app.

finder.com’s rating: 4.5 / 5.0

★★★★★

N26 is a digital bank that launched its first checking account in the US in July 2019. It has unique perks like a cashback debit card and money management tools. But it doesn’t earn interest and ATM reimbursements are limited.

$0 per month

Fee

N/A

APY

$0

Minimum deposit to open

Details

APYN/A
Fee$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open$0
ATMsFee-free ATM withdrawals at Allpoint ATMs
ATM transaction fee$2
ATM fee rebates$0 fee on first 2 ATM withdrawals
Out-of-network ATM fee$0
Foreign transaction fee2%
Nonsufficient funds fee$0
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Review by

Cassidy Horton is a writer for Finder, specializing in banking and kids’ debit cards. She’s been featured on Legal Zoom, MSN, and Consolidated Credit and has a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University. When not writing, you can find her exploring the Pacific Northwest and watching endless reruns of The Office.

Expert review

N26, a digital bank headquartered in Germany, is best for those who like to manage and budget their funds all in one place. It goes beyond checking accounts as it also provides budgeting tools and statistics to help you analyze your spending. As an N26 user, you can also create subaccounts for all your savings goals, eliminating the need to have multiple bank accounts.

But the account doesn’t earn any interest and you only get two refunds a month for non-network ATMs.

How do I open an N26 account?

Open an N26 account online using these steps:

  1. Click Apply now.
  2. From the N26 website, click Open an account.
  3. Select your country of residency and click Get started.
  4. Fill in your personal information including your name, email address and birthdate, then click Continue.
  5. Enter your phone number and click Continue.
  6. Enter your mailing address and click Continue.
  7. Enter your Social Security number and click Continue.
  8. Follow the prompts to verify your identity and create your account.

Eligibility

Open an N26 account in the US when you meet these requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • Valid Social Security number
  • US residential address

Required information

You’ll need this information when you open your account:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Home address
  • Government-issued ID
  • Social Security Number

Video: Alex Weber, head of international markets, on why N26 is different – December 2018

Compare N26 to similar accounts

We gathered a quick comparison of similar accounts to help you decide if N26 is right for you. For more options, select “Compare accounts” to compare even more accounts for your spending needs.

Aspiration Spend & Save Account

★★★★★

Finder Rating: 3.8 / 5

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Fee

From $0 per month

APY

1.00% on balances of $0 to $10,000 but you’ll need to be enrolled in Aspiration Plus and make at least $1,000 in debit card purchases a month
0.10% on balances of $10,000+

Minimum deposit to open

$10

ATM network

55,000 free in-network ATMs

Is N26 safe?

The app itself has a three-tier security procedure protecting your account and transactions. Your account can only be paired to one smartphone at a time, you must log in to your account using your password or fingerprint, and you must verify all online and offline transactions with your PIN.

N26 also offers a Bug Bounty program that offers cash rewards to encourage security researchers to track down bugs or vulnerabilities and it is FDIC-insured through its partner bank, Axos Bank.

What are the benefits of N26?

N26 has app-based, so you control your accounts from your smartphone. Unique features include:
  • Large ATM network. Use your N26 debit card for free at over 55,000 AllPoint ATMs worldwide.
  • In-app security. Set and change daily spend/withdrawal limits, reset your PIN, lock or unlock your card and enable or disable online or foreign payments.
  • Budgeting. Get automatic breakdowns of your purchases by category and put your money into sub-accounts so you don’t accidentally spend it.
  • Early direct deposits. Receive direct deposits up to two days in advance with N26.
  • Cashback on subscriptions. Earn cashback when you use your N26 card for subscription services like Booking.com, Lime, Headspace, Babbel, Curology, Headout and more.
  • Cashback on purchases. You can also earn cashback every 15 days when you use your N26 debit card at shops, restaurants, hotels and gas stations that participate in this bank’s rewards program.

What should I look out for?

Although N26 has some unique perks, there are a few drawbacks to watch out for, including no bank branches:

  • No interest. This account doesn’t earn any interest, so it’s not ideal for those who need a savings account.
  • Limited product selection. Currently N26 only offers a checking account for US customers, so you won’t find any savings accounts here.
  • Limited ATM reimbursements. N26 reimburses up to two non-network ATM fees a month. But several banks offer unlimited reimbursements. Expect to pay $2 for non-network ATM withdrawals over the monthly limit
  • Surcharge for foreign currency withdrawals. Expect to pay a 2% fee when you withdraw money at a foreign ATM.

If you prefer a traditional checking account, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when looking for a checking account.

N26 ATM network and fees

N26 uses the AllPoint ATM network, which gives you have free access to over 55,000 ATMs worldwide. You’ll get reimbursed for two non-network ATM fees a month. But you’ll pay $2 for non-network withdrawals over this limit.

How does N26 compare to the competition?

How do I deposit or withdraw my money?

There are seven ways to access money in your N26 account.

Deposits

  • Direct deposit
  • ACH transfer
  • Debit card transfer
  • Venmo, Paypal or CashApp transfer

Withdrawals

  • ATM using your debit card
  • Venmo, Paypal or CashApp transfer
  • ACH transfer

Is N26 safe?

Yes, N26 is safe. Funds held in your account are FDIC insured through Axos Bank. N26 uses bank-grade encryption to protect your sensitive information and you can use app features like discrete mode, instant notifications, biometric login and more to secure your account.

Frequently asked questions

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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.

Read the full methodology of how we rate checking accounts.

Image source: supplied, photographer: N26

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