Best Check Cashing Apps
Ad Disclosure: This article contains references to products from our partners. We may receive compensation if you apply or shop through links in our content. You help support CreditDonkey by using our links.
Looking to cash a check without a bank? Skip the bank lines. Read this guide for the top 11 apps that can cash checks online instantly.
 |
Here are the best third-party apps for cashing checks:
- Brink's Money Prepaid: Most Secure App
- Ingo Money: Most Versatile App
- Venmo: Best for ATM Access
- PayPal: Most Trusted Cash Checking App
- Lodefast: Best for Akimbo Card Carriers
- ACE Flare: Best Nontraditional Bank Account
- NetSpend: Best for Prescription Purchases
- AnytimeCheck: Best for Businesses
- The Check Cashing Store: Most Simple App
- Waleteros: Best for People with Family in Central America
- Deposit2Go: Best Free Check Cashing Service
Need to cash a birthday check from your aunt? Or maybe a tax refund, or a security deposit?
Due to "Catch Me If You Can"-style fraud, most banks won't cash your check without an account.
Luckily, there are several workarounds if your bank doesn't offer mobile check deposits. Read on for options if you're unbanked or if you just prefer using prepaid cards.
Best Third-Party Apps for Cashing Checks
The apps below let you cash checks instantly using your phone's camera. These range from prepaid card providers to virtual alternatives to traditional checking accounts.
BMO Smart Advantage Checking - $400 Cash Bonus
Open a new BMO Smart Advantage Checking online and get a $400 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days of account opening. Offer is limited to one per customer and is not available for existing BMO personal checking customers (including signers on joint accounts) or those who have closed a BMO personal checking account within the past 12 months. Conditions apply.
Online Checking Account - Earn Cash Back
- 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. See website for details
- No fees
- Early Pay - Get your paycheck up to two days early with no charge
- No credit impact - You can apply without affecting your credit score.
- Access to over 60,000 no-fee ATMs in the U.S.
Rewards Checking - Up to 3.30% APY
- Use promo code AXOS300 and apply by December 31st, to earn up to a $300 bonus!
- Up to 3.30% APY
- Zero monthly maintenance fees
- Zero overdraft or NSF fees
- Zero minimum monthly balance reqs
- Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
- Online debit card management
- Simple, 3-step process for direct deposit
- Only $50 to open an account
Brink's Money Prepaid: Most Secure App
Talk about tight security - Brink's is primarily known for their work in the armored transportation industry delivering cash to ATMs and banks. Brink's also offers a prepaid debit card and check cashing service using their mobile app.
The check cashing functionality and prepaid Mastercard debit cards are offered through First Century Bank, N.A.
- 4.3 stars on Google Play Store | 3.3 stars on App Store
- Get paid faster with direct deposit
- 2% expedited check cashing fee for government and payroll checks
- 5% expedited fee for all other checks
- Earn cash back with Brinks Money Prepaid Points
Most of the apps listed in this article will allow you to cash a check instantly. However, prepare to pay a 2%–5% expedited fee depending on the type of check.
Chase Total Checking® - $200 Bonus
- New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities
- Access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
- Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
- Open your account online now
- Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
Ingo Money: Most Versatile App
There's a good reason Ingo is the most popular app in this category.
With Ingo, you can link your bank; prepaid, credit, or debit card; or PayPal account to deposit money. You can even split a check between accounts (for example, 50% to PayPal and 50% to a prepaid card).
You can also qualify for Ingo Gold Preferred Pricing if you cash checks frequently (at least six checks in the last 90 days).
- 3.9 stars on Google Play Store | 4.1 stars on App Store
- $5 fee for payroll or government checks $250 or less (2% for checks over $250)
- $5 fee for all other checks $100 or less (5% for checks over $100)
- Venmo
- PayPal
- NetSpend
- CashApp
- Boost Mobile Wallet
Build Credit While You Bank
- Get Paid Up to 2 Days Faster
- Build credit and earn points with every swipe
- 40,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
- No credit check, minimum balance or hidden fees
Venmo: Best for ATM Access
You may be surprised to learn that Venmo is more than just a person-to-person payment app. If you sign up for a Venmo Debit Card or direct deposit, you can cash checks inside the app.
