Best for multiple advances
| Rates | Up to 4.00% annual bonus on Savings Pods; 0% interest on Build Card; 0% interest on Paycheck Advance |
| Credit limit | Build Card spending limit equal to money added to Current Account; Paycheck Advance up to $500 |
| Repayment terms | Repay Build Card balance every month for on-time payment reporting to TransUnion; Late payments incur a fee equal to 3% of the total balance due |
| Cash advance funding time | Instant (for a fee) – 3 days (free) |
Financial technology companies have revolutionized how many of us bank, build credit, and invest. One popular mobile banking app is Current, which has a checking account with a secured credit card, high-yield savings features, cryptocurrency investment options, and even interest-free advances on your paycheck.
But is Current the best mobile banking app out there, and is it right for your needs? In our Current app review, we’ll walk through the pros and cons of Current and help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your finances.
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The Current app offers members banking services, including a Spend account that works like a traditional checking account combined with a secured credit card. This is a solid option for people trying to establish or repair their credit because there’s no credit check to open the account.
In addition, Current offers a feature akin to a traditional savings account, which allows you to separate your savings into three Savings Pods. Each pod earns up to 4.00% bonus cash (but with much fine print). You can also use Current to invest, but only in cryptocurrency, and to get an interest-free payday advance of up to $500.
Current has four main components available to customers who open an account and download the app:
Spend works like a checking account, but instead of a debit card, you’ll get a secured credit card (called the Build Card). Money in your Current Account acts as your spending limit for the card. As you spend throughout the month, money automatically moves from your Current Account to “Reserved Funds,” earmarked for paying off the card.
You can enroll in autopay to have those Reserve Funds pay off the card each month. Otherwise, you’ll do it manually. Paying the Build Card off in full each month is important because:
This makes Current a terrific resource for boosting your credit score and learning about responsible spending habits.
A few of our favorite components of the Spend feature:
You can also manage the equivalent of a savings account with Current, but they’re called Savings Pods. You can have up to three pods to organize your savings goals.
Balances in the pods earn 0.25% annual “bonuses” (which are essentially interest), but with a qualifying payroll deposit of $500 or more per month, each pod earns a 4.00% annual bonus amount instead, up to $2,000 per pod.
At most, you can earn 4.00% on $6,000 (or $240 a year). While other savings accounts may have lower APYs, most don’t cap how much you can earn. Current isn’t a good choice if you’re keeping a significant amount in savings.
If you feel like dabbling in cryptocurrency, Current makes it easy to buy and sell crypto, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, in the app. You can purchase fractions of a coin (get started with as little as $1), and no trading fees apply.
At press time, crypto is the only investment available via the Current app.
Current members who get a monthly $500-plus direct deposit can use the Paycheck Advance feature, which allows you to get your paycheck early. You can get as much of your paycheck as you qualify for. It takes three days from when you apply, or you can pay a fee for instant access.
When your true paycheck arrives from your employer, Current will collect what you borrowed and deposit the remainder into your Spend account. See how Current stacks up against these other cash advance apps to borrow money instantly.
Current’s four distinct products can feel overwhelming when you first sign up, especially if you’re trying to understand interest rates, borrowing limits, and potential fees. Here’s a breakdown of the various terms with Current:
| Term | Product | Details |
| Paycheck advance rates | Advance | 0% APR for Paycheck Advance |
| Credit limit | Spend | Build Card spending limit equal to money in Current Account |
| Repayment periods | Spend | Pay off the card each month to avoid late fees and to have on-time payments reported to TransUnion; enable autopay to pay off the card with money in Reserve Funds each month |
| Fees | Spend, Advance | Several may apply, including a $2.50 out-of-network ATM fee, a 3% foreign transaction fee, &fee for instant access to Paycheck Advance (amount unspecified) |
| Interest rate | Save | Up to 4% bonus on balances up to $6,000 |
Current is available to everyone in the U.S., regardless of income or employment status. Minors can get an account with the help of a parent. Even better: No credit check applies, so you can open an account and get a secured credit card no matter your credit history.
| Requirement | Details |
| Citizenship | Must have U.S. address and U.S. Social Security number |
| Employment status | Employment required for Paycheck Advance (but not other services) |
| State of residence | All 50 states |
| Minimum age | 18; minors can open an account with a parent |
| Minimum credit score | None |
| Minimum income | None |
Unsure whether the Current app is right for you? Let’s break down the pros and cons.
