Bluevine vs First Internet Bank Business Checking 2023: Which Is Better for You?
This article is part of a larger series on Business Banking.
If your business needs an online-only business checking solution, Bluevine and First Internet Bank are worth checking out. Bluevine lets qualified accounts earn a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) of 2.00% on balances of $250,000 or less, which is significantly higher than the national average.
First Internet Bank’s checking account, Do More Business Checking, has a lower APY (0.50% on average daily balance of $10,000 or more), but provides a much wider business banking product selection. It also offers high-yield business savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and lending products, such as lines of credit, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, and real estate loans.
Here’s a summary of what each provider is best for:
- Bluevine*: Best for businesses looking for a fee-free, digital-only checking account that earns APY at competitive rates
- First Internet Bank: Best for businesses wanting fee-free full-service online banking
*Bluevine is a financial technology (fintech) platform backed by and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)-insured through a supporting bank partnership with Coastal Community Bank.
Bluevine vs First Internet Bank Business Checking Quick Comparison
When To Use
Bluevine vs First Internet Bank Business Checking Account
Bluevine Business Checking and First Internet Bank’s Do More Business Checking are digital-exclusive checking accounts with minimal fees, and both allow wire transfers. Under Bluevine, all incoming wire transfers are free, while outgoing wire transfers cost $15. First Internet Bank charges $15 for incoming wire transfers, $20 for outgoing domestic wire transfers, and $50 for outgoing international wire transfers.
Both banking solutions are online-only and have no brick-and-mortar branches. However, Bluevine allows cash deposits through Green Dot retail locations, each costing $4.95. First Internet Bank doesn’t support cash deposits.
Neither account charges monthly fees. Bluevine has no balance requirements, while First Internet Bank requires an average daily balance of $10,000 to earn interest.
Bluevine vs First Internet Bank Business Checking Account Overview
Bluevine | First Internet Bank | |
---|---|---|
Best For | Businesses that want a free, digital-only, interest-bearing checking account | Businesses that want fee-free full-service online banking |
Opening Deposit | None | $100 |
Minimum Balance | None | $10,000 average daily balance to earn interest |
APY | 2.00% APY on balances of $250,000 or less once qualifications are met | 0.50% on balances of $10,000 and above |
Bank Network & ATMs | Free at MoneyPass locations nationally, $2.50 plus for nonnetwork ATM use* | Free; operator fees are reimbursed for up to $10 each month* |
Accounting Software Integrations | QuickBooks and Xero | QuickBooks and Xero |
Business Payment Integrations | Includes Stripe, PayPal, and Expensify | Zelle |
Reserve Accounts | Up to five subaccounts | None |
Open an Account |
*Third-party operator fees may also apply
While Bluevine has no minimum balance for earning APY, First Internet Bank has a minimum average daily balance requirement of $10,000 to earn interest.
Our list of the best small business checking accounts named Bluevine the best account for earning interest on deposits. Account holders can earn an APY of 2.00% by meeting one or more of the following activity requirements:
- Spend $500 or more a month with Bluevine Business Debit Mastercard issued by Coastal Community Bank
- Receive $2,500 per month in customer payments into your account via ACH, wire transfer, mobile check deposit, or directly from a merchant payment processing provider
However, Bluevine’s APY of 2.00% stops applying to balances greater than $250,000. First Internet Bank, on the other hand, earns 0.50% APY uncapped.
Additionally, while First Internet Bank’s Do More Business Checking has few standout features, the provider offers access to a number of useful banking solutions, including savings accounts, CDs, and lending products—products many of today’s online banks lack.
Bluevine vs First Internet Bank Business Checking Account Costs
Bluevine | First Internet Bank | |
---|---|---|
Monthly Fee | None | None |
Transaction Fee | None | None |
Cash Deposit Fee | $4.95 fee per transaction, available through Green Dot retail locations | N/A |
There are very few fees for both Bluevine and First Internet Bank. Neither checking account has monthly maintenance fees or transaction limits. Naturally, neither account charges transaction fees.
Bluevine lets customers deposit cash through Green Dot retail locations, and cash deposits cost $4.95 per item. First Internet Bank doesn’t support cash deposits.
First Internet Bank vs Bluevine Business Checking Account Sample Scenario
Fees
First Internet Bank | Bluevine | |
---|---|---|
Out-of-Network ATM fees | 5 transactions x ($2.50 + $3.14*) = $28.20 | (5 transactions x $3.14*) – $10 = $5.70 |
Possible Total Fee | $28.20 | $5.70 |
*The average ATM surcharge from the ATM owner in 2022 was $3.14, per Bankrate’s 2022 checking account and ATM fee study.
A Bluevine account holder would spend $28.20 per month on average if they made five monthly out-of-network ATM transactions, while a First Internet Bank account holder making the same number of monthly out-of-network ATM transactions would only spend $5.70. This is because First Internet Bank charges no out-of-network ATM fees and reimburses up to $10 worth of ATM fees per month.
First Internet Bank vs Bluevine User Reviews
On Trustpilot, Bluevine has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, with a total of more than 7,100 reviews. Customers are mostly satisfied with Bluevine’s services. Many reviews praised the ease of the application process for both business checking accounts and lines of credit. However, a few reviewers complained that the bank had closed or denied their accounts without due explanation.
Meanwhile, First Internet Bank was rated 2.4 on Trustpilot, though it only has fewer than 10 reviews. On WalletHub, it has around 250 reviews and a rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, and reviews indicate that the bank has a history of being unable to follow through with advertised banking and loan terms.
For example, a few customers were forced to cash out their five-year CDs at lower interest rates after the bank had dropped its offerings before the agreed-upon maturity date. Other customers experienced applying for loans advertised with low interest rates, only for the bank to change terms after pre-approval.
Bottom Line
If you’re considering opening a business bank account, Bluevine’s Business Checking and First Internet Bank’s Do More Business Checking accounts are great online-only account options. The business checking account of Bluevine is an excellent product for business owners wanting to earn competitive APY on checking deposits. However, if having access to lending and savings products is a bigger priority, First Internet Bank would be better at meeting your needs. Both accounts have no monthly fees or transaction limits.