Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

PenFed Mobile vs YouTube

PenFed Mobile 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner Tie
YouTube 4.7★ · Free to download 60

YouTube is the better choice for general video consumption due to its vast content library, but it suffers from significant app stability issues and an excessive number of ads, while PenFed Mobile is a functional banking app despite some recurring login and feature navigation problems.

Full reviews: PenFed Mobile · YouTube

PenFed Mobile users appreciate its core banking functionalities and customer service, though many report issues with login, mobile check deposit, and app navigation. YouTube, despite its massive content library, is plagued by frequent app crashes, an abundance of ads, and unpopular UI changes.

Head to head

Features edge: PenFed MobileR3R4R8R19
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile offers essential banking features like transfers to external accounts, bill pay, and mobile check deposits, with some users praising its technology enhancements R8. However, several users report issues with specific features, such as difficulty paying the last statement balance R3, problems with the bill pay system R4, and the inability to find options like ordering checks or tax documents . Some also struggle with Zelle functionality and managing auto-pay dates R19.
YouTube YouTube provides a vast library of video content, live streaming, and community features, with users enjoying its entertainment and informative offerings . However, recent updates have introduced unpopular changes, including the removal of the dislike button and an increased push for 'Shorts' content, which some users dislike . Users also report issues with video uploads failing and difficulty updating their YouTube page through the app .
Ease of Use tieR3R6R7R8
PenFed Mobile Some PenFed Mobile users find the app easy to use and navigate , appreciating its efficiency for electronic banking R8. Conversely, many users describe the app as difficult, clunky, and frustrating, struggling to locate simple functions R13. Specific complaints include the complex process for paying the last statement balance R3, issues with the mobile check deposit auto-capture being too fast or not allowing retakes R6R7, and difficulty finding bank information like routing numbers .
YouTube YouTube is generally considered easy to use for content consumption, with many users finding it straightforward . However, recent UI changes have made some tasks more difficult, such as rearranging playlists on mobile devices and the new layout for subscriptions . Users also express frustration with the recommendation algorithm, which often suggests already-watched videos or unwanted content .
Reliability edge: PenFed MobileR1R4R9R14
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile receives mixed reviews regarding reliability. Some users report a smooth and reliable experience, with flawless electronic payments R14. However, a significant number of users face persistent issues with logging in, including passkey problems R1, face identification failures R24, constant re-logging requirements , and general sign-in difficulties R9R22. Other reliability concerns include the bill pay system being inoperative R4, mobile check deposit not working for some accounts , and card lock/unlock features failing .
YouTube YouTube has severe reliability problems, with numerous recent reviews indicating the app frequently crashes immediately upon opening R64R67R70R73. Many users report that the only temporary fix is to uninstall and reinstall the app, which often only works for a few hours R67R70R73. Other bugs include ads freezing videos R63 and issues with Shorts failing to load .
Price/Value edge: PenFed MobileR2R14R24R26
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile is a free app for managing PenFed credit union accounts. Users value the benefits of the credit union, such as 5% cash back on fuel R14 and a good point system R24. Many express satisfaction with PenFed's service and support, seeing it as a valuable financial institution R2R26.
YouTube YouTube is a free app, but users frequently complain about the overwhelming number of ads, which significantly detracts from the viewing experience R72R74R78. Some users consider YouTube Premium, which removes ads, to be excessively expensive . The value proposition is diminished for many by the constant interruptions and the perceived decline in user experience due to ads and buggy performance.
Customer Support edge: PenFed MobileR1R2R13R24
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile users generally praise the customer service of the credit union, describing representatives as understanding, helpful, and pleasant R2R24R26. However, some users report difficulty reaching a human R13 and frustration when support cannot resolve app-related issues, such as login problems R1 or mobile deposit eligibility .
YouTube YouTube's customer support is not directly mentioned in the provided reviews. User frustrations primarily revolve around app functionality, ads, and UI changes, rather than interactions with support staff. The lack of mention suggests that users either do not frequently interact with support for app issues or that their experiences are not noteworthy enough to be highlighted in reviews.
Pick PenFed Mobile if

You are a PenFed credit union member looking for a mobile banking app with generally good customer service and core functionalities, and you are willing to navigate occasional login and feature-specific glitches R2R8R14R26.