- 4.3 stars on Google Play Store | 4.9 stars on App Store
- 1% fee for payroll and government checks (5% fee for all other checks)
- No fee for 10-day approval option
- Fee-free ATM withdrawals at 30,000+ MoneyPass locations
- Earn cash back with Venmo debit Mastercard
- Download the Venmo app
- Sign up for Venmo Debit Card or set up direct deposit
- Go to top right drop-down menu
- Select "Manage Balance"
- Select "Cash a Check" and follow the prompts
Chase Total Checking® - $200 Bonus
- New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities
- Access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
- Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
- Open your account online now
- Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
PayPal: Most Trusted Cash Checking App
PayPal's check cashing service is another that is provided through First Century Bank and Ingo, but it provides a better fee structure and a more trusted name.
- 4.2 stars on Google Play Store | 4.8 stars on App Store
- 1% fee for payroll and government checks
- 5% fee for all other checks
- $5,000 maximum check amount
- Near-instant approval
Chase Secure Banking℠ - $100 Bonus
- New Chase checking customers enjoy a $100 checking account bonus when you open a Chase Secure Banking℠ account with qualifying transactions. Open online or at any Chase branch.
- Set up direct deposit and you may get your money up to two business days early-exclusively for Chase Secure Banking℠ customers.
- No minimum deposit to open an account and get started plus no overdraft fees with a Chase debit card that helps you stay within your balance.
- Track your credit score, get a personalized action plan provided by Experian™ to help improve your score and receive identity monitoring for free through Chase Credit Journey®.
- Chase Secure Banking℠ customers told us they save an average of $50 a month on fees after opening their account.
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
- Pay bills, cash checks and send or receive money with Zelle® all for a $4.95 monthly service fee.
- Bank from anywhere with access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs, more than 4,700 Chase branches, the Chase Mobile® app and Chase.com.
Lodefast: Best for Akimbo Card Carriers
Important note: Lodefast is currently only available for Florida residents (with California coming soon), according to their website.
The Lodefast app by Lodestar Financial allows you to cash checks online to deposit into your linked bank account, debit card, any prepaid debit card, or Akimbo Card.
Like most other check-cashing services, there is a free option if you can wait 10 days for your deposit with the option for instant deposit with a modest fee.
BMO Smart Advantage Checking - $400 Cash Bonus
Open a new BMO Smart Advantage Checking online and get a $400 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days of account opening. Offer is limited to one per customer and is not available for existing BMO personal checking customers (including signers on joint accounts) or those who have closed a BMO personal checking account within the past 12 months. Conditions apply.
ACE Flare: Best Nontraditional Bank Account
Provided through MetaBank, ACE Flare provides many of the same services you can receive at a traditional bank, such as check cashing, ATM access, a Visa debit card, and direct deposit. However, this is 100% a check-cashing app.
ACE uses First Century Bank, N.A. — the same provider as Brink's and Ingo. With an optional ACE savings account, you can even earn an absurd 6.0% APY on balances under $2,000.
- 3.9 stars on Google Play Store | 2.7 stars on App Store
- Fee-free cash withdrawals at 950 ACE locations in 23 U.S. states
- No charge for standard check cashing
- 2% - 5% expedited check cashing fee
Rewards Checking Plus - Up to 2% Cash Back
- Up to 2% cash back on purchases.
- No monthly fees
- Get paid up to 2 days early.
- Maximize your rewards with direct deposit.
NetSpend: Best for Prescription Purchases
Netspend, provided through Ingo, offers a fairly standard fee structure. However, customers can receive sizable discounts on prescription purchases on FDA-approved pharmaceutical medication with the Pharmacy Savings Card.
- 4.0 stars on Google Play Store | 2.7 stars on App Store
- 1% or $5 fee for payroll or government checks (whichever is greater)
- 4% or $5 fee for all other checks (whichever is greater)
- Up to 50% discount on FDA-approved pharmaceuticals
Premier Savings - Up to 5.07% APY
- 5.07% APY when you have at least $1,000 balance.
- No minimum opening deposit
- No monthly account fees
AnytimeCheck: Best for Businesses
With AnytimeCheck, business owners can get paid by customers by paper check without having to wait for the mail or visiting their bank to make a deposit.
