Top 13 Apps for Instant Online Check Cashing
If you need to quickly cash a birthday check or turn a tax refund check into cash, using your phone can be a convenient option. Even if your bank doesn’t offer mobile check deposits, you can still find several check-cashing apps that suit your needs.
### 13 Best Check-Cashing Apps
Most bank apps let you deposit or cash checks by snapping a photo, but there are other options available if you don’t have a bank account. Here are 13 of the best apps for cashing checks on the go:
1. **Brink’s Money Prepaid**: Ideal for transferring money to Netspend accounts.
2. **Ingo Money App**: Great for transferring money to a debit card or gift card.
3. **Netspend**: Best for sending money to family and friends with Netspend accounts.
4. **PayPal**: A good alternative to a traditional checking account.
5. **Western Union Netspend Prepaid**: Perfect for long-distance money transfers.
6. **Green Dot**: Suitable for those looking for a high-yield savings account.
7. **Venmo**: Convenient for current users who need ATM access.
8. **Flare Account**: Best for those without a traditional bank account.
9. **The Check Cashing Store**: Ideal for Florida residents.
10. **GO2bank**: Offers bank-like features without the usual hassles.
11. **AnytimeCheck**: Great for those who frequently send and receive checks.
12. **Chime Mobile Banking**: Best for a fee-free, user-friendly interface.
13. **GTE Financial**: Perfect for GTE Financial members seeking free check-cashing options.
### Detailed App Descriptions
1. **Brink’s Money Prepaid**
– **How it works**: Use the mobile app to cash checks and load funds onto a prepaid Mastercard debit card. You can add money by loading a check, setting up direct deposits, or transferring from another Brink’s card or bank account.
– **Cost**: The Pay-As-You-Go Plan has no monthly fee but charges $1.50 for purchase transactions. The monthly plan costs $9.95, including purchase transactions. Qualifying direct deposits can reduce the monthly fee by $4. ATM and over-the-counter withdrawals cost $2.50 and $3, respectively.
2. **Ingo Money App**
– **How it works**: Link a debit card, prepaid card, credit card, or PayPal account to your profile. Take a photo of your check, choose how and when to receive the money, and submit it for review.
– **Cost**: Payroll and government checks have a $5 fee for amounts $250 or less, and a 2% fee for amounts over $250. Other checks and money orders cost $5 for amounts $100 or less, and a 5% fee for amounts over $100. Preferred pricing is available for frequent users. No fee applies if you choose to receive your money in 10 days.
3. **Netspend**
– **How it works**: Reload a Netspend prepaid debit card without visiting an ATM. The app also offers direct deposit and early paycheck access.
– **Cost**: No fee for standard mobile check loads. Expedited service costs 2% to 5% of the check amount or a flat $5 fee.
4. **PayPal**
– **How it works**: Add funds from checks to your PayPal Balance account using the check-cashing feature.
– **Cost**: No fee for the 10-day delayed funding option. Government and payroll checks with a preprinted signature have a 1% fee (minimum $5). Other checks have a 5% or $5 flat fee.
5. **Western Union Netspend Prepaid**
– **How it works**: This Mastercard offers direct deposit, cash-back rewards, and check cashing via the mobile app. You can also send and receive money through Western Union.
– **Cost**: Pay-As-You-Go charges $1.50 for signature and PIN transactions. The monthly plan costs $9.95 or $5 with qualifying direct deposits. There’s a $5.95 inactivity fee after 90 days. Direct deposits are free.
6. **Green Dot**
– **How it works**: Get your paychecks and government benefit checks up to two days early. No minimum balance is required, and you can cash checks online. Up to $200 in overdraft protection is available.
– **Cost**: No charge for mobile check deposits using the Green Dot app.
7. **Venmo**
– **How it works**: Offers direct deposit and a Venmo Debit Card for cashing checks directly from the app. Note that check cashing isn’t available in New York.
– **Cost**: Fees may apply depending on the type of check and service speed.