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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

SAFE Credit Union vs Royal Credit Union

SAFE Credit Union 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner SAFE Credit Union
Royal Credit Union 4.8★ · Free to download 55

SAFE Credit Union has a slight edge due to its generally positive long-term user sentiment and better overall app functionality, despite recent update issues, while Royal Credit Union struggles with consistent app performance and user interface problems.

Full reviews: SAFE Credit Union · Royal Credit Union

SAFE Credit Union and Royal Credit Union both offer free mobile banking apps with similar lifetime ratings. However, recent updates have introduced significant usability and reliability issues for both, particularly impacting transaction visibility and app stability. SAFE Credit Union's long-term customer satisfaction and core banking services appear more robust, giving it a slight advantage.

Head to head

Features tieR6R9R10R21
SAFE Credit Union Users appreciate features like easy ATM deposits/withdrawals and the ability to view purchases within the app, providing peace of mind R9R10. However, some users report issues with specific features like the chat function closing R6, card services not working , and the bill pay feature consistently showing errors . There's also a strong desire for Zelle R21 and the ability to add memos to transfers and spending buckets . Recent updates removed pending transaction views R28 and made it harder to view all transactions R25.
Royal Credit Union Royal Credit Union users find the app useful for personal and business checking, with easy navigation between accounts R72. Features like mobile check deposit and automatic transfers are helpful . However, the app lacks Zelle R88 and the ability to see ACH transactions . Many users report issues with credit card payment buttons, statements, and rewards not working , and difficulty paying loans from external accounts . The check deposit feature is particularly problematic, often flagging checks incorrectly or being unusable R72R105.
Ease of Use tieR1R9R12R14
SAFE Credit Union Many users find the SAFE Credit Union app user-friendly and simple to use R1R9R14. However, recent updates have made it frustrating, with buffering issues R12, difficulty finding transaction details R25, and confusing account listings . Some users report issues with login authentication , inability to log in after account changes R31, and disabled paste functionality in password fields, which hinders password manager use .
Royal Credit Union Royal Credit Union users often describe the app as easy to use and navigate for basic functions like balance checks, deposits, and transfers . However, recent updates have made the interface less user-friendly, with smaller font sizes and difficulties navigating back to the home page after transfers . Users find it hard to initiate external transfers , set up scheduled payments , and pay loans from non-Royal accounts . The app also prevents pasting passwords .
Reliability edge: SAFE Credit UnionR1R3R5R11
SAFE Credit Union SAFE Credit Union is praised for being reliable, safe, and secure by long-term members R5R11. However, the app is frequently described as glitchy, slow to load, and laggy R1. Many users report the app crashing , not opening , or being completely down for extended periods R3. Issues with check deposit R36R53 and card functionality R3 are also noted.
Royal Credit Union Royal Credit Union's app is frequently criticized for being unreliable. Users report it crashing on open , constantly being down or unavailable R88, and having SSL errors that prevent functions from working . The check capture feature is particularly unreliable, often failing or requiring multiple attempts R105. Login issues are common, with users unable to gain access or experiencing problems with facial recognition after updates .
Price/Value tieR2R5R8R11
SAFE Credit Union As a credit union, SAFE is generally perceived as a good bank with positive long-term relationships R2R5R8R11. There are no direct mentions of app pricing, as it's free to download, but the value is tied to the overall banking experience.
Royal Credit Union Royal Credit Union is seen as a good credit union, with users appreciating its low rates and overall banking experience . The app is free to download, and its value is linked to the convenience it offers for managing accounts, though some find the app's issues diminish this value.
Support edge: SAFE Credit UnionR3R11R29R31
SAFE Credit Union SAFE Credit Union is praised for great customer service, with staff being very helpful and supportive over many years R11R29. However, some users report issues with support being down R3 or unable to resolve login problems R31.
Royal Credit Union Royal Credit Union receives praise for excellent customer service, with prompt and helpful staff . Users appreciate being able to talk to a real human quickly . Conversely, some users describe customer service as sub-par, with high staff turnover and inability to keep staff , and unhelpful responses regarding account notifications .
Pick SAFE Credit Union if

You prioritize a credit union with a strong history of customer satisfaction and helpful support, and are willing to tolerate occasional app glitches and performance issues, especially if you've been a long-term member R5R11R29.

