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2.3

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: March 28th, 2025

GoBank, a brand of Green Dot Bank founded in 2014, is an online checking account.

To open an account, purchase a starter kit for $2.95 at a Walmart store, deposit $20 (the minimum opening deposit), and then follow the instructions in the kit to complete set up. Two other options are to go to GoBank.com or download the mobile app to start your account. The account can be opened on a smartphone or computer, and the starter Mastercard debit card is immediately activated and usable until the permanent card arrives.

It is important to note that GoBank assets are protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which means your money is just as safe as it would be in a normal bank.

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Attention: GoBank and GO2bank are separate Green Dot Bank products

In January 2021, Green Dot Bank introduced its new online banking program for consumers with limited access to financial products, GO2bank. Although both GoBank and GO2Bank are similar in name and function, they are not the same product and are meant to serve different consumer audiences.

 

Learn more about GO2bank's products and services

Continue reading for pros and cons of this online bank, as well as GoBank reviews from real customers.

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The Good

Award-Winning Mobile App

To take full advantage of what GoBank has to offer, customers are encouraged to download its mobile app.

Through the app, customers can check their balance, view their transaction history, find free ATMs, deposit checks, send money to other GoBank cards, and receive account alerts.

The app also includes the following helpful, and unique, features:

        • Fortune Teller — An exclusive feature to the GoBank mobile app. After building a budget on the app, Fortune Teller checks against your balance, budget, and a purchase amount to see if your next purchase will fit your budget.
        • Money Vault — If you want to set a certain amount of money aside, you can put it in the Money Vault for safe keeping. You can move money in and out whenever you want to, allowing you to set money aside as needed.

The app is available for both Android and iOS.

Monthly Fee Waiver

GoBank will waive the $8.95 monthly fee for your card account if you have signed up for Direct Deposit and have a monthly payroll or government benefits deposit of at least $500.

Easily Transfer and Receive Funds

Through the GoBank mobile app, you can easily send and receive money in just a matter of minutes.

It is important to note that money can only be transferred from your GoBank card to another GoBank card and vice versa. This makes it easy if many of your friends and family are GoBank customers, but if they are not it may not be an ideal way to send money.

Large ATM Network

Unique for an online banking service, GoBank has a massive free ATM network available for its customers. Through the GoBank app you can easily see the nearest ATMs to you.

Please note that for withdrawals made outside of the GoBank ATM network, you will be charged a $3 fee in addition to any other fees that the ATM owner may charge.

Deposit Cash Nationwide

GoBank makes it easy to deposit cash to your checking account at over 100,000 retail locations nationwide. This cash deposit service will cost you up to $4.95, or $0 at Walmart locations, and the process is simple and easy. At a participating location, you ask the cashier at the register to deposit cash directly to your GoBank card, and those funds should be available in your account within minutes.

It is important to note that this service is not available in the state of Vermont.

Uber Visa Debit Card

Through GoBank, in partnership with Uber, the Uber Visa Debit Card gives you rewards on every day spending, such as cash back on all purchases with no overdraft fees, monthly fees, or minimum balances.

It is important to note that this card provides larger cash back rewards at specific locations such as, Exxon and Mobil, Advance Auto Parts, and Jiffy Lube.

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The Bad

Multiple Fees

GoBank has multiple fees to be aware of:

  • $8.95 monthly fee which can be waived if you meet certain criteria
  • Out-of-network ATM fee of $3 if you withdraw money from an ATM outside of GoBank's network
  • Cash deposit fee up to $4.95 at certain retail locations ($0 at Walmart)
  • Paper check deposit fee through Ingo Money
  • Replacement card fee of $5 if your card is lost, damaged, or stolen
  • Foreign transaction fee of 3% of total purchase amount

Paper Check Deposit Stipulations

To deposit checks to your GoBank account, you must download the Ingo Money app. This may be inconvenient for consumers looking to do all their banking in one app. 

