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

Royal Credit Union vs Redwood Credit Union

Royal Credit Union 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner Redwood Credit Union
Redwood Credit Union 4.9★ · Free to download 80

Redwood Credit Union has a slight edge due to its more consistently praised app functionality and customer service, while Royal Credit Union's recent app updates have caused significant user frustration.

Full reviews: Royal Credit Union · Redwood Credit Union

While both credit unions generally receive high praise for their overall banking services, Redwood Credit Union's app is consistently lauded for its ease of use and reliability. Royal Credit Union, however, has faced recent backlash over app updates that have introduced usability issues and bugs.

Head to head

App Features & Functionality edge: Redwood Credit UnionR4R7R10R15
Royal Credit Union Royal Credit Union users report significant issues with recent app updates, including a less user-friendly interface, smaller font, crashing during transfers, and difficulty with mobile check deposits R4R7R10R45. Some users also struggle with finding specific features like auto loan balances or setting up external payments R7. Pending transactions are no longer visible for some, and credit card features often don't work R15. However, some users still find it useful for balance checks, deposits, and transfers .
Redwood Credit Union Redwood Credit Union's app is generally praised for being intuitive, easy to use, and making banking manageable . Users appreciate features like mobile check deposit, instant money transfers, and tools for tracking spending . Some users, however, report issues with Face ID, mobile deposit not working, and a less user-friendly bill pay after updates . The lack of Zelle pay is also noted R80.
Ease of Use (Interface & Navigation) edge: Redwood Credit UnionR3R4R6R7
Royal Credit Union Many Royal Credit Union users dislike the new app interface, calling it less user-friendly, difficult to navigate, and having too small a font R3R4R6R7. Specific complaints include difficulty accessing the home page after transfers, trouble finding loan payment options, and issues with copy/pasting login credentials R4.
Redwood Credit Union Redwood Credit Union's app is frequently described as user-friendly, simple, and easy to navigate . Users appreciate its intuitiveness and clear layout . However, some users prefer the old app's interface and find recent updates have relocated functions, requiring them to relearn .
Reliability & Performance edge: Redwood Credit UnionR9R19R21R27
Royal Credit Union Royal Credit Union users report frequent app crashes, SSL errors, and the app being constantly down or not working R9R19R27R28. Issues include balances not updating, transactions taking too long, and mobile deposit failing R21R28R47R53. Login struggles are also common .
Redwood Credit Union Redwood Credit Union's app generally works smoothly and reliably for most users . However, some users experience the app getting stuck on a loading screen, not opening, or having glitches that prevent check deposits . Face ID is also noted as not always working well .
Customer Service edge: Redwood Credit UnionR2R14R16R18
Royal Credit Union Royal Credit Union receives mixed reviews for customer service. Many users praise it as excellent, prompt, helpful, and appreciate talking to a real human R2R14R29. However, some report sub-par service, high staff turnover, incorrect account setups, and a lack of notification for inactivity fees R16R18. Some employees are also perceived as unknowledgeable about the app .
Redwood Credit Union Redwood Credit Union consistently receives high praise for its customer service, described as five-star, exemplary, superb, and always friendly and helpful . Users appreciate that calls are answered by real people ready to help .
Overall Banking Experience edge: Redwood Credit UnionR2R8R13R21
Royal Credit Union Royal Credit Union is loved by long-time members for its overall banking services, including fraud prevention, loan offerings, and being a trusted institution R2R8. Users appreciate the convenience of the app for managing finances . However, some express disappointment with issues like slow transactions, overdraft fees, and difficulty getting loans R13R21.
Redwood Credit Union Redwood Credit Union members express strong loyalty and satisfaction, highlighting benefits like personal loans, credit cards, and community support . Many find it superior to larger banks and appreciate its role in their financial journey . The app is seen as making banking easy and accessible .
Pick Royal Credit Union if

You are a long-time member of Royal Credit Union who values their traditional banking services and customer support, and are willing to tolerate recent app issues R2R14R29.

Pick Redwood Credit Union if

You prioritize a highly functional and user-friendly mobile banking app, excellent customer service, and a credit union that is consistently praised for its overall banking experience and community support .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, so there is no free-vs-paid asymmetry. Recent negative reviews for Royal Credit Union heavily focus on app updates, which contrasts with its high lifetime rating.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for mobile check deposits?
Redwood Credit Union's app is generally praised for its mobile check deposit functionality, allowing users to deposit checks without visiting a branch . In contrast, Royal Credit Union users report significant issues with their mobile check deposit feature, describing it as "awful" and "unusable" after recent updates, often requiring physical bank visits R45R47R53R55.
Do either of these apps have Zelle?
Redwood Credit Union's app does not currently have Zelle pay, which is a point of disappointment for some users R80. Royal Credit Union's app also does not have Zelle pay R28.
Which app has better customer service?
Redwood Credit Union is consistently lauded for its superb customer service, with users frequently highlighting that calls are answered by real people who are helpful and friendly . Royal Credit Union also receives praise for its customer service, with users appreciating the ability to talk to a real human, but some reviews mention sub-par service and high staff turnover R2R14R16R29.
Are there issues with app updates for either credit union?
Royal Credit Union has faced significant negative feedback regarding recent app updates, with users reporting a less user-friendly interface, smaller fonts, crashes, and broken features like mobile check deposit and pending transaction visibility R3R4R7R10. Redwood Credit Union also has some users who dislike recent updates, primarily due to changes in the Redwood Rewards system and relocation of functions, but these complaints are less severe than those for Royal Credit Union .

