Ally Bank vs Better.com

McCall Martin
McCall Martin | Senior Editor

If you’re looking for an online mortgage application process, either Ally Bank or Better.com would be great choices. Both companies offer fast pre-approval, as well as fast turnaround times.

Both companies offer similar loan types, but neither company operates in all 50 states.

On BestCompany.com, Ally reviews are limited, making it difficult to provide an accurate comparison between the two companies based on customer sentiment. However, the majority of Better reviews are positive with 95 percent of customers giving the company 4 or 5 stars. 

Jump down to read a company product and service comparison or helpful FAQs.

Ally Bank logo
#45 Ally Bank

Insufficient Reviews

4.8
star star star star star
(5)
Better.com logo
#3 Better.com
8.0 Overall Score
4.7
star star star star star_half
(522)

Overview

Ally Bank

Minimum Down Payment

N/A

Minimum Credit Score

N/A

Government-Insured Loan Types

Not Offered

Average Time to Closing

N/A

Time in Business

15 Years

Better.com

5%

620

FHA

20–30 Days

8 Years

Ratings

Ally Bank

Overall Score
2.0 of 10
Review Score
4.8
star star star star star
Value for Money
5.0
star star star star star
Quality of Product or Service
5.0
star star star star star
Company Trustworthiness
4.8
star star star star star
Likely to Recommend
9.3 of 10

Better.com

8.0 of 10
4.7
star star star star star_half
4.7
star star star star star_half
4.7
star star star star star_half
4.7
star star star star star_half
9.3 of 10

Pros & Cons

Ally Bank

PROS

  • Daily updated rates available on website
  • No lending fees
  • Closing cost discounts available for existing Ally Bank customers

CONS

  • Limited loan types available
  • Not available nationwide

Better.com

PROS

  • Online application process
  • No lender fees
  • Highly-rated customer service

CONS

  • No VA or USDA loans
  • No home equity loan options

Reviews

Ally Bank

Number of Reviews
5
Review Breakdown
4.8
star star star star star
1 star
0%
2 star
0%
3 star
0%
4 star
20%
5 star
80%

Better.com

522
4.7
star star star star star_half
1 star
2%
2 star
1%
3 star
2%
4 star
18%
5 star
77%

Reviews for Ally Bank

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Tara Gillispie

June 22nd, 2022

DETAILS

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Review Source

I like Ally Bank for their very easy process of applying for credit with their bank. I had actually heard some not so great reviews about them from others but I didn’t let that stop me. So far, I’m very happy with their service. Every 30 days they have a different account representative contact me, which I feel is unnecessary, I would like to keep the same rep every month. Other than that they have been a great bank.

Helpful Critical Review

None Available

Reviews for Better.com

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star_border star_border

Luke Swierczynski

November 10th, 2021

Edited January 28th, 2022

check_circle

Review Source

Was curious how the experience would be given all the advertisements they had. When purchasing our current home I did get a quote from Better.com but despite advertising zero commission or lender fees they still cost more than the company I ultimately used for my mortgage. I wouldn't recommend them purely based on the cost involved. I personally wouldn't use them but for a certain type of borrower it might make sense. It just didn't click for me.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Dayne Topkin

November 9th, 2021

DETAILS

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

Better.com were almost the reason my home purchase fell through. We missed countless deadlines in the process. My loan processor never communicated important details about the loan with me. And their communication was completely unacceptable, I ended up having to call every day to find out where we were in the process.

The Final Word

As online mortgage lenders, Ally Bank and Better.com offer similar products and services:

Competitive Mortgage Rates
Online Mortgage Process
Loan Types
No Fees
State Availability
Customer Reviews

Competitive Mortgage Rates

Both Ally and Better publish mortgage rates on their website. 

Ally provides daily update rates, as well as an option to customize rates to get a better idea of what you might qualify for based on your finances and the property you’d like to purchase. Ally’s advertised rates are comparable to those of Better.com.

