Best Banking Apps
If your phone’s basically glued to your hand anyway, might as well put it to work handling your money. A solid banking app lets you zap cash to a friend, stalk your spending habits, get hit with account alerts before disaster strikes, and even keep tabs on your credit score—all without stepping foot in a bank.
The right app for you? That depends on where you bank (or if you’re ready to ditch your old bank for something better). Lucky for you, some of the biggest names in the game have killer apps.
Best Banking Apps for Easy Money Management
Zenotech’s team dug deep into 15 of the top banking apps in the U.S., testing everything from how smooth they run to whether they actually help you budget. After all the number-crunching, eight apps came out on top, with Wells Fargo, Chase, Ally, and Discover leading the pack.
Wells Fargo Mobile
Wells Fargo is a banking giant, and it’s been throwing serious cash at its app to keep it ahead of the game. People seem to love it—ratings are solid, and it’s packed with features to handle your money without ever setting foot in a branch.
You get Fargo, their AI assistant, to keep an eye on your spending and help with basic stuff like transfers and payments. Need to deposit a check? Done. Check your credit score?
Easy. Pay off your Wells Fargo card? No problem. That said, it’s not all perfect. Some folks aren’t thrilled with the alerts—they used to be better—and if you’re rocking an older phone, you might run into some annoying glitches.
Discover
Discover, headquartered in Riverwoods, Illinois, is recognized for its credit card services and also provides a range of banking products, including checking and savings accounts, loans, and CDs.
Its mobile app enables users to manage accounts, transfer funds, deposit checks, and set up payment reminders. Security features include the ability to freeze debit or credit cards in case of loss or theft.
The app also provides access to FICO credit scores, ATM locations, account alerts, and bill payment options. While the platform offers essential banking functions, it does not include a virtual assistant or advanced budgeting and savings tools found in some competitor apps.
Bank of America Mobile Banking
Bank of America is everywhere—3,700 branches across the U.S.—but honestly, who even goes to a bank anymore? Their app is where the real action is. You can handle everything right there: checking, savings, credit cards, even your Merrill investments if you’re fancy like that.
They’ve also got Erica, their AI assistant, ready to help with transactions and whatever else you throw at it. The app’s budgeting tools are solid, breaking down your spending so you can see exactly where your money’s running off to.
Forgot your debit card? No sweat—you can still hit up an ATM using just your phone. That said, not everyone’s thrilled. Paying bills takes more steps than it probably should, and if you need customer support, well… good luck.
PNC Bank
PNC Bank, headquartered in Pittsburgh with a network exceeding 2,200 branches nationwide, delivers a robust mobile banking application that integrates essential financial management functionalities.
The app facilitates seamless transactions, including fund transfers and check deposits, while consolidating oversight of PNC bank and credit card accounts into a single platform. Notably, PNC enhances digital security through Paze, a feature that substitutes debit and credit card numbers with alternate identifiers to safeguard sensitive information during online purchases.
Additionally, the bank provides Express Funds, enabling immediate access to the full value of deposited checks for a supplementary fee. While the app excels in several areas, its credit score accessibility remains limited; only PNC credit cardholders can view their credit scores within the platform, leaving savings and checking account customers without this feature.
Ally
Ally, a Utah-based online-only institution, provides a comprehensive mobile banking application despite the absence of physical branches. The platform enables centralized management of various financial products, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, credit cards, auto loans, and investments.
Users can execute transactions such as money transfers via Zelle, bill payments, ATM location searches, and check deposits, supported by the virtual assistant Ally Assist for streamlined functionality. The app further enhances financial oversight through integrated budgeting and spending tools, utilizing expense categorization features like "buckets" to offer detailed insights into monthly expenditures.
Capital One Mobile
Capital One, headquartered in Virginia, distinguishes itself through its unique Capital One Cafes, designed to provide an alternative banking experience. For customers without access to a physical location, the Capital One mobile banking app offers a comprehensive suite of digital financial tools.
Users can remotely manage their accounts, deposit checks, transfer funds via Zelle, and oversee credit card and loan activities. The CreditWise app, available separately, provides free credit monitoring and alerts for potential security breaches involving Social Security numbers.
Additionally, Apple users can access real-time account balances through a dedicated widget, streamlining financial oversight without requiring a full login. While the app includes Eno, an AI-powered assistant, its functionality is limited compared to platforms that support investment account management or live chat with human representatives.
Chase Mobile
Chase, headquartered in New York, maintains a nationwide presence with over 4,700 branch locations. Its mobile banking app consolidates account management, allowing users to oversee credit cards, investments, and everyday banking transactions in a single platform.
The app supports mobile check deposits, Zelle transfers, automatic payments, and exclusive Chase Offers, providing discounts at select retailers and restaurants.
A built-in digital assistant facilitates quick access to balances, routing numbers, and bill payments. While the platform includes a broad range of features, customer support through the chat function is only available via an internet browser. The app’s extensive capabilities may also present a learning curve for those seeking a more simplified interface for routine transactions.
American Express (Amex)
American Express, widely recognized for its credit card services, also provides banking and lending solutions. Its mobile app integrates account management, enabling users to oversee credit cards, bank accounts, and loans within a single platform.
The app features Amex Offers, a rewards program that delivers cash-back incentives and exclusive discounts on purchases. Customer support is accessible 24/7 through live chat, though the platform does not include a virtual assistant.
While the app supports transactions via Venmo and PayPal, it does not offer Zelle for money transfers. User feedback indicates strong overall ratings, though Android users have reported occasional performance issues, including glitches and processing delays.