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

PenFed Mobile vs M1: Invest & Bank Smarter

PenFed Mobile 4.8★ · Free to download 75
Winner PenFed Mobile
M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 4.7★ · Free to download 60

PenFed Mobile is better for general banking needs due to its strong customer service and reliable core banking functions, while M1: Invest & Bank Smarter is better for passive, long-term investors who appreciate its portfolio management tools despite its fees and limited trading windows.

Full reviews: PenFed Mobile · M1: Invest & Bank Smarter

PenFed Mobile offers a comprehensive banking experience with generally positive feedback on customer service and ease of use for basic transactions, though some users report login and mobile deposit issues. M1: Invest & Bank Smarter excels in automated investing with its 'pie' system, but faces criticism for its fees, limited trading windows, and occasional app bugs.

Head to head

Features (Banking) edge: PenFed MobileR3R4R14R25
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile users appreciate features like 5% cash back on fuel and the ability to manage accounts, pay bills, and make deposits R14. However, some users find it difficult to locate specific information like past statement balances or routing numbers R3. There are also reports of the bill pay system not working or being clunky R4R25.
M1: Invest & Bank Smarter M1: Invest & Bank Smarter focuses on investment features, particularly its 'portfolio pie system' and auto-invest functionality for fractional shares R62. Users value the control over investment allocation and rebalancing R68. However, it lacks flexibility for active trading, with only one or two daily trade windows R84R88R110. Some users also miss features like a credit card or a more robust checking account .
Features (Investment) edge: M1: Invest & Bank SmarterR15R30R62R68
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile is a credit union app primarily for banking, not investing. While it offers loans and certificates R15R30, it does not have investment features like stock trading or portfolio management.
M1: Invest & Bank Smarter M1: Invest & Bank Smarter is designed for investing, with its core feature being the 'portfolio pie system' for automated and fractional share investing R62. Users praise its ability to set and forget investments and control allocation R68. However, some wish for more flexibility, like trading at any time instead of limited windows R84R88R110 or investing in smaller/newer funds .
Ease of Use tieR3R6R7R8
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile receives mixed reviews regarding ease of use. Some users find it easy to navigate and use for electronic banking R8. Others report difficulty finding basic functions, needing to search constantly, or finding the app clunky R13. Specific issues include problems with mobile check deposit auto-capture R6R7R10 and difficulty paying the last statement balance R3.
M1: Invest & Bank Smarter M1: Invest & Bank Smarter is described as easy and simple for its core investing concept by some users . However, many users find the app not very user-friendly, especially for beginners, requiring external help to find information . Issues include a bad UI, difficulty saving new portfolios on mobile, and cumbersome navigation .
Reliability & Performance tieR1R4R6R7
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile has frequent complaints about login issues, including passkey problems, face ID not working consistently, and general sign-in difficulties R1. The mobile check deposit feature is also cited as unreliable, with auto-capture issues and eligibility problems R6R7R10R33. Users also report the bill pay system being inoperative or having issues R4R25 and card lock/unlock features not working .
M1: Invest & Bank Smarter M1: Invest & Bank Smarter users report various bugs and stability problems, with the app being described as 'buggy' and a 'shell of itself' . Specific issues include the 'Invest' tab showing blank , inability to save new portfolios on mobile , and problems with the website . Trading times and executions are also criticized as not accurate .
Price/Value edge: PenFed MobileR2R14R26R29
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile is free to download and generally associated with a credit union that offers good value, such as 5% cash back on fuel R14. Users appreciate the overall service and support from the credit union R2R26R29. There are no specific complaints about app-related fees.
M1: Invest & Bank Smarter M1: Invest & Bank Smarter used to be free but now charges a mandatory $3/month platform fee R99R103. Many users express strong dissatisfaction with this fee, especially as it was not clearly communicated . Additionally, M1 charges a $100 fee for closing Roth IRA accounts R78R99. These fees lead many users to feel it's no longer worth it R85R103.
Customer Support edge: PenFed MobileR1R2R13R19
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile receives both praise and criticism for its customer service. Many users commend PenFed for excellent service, being helpful, understanding, and always there when needed R2R26R29. However, a significant number of users report difficulty reaching a human, long hold times, and representatives not knowing how to fix issues like login errors or mobile deposit problems R1R13R19R33.
M1: Invest & Bank Smarter M1: Invest & Bank Smarter receives widespread criticism for its customer support. Users report no customer support, unhelpful chat, and difficulty getting assistance for bugs or account issues . Some users trying to close accounts report that M1 continues to charge fees and makes the process difficult R103. One user noted an issue with changing an email requiring customer support .
Pick PenFed Mobile if

