Updated August 30, 2024

Best Check Cashing Apps

By Justin Barnard
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by the companies mentioned. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the companies.
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Looking to cash a check without a bank? Skip the bank lines. Read this guide for the top 10 apps that can cash checks online instantly.

What app is best for cashing a check?
Here are the best third-party apps for cashing checks:
  1. Brink's Money Prepaid: Most Secure App
  2. Ingo Money: Most Versatile App
  3. Venmo: Best for ATM Access
  4. PayPal: Most Trusted Cash Checking App
  5. Flare Account®: Best Nontraditional Bank Account
  6. NetSpend®: Best for Global Money Transfers
  7. Chime®: Best for More than Check Cashing
  8. The Check Cashing Store®: Most Simple App
  9. Waleteros: Best for People with Family in Central America
  10. GTE Mobile: Best Free Check Cashing Service

Which of these are you most interested in when using check-cashing apps?

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 and traditional checking accounts.

Check cashing apps are handy, but they often have fees and sometimes make you wait for your money. On the other hand, regular bank accounts give you fast access to your cash and come with cool extras. Plus, they're safe and can help you save more in the long run. And guess what? Many banks give you a special bonus when you start a new account. Check out these latest bank promotions.

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. They also offer a prepaid debit card and check cashing service using their mobile app.

Such features are offered through First Century Bank, N.A.

  • 4.2 stars on Google Play Store | 3.2 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.

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).

  • 4.3 stars on Google Play Store | 4.0 stars on App Store.
  • $5 fee for payroll or government checks $250 or less (2% for checks over $250)[1].
  • $5 fee for all other checks $100 or less (5% for checks over $100).

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.

  • 3.5 stars on Google Play Store | 4.9 stars on App Store.
  • 1% fee for payroll and government checks; 5% for all other checks, with a $5 minimum fee[2].
  • No fee for 10-day approval option.
  • Fee-free ATM withdrawals at 30,000+ MoneyPass locations.
  • Earn cash back with Venmo debit Mastercard.

How to cash a check on Venmo:
  1. Download the Venmo app.
  2. Sign up for Venmo Debit Card or set up direct deposit.
  3. Go to top right drop-down menu.
  4. Select "Manage Balance."
  5. Select "Cash a Check" and follow the prompts.

PayPal: Most Trusted Cash Checking App

PayPal's check cashing service is another option 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% for all other checks, with a $5 minimum fee[3].
  • $5,000 maximum check amount.
  • Near-instant approval.

Flare Account®: Best Nontraditional

Provided through Pathward®, N.A. (in partnership with ACE Cash Express and NetSpend®), Flare Account® offers many of the same services you can receive at a traditional bank. These include check cashing, ATM access, a Visa debit card, and direct deposit.

While this is 100% a check-cashing app, it has an Optional Online Savings Account where you can even earn a competitive 6.0% APY on balances under $2,000.[4]

  • 4.2 stars on Google Play Store | 4.8 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.

NetSpend®: Best for Global Money Transfers

Netspend®, provided through Ingo, lets you cash checks via its mobile app. Additionally, customers can utilize their Netspend® Card to send or receive a Western Union Money Transfer to over 200 countries and territories.

  • 4.7 stars on Google Play Store | 4.8 stars on App Store.
  • 2% or $5 fee for payroll or government checks (whichever is greater).
  • 5% or $5 fee for all other checks (whichever is greater).

Chime®: Best for more than check cashing

While check cashing fees are fairly minimal, they add up especially if you find yourself having to cash checks frequently.

As such, Chime® is an option worth considering. Although you are unable to cash your checks on the spot, you don't have to pay anything. And besides, opening an account allows you to do other banking transactions without much hassle.

The Check Cashing Store®: Most Simple App

Nothing could be more straightforward than having a name as The Check Cashing Store®. This no-frills app will enable you 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; it only says it varies by state. As such, you can expect the cost to be between 1% and 5% for each check.

  • 3.3 stars on Google Play Store | 2.4 stars on App Store.
  • Only available to Florida residents.
  • Physical storefront locations available across the state.

Waleteros: With Family in Central America

If you have relatives in Central America, Waleteros is the optimal pick for you. It offers one-time $0.99 transfers to various locations in Mexico, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua at the beginning of each month.

Meanwhile, this app allows you to cash checks, receive your direct deposit, and send money with very few fees. There are no minimum account balances and no overdraft charges. 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.

GTE Mobile: Best Free Check Cashing Service

If you don't mind a retro-looking app that will bring you back to 2007, GTE Mobile offers fee-free check cashing for members of NCUA-insured GTE Financial.

How long are you willing to wait for your funds to be available?

Other Check Cashing Apps to Consider

Given a myriad of options, we have the following honorable mentions:

  1. Cash App
    You can deposit checks at Cash App if you have a verified account and pay extra to get your funds immediately.

  2. Green Dot®
    Much like Chime®, using the Green Dot® app allows mobile check deposits for free but the funds may only be available after a few days.

  3. GO2bank™
    GO2bank™ is Green Dot®'s mobile bank account where you can cash your check instantly for a small fee.

How to Choose Best Check Cashing App

Some things to consider when choosing the best check cashing app include:

  • Reasonable fees
  • Quick processing
  • App security
  • Manageable transaction limits
  • Good customer support
  • Ease of use
  • Reputation for being reliable and trustworthy

Check Cashing Apps Alternatives

Aside from check cashing apps, here are alternatives where you can at least deposit your check, if not cash it instantly.

Retail check cashing services
Places like Walmart, Kroger, or other dedicated check-cashing stores allow you to cash checks for a fee.

Check cashing kiosks
SAM Check Cashing self-service machines are conveniently located in many retail shops which can cash certain types of checks, i.e. paychecks, government-issued checks, and money orders.

Mobile banking apps
If you have a bank account, this is a no-brainer option that won't entail an additional cost. However, your funds may only be available after a few days.

FAQS

How do check cashing apps work?
Check cashing apps lets you deposit checks by taking photos of them with your smartphone. The funds are usually deposited into your prepaid card or linked account in minutes.

Are check cashing apps safe?
In general, check cashing apps are safe. They often use encryption and fraud detection measures to protect your personal information during transactions. Some are even backed by established financial institutions, which adds an extra layer of reliability.

Can you cash a check instantly?
Yes, you can cash a check right away, usually for a fee. However, if your check does not clear, your deposit will be reversed. As such, you could face some steep overdraft fees or returned check fees.

Where can I cash a check without verification?
The only true way to cash a check with no ID is to sign over a check to another person so they can cash it for you. If you don't have a bank account but willing to present your ID, you can cash it at the bank that printed and issued the check.

What are the check cashing apps without Ingo?
If you don't want to use the Ingo Money app, here are some of your options:

Bottom Line

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.

References

  1. ^ Ingo. Cash Paychecks, Personal Checks, Money Orders & More, Retrieved 8/13/2024
  2. ^ Venmo. Cash a Check FAQ, Retrieved 8/13/2024
  3. ^ PayPal. Take a pic, cash your check., Retrieved 8/13/2024
  4. ^ Flare Account®. Optional Online Savings Account, Retrieved 8/14/2024
  5. ^ GTE Financial. Mobile Deposit, Retrieved 8/13/2024

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.

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