Pros
Safe credit building
Use the autopay feature to ensure on-time payments for Build Card; Current reports on-time payments to TransUnion, which can boost your credit score.
Checking account features
The Spend account comes with a secured credit card but also offers helpful checking features, including fee-free overdraft, early paycheck access, cashback rewards, and mobile check deposits.
Interest-free payday advances
If you qualify, you can get a portion of your paycheck—or even the whole thing—well ahead of payday without accruing interest.
No hidden fees
Current doesn’t charge annual fees or interest on the Build Card or on Paycheck Advance. You can even trade crypto for free. You will, however, pay out-of-network ATM fees and late fees.
Cons
Low savings earnings
Bonus payout is 4.00%, but the most you can earn that rate on is $2,000 per Savings Pod (or $6,000 total); your max annual earning potential is capped at $240.
High direct deposit requirement
You need monthly direct deposits of $500 or more to access core benefits.
App only
Current has no physical locations, and you can’t manage the account online. You can only access Current via mobile app.
Reading Current app reviews by actual customers can help you decide whether it’s a fit. Here’s how users rate the app:
| Source | Customer rating | Number of reviews |
| Trustpilot | 4.5/5 | 8.8K |
| Google Play Store | 4.6/5 | 154K |
| Apple App Store | 4.8/5 | 157.1K |
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) | 2.65/5 | 86 |
Many users are pleased with the app, praising its convenience and speed. Several reviews on BBB mention technical issues with Current, but the number of BBB reviews is much lower than that of any other platform.
Take the following steps to use Current.
Yes, Current is a legitimate financial technology company that provides modern banking services. The app is backed by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, which insures deposits up to $250,000. Current employs various security measures, such as encryption and fraud detection, to protect your personal and financial information.
Yes, the Current banking app is legitimate. It is operated by Current, a fintech company that partners with Choice Financial Group to offer banking services.
Current provides a range of features, including spending accounts, savings pods, and fee-free overdrafts for eligible members. The app earns positive user reviews for its user-friendly interface and convenient features.
Yes. Current’s flagship product is the Spend account, which comes with a Build Credit secured credit card to help you build credit. It reports on-time payments to TransUnion.
No, you can’t use your Current card without money in your account. The Current card functions like a traditional debit card, meaning you need sufficient funds in your account to make purchases.
However, Current offers an Overdrive feature, which allows eligible users to overdraft their account up to $200 without fees, providing a temporary buffer when funds are low.
Yes, Chime and Current can be synced up and work well together. Link your Chime account with Current, or visa versa. Both companies use Plaid, which allows banking customers to connect their financial accounts to apps and services securely.
Yes, Current can support Zelle. Although Current is not a bank, it partners with Choice Financial Group to offer banking services. Through its collaboration with Metropolitan Commercial Bank, Current users can link their accounts with Zelle. It’s a bit indirect, but this setup allows Current members to send and receive money using Zelle.
Yes, Current works with Cash App. You can link your Current account to Cash App by adding your Current debit card details. Transfers between your Current account and Cash App should be nearly instant, though the exact timing can vary depending on the sender of the funds.
To transfer money from Current to Cash App, start by linking your Current account. Open Cash App, navigate to the “Banking” tab, and select “Link Bank.” Enter your Current account and routing numbers to connect your account.
Once your account is linked, you can transfer money using your Current debit card. In Cash App, tap “Add Cash,” enter the desired amount, and choose to add a debit card. Input your Current card details and complete the transfer. You can move money between the two platforms by linking your current account or card to Cash App.
We designed LendEDU’s editorial rating system to help readers find companies that offer the best cash apps. Our system awards higher ratings to companies with affordable solutions, positive customer reviews, and online transparency of benefits and terms.
We compared Current to several cash apps, using hundreds of data points from company websites, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives. We weighted, scored, and combined each factor to produce a final editorial rating. This rating is expressed on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. Our take is represented in our rating and best-for designation, recapped below.
| Product | Best for | Our rating |
| Current app | Multiple advances | 4.2/5 |
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