Pick YouTube if

You prioritize access to a vast library of video content and are willing to tolerate frequent app crashes, an abundance of ads, and recent unpopular UI changes .

Evidence note: The evidence for YouTube's customer support is thin, as reviews primarily focus on app performance and features rather than support interactions. PenFed Mobile's reviews offer more direct feedback on customer service.

Frequently asked

Does PenFed Mobile have login issues?
Yes, many PenFed Mobile users report recurring problems with logging in, including passkey failures, face identification not working consistently, constant re-logging requirements, and general sign-in difficulties R1R9R22R24.
Why does the YouTube app keep crashing?
The YouTube app has been frequently crashing immediately upon opening for many users, with the only temporary fix often being to uninstall and reinstall the app, which typically only works for a few hours R64R67R70R73.
Are there too many ads on YouTube?
Yes, a significant number of YouTube users complain about an excessive amount of ads, describing them as too frequent, freezing videos, or appearing too close together, which detracts from the viewing experience R63R72R74R78.

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. [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
  4. [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
  5. [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
  6. [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
  7. [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
  8. [R9] PenFed Mobile 3/5 · US DeAunf: I’ve always had problems trying to sign into my Pen Federal account on my phone I don’t know what the problem is, but it’s forever unsuccessful Ing to sign into this account by my app online with my cell phones over the years. I think I’ve had this Account for quite a while, but I’ve never been able to use it appropriately to sign in on a transfer funds on the connect my bank at Navy Feder
  9. [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!!
  10. [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.
  11. [R24] PenFed Mobile 3/5 · US Need to approve: I absolutely love PenFed. Their point system is nice and the people I talk to are extremely pleasant however what needs to be improved is so that I don’t have to call every three Months, they need to put the amount of rewards points on the statements. Secondly, logging into the app is difficult from time to time because sometimes the face identification works, and sometimes it doe
  12. [R26] PenFed Mobile 5/5 · US Excellent: Almost 30 years of excellent service , always there when needed help thank you
  13. [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)
  14. [R22] PenFed Mobile 1/5 · US Laggy: I’ve been getting tired of “too many attempts”, it’s too laggy
  15. [R64] YouTube 1/5 · US Application keeps crashing: Noticed about 2 days ago the app started crashing again and again. Only fix I have found is uninstalling and re-installing the application.
  16. [R67] YouTube 2/5 · US Keeps crashing: Why does it keep crashing every time I open it? I have to uninstall the app and keep reinstalling it. I’ve had to do it at least 20 times in the past three days.
  17. [R70] YouTube 1/5 · US YouTube crashes: YouTube crashes immediately upon opening. Deleting and reinstalling the app only resolves the issue temporarily for a few hours before the crashing recurs. Environment: OS: iOS 18.7, App Version: YouTube 21.26.4
  18. [R73] YouTube 1/5 · US App doesn’t work: For over a week, every day i have to redownload the app because for some reason, it won’t even let me open the app. It just crashes immediately.
  19. [R63] YouTube 3/5 · US Ads freezing the video: Since the most recent update, any time an ad plays the video ends up freezing. I have to close the app and restart it in order to watch the video. Fix this.
  20. [R72] YouTube 3/5 · US ?: The app is buggy and too many ads
  21. [R74] YouTube 5/5 · US Too many Commercial: Enjoy my time on YouTube but too many ads ( I know that’s how they make money) still good stuff
  22. [R78] YouTube 3/5 · US Too many ads: WAY too many ads for one video, especially to the longer videos like every 5 minutes there’s an add and the tiny ad box that appears in the corner when you skip one is just taking away from the experience of watching. It’s getting tiring but overall, I love the app and just see the ads as a little too excessive.

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