Ally
by Ally Financial Inc. · Finance & Banking · Banking
Online-only bank offering checking, savings, investing, and mortgage products with no fees.
Quick Answer: Ally has a verified Real Score of 4.3/5 based on 40,000 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.7/5. Highly recommended by verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 40,000 verified reviews
Gap Alert: Ally's App Store rating is 0.4 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- No fees anywhere
- Competitive rates
- Full-service online bank
- Excellent customer service
Common Complaints
- No physical branches
- Cash deposits require workarounds
- Can't deposit cash at ATMs
- Hold times for phone support
Verified Reviews (20)
The complete online bank
Ally has everything - checking, savings, CDs, investing, mortgage. All with no fees and competitive rates. After 5 years, I've completely replaced my traditional bank. No regrets.
Buckets feature is brilliant
Creating "buckets" within your savings account for different goals (vacation, emergency fund, new car) while keeping one account is genius. Organize without multiple accounts.
Checking with no fees and ATM refunds
Interest-earning checking with no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and up to $10/month in ATM fee refunds. There's literally no reason to pay traditional bank fees.
Customer service is genuinely great
24/7 phone support with knowledgeable agents. When I had a fraud issue, they handled it promptly and professionally. Customer service quality at an online bank shouldn't be this good but it is.
No cash deposit option is a problem
There is literally no way to deposit cash into an Ally account directly. No ATM deposits, no partner locations. If you regularly receive cash, Ally isn't for you.
Investing platform is solid
Ally Invest offers self-directed trading, managed portfolios, and even a robo-advisor option. Having banking and investing in one platform with no commissions on trades is convenient.
Zelle integration works seamlessly
Zelle is built right into the Ally app for free instant transfers. Sending money to friends and family is as easy as it gets. No separate app needed.
CD rates are competitive
Ally's CD ladder rates are consistently among the best online. The no-penalty CD option provides flexibility. Built a CD ladder for reliable returns beyond what savings offers.
Mobile check deposit is fast
Deposited a check at 8pm and the funds were available the next morning. The app makes it easy - just take a photo. Never miss the convenience of a bank branch.
Spending round-ups to savings
Automatically rounding up debit card purchases and transferring the difference to savings is an easy way to save extra. $0.23 here, $0.67 there - it adds up to $30-50 monthly.
Wire transfers have fees
Outgoing domestic wire transfers cost $20. International wires cost more. For an otherwise fee-free bank, wire transfer fees feel inconsistent. Use ACH when possible.
10 years as an Ally customer
Started with Ally in 2014 for the savings rate. Now have checking, savings, CDs, and an IRA with them. A decade of no fees, good rates, and reliable service. Ally earned my loyalty.
Surprise savings transfers
The "Surprise Savings" feature analyzes your checking balance and automatically transfers safe amounts to savings. It's like an AI that saves what you can afford without you thinking about it.
Ally Home mortgage was smooth
Got my mortgage through Ally Home. The process was mostly digital, the rate was competitive, and the customer service during the process was responsive. Would recommend for home buyers.
Replaced Bank of America completely
Closed my BoA accounts after calculating I was paying $200/year in fees. Ally gives me everything BoA did (minus branches) with zero fees and better rates. Math doesn't lie.
Spending account categorization
The checking account automatically categorizes spending for basic insights. Not as detailed as a budgeting app but useful for a quick overview of where money goes.
Joint accounts supported
Unlike many online banks, Ally offers joint accounts for both checking and savings. Essential for couples managing shared finances. Opening a joint account was straightforward.
Large transfers can be slow
ACH transfers from external banks take 3-5 business days. For large transfers, this wait is annoying. Wire transfers are faster but cost $20. A middle-ground fast transfer option would be welcome.
Best all-around online bank
After researching every online bank extensively, Ally offers the best combination of products, rates, features, and customer service. It's the gold standard for online banking.
Fraud protection is solid
Had my debit card number stolen and Ally caught it before I did. Transactions were blocked, card was deactivated, and a replacement was overnighted. Felt protected throughout.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026