The 6 Best Online Banks for May 2024

Reviewed by JeFreda R. BrownFact checked by Sabrina Karl

The best online bank according to our overall rating is Ally Bank. Not only does it offer a wide range of banking and investment services—as well as helpful customer tools—but it also pays some of the highest interest rates in the country and charges relatively few fees.

Depending on your financial situation, you may prefer a different bank. Below, you’ll find banks to help grow your savings, banks with student-friendly features, and banks that are ideal for travelers and couples who want to open an account together. Be aware that not all of the banks below offer great rates on deposit accounts—if you’re looking for the highest APY you can get, explore the best high-yield savings accounts and remember that you can always open a high-yield account in addition to accounts from the banks below.

Investopedia defines online banks as financial institutions that operate primarily or even solely online, generally with no physical branches. These include some of the largest banks in the country. We reviewed 19 of the top options and collected nearly 500 data points—comparing rates, account features, fees charged, minimum deposit requirements, and more—to determine which banks take the best care of you and your money.

Best Online Bank Overall: Ally Bank

• Monthly maintenance fees: None
• APY: 4.20% for savings, 0.10% to 0.25% for checking
• ATM network: No fees at Allpoint ATMs, up to $10/month refunded for others
• Products offered: Checking, savings, money market, CDs, investment services, loans, and retirement accounts

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Why We Chose It

Ally Bank wins the overall category for best online banks because of its generous rates, minimal fees, and user-friendly budgeting features that make it easy to manage your money. This bank also offers a wide array of products, from checking and savings to investing and loans.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High rate on checking and savings

• No monthly maintenance fees

• No minimum balance requirements

• Banking, investing, and lending products

Cons

• No ATM card with savings account

• No cash deposits

• No physical branches

Products and Features We Like

Ally Bank offers a little bit of everything and still manages to do it well, which is why it takes the cake for the best online bank. Both the checking and savings accounts offer an APY that’s well above market average, and the rates on CDs and money market accounts are also generous. Plus, you won’t have to pay any monthly maintenance fees on any accounts, and you don’t have to maintain a minimum balance to earn interest.

In addition to checking and savings products, Ally Bank also offers a whole suite of investment and lending products, which is rare for online banks. These include managed investment portfolios, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), trading, mortgage loans, mortgage refinancing, auto loans, and personal loans. Both the website and mobile app are easy to navigate and offer plenty of helpful additional features, such as the ability to create “savings buckets” to better organize your funds.

Ally has no physical branches, so online banking is your only option. You also can’t deposit cash to any of Ally’s accounts, and the savings account doesn’t offer an ATM card. This means it can take 1 to 3 days to get your money unless you have a Ally checking account as well.

Read the full Ally Bank review.

Bank Details

Based in Utah, Ally Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ally Financial, which is headquartered in Michigan. Ally Bank was rebranded from GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corporation) in 2010, with its FDIC membership reaching back to 2004.

Best Online Bank for Savings: Synchrony Bank

• Monthly maintenance fees: None
• APY: 4.75% for savings
• ATM network: No fees at Plus and Accel ATMs, up to $5/month refunded for others
• Products offered: Savings, money market, CDs, and credit cards

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Why We Chose It

With high yields and no monthly maintenance fees for savings accounts, it’s hard to beat Synchrony Bank.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High APY

• No monthly maintenance fees

• No minimum balance requirements

• ATM card and up to $5 ATM reimbursements per statement

Cons

• No checking account

• Outgoing wire transfer fee

• No physical branches

Products and Features We Like

Synchrony Bank’s High Yield Savings account consistently offers one of the highest APYs out there without charging monthly fees or requiring any minimum balance, earning it the prize for best savings account. The bank’s app is easy to use and allows for mobile check deposits.

You’ll also get an ATM card with your Synchrony savings account for easy access to your funds. On top of free in-network ATMs, Synchrony will reimburse you for up to $5 per statement in out-of-network ATM fees. Because it has an ATM network, you can do ATM deposits in addition to direct deposits, electronic transfers, and mobile deposits to fund your account.

