Banking Bank Reviews

Best Neobanks [2025]: Online Banks for an Online Age

Neobanks typically offer competitive APY rates, low fees, simple online access, and other perks and features that make them a popular, modern-day choice.

Updated July 3, 2025
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Some of the best neobanks include Chime®1, SoFi®, and Wealthfront2. While some of these companies might not be actual banks, they work with partner banks to offer a simple yet excellent banking experience through your phone.

Besides being based online, neobanks also prioritize low-cost banking. This typically means low or no monthly maintenance fees. Top it off with decent interest rates on your money in the form of higher-than-average annual percentage yields (APYs), and it's hard to see why you'd want to keep banking the old fashioned way.

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5.0
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2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

SoFi Checking and Savings Benefits

  • Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.80% APY3with +0.20% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with direct deposit. Terms Apply.4
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees5
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million6
Open an account with SoFi® here

How we evaluate products

Compare the best neobanks

Bank Best for Monthly maintenance fees Highest account APY
Chime®
Chime®
Mobile banking $0 7 1.25%8
SoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi®
No monthly maintenance fees5 $0 Up to 3.80% with direct deposits9
Wealthfront Cash Account
Wealthfront
Banking and investing in one place $0 4.00% 10
LendingClub
LendingClub
Checking account rewards $0 Up to 4.40%11
Varo
Varo
High APY $0 Up to 5.00% (as of 04/25/25) with direct deposits
GreenFi
GreenFi
Sustainable money management $0 to $7.99 Up to 3.00% (05/02/2025) on the first $10,000 with $500 or more spent in a month12
Ally Bank
Ally Bank
Saving for multiple goals $0 3.50%13

Chime®

Best for mobile banking

Pros
  • An APY of 1.25% for the Chime® Savings Account 14
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • Automatic saving options 15
  • Large fee-free ATM network 16
Cons
  • APY rates aren't as high as some competitors

Chime is a financial technology company that offers a refreshingly easy account sign-up process. In just a few minutes, you can complete and submit an application for a checking account. You can also choose to open an optional savings account. Both accounts have no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum balance requirements.

You can access over 50,000 ATMs fee-free with a debit card 17 that connects to your Chime® Checking Account. You can also take advantage of Chime's get paid early feature 18 by receiving direct deposits to your account.

Chime Savings Account offers an annual percentage yield of 1.25%. Plus, you can set up Round Ups where your debit card purchases get rounded up to the nearest dollar and added to your savings account.19

Visit Chime

… Or learn more in our Chime review.

4.6
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2025 award winner Best for Bad or No Credit

Chime® Checking1 - No Monthly Fees7 + Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit18
Checking Account. No minimum balance. FDIC Insured through The Bank Corp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.
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SoFi®

Best for no monthly maintenance fees

Pros
  • Up to 3.80% APY on your savings balance with direct deposits
  • No monthly fees
  • Up to $3 million in FDIC insurance6
Cons
  • No separate savings and checking options
  • Must activate direct deposit to earn the highest APY rate

SoFi® began as a student loan company but has since expanded into banking services. SoFi® automatically provides you with both checking and savings accounts when you sign up and qualify with its SoFi Checking and Savings product.

The SoFi savings account comes with a relatively high APY rate of up to 3.80% when you receive direct deposits, while the SoFi checking account earns an APY of 0.50% (as of 01/24/25) with direct deposits.9

SoFi® provides a slew of additional features when you bank with them. You'll pay no monthly maintenance fees, no ATM fees for in-network withdrawals20, and no overdraft fees21. SoFi is a Member, FDIC. 6

Visit SoFi®

… Or learn more in our SoFi® review.

5.0
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2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit
Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.80% APY3with +0.20% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with direct deposit. Terms Apply.4 FDIC Insured.6
Learn More

Wealthfront

Best for banking and investing in one place

Pros
  • An APY of 4.00%
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • Up to $5 million in FDIC insurance
  • Investing options are available
Cons
  • Wire transfers cost $10
  • Relatively small ATM network

Wealthfront offers a high-yield Cash Account, offering an APY rate of 4.00%. The best part? You don't need to meet any specific minimum to qualify for this rate.