Pick Royal Credit Union if

You are looking for a credit union with good rates and appreciate being able to speak to a real person for support, and you primarily use the app for basic functions like checking balances and simple transfers, despite its known issues with advanced features and reliability .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, so there's no free-vs-paid asymmetry. Recent negative reviews for both apps heavily focus on issues introduced by recent updates, particularly concerning app reliability, user interface changes, and broken features. This contrasts with their high lifetime ratings, which likely reflect satisfaction before these updates.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have Zelle?
Neither SAFE Credit Union nor Royal Credit Union's app currently offers Zelle, with users of SAFE Credit Union specifically requesting its addition R21R88.
Are there issues with mobile check deposit?
Yes, both apps have reported issues with mobile check deposit. SAFE Credit Union users occasionally experience the feature failing, stating checks may have been deposited before even when new R36R53. Royal Credit Union users frequently find their check capture feature unusable, often flagging checks for review incorrectly or failing to focus R72R105.
Do recent updates affect app functionality?
Yes, recent updates for both apps have significantly impacted functionality. SAFE Credit Union's updates caused accounts to disappear, cards to stop working R3, buffering issues R12, removed pending transaction views R28, and made it harder to find transaction details R25. Royal Credit Union's updates changed the user interface, making fonts smaller and navigation less user-friendly , and introduced problems with check deposit R72R105 and login access .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R6] SAFE Credit Union 3/5 · US Chat Function Glitches: Decent app but every time I use the chat function I’m struggling with it closing every few minutes or seconds.
  2. [R9] SAFE Credit Union 3/5 · US Good but disappointed: Hello, I’ve been using SCU for a month or so now and it’s pretty simple to use, I love that, I also love how I can pull up to an ATM myself and deposit or withdraw cash instead of waiting in line and having to talk to someone, makes time go by faster. Unfortunately, I’ve ran into some recent purchasing issues and I’m not really satisfied. I’m not really SURE if this is beca
  3. [R10] SAFE Credit Union 2/5 · US The Effectiveness of Knowing: Knowing that I don’t always have to get a paper receipt or acknowledgment of my purchases because everything is right in my Safe app grants me real peace of mind and power over my savings and checking!
  4. [R21] SAFE Credit Union 3/5 · US Need Zelle: Please get Zelle.
  5. [R1] SAFE Credit Union 1/5 · US Glitchy App: App is very user friendly and helpful. But it is also very glitchy, slow to load and laggy.
  6. [R12] SAFE Credit Union 3/5 · US Frustrating: I absolutely hate the new updated system. I have the hardest time trying to pull up my account because all it does is buffer the whole time. Prior to that I didn’t have any issue. They didn’t update this for The Best, but making it a headache.
  7. [R14] SAFE Credit Union 5/5 · US App: Great, reliable easy to use platform
  8. [R3] SAFE Credit Union 3/5 · US Was a great app: Since the most recent update today, the app and all cards don't work. Even my Dwight tried to go and make a purchase this evening and all our accounts and hers can't access any funds from all accounts. On the app none of our accounts are present anymore and support is down. This isn't a general maintenance like it says on the site. Much more serious.
  9. [R5] SAFE Credit Union 5/5 · US I am so happy to be here: 17 years no issues I am very happy to have come here.
  10. [R11] SAFE Credit Union 5/5 · US Safe: I’ve been with SAFE credit union for over 20 years. They’ve always been very helpful whenever we’ve needed it. I’ve had multiple loans through them the process was always smooth I have checking and savings and whenever I have issues they’ve always been there to help me when I lost my wife and had to change some stuff on our account they were to support .
  11. [R2] SAFE Credit Union 5/5 · US Great bank: Great bank
  12. [R8] SAFE Credit Union 4/5 · US Great place to bank.: I have been a safe member since 2000. Off and on, since. They continue to grow as well have I.
  13. [R29] SAFE Credit Union 5/5 · US great service: Had this bank for over 8 yrs been great every time we needed answers or help
  14. [R31] SAFE Credit Union 1/5 · US Needs work: I recently closed an account and opened a new one. Now when I try to log in with my new credentials it tells me “information incomplete” and to call them. When I do they have no clue why I can’t log in. It’s ridiculous that they are unable to get me access and basically are like “oh well”. The best they could do was tell me to turn my phone off and back on. IT customer service is a jok
  15. [R88] Royal Credit Union 2/5 · US App Constantly Down: The app is constantly down or not working. In the middle of the day it will be down or things like transaction history will be unavailable. They do not have Zelle pay. Things like balances do not update after making transfers to connected accounts such as a savings account.
  16. [R36] SAFE Credit Union 3/5 · US Good but the check deposit could be better: I like the convenience of this app. No complaints about it other than the fact that the check deposit feature sometimes doesn’t work. I deposit checks frequently, and maybe about 25% of the time the app will say it cannot deposit my check “because this check may have been deposited before” even when it’s a fresh check. There’s been other reasons it has g
  17. [R53] SAFE Credit Union 1/5 · US Check online deposit doesn’t work: Check online deposit doesn’t work
  18. [R72] Royal Credit Union 3/5 · US Useful, but check deposit needs improvement.: Generally a useful app. I use it for personal and business checking and I like that I can navigate between accounts and account types easily. Unfortunately, a recent update made it so the deposit instructions are shown and have to be dismissed for the front and back photo of each check you want to deposit. This has caused check deposit to take much l
  19. [R105] Royal Credit Union 1/5 · US Unsuable: The new check capture is AWFUL. I’ve been mobile depositing checks since this technology became available, and this latest version is unusable. I’m going to have to physically go to the bank to deposit my checks… which is ridiculous. I’ve been a RCU member for 25 years and if this isn’t improved quickly I’ll be switching banks.
  20. [R25] SAFE Credit Union 1/5 · US UPDATE 👎👎👎: WHY DID YOU UPDATE THE APP?! it was so convenient, in the past, to view all the transactions on my cards, I immediately opened the main page where I could quickly find everything. Right now, everything is in some kind of electronic statements and I can't find the same page in this app. Previously, I just enjoyed using this application because it was very convenient and everything I nee
  21. [R28] SAFE Credit Union 2/5 · US Please bring back pending transfers: I have been banking with SAFE for over 10 years. The app has always streamlined the banking process for me and made budgeting manageable. SAFE functions as my financial home base, money coming in is almost always transferred elsewhere. This was never an issue until the recent app update removed the ability to view pending transactions within the account and

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store