When I opened my first bank account at 18, I had to drive to my local branch, bring in my license and secondary form of ID, and sign a lot of paperwork—the process took an hour or so.
Thankfully, times have changed. Some banks let you open an account from your phone in fifteen minutes or less, which I recently did with my UFB Direct savings account.
We’ve analyzed more than 100 accounts and identified the easiest ones to open online, detailing their application processes below.
7 Easiest Bank Accounts to Open Online
Here are the easiest bank accounts to open online today:
1. Discover 
While you might be more familiar with Discover because of its credit cards, it’s also a full-service online bank. It’s a user-friendly one-stop shop for managing your finances, with checking, savings, retirement accounts, MMAs, CDs, and loans.
Discover’s fee-free checking account provides 1% cashback on your first $3,000 of debit card purchases each month. You can also get early paychecks and use Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay to earn cashback.
How to Open an Account Online:
When I walked through the signup process for a savings account, Discover asked for my contact information and address, Social Security Number, mother’s maiden name, employment status, household income, and a few details on how I plan to use the account.
From there, the only required steps are to authenticate your phone number, read and sign disclosures, and fund your account, which only takes a few minutes from start to finish.
You can make a deposit when you register or come back later. Discover will send you an email confirmation after you complete the application, and then you’re all set to start using your account.
Discover also offers customer support in case you need assistance during the process.
Learn more:
2. Varo 
Varo is a straightforward, user-friendly option with convenient checking and savings accounts. The Varo Bank Account offers easy online checking with no minimum balance requirements, monthly account fees, or overdraft fees. You also get direct deposits up to two business days early.
Once you open a Varo checking account, you can enroll in Varo Savings. The account has no minimum requirements and pays competitive interest on every penny in your account.
When you meet certain requirements, you can jump from 3.00% APY to 5.00%. The account also has automated savings tools to help you make the most of your savings.
With Varo Cash Advance, you can borrow up to $500 with no interest, for a low fee. Varo also offers a fee-free secured credit card called Varo Believe if your credit needs a boost.
How to Open an Account Online:
We found Varo to be one of the quickest accounts to apply for. You can download the Varo app or apply online by clicking “Get Started,” then provide your name, contact info, address, and Social Security Number. Varo will also ask about your citizenship and employment.
After entering that information, you’ll be prompted to sign account disclosures before getting approved. The entire process took around three minutes when one of our editorial team members applied and had convenient explainers on each application screen.
There’s no minimum deposit requirement, but you can fund your account once your identity is verified. After opening the account, you can also opt to open a Varo Savings Account.
Learn more:
3. UFB Direct 
UFB Direct is a division of Axos Bank that specializes in savings accounts and recently released a checking account. It provides some of the highest savings yields in the country.
I recently opened a UFB Direct high-yield savings account and put six months of my emergency fund there.
There are no account minimums or monthly fees to worry about, and you don’t have to maintain a set amount to earn the highest interest rate. The savings account comes with a debit card, and you can make fee-free withdrawals from more than 90,000 ATM locations.
UFB Direct is an online bank, but it offers 24/7 customer support, so you have full access to representatives when you need assistance with your accounts.
How to Open an Account Online:
You can open a UFB Direct account if you’re at least 18 years old. To get started, you’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, address, contact information, and Social Security Number. When I opened my UFB Direct account, the whole process took less than 15 minutes.
I chose the account I wanted to open and completed the online application. While the process was straightforward and I didn’t end up needing help, there was an option to submit questions to UFB Direct’s team through a contact form before committing to an account.
Learn more:
4. Chime 
Chime is one of the easiest bank accounts to open online and enjoy the benefits of online banking.
Customers can open a checking or savings account with Chime Bank, but you must open a checking account to be eligible for a savings account.
Chime Bank doesn’t charge monthly maintenance or overdraft fees, and it has a network of over 60,000 fee-free ATMs. In addition, if you set up direct deposit with Chime, you’ll get early access to your paycheck (two days early), and there are no overdraft fees.
Chime offers two unique optional features that make saving easier, too:
- Automatic Savings: Chime will round up your purchases made with your Chime debit card to the nearest dollar. Then, they will transfer the difference to your savings account for easy savings.
- Paycheck transfer: You can allow Chime to transfer a percentage of your paycheck to savings with the Save When I Get Paid feature.
How to Open an Account Online:
We found that Chime’s application can be completed in less than two minutes on the app or Chime’s website, with three easy steps.
First, the Chime application asks for a name, email, password, phone number, date of birth, and Social Security Number. It also asks what you do for work and how you heard about Chime, which is par for the course.
From there, it prompts you to log in to set up a direct deposit and get your debit card in the mail. All in all, Chime’s application asked the same questions as Varo and was one of the quickest to complete.
Learn more:
5. Chase 
Chase Bank is one of the country’s largest banks with in-person bank branches, but it also offers a user-friendly online banking program that’s easy to open. Chase offers a wide selection of banking products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts.
Chase Bank runs promotions often to reward customers opening a new bank account, and they offer simple ways to avoid the monthly maintenance fee charged on most bank accounts.
If you feel better about banking at a national bank with one of the largest presences in the country, Chase Bank can be a good option for an easy-to-open online bank account.