On top of its high APY, Wealthfront has a few unique features that make it a unique option. For starters, you'll get up to $5 million in FDIC coverage via a network of member-FDIC banking partners, substantially higher than the standard $250,000 that banks typically offer.

Wealthfront also conveniently offers banking and investing options in one place, making it a good option for people who don't like to have their money spread between different platforms. While not as wide a range as other options, Wealthfront also gives you access to 19,000 fee-free ATMs. Finally, you'll get these features and more with no monthly maintenance fees.

Visit Wealthfront

… Or learn more in our Wealthfront review.

4.8
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2025 award winner Best for Large Deposits

Wealthfront Cash Account - 4.00% APY10
High Yield Cash Management Account. $1 minimum deposit. FDIC Insured.
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LendingClub

Best for checking account rewards

Pros
  • An APY of up to 4.40% on savings
  • Cash back on certain debit card purchases
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • ATM withdrawal fee rebates
Cons
  • APY up to 0.10% (as of 4/21/25) on your checking balance
  • Not all purchases are eligible for cashback rewards

LendingClub is one of the original peer-to-peer personal loan lenders that has grown to offer several products, including checking and savings accounts. LendingClub offers a High-Yield Savings Account that has an APY of up to 4.40%. This account has no monthly maintenance fees and offers unlimited withdrawals, compared to the six monthly withdrawals many savings accounts typically limit you to.

LendingClub also offers its Rewards Checking account, which helps you earn cash back on all qualifying purchases, with no limit on how much you can earn. Like its savings account, LendingClub's Rewards Checking has no monthly maintenance fees. Additionally, it offers ATM rebates for out-of-network ATMs.

Visit LendingClub

… Or learn more in our LendingClub review.

4.8
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Earn up to 4.40% APY
Earn up to 4.40% APY11when you open a new LevelUp Savings account and deposit $250+ per month. Member FDIC.
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Varo

Best for high APY

Pros
  • Up to 5.00% (as of 04/25/25) APY with direct deposits
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • Automatic round-ups available
  • Early payday options
Cons
  • The highest APY tier is limited to balances of $5,000 or less

Varo is a digital banking fintech company that offers online checking and savings accounts, both of which come with various useful features.

Varo offers modern-day conveniences, such as the ability to get paid early, a helpful mobile app, and an ATM network of over 40,000 fee-free ATMs. The Varo savings and checking accounts come with no monthly maintenance fees.

Varo's online savings account allows you to earn an APY up to 5.00% (as of 04/25/25), but only on balances of $5,000 or less. Balances above that limit still earn interest but at a lower APY rate.

Varo's savings account also offers you automatic round-ups. This feature automatically rounds up every debit card purchase you make to the nearest dollar and puts the difference into your savings account balance.

Visit Varo

… Or learn more in our Varo review.

GreenFi

Best for sustainable money management

Pros
  • An APY up to 3.00% (05/02/2025)12
  • Up to 6% cash back on qualifying purchases22
  • A tree is planted for every rounded-up purchase
  • FDIC insurance up to $2 million
  • Pay-what's-fair fee, even if it's $0
Cons
  • You'll only earn cash back with GreenFi's partners
  • Highest APY is limited to balances of $10,000 or less

GreenFi offers a unique banking solution, being the only bank in our list of the top neobanks to put a sustainable twist on banking.

GreenFi's Spend & Save account has two plans, GreenFi and GreenFi Plus, and comes with a debit card made from recycled plastic. This debit card offers up to 6% cash back on qualifying purchases you make with one of GreenFi's Conscience Coalition members, companies and retailers that focus on sustainability.

On top of that, a part of the monthly maintenance fee you pay goes towards charitable causes. As a GreenFi customer, you get to pick the fee you want to pay, even if it's $0.

However, the GreenFi Plus account has a predefined $7.99 monthly maintenance fee. If you spend at least $500 on this account's debit card each month, you'll qualify for up to 3.00% (05/02/2025) APY.

Visit GreenFi

… Or learn more in our GreenFi review.