Synchrony does charge a $25 outgoing wire transfer fee, which isn’t out of the ordinary. But some of the other best online banks don’t charge that. It doesn’t offer a checking account either, but since you can get an ATM card with your savings account, that isn’t really necessary.

Read the full Synchrony Bank review.

Bank Details

Based in Utah, Synchrony Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Synchrony Financial, which is headquartered in Connecticut. Synchrony Bank has been an FDIC member since 1988.

Best Online Bank for Students: Capital One

• Monthly maintenance fees: None
• APY: 2.50% for youth savings, 0.10% for checking
• ATM network: No fees at 70,000 Capital One, MoneyPass, and Allpoint ATMs
• Products offered: Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans, and retirement accounts

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Why We Chose It

Capital One offers online a full range of products that include some great account options for young adults who want minimal fees, no balance requirements, and the ability to easily receive money from parents, making them the best pick for students.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fee-free checking and savings

• No minimum balance for checking or savings

• Option for parent-teen joint account

• Up to $15 per statement in ATM fee reimbursements

Cons

• Not the highest APY

• No checks with teen checking

• Branch locations not present in every state

Products and Features We Like

Capital One offers an interesting hybrid model of being an online bank with some physical branch locations called “Capital One Cafés.” Students looking to learn more about personal finance can grab a coffee in one of these cafés and get free one-on-one money coaching, providing a little bit of what brick-and-mortar banks can provide that online banks typically don’t.

This bank also has several banking products geared toward young adults, which is why we chose it for students. The MONEY Teen Checking account is completely free with no balance requirements, and teens can open a joint account with their parents, who can then easily deposit money in their accounts through the Capital One app. The account does have some transaction limits and parental controls, but those can be lifted once you turn 18.

Capital One also offers a 360 Performance Savings account that’s completely free and earns a competitive rate. The mobile app is easy to use and lets you deposit checks, process transfers, and track your saving progress on-the-go. Finally, the Journey Student Rewards credit card is a great way for students to build credit. It has lenient credit requirements, no annual fee, and earns cash back rewards.

Read the full Capital One Bank review.

Bank Details

Based in Virginia, Capital One is the eighth largest U.S. bank by deposits. It became an FDIC member in 1934.

Best Online Bank for Checking: Discover

• Monthly maintenance fees: None
• APY: 0% for checking (1% cash back), 4.25% for savings
• ATM network: No fees at 60,000 Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs
• Products offered: Checking, savings, money market, CDs, and retirement accounts

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Why We Chose It

Discover’s checking account comes with absolutely no fees and a debit card that earns rewards, which is rare. This, plus a network of over 60,000 ATMs in the U.S., make it the best choice for checking.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No monthly maintenance fees

• No minimum balance requirements

• No overdraft fees

• Free cash rewards debit card

Cons

• Doesn’t earn interest

• No cash deposits

• No physical branches

Products and Features We Like

Discover is one of few truly fee-free banks, making it the best option for your checking account. In addition to not charging monthly maintenance fees or requiring any minimum balance, this account doesn’t charge overdraft fees, card replacement and expedited delivery fees, outgoing wire transfer fees, or check order fees either.

There will be no interest earned on this checking account, but it does come with a free cash back rewards debit card, and you’ll probably earn more that way anyway. Account holders get 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in purchases every month. Max that out, and you’ll be getting $360 per year, which is about as good as it gets for a debit card. Discover also offers a high-yield savings account.

The Discover mobile app makes it easy to deposit checks through your phone and transfer money through Zelle. You won’t be able to make cash deposits, even through the network of 60,000 U.S. ATMs.

Read the full Discover Bank review.

Bank Details

Discover Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Discover Financial, which is headquartered in Illinois. Discover Bank became an FDIC member in 1934.

