Getting quick access to a paycheck or birthday check can be a great feeling. One of the quickest ways to turn your check into cash is through your mobile device. If your bank doesn’t offer mobile check deposit, you can still use some of the best check-cashing apps around. Continue reading below to learn more!

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What Is Check Cashing?

Check cashing is the process of converting a paper check to cash to use as funds. Traditionally, checks are cashed at bank branches and ATMs or via mobile banking apps, but a new wave of mobile apps have made it even more convenient to cash your check even if your bank doesn’t offer the service. They even let you load the cashed check directly to your online account, debit, or credit card.

Best Check-Cashing Apps

Here’s a quick look at the costs associated with the best check-cashing apps, along with how they’re best used:

Best Check-Cashing Apps at a Glance
App	Cost	Best For
ACE Flare	2% to 5% or a flat $5 fee depending on type of check and cash value	A banking alternative
Brink’s Money Prepaid Mobile App	2% to 5% or a flat $5 fee depending on type of check and cash value	Transferring money to family and friends
The Check Cashing Store	Fees may apply; contact The Check Cashing Store for details	Transferring money to prepaid cards
Ingo Money App	2% to 5% or a flat $5 fee depending on type of check and cash value	Transferring money to a debit card or Amazon gift card
Netspend	2% to 5% or a flat $5 fee depending on type of check and cash value	Sending money to friends and family
PayPal	Varies by branch	A banking alternative
Western Union Netspend Prepaid Mastercard Mobile	2% to 5% or a flat $5 fee depending on type of check and cash value	Sending and receiving money from long distances

ACE Flare

ACE Flare is a nontraditional bank account offered by MetaBank. The features that this app comes with are very similiar to that of a traditional bank account, such as fee-free ATM withdrawals, direct deposit and check cashing through the app.

Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store

Brink’s Money Prepaid Mobile App

The Brink’s Money Prepaid Mobile App is a great way to cash your checks directly to a prepaid Mastercard debit card. On top of that, they offer similar benefits to a traditional bank debit card. You can add funds to your card either by depositing a check, direct deposit, or transferring money from another account.

Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store

The Check Cashing Store

With the Check Cashing Store mobile app, you will be able to deposit your checks directly to your bank account or any prepaid cards by simply taking a picture of the check and uploading it onto the app. If you partner this up with the Momentum Prepaid Mastercard, you will be able to view your transaction history and track your spending habits.

Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store

Ingo Money App

A great choice for payroll check cashing, the Ingo Money App requires that you sign up for an account and link at least one debit, prepaid, or credit card to your profile. Additionally, you can always use a PayPal account if that’s easier for you. To cash a check, simply take a picture of your check and upload it onto the app.

Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store

Netspend

This app works by having a prepaid debit card to go with it. When you cash your check the money will go your Netspend prepaid debit card. You will even have the added benefits of direct deposit and the option to receive paychecks up to two days early.

Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store

PayPal

A very popular platform for on the go payments, PayPal can also be used as a check cashing app by allowing you to deposit your check into your PayPal Cash Plus account. The PayPal Cash Plus account lets users carry and manage a balance in their personal PayPal account, much like a traditional bank account.

Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store

Western Union Netspend Prepaid Mastercard Mobile

The Western Union Netspend Prepaid Mastercard offers great features such as direct deposit and cash back rewards on top of the ability check-cashing through the mobile app. You can also send and receive money through WU money transfer.

Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store

Bottom Line

With the variety of apps out there that offer check cashing services, it really just comes down to the added features that you should consider. Other than that, each app listed above has an intuitive and easy to use mobile app that will allow you to cash your check with ease. For more posts like this, check out our list of bank guides!