Our Best Online Banks of 2026
Stay on top of your finances
Discover our list of the best online banks for 2026, featuring services, pros and cons, and cost comparisons. Our aim is to help you cut through the muck; saving time and money.
Discover our list of the best online banks for 2026, featuring services, pros and cons, and cost comparisons. Our aim is to help you cut through the muck; saving time and money.

Nowadays, almost all of your banking needs can be handled online, with little need to visit brick-and-mortar locations.
In fact, many online banks (or those without physical branch locations) offer savings rates, fees, and services that compete with or even surpass traditional banks.

BestMoney analyzed fees, interest rates, customer service reputations, and more to identify the top online banking options. Our analysis found:
Barclays, Ally, and Varo should be at the top of your mind if you're looking for a high-yield savings account, as they offer some of the most competitive rates on the market.
American Express is among the few providers offering an above-average annual percentage yield (APY) on checking accounts.
Chime is a great option if you're looking for low- or no-fee checking and savings accounts.
Capital One and PNC Bank have strong online offerings for customers looking to spread and integrate assets across multiple bank accounts.
Read on to learn more about our top picks and which might be the best option for you.
To identify the best online banks, we compared institutions offering fully online checking and savings accounts based on the following factors:
Availability: The best online banks were available to customers in most or all U.S. states and offered a wide range of products, including basic checking and savings accounts and products like personal loans, certificates of deposits (CDs), money market accounts, and more.
Rates and fees: We compared APYs for savings and checking accounts to industry standards to identify the highest-earning accounts. We also prioritized banks that offered checking and savings accounts with no monthly maintenance fee and limited fees for overdrafts, ATM withdrawals, and other transactions. The best options also required no or low minimum deposit amounts to open an account.
User experience: To ensure accessibility, we prioritized online banks with user-friendly apps and online banking portals based on app store reviews and customer feedback. We also awarded banks with transparent rate and fee structures and easily accessible application processes.
Security: All the banks on our list are backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) or National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and offer secure mobile and online portals for the safety of sensitive financial information.
Customer service: We compiled customer feedback from various third-party sources, including Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and first-hand expert experience to identify the top institutions.
The top options ranked highly in all or most of these categories. Read more about our full methodology.
Why we picked Chime®: In addition to traditional checking and savings accounts, Chime® offers a unique credit-builder account, which, in conjunction with a secured credit card can help low- and no-credit account holders improve their scores and build credit history. It requires no credit check or minimum deposit to apply, making it an accessible choice.
For more traditional options, its checking and savings accounts are solid choices, too, with no monthly fees.
Standout features and products:
Accessible account options for people with poor credit
Extensive fee-free ATM network
Early direct deposit
Customer service at a glance
Trustpilot score: 3.6
BBB rating: B- (not accredited)
Common complaints? Difficulty with direct deposit, slow transfers, slow resolution of card disputes
Common praise? User-friendly app, accessibility for rebuilding credit, quality customer service
Contact channels: 24/7 phone support, in-app chat
Why we picked PNC as a top online bank: For people who like to keep their banking simple, PNC offers an all-in-one solution with its Virtual Wallet Checking Pro account. Account holders can combine their monthly service fee-free checking account with a leading savings APY for the best of both worlds.
The bank also encourages responsible financial habits with its Low-Cash Mode tool, which gives virtual wallet users 24 hours to bring their account balance to $0 before they are charged overdraft fees.
Standout features and products:
Offers student and military checking and savings accounts
Offers extensive loan options, including student loans, personal loans, and mortgages
Virtual Wallet allows better spending and savings visualization
Customer service at a glance
Trustpilot score: 1.3
BBB rating: A+ (not accredited)
Common complaints? Poor management of fraudulent account activity, negative experiences with customer service representatives
Common praise? Competitive interest rates, positive experiences in branch locations
Contact channels: 24/7 customer service chat, phone lines with limited hours, select branch locations
Read the full PNC Online Banking review
Why we picked American Express National Bank as a top online bank: More than its popular credit cards, American Express National Bank offers a variety of online bank accounts, including savings accounts. There's no account opening fee, minimum balance, or monthly service fees.
While, American Express National Bank's online checking account is only available to existing card members, anyone can apply for a savings account.
