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

Columbia Mobile Banking vs PenFed Mobile

Columbia Mobile Banking 4.4★ · Free to download 60
Winner PenFed Mobile
PenFed Mobile 4.8★ · Free to download 70

PenFed Mobile has a slight edge over Columbia Mobile Banking due to its higher lifetime rating and more consistent positive feedback regarding ease of use and features, despite both apps facing similar login and functionality issues.

Full reviews: Columbia Mobile Banking · PenFed Mobile

Columbia Mobile Banking and PenFed Mobile both offer core banking functionalities, but users report frequent login issues and clunky interfaces for both. PenFed Mobile generally receives higher lifetime ratings and praise for its technology enhancements, while Columbia Mobile Banking struggles with inconsistent performance and limited features.

Head to head

Features edge: PenFed MobileR8R9R10R15
Columbia Mobile Banking Columbia Mobile Banking users appreciate its convenience for daily banking, including transfers, check balances, and bill pay R15R8. However, some users find it lacks functionality compared to other banking apps, specifically mentioning limited Zelle search and issues with bill pay editing R9R10. Mobile deposits can also be problematic, with checks not being read correctly R36.
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile offers a wide range of features, including transfers to external accounts, secure passkey login, account management, and mobile check deposits . Users praise features like 5% cash back on fuel and seamless electronic payments . However, some report issues with bill pay, such as difficulty finding the last statement balance and missing accounts in the bill pay section . Mobile check deposit auto-capture is also a frequent complaint, with issues like scanning the front as both sides or being too fast R66R67R70.
Ease of Use tieR1R4R11R19
Columbia Mobile Banking Many Columbia Mobile Banking users find the app user-friendly, easy to navigate, and simple for everyday use R11R19. Seniors, in particular, appreciate its simplicity . Conversely, a significant number of users describe the app as clunky, confusing, and hard to find what they need R1R4. Some report issues with typing numbers for deposits and pages shifting incorrectly .
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile receives praise for its ease of use and navigation from many users . Some highlight its efficiency and simple design . However, a notable number of users find the app difficult to locate information, describing it as frustrating and requiring constant searching for simple things . Some also report that the app constantly asks for login information even after selecting to remember the device .
Reliability tieR3R7R12R16
Columbia Mobile Banking Columbia Mobile Banking users report significant reliability issues, including frequent login problems, being locked out, and not receiving secure access codes R3R7R12. Some mention being asked for a 'Verisign token' without knowing what it is R16. The app is described as inconsistent, with users needing to restart their phones frequently R36. Updates are also cited as causing downtime, making it impossible to access accounts for days .
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile also faces reliability challenges, with users reporting persistent login errors, including issues with passkeys and face identification R61. Some experience lag and 'too many attempts' errors . The mobile deposit feature is frequently cited as unreliable, with some accounts being ineligible or the auto-capture not working correctly R66R67. Card lock/unlock features are also reported as not working .
Price/Value tieR2R5R8R13
Columbia Mobile Banking Both apps are free to download. Columbia Mobile Banking users generally express satisfaction with the overall banking experience and the convenience the app provides, making banking easier and more accessible R2R5R8R13.
PenFed Mobile Both apps are free to download. PenFed Mobile users appreciate the value, especially features like 5% cash back on fuel . Many express long-term satisfaction with PenFed as a credit union, citing excellent service and support .
Support tieR3R7R12R16
Columbia Mobile Banking Columbia Mobile Banking users report significant issues with customer support, citing unreachability, 'not in office' responses, and inability to resolve app-related problems like the 'Verisign token' issue R7R12R16. However, some users praise the in-branch staff as knowledgeable and friendly R3.
PenFed Mobile PenFed Mobile users frequently complain about poor customer service, including long hold times, difficulty reaching a human, and representatives who are unsure how the system works R73R99. Despite these issues, some users highlight excellent service and support when they do connect with representatives .
Pick Columbia Mobile Banking if

You prioritize a simple, clean interface for basic banking tasks and are comfortable with potentially visiting a branch for support, as in-person staff are often praised R19.

Pick PenFed Mobile if

You value a broader range of features, including external transfers and specific rewards programs, and are willing to navigate occasional app quirks and potential customer service challenges for a credit union with a strong overall reputation .

