Top 10 Best Neobanks in 2024 According to Fintechzoom
The fintechzoom industry has seen a rise in digital-only challenger banks or neobanks in recent years that are looking to disrupt the traditional banking model.
These neobanks are taking advantage of new technologies like open banking APIs and mobile apps to offer convenient banking services to customers without the hindrances of physical branches.
As more consumers adopt digital-first banking, it has become increasingly important for prospective customers to identify which neobanks offer the best features and user experience.
Here are the top 10 Fintechzoom Best Neobanks according to this research platform:
Revolut
Founded in 2015, Revolut is a leading neobank. It offers commission-free stock trading, cryptocurrency exchange and international money transfers through its app. Revolut lets customers hold and exchange over 50 currencies at interbank rates with no fees.
The app provides tools for budgeting and spending tracking as well. Users can separate funds into “vaults” tailored to different savings goals. Recurring transfers and one-time payments can be scheduled through the vaults.
In 2020, Revolut launched paid subscription tiers called Premium and Metal. These offer perks like travel insurance and higher currency limits. The company received a UK banking license in 2018 allowing deposits and overdrafts.
Chime
Founded in 2013, Chime is a leading neobank in the US. It provides checking and savings accounts with no fees or minimum balances. Users get their paychecks up to 2 days early with direct deposit. Chime also offers a $200 credit line for negative balances.
The app includes a Bill Pay feature to easily pay bills and split shared expenses. Customers earn 2% cashback on debit card purchases at select stores. Chime aims to make banking simple and affordable.
N26
Based in Berlin, N26 has grown to over 7 million customers across Europe since launching in 2013. Its mobile-only banking model disrupted the market. The app provides budgeting insights and allows users to separate finances into sub-accounts for shared expenses.
In addition to checking accounts with no fees, N26 launched a variable interest savings product called N26 You. Customers can earn up to 0.6% AER on balances up to €50,000. The bank focuses on innovation and a seamless digital experience.
Starling Bank
Starling Bank launched in 2014 in the UK and obtained a European banking license. The app offers fee-free savings and joint accounts along with cashback rewards. It also makes business banking simple through invoicing features.
Clients can earn variable interest up to 3% AER on personal deposit balances up to £85,000. Starling supports causes through its rewards program and aims to be more sustainable than traditional banks.
Monzo
Launched in 2015 in the UK, Monzo has grown popular for its unique coral pink debit card and easy-to-use mobile app. The app provides useful spending notifications and helps freelancers conveniently track business expenses against personal finances.
Monzo gives users the ability to separate funds into discrete savings “pots” earmarked for different goals. Customers can also earn referral bonuses when signing up friends. Recently, Monzo began offering an optional paid subscription product called Monzo Plus which provides perks like travel insurance and cashback rewards.
Varo
Based in the U.S., Varo launched in 2017 with a mission of making banking more affordable and accessible through mobile technology. It differentiates itself by offering fee-free checking and savings accounts nationwide with no minimum balance requirements.
Customers also enjoy the unique benefit of early direct deposit availability, where paychecks are deposited up to two days in advance. For higher balances, Varo provides competitive interest rates on savings as well. Critically, Varo became one of the few neobanks to obtain a national bank charter, allowing it to provide regulated deposit and lending services across its app.
Current
With a focus on financial literacy, Current was designed specifically for American families and young people. Through its robust yet intuitive mobile app, users are empowered to set up fee-free checking and savings tools to securely manage money and learn responsible habits.
Current provides detailed payment history, budgeting and billpay facilities tailored for different age groups. Its goal is to educate the next generation on money management from an early stage through practical experience without punitive restrictions or charges. Transaction data can also be shared securely with parents or guardians.
TransferWise
While not a fully licensed bank, TransferWise has become extremely popular for low-cost international money transfers utilizing multi-currency accounts. Through its global payment network and currency exchange marketplace, users can send funds cross-border between supported regions, often saving huge percentages versus traditional banks or wire services.
With options to hold funds in foreign currencies like USD, GBP, and EUR, TransferWise also helps mitigate exchange rate risks when traveling or conducting business overseas. It aims to offer the best live rates guaranteed along with improved transparency on fees compared to most competitors in the remittance space.
Aspiration
Aspiration seeks to distinguish itself as an environmentally and socially responsible neobank. Beyond fee-free checking and savings, its mobile app provides in-depth carbon tracking of purchases to quantify individual spending footprints. Users gain insights into companies’ ESG (environmental, social, governance) performance as well.
Aspiration donates a portion of profits to select non-profits and offers consumers investment options that align with sustainable goals. With tools to encourage positive spending habits, it empowers people to manage finances sustainably without trade-offs to usability or features found at other challenger institutions.
Chanty
Specializing in collaborative money management, Chanty aims to make budgeting and bill sharing seamless between joint account holders like couples or roommates. Its flagship feature involves a shared “money box” that allows all authorized members visual access to activities, balances and the ability to establish budgets or split costs together directly within the platform.
Even non-account affiliates can participate through contactless payment requests and money transfers using the app’s social payment mechanisms. Chanty simplifies transparent financial coordination in domestic partnerships or group situations.
Conclusion
Neobanks have seen tremendous growth by going digital-first. As research by Fintechzoom shows, top players like Revolut, Chime, and N26 stand out.
They’ve successfully carved niches with useful features. These include fee-free investing, early paycheck access, low-cost international transfers and money management tools.
As fintech advances, the future remains promising for names like Monzo and Starling Bank. Leading neobanks will continue refining customers’ digital banking experience.
Overall, consumers now have more options than ever to find the best suited to their individual needs from among the top fintechzoom best neobanks.