Best Online Bank for Travelers: Charles Schwab

• Monthly maintenance fees: None
• APY: 0.48% for savings, 0.45% for checking
• ATM network: Unlimited fee reimbursements for any ATM worldwide
• Products offered: Checking, savings, home loans, and investment services

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Why We Chose It

Charles Schwab might be the only bank to offer a checking account that charges no transaction fees, no monthly maintenance fees, and gets you unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide, essentially offering completely fee-free ATMs. This makes it perfect for travelers, particularly those who travel overseas.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No monthly maintenance fees

• No minimum balance requirements

• Unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide

• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• No cash deposits

• Low APY compared to other options

Products and Features We Like

Charles Schwab is primarily known for the investment services it offers, but it’s also one of the best online banks, especially for jet-setters who want to avoid fees while overseas. A Schwab Bank Investor Checking account is completely free, and you won’t get charged foreign transaction fees while abroad. Plus, you’ll get unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide and a modest APY.

While the checking account is where this bank shines for travelers, it does offer a Schwab Bank Investor Savings account as well. The rate isn’t anything special, so you might want to keep larger savings balances elsewhere. That said, it’s a free savings account with no minimum balance requirements, so it doesn’t hurt to open one alongside your checking account.

In addition to checking and savings, Schwab also offers a long list of brokerage, trading, investment, and retirement products. If you live abroad, Schwab even has professional services to help you figure out how to invest from wherever you’re located. Plus, its website has a 24/7 live chat, so you don’t have to worry about making international calls if you have an issue.

Read the full Charles Schwab review.

Bank Details

Charles Schwab Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Charles Schwab Corporation. Both are based in Texas. Charles Schwab Bank has been an FDIC member since 2003.

Best Online Bank for Couples: Axos Bank

• Monthly maintenance fees: None
• APY: Up to 0.61% for savings, up to 3.30% for checking
• ATM network: No ATM fees from Axos, and other banks’ ATM fees refunded
• Products offered: Checking, savings, money market, CDs, loans, and investment services are offered

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Why We Chose It

Axos offers some of the best rates on the market for both checking and savings, especially if you have a higher balance and more frequent transactions. This makes it great for couples who are combining funds into one joint account and want to make the most of their money.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No minimum balance requirements

• No monthly maintenance fees

• Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements

• Multiple checking and savings options

Cons

• $50 minimum deposit to open Rewards Checking

• $250 to open High-Yield Savings

• Minimum transaction requirements to earn APY on checking

• Low CD rates

• No physical branches

Products and Features We Like

If you and your partner are looking to combine finances into a joint account, look no further than Axos Bank. The Rewards Checking account offers one of the highest APYs of any checking account out there to folks who can meet its balance and transaction requirements, and if you’ve got two people on the account, you’re more likely to hit those marks. 

To get the full 3.30% APY, you’ll need to receive at least $1,500 in direct deposits and complete at least 10 debit card transactions per month, have an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Managed Portfolios Account, have an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account, and use the account to make monthly payments on Axos’ mortgages, personal loans, or auto loans.

This account doesn’t charge any fees, and you’ll get unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements. Plus, the app lets you and your partner sync all your different financial accounts to one place and even analyze your spending behavior as a couple, making it one of the best online banks for joint accounts.

Read the full Axos Bank review.

Bank Details

Based in California, Axos Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Axos Financial, which is headquartered in Nevada. Axos Bank has been an FDIC member since 2000.

Final Verdict

Some online banks are better for checking, others for savings, and others for loans or investing. The best online banks can do it all—and Ally Bank does, consistently offering some of the highest rates on completely fee-free accounts.

This, plus useful extras like the savings buckets and savings booster features, make it the best overall bank. You can use Ally Bank as a one-stop online shop for all your financial needs, whether you’re looking to bank, borrow, or invest, and know you’re always getting a good deal.