Standout features and products:
Offers high-yield savings, checking, and CD accounts with leading interest rates
Suite of premium rewards credit cards
Offers business checking and line of credit products
Customer service at a glance
Trustpilot score: 1.5
BBB rating: F (Not accredited)
Common complaints? High credit card fees, difficulty resolving fraudulent charges
Common praise? Friendly customer service staff, user-friendly application
Contact channels: 24/7 phone support, traditional mail, fax
Why we picked Barclays as a top online bank: While most of our top online banks offer the same APY for all savings account balances, Barclays offers a tiered interest structure, allowing people with higher balances to unlock ultra-high rates. The bank does not currently offer a checking account, so it may not be the best choice for those who want all their financial eggs in one basket, but users who don’t mind separate accounts can take advantage of higher rates.
Standout features and products:
Offers tiered and standard savings account options, plus CDs
Suite of airline and hotel co-branded credit cards
Online calculator to help you plan savings goals
Customer service at a glance
Trustpilot score: 2.3
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
Common complaints? Difficult credit card application process, poor experience with customer service representatives
Common praise? Good app security, useful credit card products
Contact channels: 24/7 phone support
Why we picked Capital One as a top online bank: Capital One has a history as a traditional bank but has transitioned to a more online-first operation in the last several years. Its fully online 360 accounts, including checking and savings products, charge no monthly fees and don't require minimum balances.
Plus, transferring between accounts is easy, making it simple to set up multiple savings accounts for different goals and move money between them as needed.
Standout features and products:
Offers checking, savings, and CD accounts, plus accounts for kids and teens with parental controls
Deposit cash or get customer support at a Capital One Cafe
Offers credit cards, auto loans, and business banking solutions
Customer service at a glance
Trustpilot score: 1.3
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
Common complaints? Complicated dispute process, unclear communication with customer service
Common praise? Efficient resolution of queries, user-friendly mobile app and online banking portal
Contact channels: Digital assistant chat feature, 24/7 phone support
Read the full Capital One review
Why we picked Varo as a top online bank: Besides checking and savings accounts with no hidden fees, Varo offers the opportunity to earn cash back on debit card purchases, with up to 3% back (maximum of $200 per month) at select merchants. The APY on Varo's savings account is also competitive, especially for those with smaller balances.
Standout features and products:
Earn cash back on debit purchases with 10,000 participating merchants
Offers checking, savings, and credit-building accounts, plus personal lines of credit
No foreign transaction fee debit card
Customer service at a glance
Trustpilot score: 3.7
BBB rating: A- (accredited)
Common complaints? Issues setting up direct deposit, delayed receipt of debit cards, limited customer support channels
Common praise? User-friendly app with easy-to-track credit score, simple banking structure
Contact channels: 24/7 live chat support in-app, phone support with limited hours
Read the full Varo Bank review
Why we picked Ally as a top online bank: Ally offers a variety of account options, including checking and savings accounts, a money market account, and a variety of CDs. It doesn't charge monthly maintenance or overdraft fees on checking and savings accounts. Plus, its online banking software allows users to stay organized by creating digital buckets for different spending and savings categories.
Standout features and products:
Offers checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts, plus credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans
User-friendly online banking tools with features for organizing money and saving more efficiently
Extensive fee-free ATM network
Customer service at a glance
Trustpilot score: 1.4
BBB rating: B (not accredited)
Common complaints? Savings rates falling and becoming less competitive, poor experience with customer service representatives
Common praise? Accessible customer service, user-friendly app, hassle-free products
Contact channels: 24/7 customer support via chat, email, or phone lines
Bank | Monthly checking fee? | Minimum deposit to open savings | Minimum deposit to open checking |
|---|---|---|---|
Chime® | No | $0 | $0 |
PNC Bank | $0 to $25 with a waive option | $0 | $0 |
American Express National Bank | No | $0 | $0, but only available to Amex card members |
Barclays | N/A | $0 | N/A |
Capital One | No | $0 | $0 |
Varo | No | $0 | $0 |
Ally | No | $0 | $0 |
Bank5 Connect: Bank5 Connect offers a high-yield checking account with a APY with a minimum balance of $100.
ONE Cash: This relatively new market entrant (and fin-tech company) offers a high-yield checking account with a 3.35% APY if you set up at least $500 in monthly direct deposit.
Online banking lets you manage your finances via computer or smartphone, providing convenient access to banking services from anywhere with internet access. It includes features like check deposit, fund transfers, and bill pay, mimicking almost all in-branch services.
Some online banks have physical locations, while others are exclusively digital, which limits services like cash deposits. Despite the 24/7 transaction capability, customer support availability can vary.
Convenience: Manage your finances from home, the office, or anywhere with internet access, saving time and hassle.