How to Open an Account Online:
We like that Chase’s Total Checking Account application starts by outlining the steps to applying and listing what documentation you’ll need to supply.
If you’re a current Chase customer, you’ll be prompted to log in for a quicker pre-filled application, streamlining the process even more.
The application is pretty standard, asking for your name, birthday, contact information, and Social Security to verify your identity before approving your application and giving you the option to fund your new account.
Learn more:
6. Ally 
Ally Bank is an online-only bank with robust features. It offers interest checking, online savings, CD, and money market accounts, along with credit cards, loans, and investment accounts.
Like most online banks, Ally Bank pays higher APYs and doesn’t charge a monthly maintenance or overdraft fee. While Ally Bank is online only, it offers several helpful customer service options.
Ally Bank doesn’t require minimum balances to waive monthly fees, and it has a large network of 43,000 ATMs. However, like most online banks, you must be comfortable managing your money online, including making deposits via mobile or electronic transfers.
How to Open an Account Online:
I’m a long-time Ally customer and a big fan of its simple, user-friendly platform. That includes the online application.
Here’s a rundown of the application process, which took around five minutes to complete:
- Choose the account you want to open (checking, savings, money market, or CD)
- Provide your personal identifying information, including your name, address, SSN, birthday, occupation, mother’s maiden name, and contact info.
- Provide proof of your identity (government-issued IDs)
- Choose your funding method (external bank account) and fund your account
After you sign off on the legal disclosures, you can submit your application, get instant approval, and fund your account.
Learn more:
7. Revolut 
Revolut is a UK-based fintech that offers FDIC-insured accounts to US applicants through a partnership with Community Federal Savings Bank.
It serves as an all-in-one money management app that features a bank account, budgeting tools, automated investing, and travel perks.
Revolut’s Standard Account offers some impressive benefits, such as a debit card with fee-free withdrawals at over 55,000 ATMs, international transfers in more than 25 currencies, and a competitive APY on savings. Revolut has three tiers, with each one offering additional services and higher rates.
How to Open an Account Online:
You can open a Revolut account in a few minutes, Unlike the other bank applications we reviewed, Revolut does require you to download the mobile app to get started.
When you do, you’ll be prompted to enter your phone number and create a password, then verify your number with a text code. Once you’re in, you’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, address, and email address.
From there, you’ll be prompted to deposit funds into your account and verify your identity with a selfie and your ID. We found that the process can easily be completed in 15 minutes or less, with minimal documentation required.
Learn more:
Summary of the Easiest Bank Accounts to Open Online
| Bank | Time to Open | Minimum Deposit | New Account Bonus |
| Discover | 5 minutes | $0 | ✓ |
| Varo | 3 minutes | $0 | x |
| UFB Direct | >15 minutes | $0 | x |
| Chime | 2 minutes | $0 | ✓ |
| Chase | >15 minutes | $0 | ✓ |
| Ally | 5 minutes | $0 | ✓ |
| Revolut | >15 minutes | $0 | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What bank can I open an account online with no deposit?
Ally Bank, Discover, and Axos Bank don’t require an opening deposit. Instead, you can apply for an account and fund it at a later date if necessary. If you’re trying to earn interest on your bank account or need to use the funds to pay bills or buy necessities, it makes sense to fund your account immediately.
Can I open a bank account online and use it right away?
Each bank has different requirements. While the easiest bank accounts to open online take only a few minutes, it might be a day or two before you can use them. The bank must verify your identity and set up your account, which can take a couple of days.
What bank gives you money just for opening an account?
Chase Bank is the most common bank to offer promotions. Chase often pays $100 – $250 depending on the bank account, the amount you deposit, and the current promotion. So always check back for the latest promotions to see what they offer.
What banks do not require a credit check to open an account?
Most banks don’t require a credit check to open an account. Instead, they’ll verify your identity, and most banks use ChexSystem to see your banking history. They look for bounced checks or inappropriate use of your funds when determining if you qualify for an account.
Can I open a bank account online with no credit?
You can open a bank account online with no credit as more and more banks are accepting applications without requiring a credit check. If your ChexSystems report is clear, you can open a bank account if your credit score is low. However, if you have a bad ChexSystems history, you may need a second-chance bank account.
Can you open a bank account online without ID?
Some banks allow you to open a bank account online without an ID when you provide your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security Number, while others require it. Check your bank’s website or ask a representative what documentation is required to apply.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the easiest bank accounts to open, we extensively researched more than 100 banks, completing applications, reading customer reviews, and thoroughly reviewing the fine print.
Here are some of the key factors we used to evaluate each application:
- Application time: To make the list, a bank’s application has to take fifteen minutes or less to complete from start to finish.
- User experience: We applied for accounts and got feedback from customer reviews to determine the ease of opening an account, considering factors like the availability of customer support, clear instructions, and a streamlined application process.
- Minimum deposit requirements: We also prioritized banks with low or no minimum deposit requirements, making it easier for individuals to open an account without making a major financial commitment.
- Identification documentation: We considered bank accounts that don’t require excessive paperwork or a complicated verification process.
- Availability: We also zeroed in on accounts with widespread nationwide availability, making it easy to open an account from anywhere
- Reliability and security: Last, we featured bank accounts from reputable financial institutions known for their reliability and security measures to ensure that customers’ funds and private information are protected.
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