- 3.6 stars on Google Play Store
- Basic Plan (20 checks): $1.75 per check
- Pro Plan (50 checks): $1.50 per check
- Premium Plan (150 checks): $1.25 per check
Bank of America Business Advantage Checking Account - $200 Bonus Offer
- Open a new eligible business checking account by December 31, 2023
- Make Qualifying Deposits* of $5,000 or more in new money within 30 days of opening the new eligible business checking account
- Maintain an average balance of $5,000 for the next 60 days (day 31-90) during the maintenance period**
**The maintenance period begins thirty-one (31) days after account opening and ends ninety (90) calendar days after account opening.
Member FDIC
The Check Cashing Store: Most Simple App
You won't get a lot of frills with The Check Cashing Store — indicated by the name — but you will be able to deposit checks on your mobile device and send the money to a linked Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.
The fee structure is not listed on the company website and customer service representatives will not disclose it over the phone. However, you can expect the standard fee schedule of between 1% and 5% for each check.
- 2.6 stars on App Store
- Only available to Florida residents
- Physical storefront locations available across the state
Chase Total Checking® - $200 Bonus
- New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities
- Access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
- Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
- Open your account online now
- Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
Waleteros: Best for People with Family in Central America
If you have relatives in Central America, Waleteros is the optimal pick for you. Waleteros offers one-time $0.99 transfers to various locations in Mexico, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua at the beginning of each month.
This app allows you to cash checks, receive your direct deposit, and send money with very few fees. There are no minimum account balances, no overdraft fees, and customers can enjoy over 20,000 nationwide fee-free ATM locations.
- 1.75% check cashing fee
- $0.75 charge for sending money to family and friends
Current Savings with Interest - Up to 4% APY
- 4.00% APY on up to $6,000 balance if you receive and maintain a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more in a rolling 35 day period. (Otherwise, 0.25% APY.)
- Simply add money to your Savings Pods and enable the Interest feature.
- Earn interest on up to 3 Savings Pods, up to $2,000 balance each.
- Interest accumulates daily.
Deposit2Go: Best Free Check Cashing Service
If you don't mind a retro-looking app that will bring you back to 2007, Deposit2Go offers fee-free check cashing for members of NCUA-insured GTE Financial.
- 3.3 stars on Google Play Store | 1.8 stars on App Store
- Free check cashing for GTE members
- Deposit up to $10,000 per day
Can You Cash a Check Instantly?
Yep! Many apps on this list (including Ingo, Venmo, and PayPal) allow you to access cash within minutes of submitting your request.
Unfortunately, these companies know instant deposit is in high demand. While they may not charge for 10-day check clearing, they almost always charge fees for expedited deposits.
Be aware that if your check does not clear, your deposit will be reversed, and you could face some steep overdraft fees or returned check fees. Make sure that you trust the check issuer before utilizing the instant deposit feature.
Where Can I Cash a Check Without Verification?
The only true way to cash a check with no bank account and no identification is to sign the check over to another person by signing the back and asking them to cash it for you.
If you have an ID card but no bank and do not want to download a check-cashing app, you can cash checks by visiting the bank that printed and issued the check, also known as the "bank of origin."
The Bottom Line: Should You Cash a Check with an App?
Check cashing apps are a quick and easy way to deposit your check money. If you're unbanked, prefer using prepaid cards, or just like the convenience of a check cashing app, the picks on this list are definitely worth checking out.
Keep in mind, if you need to deposit checks frequently or rely on expedited deposits, be careful of the fees you might incur. Even a modest 1% fee for payroll checks can add up.
BMO Smart Advantage Checking - $400 Cash Bonus
Open a new BMO Smart Advantage Checking online and get a $400 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days of account opening. Offer is limited to one per customer and is not available for existing BMO personal checking customers (including signers on joint accounts) or those who have closed a BMO personal checking account within the past 12 months. Conditions apply.
Rewards Checking Plus - Up to 2% Cash Back
- Up to 2% cash back on purchases.
- No monthly fees
- Get paid up to 2 days early.
- Maximize your rewards with direct deposit.
Build Credit While You Bank
- Get Paid Up to 2 Days Faster
- Build credit and earn points with every swipe
- 40,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
- No credit check, minimum balance or hidden fees
Write to Justin Barnard at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.
| Trending | A visitor from Ohio read Cash Check at Any Bank |
| Trending | A visitor from Nevada read Make Money Online Paypal |
| Trending | A visitor from California read US Bank Review |
| Deep Dive | A visitor from Kentucky read Best Cash Advance Apps |
| Expert Insights | A visitor from Ohio read Best Money Making Apps |
|
|
| ||||||
|
|
|