You need a reliable banking app with strong customer service for general financial management, including checking, savings, and loans, and appreciate a credit union's personalized support R2R26.

Pick M1: Invest & Bank Smarter if

You are a long-term, passive investor who values automated portfolio management, fractional share investing, and the 'pie' system for setting and forgetting investment allocations, and you are comfortable with the $3 monthly fee and limited trading windows R62R68.

Evidence note: PenFed Mobile's reviews cover a broader range of banking functions, while M1's reviews are heavily focused on investment features and associated fees. Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews regarding app performance and customer support, making direct comparisons on these dimensions challenging.

Frequently asked

Does PenFed Mobile have issues with mobile check deposits?
Yes, PenFed Mobile users frequently report problems with mobile check deposits, including the auto-capture tool being too fast or not working correctly, inability to retake photos, and accounts being deemed ineligible for deposits R6R7R10R33.
What are the main complaints about M1: Invest & Bank Smarter's fees?
M1: Invest & Bank Smarter users frequently complain about a mandatory $3 per month platform fee that many feel was undisclosed or not worth the value, and a $100 fee for closing Roth IRA accounts R78R85R99R103.
Is M1: Invest & Bank Smarter good for active trading?
No, M1: Invest & Bank Smarter is not considered good for active trading because it restricts users to only one or two daily trade windows, which many users find insufficient for responding to market movements R84R88R93R110.