On Better.com you can choose certain parameters, such as your credit score and home purchase price, to determine your estimated mortgage rate options. Compared to other large lenders, such as Quicken Loans, Better.com has lower rates.

The websites for both companies publish the lowest rates available, typically available only to borrowers with excellent credit and financial health. The rates you will qualify for will be based on a variety of factors, such as your credit score and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, so the rates you see advertised can’t be guaranteed for your mortgage.

Online Mortgage Process

Both Ally and Better simplify the mortgage process by keeping it online. For many borrowers, this is ideal because you can easily upload documents, and manage and track your mortgage progress.

In Better.com reviews, customers frequently mention how fast and easy the mortgage process is, particularly because they can upload documents online. In addition, customers are quick to praise the company’s online customer portal, through which you can keep track of your loan progress, leave questions for company representatives, and view a checklist of tasks to ensure that you are on track with your mortgage application.

Similarly, Ally keeps its mortgage process almost entirely online. However, you are required to finalize everything at closing in person. An Ally representative will let you know where to go and what to bring, and after all paperwork is signed you’ll be given the keys to your new home.

Loan Types

Compared to other large mortgage companies, Ally and Better offer limited loan types.

  Ally Bank Better.com
Loan Types
  • Fixed Rate Loan
  • Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
  • Jumbo Loan
  • Fixed Rate Loan
  • Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
  • FHA Loan

If you are a first-time homebuyer, or you are looking for a loan option with more flexible down payment and credit score options, Better.com might be a good choice for you since it has an FHA loan option.

However, most homebuyers get a conventional fixed or adjustable-rate mortgage, and so either company could be a good option, depending on your needs.

No Fees

Both companies have zero lending fees — no application, origination, processing, or underwriting fees. In addition, Better has zero commissions.

State Availability

Neither Ally or Better have nationwide coverage.

Ally Bank doesn’t operate in the following states: Better.com doesn’t operate in the following states:
  • Hawaii
  • Massachusetts
  • Maryland
  • Minnesota
  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • Nevada
  • Virginia
  • Vermont
  • Wyoming
  • Hawaii
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • New Hampshire
  • Nevada
  • Virginia
  • Vermont

If you live in Maryland, New York, or Wyoming, you won’t be able to finance your mortgage with Ally, but you can with Better.com.

Customer Reviews

Ally Bank mortgage reviews are currently limited on BestCompany.com.

Better.com, on the other hand, has more than 400 reviews, 95 percent of which are 4-star and 5-star reviews. Better customers frequently highlight the following from their experience with the mortgage company:

  • Excellent customer service with knowledgeable company representatives who promptly answer questions
  • Online convenience, particularly noting the company’s customer portal which makes it easy to upload documents and track mortgage progress.
  • Faster and easier refinance process than other mortgage companies.

Although the majority of Better.com reviews are positive, some customers mention that they were asked to submit documents multiple times which was inconvenient.

Top Choice

Better.com Logo
Better.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Better Mortgage part of Ally Bank?

Ally Bank and Better.com are not the same company. However, back in 2019, Better.com helped Ally Bank launch its digital mortgage service, and Ally Bank also became a Better.com investor.

Is Ally Bank a direct lender?

Ally Bank is a direct-to-consumer lender, although the company may sell your loan after closing.

Is Better.com a direct lender?

Better.com is a direct lender. But after closing, the company may sell your loan to another servicer.

Does Ally Bank offer FHA loans?

Ally Bank doesn't offer FHA loans. The company doesn't offer any government-back mortgage products (FHA, VA, or USDA loans), but it does offer conventional loan products which meet the needs of most homebuyers.

How long does it take Ally Bank to close on a home loan?

Ally Bank doesn't disclose an exact closing timeframe, but it is likely much faster than the indsutry average of 40 to 65 days.

How long does it take Better.com to close on a home loan?

Better.com doesn't disclose an exact closing timeframe, but many customer reviews highlight how fast the company was able to close on their home loan — typically much faster than the industry average of 40 to 65 days.

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