4.3
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GreenFi - up to 3.00% (05/02/2025) APY and up to 6% Cash Back
Earn up to 3.00% (05/02/2025) APY12with GreenFi’s high-yield savings account and up to 6% cash back22on over 100 climate-friendly brands. No monthly fees on standard accounts, and no minimum balance fees. FDIC insured by Coastal Community Bank.23
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Ally Bank

Best for multiple savings goals

Pros
  • An APY of 3.50%
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • Savings buckets help you organize savings goals
  • 43,000 fee-free ATMs
Cons
  • Ally discloses some fees
  • No cash deposits

Ally Bank is another one of the fintech companies that offer online banking. Ally offers a High-Yield Savings Account and an Interest Checking Account. Its savings account comes with features that every avid saver would love, including an APY of 3.50% on all balances and access to savings buckets. These buckets allow you to organize your money based on specific goals. Plus, Ally gives you personal suggestions to help you grow your savings.

Ally's interest-bearing checking has no monthly maintenance fees while providing many useful features. This includes check deposits via its mobile app and access to money transfers via Zelle®. You can earn an APY of 0.10% (as of 05/02/25) on your checking account balance.

Visit Ally Bank

… Or learn more in our Ally Bank review.

How to choose the best neobanks

When looking for the best banks for your needs, you should narrow down your options based on the most important features you look for. Here are some of the main factors you should consider when picking the right option for you and your money:

  • Higher interest rates: High interest in the form of a competitive APY rate can boost your savings. Many savings accounts offered by neobanks can help Americans benefit from APY rates that are well above the national average.
  • Deposit and withdrawal features: You likely need a bank account that provides you with easy access to your cash through a debit card, ATMs, and checks. Make sure you find an account that offers these features and has a healthy network of available ATMs in your area. On the same note, if you need to move money to and from your savings account frequently, look for an account that has unlimited withdrawals.
  • User-friendly banking app: Many neobanks and financial service companies have strong mobile apps. Still, some have certain features others don't, like 24/7 customer support available in the app or the ability to lock and unlock your debit card right from the app.
  • Monthly fees: There are plenty of banks that don't require you to pay monthly service or maintenance fees, and the best features aren't solely reserved for expensive banks anymore.
  • Security: When you're using a mostly online-based bank, you want to know your money is safe. Any neobank worth working with should provide strong security measures to protect its customers.
  • Rewards: While rewards might not be at the top of your mind when looking for somewhere to store your money, they can be a bonus. These rewards often come in the form of cash back. Some accounts have certain limitations on these rewards, so make sure to dig deep during your research.

Featured Checking Accounts

5.0
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2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit
Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.80% APY3with +0.20% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with direct deposit. Terms Apply.4 FDIC Insured.6
Learn More
4.5
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2025 award winner Best Online Checking Account

Discover® Cashback Checking
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.24 No minimum deposit or balance. FDIC Insured.
Learn More
4.2
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Bank of America Advantage Banking
$300 bonus offer. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Click ‘Learn More' for more details.
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FAQs

Are neobanks safe?

While no bank or platform is 100% safe, neobanks typically offer a high level of security measures that can help put your mind to ease. Neobanks, just like other traditional banks, typically offer FDIC insurance on your deposits. Neobanks also use measures such as encryption, two-factor authentication, and biometric authentication to protect your personal and financial information.

Are neobank accounts real bank accounts?

Neobank accounts are typically real bank accounts, although they may be offered by a partner bank that works with the platform you use. For example, Chime itself is not a bank but partners with The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. to offer its checking and savings accounts.

What is the downside of a neobank?

The major downside of neobanks is that they don't have physical locations. For those looking for a personal touch to their banking, neobanks might not be the answer. Additionally, not all neobanks offer a full range of financial products and services that traditional banks provide, such as loans or mortgages. But for someone looking for banking services, this may not be a problem.

Bottom line

Neobanks provide many features that traditional banks offer, minus the brick-and-mortar locations. This helps neobanks offer higher APY rates, potential rewards, advanced mobile banking, and more.

Deciding which bank to choose can be overwhelming, but as long as you know what you're looking for in a bank, there's likely an option out there that will fit the bill. Explore more options in our list of the best online banks.

4.2
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Bank of America Advantage Banking Benefits

  • $300 bonus 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
  • Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC
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