What Are the Pros and Cons of Online Checking Accounts?

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Greg DePersio
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Greg DePersio has 13+ years of professional experience in sales and SEO and 3+ years as a freelance writer and editor.
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Updated May 16, 2023
Reviewed by Margaret James
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Vikki Velasquez
Vikkie Velasquez
Fact checked by Vikki Velasquez
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Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area.
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Part of the Series
Guide to Checking Accounts
Types of Checking Accounts
  1. What Is a Checking Account? Here's Everything You Need To Know
  2. 6 Different Checking Accounts
  3. Joint Checking Account
Checking Account Basics
  1. Account Balance
  2. Non-Sufficient Funds
  3. Routing Transit Number
  4. Overdraft Protection
  5. Overdraft Protection: Pros and Cons
  6. Overdraft Consequences
Opening a Checking Account
  1. The Documents You Need
  2. Pros and Cons of Checking Accounts
    CURRENT ARTICLE
  3. Checking Account Beneficiaries
Paying With Checks
  1. What is a Check?
  2. Bounced Check
  3. Do Checks Expire?
  4. How to Write a Check
Using a Debit Card
  1. Debit Cards
  2. Keeping Transactions Safe
  3. Prepaid Debit Card Precautions
Best Checking Accounts
  1. Best Checking Accounts for Teens
  2. Best Rewards Checking Accounts
  3. Best High-Interest Checking Accounts
Young woman checking her bank account on her phone

maruco / Getty Images

Online checking accounts offer a convenient alternative to keeping your money in a brick-and-mortar bank. You maintain an online checking account with a computer or smartphone, and you can open it, check your balance, pay bills and transfer money between accounts without setting foot in a physical location. You can even deposit a check or cash without going to a branch. Smartphone apps enable you to deposit a check by taking a picture of both sides of it. In addition, many online banks contract with ATM companies so that customers can use their machines to make cash deposits.

Key Takeaways

  • While online checking offers advantages over traditional physical banks, consumers should be aware of certain disadvantages.
  • Online checking permits you to open an account, check activity, pay bills and transfer money without visiting a branch.
  • Customers may miss interacting with a teller face-to-face. Online banking also means being vigilant about protecting your login credentials.

Online Checking Accounts Offer Higher Yields and Lower Fees

Online banks have less overhead than their brick-and-mortar counterparts, and most pass those savings to their clients in the form of higher yields and lower fees. As of May 2023, the U.S. average annual percentage yield (APY) for checking accounts is 0.07%, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). However, online banks can be found offering checking accounts with APYs of 3% and higher. Another big draw for online checking is its low fees, also a result of overhead savings being passed on to the consumer. Because online banks typically do not maintain dedicated ATMs, many reimburse their customers for the charges they incur making out-of-network withdrawals.

Attractive High-Tech Features of Online Checking Accounts

High-tech features, such as budgeting assistance and compatibility with personal finance software such as Quicken and Microsoft Money, are another big draw to online checking accounts. Many enable you to set up automatic weekly or monthly transfers of a set amount of money to or from other accounts. This service can help you stick to a monthly budget or build your savings. Another popular feature is the automatic downloading of account information to personal finance software, which also helps with budgeting and can make filing your taxes much less arduous.

Drawbacks of Online Checking Accounts

Before signing up to make the switch, understand that online checking accounts come with a few drawbacks, including not having access to face-to-face customer service. Sitting down with a personal banker at your local branch can make it easier to deal with any issues that arise with your account. With online banking, however, the best you can hope for is a call center representative at a toll-free customer service number. Some online banks offer 24-hour customer service by phone, while others limit their customer service to normal business hours.

Online security is another concern. Few things are more sacred than your banking information, and few things can cause you more trouble if it falls into the hands of an unscrupulous person. Though most online banks provide encryption software and high-tech site security, cybercriminals have used malware to infect online banking customers’ browsers and steal login and password information. Keeping your computer and mobile devices free of malware and viruses is paramount if you maintain your checking account online.

Are online banks covered by FDIC insurance?

Yep. In their words: "The FDIC provides insurance for the funds that you deposit in FDIC-insured banks. This means that, if your FDIC-insured bank fails, the FDIC will protect you against the loss of your insured deposits whether the bank is brick and mortar or online-only."

Do online or traditional physical banks offer better interest rates on checking?

Since online banks pay less overhead than brick-and-mortar rivals, most pass those savings to their clients in the form of higher yields and lower fees. While most banks offer around 0.07% in interest, online banks can be found offering checking accounts with APYs of 3% and higher, as of May 2023.

What are online checking accounts' disadvantages?

Customers may miss interacting with a teller or bank manager face-to-face. Online banking also means being vigilant about protecting your login credentials and not falling victim to online scams.

The Bottom Line

Trading your brick-and-mortar bank for an online checking account has pros and cons. The pros include higher yields, lower fees, and high-tech features that help with account maintenance and budgeting. The cons include more difficult access to customer service, as well as online security concerns. Ultimately, you have to decide what’s right for you.

Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

  1. NCR Corporation. "ATM as a Service."

  2. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. "National Rates and Rate Caps."

  3. McKinsey and Company. "Financial Crime and Fraud in the Age of Cybersecurity."

  4. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. "Is Digital Banking for Me?"

Part of the Series
Guide to Checking Accounts
Types of Checking Accounts
  1. What Is a Checking Account? Here's Everything You Need To Know
  2. 6 Different Checking Accounts
  3. Joint Checking Account
Checking Account Basics
  1. Account Balance
  2. Non-Sufficient Funds
  3. Routing Transit Number
  4. Overdraft Protection
  5. Overdraft Protection: Pros and Cons
  6. Overdraft Consequences
Opening a Checking Account
  1. The Documents You Need
  2. Pros and Cons of Checking Accounts
    CURRENT ARTICLE
  3. Checking Account Beneficiaries
Paying With Checks
  1. What is a Check?
  2. Bounced Check
  3. Do Checks Expire?
  4. How to Write a Check
Using a Debit Card
  1. Debit Cards
  2. Keeping Transactions Safe
  3. Prepaid Debit Card Precautions
Best Checking Accounts
  1. Best Checking Accounts for Teens
  2. Best Rewards Checking Accounts
  3. Best High-Interest Checking Accounts
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