Compare the Best Online Banks

Company	Types of Accounts	ATMs	APY
Ally Bank Best Overall	Checking, Savings, CDs, Money Market, Investing, Retirement	No fees at 43,000 Allpoint ATMs, and up to $10 reimbursed per statement cycle for fees incurred at other ATMs	4.20% for savings, 0.10-0.25% for checking
Synchrony Bank Best for Savings	Savings, Money Market, CDs, Retirement, Credit Cards	Free access at any ATM displaying the Plus or Accel logos, both in the U.S. and abroad. For fees incurred at other ATMs, up to $5 reimbursed per statement cycle.	4.75% for savings, no checking
Capital One Best for College Students	Checking, Savings, CDs, Credit Cards	No fees at 70,000 Capital One, MoneyPass, and Allpoint ATMs	2.50% youth for savings, 0.10% for checking
Discover Best for Checking	Checking, Savings, CDs, Money Market, Retirement, Credit Cards	No fees at 60,000 Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs	0% for checking (1% cash-back), 4.25% for savings
Charles Schwab Best for Travelers	Checking, Savings, CDs, Investing, Retirement	Unlimited fee reimbursements for any ATM worldwide	0.48% for savings, 0.45% for checking
Axos Bank Best for Couples	Checking, Savings, CDs, Money Market, Investing	Axos does not charge any ATM fees, and it will reimburse all domestic ATM fees imposed by other banks.	Up to 0.61% for savings, up to 3.30% for checking

In the News

In the News:

The Fed held rates steady for a sixth consecutive time at its meeting the concluded May 1. The 5.25% to 5.50% range is the highest the federal funds rate has been since 2001, and Fed officials noted in their statement that there has been a lack of progress toward the committee’s goal of lowering inflation. With consumer prices showing a 3.5% inflation rate in March, Fed officials don’t foresee reducing their benchmark rate until they’re confident inflation is moving toward 2%.

Deposit account rates, especially at online banks, closely follow the fed funds rate. As a result, the best high-yield savings account rates, as well as the best CDs, are paying at or near 20-year highs. But once it appears the Fed is ready to make a rate cut, savings and CD rates are expected to begin falling.

What is Online Banking and How Does it Work?

Online banking simply refers to using a mobile app or desktop computer to access your account and conduct transactions. Since online banks don’t operate physical branches, internet banking is often the only way customers can interact with their bank.

When you open a new account, you’ll be prodded to set up a username and a password, allowing you, and only you, to securely enter the bank’s online customer site. You’ll then be able to use those login credentials to access online banking service anytime you want, such as to check a balance, download a statement, transfer funds, or set up bill payment.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Online Banks?

Online banks offer both benefits and drawbacks, just like any other type of financial institution. Below are some of the top pros and cons to consider when comparing online banks to other banks and credit unions.

Pros

• Tend to offer higher interest rates

• Usually charge fewer and lower fees

• Often provide a good online interface

Cons

• No way to visit the bank in person

• May provide a more limited menu of products and services

• Depositing cash may not be possible

Advisor Insight

Looking for a business account? See the best business bank accounts to explore your options.

Online Banks vs. Traditional Banks

Traditional banks operate brick-and-mortar locations, giving customers the option to visit a branch to conduct their banking business in person. The biggest of these—like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, and U.S. Bank—staff and maintain hundreds of physical branches in multiple states.

Online banks, in contrast, operate primarily, or even exclusively, online. While a rare few may have some branch locations, the vast majority offer no physical branches at all, making it possible to do all of your banking without going to a bank at all.

Because online banks don’t have the overhead costs of operating, maintaining, and staffing brick-and-mortar locations, online banks tend to charge fewer and lower fees (the best online banks charge no fees). They also often offer higher interest rates on your savings. That said, you won’t always get the whole suite of financial services—such as mortgages, personal loans, and retirement—that you can find at traditional banks.

As you can see, for those wanting a very traditional, full-service experience from a bank, including the ability to walk in and deposit cash, a traditional bank may offer the right fit. But for those looking to maximize their financial resources by earning more on the savings and reducing what they pay in bank fees, online banks offer a strong advantage.