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. [R3] PenFed Mobile 3/5 · US Not easy to pay last statement balance: When you go to make a payment, it only gives you the current account balance. You have to go and open the last statement to see what that amount is, then come back and enter that amount as your payment.
  2. [R4] PenFed Mobile 1/5 · US Bill pay system not working: Why is the bill pay system inoperative
  3. [R14] PenFed Mobile 5/5 · US Happy Senior: The 5% Cash Back on Fuel Is Really Helpful! Your Website is easy to use and monthly electronic payments from my checking account have been flawless! Bravo!!
  4. [R25] PenFed Mobile 1/5 · US The bill pay views suck: No thanks to PenFed for fixing what wasn’t broken. I cannot get a read on all the bills to be paid this month.
  5. [R15] PenFed Mobile 3/5 · US Loans: Repeatedly keeps making me log on to apply for a loan and never makes any progress
  6. [R30] PenFed Mobile 3/5 · US Certificate allocation: I got 6 money certificates that matured yesterday, February 24, and were suppose to be allocated in my premium account and it is not. They are not in any account just disappear and are not accruing any interest. I know that they are secure but it is a problem since I need that money for other investments.
  7. [R62] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 5/5 · US Love this app!: The portfolio pie system is awesome especially with auto invest turned on.
  8. [R68] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 5/5 · US Excellent: I’ve used M1 on and off for quite a few years, and I really love it. I’ve been using it more and more lately and I love that you can constantly audit and modify your own holdings. The ability to have control over how your investment purchases are allocated is actually a great way to learn investing.
  9. [R6] PenFed Mobile 3/5 · US Scan Check issue: Scanning a check is not always successful. It scanned the front of the truck as both the front and the back. I don’t see a way to edit the back so I have to start again
  10. [R7] PenFed Mobile 2/5 · US UPDATE has made capturing checks worse: The auto capture tool for checks was working fine before. Before, You’d set the front of your check. Auto Capture it. Great. Then It’d take you back out of auto capture, you flip your check to its back , you click on back option . Auto capture. And done. Worked great! BUT Now, -it makes you do it “all at once” and too fast. If you are not fast enough turning
  11. [R8] PenFed Mobile 5/5 · US Satisfied customer: PenFed is doing an awesome job keeping up with technology enhancements to improve ease of electronic banking Signed: satisfied customer CRandle
  12. [R1] PenFed Mobile 2/5 · US Logging in with passkey is not working when I called the problem could not be fixed: Need to check out this issue
  13. [R2] PenFed Mobile 5/5 · US Great Credit Union: It doesn’t matter online or in person PenFed always delivers the best service and quality.
  14. [R26] PenFed Mobile 5/5 · US Excellent: Almost 30 years of excellent service , always there when needed help thank you
  15. [R29] PenFed Mobile 5/5 · US Member since 1986: Love this credit union always has options and support for my needs thanks PFCU
  16. [R13] PenFed Mobile 1/5 · US Disappointing, not a user friendly or reliable bunch: Surprisingly, their system is relatively archaic and clunky. When calling in, they make it difficult to get to a human. And then most of them don’t know for sure how their system works, or why it does or doesn’t allow things. For example, when unable to make a credit card payment from the app as normal (regularly pay off the balance each month)
  17. [R19] PenFed Mobile 1/5 · US Annoyed: I need to pay on my auto loan and wanted to move my autopay date to two days later. It’s been two months now and I still don’t have my autopay date set! I am so frustrated I don’t see why the customer service representatives cant set it up for me
  18. [R10] PenFed Mobile 2/5 · US Mobile check deposit auto capture doesn’t allow retaking of photos: When using auto capture to photo checks, there is not apparent option to retake photos if necessary.
  19. [R33] PenFed Mobile 1/5 · US This is not a credit union it’s a joke: Mobile deposit doesn’t work despite having an account since 2017. I tried for the first time to use mobile deposits and I was told that my account is in eligible. I called Support multiple times and yet nobody can tell me why mobile deposit doesn’t work. This is a garbage credit union. This may as well be an online bank. It’s not a real bank. Once I finall
  20. [R78] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 3/5 · US Charges $100 when you close your account: I closed my account since I wanted to consolidate all my retirement accounts with the one offered by my employer. I can’t withdraw all my funds since M1 is charging $100 for Roth IRA account closures. I’ve been holding the account since 2021. I did the same thing with my Roth IRA with Fidelity and everything went smoothly.
  21. [R85] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 1/5 · US Not worth it with the platform fee: Fee sucks
  22. [R99] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 1/5 · US Greedy app with tons of fees: I’ve been using M1 since I could start investing in 2018, they were originally free and a great option for automated investing. Now that I’m having some financial troubles and needing to pull funds out, not only do they charge you $3/month but they are now charging $100 to liquidate your account… that’s so absurd. Will be moving funds to another platform asap.
  23. [R103] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 1/5 · US They will get their $3 fee when you try to close your account: I do not recommend this app as it is not worth it to pay the mandatory $3 dollar platform fee. I avoided it for the most part but then when closing my account it was very hard to time the transfer of money out and so at the end of one month while still waiting for the account to close, I got charged the fee!! I reached out to them and
  24. [R84] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 3/5 · US Good app: wish you add capability to trade any time not just twice a day. you should make this app as flexible as rh
  25. [R88] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 1/5 · US Modern portfolio management concept but poor execution: Love the concept of pie. It makes portfolio management really easy. Cons and why only one star: today when markets are moving more than 2-3% intraday, restricting to only 2 buy windows during the day is not acceptable. The thought that this is long term holding and it shouldn’t matter, is completely wrong. Most times market show reversal du
  26. [R93] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 3/5 · US Good: Can be better; even with two investing windows, if you set up buying it will take over 15 to close half hour to buy in that window. Faster investing buying would make this app one of the best.
  27. [R110] M1: Invest & Bank Smarter 4/5 · US Sad to leave, but Robinhood fits my needs better.: M1 is great for long term investors who want an easy, worry-free, investing style. I love the pie feature however there are two places where M1 has fallen short compared to Robinhood. There are only two trade windows where Robinhood is all trading sessions including overnight. Also Robinhood offers a higher APY on uninvested cash. This is why I’ve

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