Flexibility: Conduct transactions 24/7, including transferring funds, paying bills, and checking account balances, without being limited by bank hours.
Accessibility: Use mobile banking apps from your smartphone or tablet, ensuring your finances are always at your fingertips.
Security: Benefit from enhanced security measures like encryption and multi-factor authentication to protect your personal and financial information.
Limited cash transactions: Some online banks support cash deposits via ATMs, but many do not accept cash at all. Banks focused solely on savings may not offer ATM access or cash withdrawals, requiring fund transfers to external accounts.
Lack of physical branches: Unless the bank utilizes a hybrid model like Capital One, the absence of brick-and-mortar branches means you miss out on in-person banking services or customer service.
Little opportunity for relationship-building: Online accountholders won’t have the chance to get to know their friendly neighborhood banker, given the lack of branches and (often) limited customer support channels, usually phone or online chat.
To help you choose the best bank for your business, here are some key ways online and traditional banks usually differ.
Due to a lack of overhead in terms of staffing and maintaining brick-and-mortar locations, most online banks offer no-to-low fee checking and competitive APYs, particularly on savings accounts.
Online banks usually offer a narrower range of financial services than traditional ones. They might only provide basic accounts like checking, savings, and CDs, whereas larger national banks offer a comprehensive suite of banking, lending, and investment options.
Traditional banks offer ATM access at their branches and partnering retailers. Online banks typically partner with external ATM networks to provide accountholders with some access to free cash withdrawals. Some online banks will reimburse you for out-of-network ATM fees.
Online banks can be right for tech-savvy users who are comfortable conducting online financial transactions. They're ideal for individuals who prefer the convenience of managing their finances via computer or smartphone without the need to visit a physical branch.
Online banks are less of a fit for people who prefer conducting transactions in person, need to make (large) cash deposits regularly, or are uncomfortable with online portals and mobile apps.
These steps can help you pinpoint whether an online financial institution is legitimate and right for your needs.
Lack of FDIC or NCUA insurance, unrealistic interest rates and fees, no physical address, and poor website security are all signs of a shady online bank.
High APYs are one of the biggest draws across online bank accounts, but not all have the same offer. Ensure you're getting a competitive rate by seeing how your options stack up against each other.
Most online banks offer some type of free checking, but you might have to make or maintain a minimum deposit into your account to qualify. Check whether certain behaviors, like overdrafts or ATM withdrawals, incur other charges.
Ensure you can deposit or withdraw money promptly, as online banks sometimes have longer transfer times or lower withdrawal limits each month than their traditional counterparts.
Learn more steps for selecting the best online bank account for you.
Once you’ve chosen a provider, expect to go through the following steps to open your online account.
Visit a bank’s website or app: Go to its website or download its mobile app.
Fill out an application: Most financial institutions will ask for personal information, like your name, address, and Social Security number. They might also ask about your current employment and income status.
Verify your identity: You might have to upload identification documents like a driver's license or passport.
Fund your account: While many online banks don't impose minimum deposit amounts to open an account, you might have to maintain a certain amount of funds to qualify for fee waivers or high APY earnings. Usually, this process involves transferring some money from an existing bank account.
Once you complete this process, you can expect to have access to your new account in a few business days.
Online banking offers a convenient, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to traditional banking. With lower fees, higher interest rates, and advanced digital features, online banks are ideal for tech-savvy users who prefer managing their finances from anywhere.
Our comprehensive review of the top online banks for 2026 highlights the best options based on APY, fees, and product offerings. By understanding the benefits and potential drawbacks, you can make an informed decision and find the right online bank to meet your needs.
You may earn a $400 reward if you open a new Virtual Wallet with Performance Select or a $100 reward if you open new Virtual Wallet and meet all qualifying conditions. After you open a checking product, you must remain in that product to receive the corresponding reward; changing your checking product after account opening could result in your offer eligibility, terms, and corresponding reward amount changing.
Offer is valid 9/1/2026 through 1/7/2027 and may be extended, modified, or discontinued at any time and may vary by market. PNC Bank may have other checking offers with different terms.
To receive the reward:
The reward will be credited to the eligible account 60–90 days after all conditions have been met and identified as “Credits Check Reward” on your monthly statement. The eligible account must remain open to receive the reward. The value of the reward may be reported on the appropriate Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms and may be considered taxable income to you. Please consult your tax adviser.
Visit PNC.com/locator to find a PNC or Partner ATM near you where PNC customers can access money fee-free. Partner ATMs are not owned by PNC and may be limited to cash withdrawal functionality.