What You Need to Know

“I was an early adopter of online banking, opening my first internet bank account more than 20 years ago. My husband and I were saving for a house at that time, and I saw the opportunity to earn a much higher rate on my savings with the online banking options than I could get from our local banks. In all the years since, we’ve always had at least one online bank account, and often more than one. A pro tip for making this work well is to always have one local banking relationship as well. We have a long-standing account at a credit union in my city, so that if I need to deposit cash or withdraw a large amount of cash, I always have an option to handle that transaction in person.” – Sabrina Karl, Staff Writer, Investopedia Financial Products & Services

How To Choose an Online Bank

Choosing the best online bank is all about finding the right features for your needs. Here are some considerations:

• Rates: A smart strategy for finding the best checking account, savings account, or CD is to start with those offering the highest interest rates possible, enabling you to make the most out of your money. Opt for banks that offer a high annual percentage yield (APY) compared to competitors.
• Monthly fees: Monthly maintenance fees are the most common, and they add up quickly. Now that there are so many free bank accounts, there’s no reason to go with one that charges a monthly fee.
• ATM fees: If you’re getting an account that comes with an ATM card, make sure it doesn’t charge ATM fees. You might still see ATM fees charged by other institutions making out-of-network ATM transactions, but the best online banks now offer ATM fee rebates as well.
• Other fees: Overdraft fees and foreign transaction fees are two other big ones to avoid. Several of the best online banks don’t charge overdraft fees. You can also find checking accounts with no foreign transaction fees, which is important if you travel internationally. Be sure to read the terms and conditions.
• Minimum balance requirements: Some bank accounts require a minimum monthly balance to keep your account open, while others require one to avoid fees. The best online banks have no minimum balance requirements—that way, you never have to worry about keeping your balance at a certain number.
• Early paycheck deposit: Some banks offer the ability to access your paycheck up to two days early. So instead of waiting until payday to use your money, banks with this customer-friendly feature make those funds available much sooner. In addition to paychecks, it may also apply to other regular and recurring deposits, such as monthly social security payments.
• Bill pay: If you want to pay bills directly from your online account, look for accounts that offer a bill pay service. Also notice if it will let you pay as many bills as you want each month, or if there is a cap to its bill pay service.
• Mobile access: Assuming you want to be able to interact with your account via mobile device, check that the bank you’re considering offers a full-service app. Not only will you want to be able to check account balances, but you may want full mobile banking services that allow you to set up transfers and pay bills.
• Types of accounts: If you want to do all your banking in one spot, you need a bank that offers it all. While it can be a little less convenient, holding different accounts at different online banks can help you get the best deals. For example, you could open a checking account with the best online bank for checking, but keep some money in a savings account at another bank that offers a higher APY.

Important

Online banks are just as safe as physical banks, as long as you make sure you’re dealing with an FDIC-insured institution. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, “if your FDIC-insured bank fails, the FDIC will protect you against the loss of your insured deposit amount whether the bank is brick and mortar or online-only.”

FDIC-member banks will always have the FDIC logo or the words “Member FDIC” on their website. But to be absolutely certain, the FDIC recommends entering the bank name into the FDIC BankFind tool, which provides details on every FDIC-insured bank.

How to Open an Online Bank Account

One of the notable advantages of online banks is that they are generally easy to interact with from the comfort of your home. Even getting started with a new account can be done via your computer or smartphone. Here are the basic steps:

1. Visit the bank’s website – Visit the bank’s website and locate a button or link that says “Open an Account” or “Apply Now”.
2. Complete your application – Follow the online instructions to provide your personal information—such as physical address, social security number, email address, mobile phone number, and so forth.
3. Indicate the account(s) you want – You’ll then need to answer some questions about the account(s) you want to open, and the features you want (such was whether or not you’d like a debit card).
4. Prove your identity – You’ll also be presented with a set of questions used to determine if you are who you say you are, and may additionally be prompted to verify your phone number with a code sent to you via text message.
5. Put money in the account – Once the application is completed, the last step is usually to fund the account. Sometimes a minimum initial deposit is required, other times it is not. If you opt to fund the account at the time of account opening, you’re usually offered the option of transferring funds from another bank account via ACH. Only some institutions will allow you to make the initial deposit with a debit or credit card.

When your application process is complete, you may be provided with your new account number and be able to interact with your account right away. Or you may need to wait a day or two to receive confirmation that the account has been opened and how to establish your online banking credentials.