Ingo will generally accept checks from $5 to $5,000, and you are limited to how much you can deposit per day and per month. Your funds should be available to you within minutes, but for a fee. Checks deposited through Ingo require a fee of 2 percent for payroll and government benefit deposits with a pre-printed signature, 5 percent for all other checks, with a $5 minimum fee per check.

Slow Electronic Payments

Electronic payments take two to three days if done before 1 p.m. Otherwise, it will take longer. Also, there is no notification when the payment recipient cashes the check. Cash withdrawals cannot exceed $500 within a 24-hour timeframe.

Missing Card Response

If your GoBank debit card is lost or stolen, it could take up to four weeks to get a replacement. In the meantime, funds cannot be accessed and you may be charged a cancellation fee for the missing card.

Account Closure Process

To officially close your GoBank account, you need to spend or transfer the money in your account down to a $0 balance and then contact GoBank to close it. The $8.95 monthly fee will still be charged until your account is officially closed.

Customer Reviews

Of the more than 370 GoBank reviews, 90 percent of customers gave GoBank a 1-star rating.

Customers regularly complain about GoBank randomly closing accounts for unauthorized reasons, in addition to frequent reports of fraudulent use of GoBank debit cards. Some complaints include misallocated funds, misuse of the card or stolen card numbers, and intended funds that were never completed. This can upset balance transfers and cause banking issues. These problems usually result in a closed account, either closed by GoBank, or the account holder, losing out on future account opening opportunities. 

Even though GoBank advertises that it has 24/7 customer service, customers report that they stop answering the phone after a certain time in the evening. This is super frustrating for customers with questions about instant pay, online purchases, credit scores, points, statement credit, as well as Uber and Lyft questions concerning the Uber Visa Debit Card. Other customers report that customer representatives are insensitive and inflexible to their needs and individual requests, even though those needs and requests fall within the legal guidelines and normal expectations a checking account holder would have.

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The Bottom Line

GoBank can be a dream come true for people on the go who want to avoid working with big, traditional banks.

Those who choose to use GoBank's services can expect limited fees and penalties, online access to funds, and deposit limitations.

It is important to note that you must have a monthly direct deposit in order to qualify. Besides the direct deposit, good luck might be a requirement. Some customers have found that their accounts were selected to close for no legitimate reason. In addition, if you lose your debit card or it is stolen, it could take weeks before another is issued, and your funds cannot be accessed without a card.

View Best Online Banks

For more information, see GoBank reviews below. GoBank consistently receives poor reviews from its customers.

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Star Rating

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1.3

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455 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

5%

4 grade

1%

3 grade

1%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

91%

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Marvin Williams Lubbock, TX

Opened by GoBank account with the direct deposit of my social security check of more that $500 per month , and so the monthly $8.95 service fee should be waived. Used the account for several months without problems. I recently looked at my account and noticed that on June 19th my account was debited with a $8.95 monthly service fee. I contacted GoBank by phone to correct the charge. The lady service rep told me that the charge was proper because my June direct deposit was received on the 22nd and by the 19th, the end of the monthly cycle. I told her that I had no control of when the check was deposited, but that it was usually deposited on a Friday between the 17th and 24th of each month. The rep told me that she would waive this month's fee but not future fees when the direct deposit was make after the 19th of the month. I told her that was not satisfactory and I would close my account. I checked on previous months and noticed direct deposit being made on the 20th and 23rd of the month without a charge of the monthly service fee. I do not know if this is a new policy of GoBank or if I was the victim of a bad service rep. Bottom line -- I don't have time for either, so I'll find an alternative.