Evidence note: Both apps have a mix of very positive and very negative recent reviews, indicating inconsistent user experiences. The lifetime ratings are higher for PenFed Mobile, but recent negative feedback for both apps often focuses on similar issues like login problems and app functionality.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have reliable mobile check deposit?
Neither app consistently offers reliable mobile check deposit; Columbia Mobile Banking users report checks not being read correctly R36, while PenFed Mobile users frequently experience issues with auto-capture being too fast or scanning errors R66R67R70.
Are there frequent login problems with these banking apps?
Yes, both Columbia Mobile Banking and PenFed Mobile users report frequent and frustrating login problems, including being locked out, not receiving secure access codes, and issues with passkeys or face identification R3R7R12R61.
Is customer support responsive for app issues?
Customer support for app issues is a common pain point for both apps; Columbia Mobile Banking users report unreachability and 'not in office' responses R7R12, while PenFed Mobile users complain about long hold times and difficulty reaching knowledgeable human representatives R73R99.

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. [R8] Columbia Mobile Banking 5/5 · US Love the App: Used to have to go to browser this is soooo much easier!
  2. [R9] Columbia Mobile Banking 3/5 · US It’s ok but they could definitely improve it.: Lacks some of the functionality of other bank apps. Many Columbia Bank accounts don’t allow Zelle search functions for transactions is very limited.
  3. [R10] Columbia Mobile Banking 1/5 · US Bill pay: Have set up an amount and had to edit and it does not work
  4. [R15] Columbia Mobile Banking 5/5 · US Great App for Banking: I hardly ever go to my bank anymore.
  5. [R1] Columbia Mobile Banking 1/5 · US Don’t like: Just quit changing things around. I CANNOT FIND WHAT I NEED AND HAVE TO SPEND TOO MYCH TIME HUNTING FOR SIMPLE THINGS.
  6. [R4] Columbia Mobile Banking 2/5 · US Clunky: Took time to figure it out. Kinda clunky. Looks 90s.
  7. [R11] Columbia Mobile Banking 5/5 · US Great Banking Experience: Columbia Mobile Banking is very user friendly and a bank that we are very satisfied with.
  8. [R19] Columbia Mobile Banking 4/5 · US Simple, Clean: The app is simple for everyday and has a clean interface
  9. [R3] Columbia Mobile Banking 3/5 · US App issues: There is always some sort of work they are doing on their mobile banking app, it is hard to log in sometimes, other days it asks for a banking security pin ( I don’t have one) people at the bank are great though!
  10. [R7] Columbia Mobile Banking 1/5 · US locked out: randomly locked me out when trying to log in on my phone that had the login saved and is a trusted device. asking for "secure access code" but not sending me anything call/text/email. customer service is unreachable. response: it is a known issue that has not been fixed
  11. [R12] Columbia Mobile Banking 1/5 · US Inconsistent as all get out: This app is always so inconsistent I either have no problems or all of the problems possible and trying to call the support and having them “not in office” like dude what kind of bs is that if you have an emergency and for unknown reasons can’t get into your bank you’re just S.O.L I can’t stress enough how insanely irritating it is for the need to check my account and
  12. [R16] Columbia Mobile Banking 1/5 · US Verisign token: I shouldn’t be asked for a verisign token I’ve spoken with the manager at my local branch and it’s not something they can fix it’s the app and for it to be a holiday and I can’t see how much money I have is an issue I’m looking at closing my account with Columbia solely due to account issues and card issues on their end I shouldn’t have to be wondering how much I have
  13. [R2] Columbia Mobile Banking 5/5 · US Umpqua Bank: Yes I think it’s a nice bank and the app on the phone is awesome.
  14. [R5] Columbia Mobile Banking 5/5 · US Does everything I need it to: Works great
  15. [R13] Columbia Mobile Banking 5/5 · US Wish I would have gotten it a long time ago!!: Such a great use of technology… I feel like it’s very secure, and super convenient to see all your banking/credit card At your fingertips… Love this app and I wish I would have gotten it a long time ago!
  16. [R36] Columbia Mobile Banking 1/5 · US Most frustrating app: This app is so hard to use! Literally have to restart my phone every other time to get the app to work. Mobile deposits barely works. Can’t read the checks.
  17. [R66] 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
  18. [R67] 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
  19. [R70] 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.
  20. [R61] 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
  21. [R73] 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)
  22. [R99] PenFed Mobile 1/5 · US Awful: Company has been informed that I have been getting a log in error for months and has failed to fix. Long hold times listening to the same awful song OVER and OVER and OVER. Confusing app, no feel good feelings here.

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