4 Financial Products That Are Better Through an App Than a Bank
For some people, banks will always be the preferable way of managing their money. For specific types of customers, however, financial apps can actually offer more than brick-and-mortar banks.
Fintech apps offer a variety of easy-to-use features and benefits. Many come with low costs and high yields as well. But you will give up the face-to-face interaction that many traditional customers prefer. The best examples of where banking apps excel are with products where high interest rates and low fees are the top priority. Due to their higher overhead, many traditional banks can’t compete in these areas.
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Before you use a fintech app, however, verify that it has FDIC or NCUA insurance and the latest cyber protections against identity theft and hacking.
High-Yield Savings Accounts
Online banks and fintech apps often outcompete traditional banks when it comes to high-yield savings accounts. As of August 2026, the FDIC’s national average savings rate was a low 0.38%. Several online banks and app-based savings accounts pay 4% or more.
That’s a huge difference that can really add up. For example, on $10,000, a 0.38% savings rate earns about $38 in a year before compounding. But an account paying 4% throws off $400. The product is essentially the same, but the app version can yield a rate 10 times as much, perhaps even more.
In most cases, the high-yield savings accounts you can open on an app are also fee-free.
CDs From Multiple Institutions
Most banks offer their own certificates of deposit only. Apps and online banks, however, usually offer choices from banks across the country.
The FDIC reported an average national rate for 12-month CDs of 1.71% in August 2026. If your bank is only paying 1%, for example, an online bank may be able to find a CD yielding the national average rate or perhaps even more.
Apps and online platforms can make CD shopping easier because you can compare terms, minimum deposits and penalties quickly.
Payment Apps for Sending Money
Payment apps are usually cheaper than using traditional bank transfer methods like checks or wire transfers. Services like Venmo, for example, don’t charge anything to transfer money from one bank to another domestically.
Just be aware that money transfer apps should not be used as a savings account. Most of them do not pay interest. But more importantly, the CFPB warns that most lack individual federal deposit insurance and may be at higher risk if the company operating the app runs into financial trouble.
Health Savings Accounts
Online providers like Lively offer no-fee HSAs and low-cost paths to invest starting from dollar one. Traditional banks often have monthly fees, investment fees, and only allow investments above certain dollar thresholds. Optum Bank, just as an example, requires a $500 minimum to invest using its standard fee schedule, charges a 0.03% monthly investment fee, and has a monthly maintenance of $2.75, although that is waivable with an average balance of $2,000 or more.
The Bottom Line
Financial apps and online banks aren’t the answer for every customer. Some prefer face-to-face interaction and the feeling of stability that brick-and-mortar institutions often provide. But you can often earn more interest and pay fewer fees by moving your banking online. Just be sure that the institution is FDIC-insured and that you are comfortable trading in-person service for convenience.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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