6 years ago

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Alnesha Brown Pittsburg, CA

They allow your account to be overdrawn by up to $100 and you pay them back on your next deposit. My account was overdrawn by $13.89 on Tuesday morning. I checked my account that evening and it was overdrawn $73.00. I called customer service and after being placed on hold multiple times I was told they were updating their system and the correct balance would appear after midnight. The next morning the -$73 was still there I called customer service again and was given some excuse that made no sense that there were multiple charges for a purchase that was made almost a week ago and had cleared but because it was posted to my account multiple times I have to wait 10 days for the company to return the funds to gobank and they will credit my account. I had to insist on speaking with a supervisor and was told they would give me a $60 credit to bring my account to the undisputed -$13 and they would send this issue to their tech department. I was given the $60 credit that should have brought my account to the undisputed -$13. Somehow the $60 dollar credit resulted me having an available balance of $49. What's going on with there calculations, I'm not touching that $49. I want to see what happens next.

6 years ago

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Alyssa Mancuso Pasadena, CA

I would just completely agree with everything mentioned above. Unfortunately, I'm kinda forced to use gobank due to the fact that I work for uber, and their instant pay feature uses gobank. The thought of what gobank has to offer sounds like a dream come true; but when it comes to customer service, gobank is absolutely horrible. Their representatives are rude and offer no help whatsoever. Uber sent the funds, and I've been trying to get some help from gobank to see what is going on, and they refuse to help, started to talk to me slowly as if somehow that was going to make me understand, and basically told me that I was just going to have to wait-and-see if I get my money...I had to ask to speak to a supervisor four different times (as in 4 separate phone calls) for there to finally be one available. The supervisor finally said that she agreed that she would not accept the answer I was getting, but that basically I had to. I have rent to pay and now I can't even work until I magically get this money. Again, everything about gobank is awesome, until you need help.

9 years ago

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John van Dalen Cathedral City, CA

I like that direct deposit of my earnings from Uber. I don't like that transfering money out of the account takes several days. I don't like that Zelle isn't supported. I HATE THAT I CAN'T EXPORT MY TRANSACTIONS TO QUICKBOOKS. I HATE THAT IT TOOK EXTENSIVE RESEARCH JUST TO FIND A PHONE NUMBER TO CALL AND WHEN I CALLED THE GUY I SPOKE WITH DID NOT KNOW WHAT DOWNLOAD MEANT! I HATE THAT WHEN I OPEN A CHAT ON THE GOBANK WEBSITE I AM TAKEN TO A LINK FOR PAID TECHNICAL SUPPORT. THIS IS BS.

4 years ago

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Bonnie Phoenix, AZ

1 month ago, over $300 fraudulently withdrawn from my account. Still not resolved. Hold time is horrendous 1 time OVER 2.5 hours until I eventually I hung up. Each time I call, they add another step I need to take to get this resolved. They originally declined my claim and closed it. I fond out for the first time they needed a police report, although they originally told me I didn't. I've submitted everything and complied with all their requests. They said by March 3rd, it will be resolved. If not i will be reporting them to the BBB,

5 years ago

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Janaya sanders Charlotte, NC

Not so much of a good banking experience since the last month in a half. had some problems with this company account being hacked by online predators...can't get my money back no response from companies investigative department nothing...had to file a report with local police dept. just not the best company this company probably owe alot of people for claims that were transaction's not allowed by the owner of the account. just a bad business policy

5 years ago

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chad c Boise, ID

pro no fees if min meet no overdrafts cos if your account is hack and they send you a new card the old account (even though the actual account numbers stay the same) just has all its history gone so if you are to get a refund on the old card number you wont get it and theyre support cant help

3 years ago

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Uber Sean Washington, DC

Held a $50 imenities hold for a 1 night hotel stay for 2 weeks and refused to release the funds even though the merchant gave them authorization to do so. Unacceptable to hold my money for 14 days for no reason. No email available to contact them probably because the complaints would overload their system! They suck

4 years ago

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Yvonne Farmer Poplar Bluff, MO

Money was to be refunded. Called to make sure money was available.1 person said yes. Tried to use the card. It said no money. Called back 2 more times . By the last call. I was furious my money is so screwed up. I am changing banks.

6 years ago

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Cheryl Powell

$ taken w/o auth. Process to investigate very long.

7 years ago