Alternatives to Online Banks

An online bank can be a solid choice for many people—either as a primary banking option or as a supplement to their primary checking or savings account. But if you’re unsure whether online banks are right for you, here are a few alternatives to consider. 

• Traditional banks: Large banks sometimes have a negative reputation for a lack of individualized customer support, high fees, and lower interest rates on deposit accounts. But big national banks can offer benefits to their customers as well, such as a broad network of branch and ATM availability, top-of-the-line digital banking apps and tools, a larger offering of financial services, and even generous bank account bonuses for new customers. 
• Credit unions: Credit unions often offer their members higher annual percentage yields (APYs), lower fees, and superior customer service compared to traditional banks. Yet these member-owned financial institutions may still offer in-person banking solutions for people seeking this type of financial service. And, if you choose one insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), your deposits are federally protected in the same way that bank coverage is provided by the FDIC.
• Community banks: If you’re looking for a smaller bank that doesn’t have membership requirements like a credit union, a community bank might be a good fit for you. Community banks tend to offer more personalized customer service and may have more competitive interest rates. However, branch availability tends to be more limited than larger national banks. 
• Reloadable prepaid cards: A prepaid debit card is an alternative that some people may consider instead of online banks or other types of financial institutions. You can open this type of account even if you’re unable to open a traditional bank account due to ChexSystems challenges or other issues. Some prepaid cards may offer direct deposit capabilities, ATM access, cash management services, and more. Yet these types of cards may also feature significant drawbacks in the form of high fees, no credit-building potential, and no rewards-earning capability.

Why You Should Trust Investopedia Reviewers

Investopedia collected more than a dozen key data points on each online bank we considered to identify the most important factors for readers choosing an internet banking partner. We used data on fees, rates, account features, and minimum balances to review each bank and provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews so readers can make the right financial decisions for their needs. Investopedia launched in 1999, and has been helping readers find the best online banks since 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Are Online Banks Best For?

Online banks are well suited to anyone who wants to earn a higher interest rate on their savings, as online banks often pay much more competitive APYs on savings, money market, and certificate of deposit (CD) accounts. They are also a good fit for those who are very comfortable with online and mobile banking applications, and who seldom need in-branch services.

Still, an online bank works best when it complements at least one other account held at a local bank or credit union. That’s because you may find you occasionally need in-person service, such as depositing cash. So while an online bank can be a great primary banking option for almost anyone, it can help to also have access to a local institution that operates branches in your community.

Is It Better To Have an Online Bank or a Physical Bank?

The answer to this question depends largely on you. Online banks can provide a wide variety of banking services, and many customers will find all of their needs met by these online services. But if you are someone who often needs to deposit cash, you may find that having an account at a physical bank in your community is necessary. Though some online banks will let you deposit cash via an ATM, many do not. If you find you’re accumulating too much cash at home and want to deposit it in a bank account, a local bank branch will be useful to you.

This doesn’t mean you can’t use an online bank for most of your banking, however. In fact, the perfect solution for many people is to use an online bank as their primary institution, but have a free checking or savings account open at a local bank. This way you can still take advantage of the benefits that online banks offer, but when you occasionally need to visit a branch to deal with cash, you can do that locally. You can then make any transfers between to the two institutions online.

Which Online Banks Have the Best Savings Account Rates?

Online banks often outperform traditional banks in terms of the APYs they offer customers. Yet the interest rates they (and other financial institutions) extend to their customers are typically variable and may change on a frequent basis. 

Some of our top picks with high savings interest rates include Ally Bank, Synchrony Bank, Capital One, and Discover; Axos Bank has competitive rates for online checking accounts. If you’re shopping for a new savings account, you can always find the top nationwide rates in our daily ranking of the best high-yield savings accounts.

Are Online Banks Safe? Will My Money Be FDIC Insured?

Yes, the FDIC does insure online banks, in the exact same way it insures deposits at brick-and-mortar banks. Should an FDIC bank of any kind fail, your deposits up to $250,000 per person and per institution are federally covered.