Virtual Wallet with Performance Select includes no charge for using other banks' domestic or international ATMs and up to $10 fee reimbursement per statement cycle for other banks' ATM surcharge fees.Low Cash Mode is only available on the Spend account of your Virtual Wallet product.Total Qualifying Direct Deposits | Bonus Amount |
less than $2,000 | $0 |
$2,000 – $4,999 | $100 |
$5,000 – $9,999 | $300 |
$10,000 or more | $500 |
A “Qualifying Direct Deposit" is a direct deposit of regular monthly income (such as your salary, pension or Social Security benefits, which are made by your employer or other payer) using account and routing numbers that you provide to them.
Examples of non-qualifying transfers and deposits include the following: teller deposits, wire transfers, debit card transfers, ATM transfers or deposits, Online and Mobile Banking transfers or deposits, or transfers from a bank or brokerage account or Merrill investment account.
Please consult a financial center, visit bankofamerica.com or see the Personal Schedule of Fees (found at bankofamerica.com/fees) for account fees and additional information about accounts.
Zelle® should only be used to send money to friends, family or others you trust. We recommend that you do not use Zelle® to send money to those you do not know. Transfers require enrollment in the service with a Zelle® eligible U.S. checking or savings account. Bank of America transfers must be made from an eligible consumer or business deposit account. Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes and Bank of America does not charge a transfer fee. We will send you an email alert with transaction details after you send money using Zelle®. Dollar and frequency limits apply. See the Online Banking Service Agreement at bankofamerica.com/serviceagreement for further details. Data connection required. Message and data rates may apply. Neither Bank of America nor Zelle® offers purchase protection for payments made with Zelle®. Please treat Zelle® payments like cash, once you send the money, you are unlikely to get it back – for example, you do not receive the item you paid for using Zelle® or the item received is not as described. Regular account fees apply.
No fee for incoming domestic wire transfers, stop payments and other services. Please refer to the Personal Schedule of Fees for details.BofA Rewards exclusive deals. BofA Rewards™ members will be eligible for exclusive deal offers. All such offers are subject to the standard terms and conditions of the deals program. Refer to the Deals homepage for details.
BofA Rewards™ Eligibility. Customers can enroll and maintain their membership in BofA Rewards™ if they have an open, qualifying Bank of America® checking account. BofA Rewards tiers are based on each customer’s combined average balance in qualifying deposit and investment accounts. The minimum balance for each tier is: Member, no minimum balance; Preferred Plus, $30,000; Preferred Honors, $100,000; and Premier, $1,000,000. When you enroll, you’ll be placed in the appropriate tier for your combined average balance and then moved to the highest tier you’re eligible for based on one of the following:Eligible customers will be moved to the higher tier within 3 business days. New tier benefits may take up to 30 days to become effective. For full terms, including qualifying accounts and the method of calculation of average balances, refer to your Personal Schedule of Fees.
Additional Eligibility.Employees and retirees of Bank of America may be eligible for BofA Rewards membership on customized terms. For details, please call Employee Financial Services or refer to the Bank of America intranet site. Bank of America Private Bank clients qualify to enroll in the Premier tier regardless of balances. Employees of companies participating in the Bank of America Employee Banking and Investing Program may be eligible for BofA Rewards on customized terms.Refer to CEBI Program for details.
More online banks we reviewed: American Express Business Checking, American Express National Bank, Axos Rewards Checking, Bank Of America Business Advantage Banking, Barclays Tiered Savings, Blue Federal Credit Union, Bluevine, Bmo Alto Cd, Bread Savings Cd, Capital One Cd, Chime, Cit Bank, Citi Small Business Checking, Cloudbank 247 Savings, Current, Discover Cd Rates, Etrade Max Rate Checking, Forbright Bank Cd, Grasshopper, Langley Cd, Lending Club High Yield Savings, Liberty Savings Bank, Lili, Marcus, Northone, Novo Boost, One Cash, Pacific Western Bank, Ponce, Primis Bank Checking, Rbmax High Yield Savings, Relay, Skyone, Synchrony, Synchrony High Yield Savings, Ufb Direct Savings, Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus, Us Bank, Us Bank Member Fdic, Us Bank Smartly Checking, Usalliance Financial, Valley Direct High Yield Savings, Valley Direct Savings Promo, Varo Bank, Vio Bank, Western Alliance Bank High Yield Savings Premier, Western Alliance Cd and Western Alliance High Yield Savings.