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. [R4] Royal Credit Union 1/5 · US Bad interface: I don’t like the change to the interface. The new update to the app is less user friendly and it doesn’t work properly. When I transfer from different accounts and hit “view accounts” it just goes back to the transfer menu and I have to restart the app just to get to the home page.
  2. [R7] Royal Credit Union 1/5 · US New update made the app worse: I struggle with my eyesight and the homepage's font is way too small and one note for me to be able to navigate as easily as I used to. I used to love this app for how simplistic and helpful it was, but now I can't make a transfer without it crashing and being down for at least 10 minutes, it won't show my auto loan balance on the main page, and if I click "make a pa
  3. [R10] Royal Credit Union 1/5 · US Changed UI: The previous User Interface was completely fine, I don’t know what you made more accessible or easier to find, everything is where it was before. You just made the app look like garbage and made the font smaller. Not very “accessible.” Do better and change it back.
  4. [R15] Royal Credit Union 3/5 · US Very basic banking app: It works. It connects to a separate Fiserv platform for credit card payments. The buttons for credit card payments, statements, and rewards often do not work. I haven’t been able to see a CC statement on the app. I’m okay that RCU has a very basic app, because they have the lowest rates around.
  5. [R3] Royal Credit Union 3/5 · US App Update: I actually like the old app version better.
  6. [R6] Royal Credit Union 3/5 · US New app: I do not like the new app at all. It is terrible!!
  7. [R9] Royal Credit Union 3/5 · US SSL Errors: Fairly constant SSL errors preventing most functions from working properly. Usually when accessing credit card info or paying from an external account. (This has been for over a year!)
  8. [R19] Royal Credit Union 1/5 · US Crashes on open: The app completely crashes the second it’s open and will not let me use it.. I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled and there’s no available updates.
  9. [R21] Royal Credit Union 3/5 · US Transactions take too long to happen: There also almost no forgiveness on overdrafts and then hand out fees like candy. Bill pay doesn’t work like it should.
  10. [R27] Royal Credit Union 3/5 · US Really convenient... when it works.: I use this app daily and it is very convenient, however, lately I’ve been receiving “try again later” responses almost every day. I use this app to manage money and view my balance and have stopped using a manual log. Not being able to check my balance gets very frustrating. Again, it’s a fantastic app when it’s working properly.
  11. [R2] Royal Credit Union 5/5 · US 5 stars: I’ve had royal credit union for over 15 years. The people are great, the app is great, the fraud prevention is great, everything is great. If you have questions, you can call and talk to a real human from the United States in just a few minutes and they will know exactly how to help you. I don’t plan on leaving royal credit union anytime soon. They have half my mortgage, several car loans
  12. [R14] Royal Credit Union 5/5 · US Excellent customer service: Great customer service every time. Prompt & always outgoing every time!
  13. [R16] Royal Credit Union 1/5 · US Not only is their customer service sub par, so is their internal system.: Every time I go into a branch location. There are new associates. They can barely keep staff on. My account had to be set up a minimum of 5 times because they kept entering my information in wrong. The list goes on and on.
  14. [R18] Royal Credit Union 3/5 · US Very disappointed: I have multiple accounts and asked to be notified if any are about to be charged fees for inactivity. “This is not allowed” is what I’m told. This is also very poor customer service.
  15. [R8] Royal Credit Union 5/5 · US RCU for the win!: RCU has been terrific so far! So much better than my last bank!
  16. [R13] Royal Credit Union 1/5 · US Loans: Wont give loans right away
  17. [R45] 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.
  18. [R47] Royal Credit Union 2/5 · US Mobile deposit is awful: The update made mobile deposit even worse. It was awful before and not it’s barely useable. Every check I deposit gets flagged for review because it says it’s possibly missing payee, date, amount, and signature. They’re all crystal clear on the check. Its such a pain. RCU as a whole is amazing but I’m considering switching banks just because of how bad the app is.
  19. [R53] Royal Credit Union 1/5 · US Check capture: Check capture doesn’t work 2/3 of the time
  20. [R55] Royal Credit Union 2/5 · US Fix check deposit: I get a lot of checks and have a pretty good system down for depositing checks. But lately y’all are telling me the from and back of the check aren’t the same size. Folks, I don’t move my phone or my check from the little cradle I’ve built for this. When I try to manually take a picture, it doesn’t focus. And other times, it gives me an image that looks like there was a picture
  21. [R28] 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.
  22. [R80] Redwood Credit Union 5/5 · US Zelle: Lamento que no tengan la aplicación de zelle
  23. [R29] Royal Credit Union 5/5 · US Great customer service & banking products: Friendly, local CU with lots of products (chkg, saving, lines of credit, vehicle loans HELOCs, CDs…They are always helpful when we have questions, offer what we need, and make banking easy with their online and mobile banking! Highly recommend them for their service!

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