In terms of being a trustworthy place for your funds, there is no discernible difference among the banks in our ranking since they are all FDIC-member banks and therefore carry the same federal protections as any other FDIC bank. Just look for the words “Member FDIC” or the FDIC logo on the bank’s website.

What’s the Best Online Banking App?

The best online banking apps are user-friendly and make it easy to manage your money and take advantage of the features of your bank account (e.g., mobile check deposits, funds transfer, bill payment, etc.). Some banking apps (like Ally Bank’s) even offer helpful budgeting options that allow you to set and work toward multiple savings goals within a single account. 

Stand-alone budgeting apps may provide more control over your money, especially if you use multiple bank accounts and credit cards. It’s important to organize your finances and create a plan for your money to avoid overspending; this will help you achieve the financial goals that are most important to you.

What Is the Biggest Online Bank?

Ally Bank is the largest U.S. bank by assets that is an online-only operation. As of March 31, 2023, Ally ranked 20th in size among more than 4,600 FDIC banks, with more than $185 million in assets. Ally was founded in 2004.

What is the Best Free Online Bank?

Generally speaking, online banks have fewer fees than physical banks, with many of them being free for customers. Part of the reason is that institutions that don’t have to pay for and maintain brick-and-mortar branches have more funds available for other things. One way online banks often deploy these funds is to give their customers a positive experience, which includes as few fees as possible.

As you can see in our reviews above, these six winning banks are all fee-free in terms of monthly maintenance fees. So choosing the best option for you will depend on how you value other differentiating factors.

How Do You Deposit and Withdraw Money in an Online Bank Account?

The most common way to both deposit and withdraw funds from an online bank account is via external transfers to or from another bank. Your online bank account will allow you to set up one or more outside institutions where you have an account in your name, establishing a link between them that you can use however often you like. You can also do the reverse: establish a link to your new online account at your existing bank. The transfers can work either way.

Most online banks will also allow you to deposit paper checks into your account, using the mobile check deposit feature of their app. Wire transfers to or from an online bank account are another possibility of moving funds, and usually are executed with same-day service. But fees may apply.

Most online banks will not allow you to deposit cash via an ATM. There are exceptions, though, in which an online bank will allow cash deposits at an ATM that’s part of a specified network.

If not, however, there are ways around this. The most common is to have one local bank account. This is handy for handling cash transactions, and one good way to do it is to hold a free checking or savings account at a local bank or credit union, and link it through online banking for transfers between it and your online bank account.

One more option is to send cash deposits through the mail. Some online banks may offer this, but it’s of questionable safety since your cash deposit could get lost in the mail. Your better bet is to find a way to deposit the cash via ATM or local branch.

What Online Banks Are You Reviewing?

We researched and reviewed 19 online banks to choose the 6 best options you see above. Banks that were not selected may have more or higher fees, lower interest rates, fewer account features, or higher minimum requirements.

Below are all of the online banks we researched, along with links to available reviews, to help you learn more before making a decision: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express, Axos Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Capital One, Charles Schwab Bank, CIT Bank, Discover, E*Trade, GO2bank, LendingClub, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Quontic Bank, SoFi, Synchrony Bank, Varo, and Vio Bank.

How We Picked the Best Online Banks

To select the best online banks, Investopedia researched 19 institutions, reviewing rates, fees, minimum balance requirements, rewards, customer service, mobile banking apps, and types of accounts offered. These are the most important features when it comes to online banking if you want to minimize your costs, maximize your earnings, and enjoy a convenient and easy banking experience. To provide a numeric score to each institution, the most heavily weighted parameters were interest rates on savings, money market, and CD accounts available at the bank, the number of states from which the bank accepts customers, and the number of available ATMs.

Learn More About Online Banks

• What is online banking?
• How does online banking work?
• Pros and cons of online banks
• Are online banks safe?
• How to open a checking account online
• How to choose a bank
• Credit unions vs banks
• Best high yield savings accounts
• Best banks for savings accounts
• Best free checking accounts
• Best credit unions

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