The banking sector has undergone a digital revolution, offering young people more flexible, cheaper banking solutions that are perfectly suited to their connected lifestyles.
No more hidden costs or complicated procedures!
Online banks are vying with each other to offer intuitive applications, innovative bank cards and services that can be accessed from a smartphone. To help you make the right choice, we have selected the 10 best online banks that meet the specific needs of young people.
| Rank | Bank name | URL | Key benefits for young people | Customer rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Boursorama Bank | https://www.boursorama-banque.com/ | Free under certain conditions, full application, welcome bonus. | 4,4 |
| 2 | Fortuneo | https://www.fortuneo.fr/ | Free cards, cashback, mobile insurance, reduced charges abroad. | 4,2 |
| 3 | Revolut | https://www.revolut.com/fr-FR/ | Travel, currency exchange, budget management, fast opening. | 4 |
| 4 | N26 | https://n26.com/fr-fr | 100% mobile banking, instant notifications, easy to open. | 3,8 |
| 5 | Hello bank! | https://www.hellobank.fr/ | Support from a major bank (BNP Paribas), intuitive application, young offers. | 4 |
| 6 | Monabanq | https://www.monabanq.com/ | Accessible without income requirements, friendly customer service, good application. | 4,2 |
| 7 | Sumeria | https://sumeria.eu/fr | Instant transfers, savings accounts, virtual cards, very intuitive. | 4,5 |
| 8 | BforBank | https://www.bforbank.com/ | Free offer subject to conditions, user-friendly website, standard banking services. | 3,8 |
| 9 | Nickel | https://nickel.eu/fr | Quick and unconditional opening, discount account and card, accessible via tobacconists. | 4 |
| 10 | Bunq | https://www.bunq.com/fr | Mobile banking focused on budget management, reduced charges abroad, eco-friendly features. | 4,3 |
Customer ratings: These ratings are a summary of customer reviews found on various platforms (Trustpilot, Google Play Store, Apple App Store) and are indicative, as scores may vary slightly depending on sources and updates.
Boursorama Banque is a benchmark for young people thanks to its aggressive pricing policy, with free offers subject to certain conditions of use. Its Visa bank card is often free, and its mobile application is one of the most comprehensive and intuitive on the market, allowing you to manage your finances independently. The welcome bonus on opening an account is also a major advantage for young people.
Fortuneo is another major player in the online banking market, often ranked among the best for its free bank cards and innovative services. It offers benefits such as cashback on certain purchases and reduced charges for payments or withdrawals abroad, which is very popular with young travellers or international students. Its application is highly functional.
Revolut has become the bank of choice for young adventurers and digital nomads. Its mobile application enables instant management of expenses, international transfers with no hidden charges and very practical virtual cards. The ease of opening an account and its travel-related features make it a preferred choice for young, connected customers.
N26 is a 100% mobile bank, offering a simplified and intuitive banking experience directly from your smartphone. Opening an account is quick, and instant notifications mean you can track your spending in real time. It is appreciated for its modern, no-frills approach, although it may lack some of the services that a traditional bank would offer.
Hello bank!, a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, offers the best of both worlds: the flexibility of an online bank and the security and network of a large traditional bank (access to BNP Paribas ATMs). Its application is modern and it often has special offers for young people and students, combining free banking with tailored services.
Monabanq stands out for its accessibility, requiring no income to open an account, which is ideal for young people. Although it often charges a fee for its services, Monabanq is praised for the quality of its human customer service, which is available by telephone, chat or e-mail, an advantage for those who prefer more direct contact than the digital 100%.
Formerly known as Lydia, Sumeria has evolved into a complete neobank, while retaining the simplicity and speed that have made it such a success. It offers an account with a French IBAN, physical and virtual bank cards, and intuitive features for budget management and payments. Its high popularity among young people and its streamlined interface make it a very practical everyday solution.
BforBank, a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole, offers free online banking under certain conditions. Its website is renowned for its user-friendliness and clarity, offering easy access to classic banking services (current account, savings, credit). It's a solid option for young people looking for a reliable online bank with a comprehensive range of services.
Nickel offers an alternative banking solution, particularly suited to young people and those looking for simple, no-holds-barred management. Its main advantage is that it's quick and easy to open an account (at a tobacconist's), with no income requirements and a Mastercard. It's an option for controlling your budget, with no overdraft facility and very low charges.
Bunq is a European neobank that appeals to young people with its intuitive mobile application focused on real-time budget management. It offers innovative features for travellers (reduced charges abroad, currency exchange), as well as options linked to ecological causes. Its modern approach and spending control tools make it an attractive choice for conscious, mobile customers.
Opening an account with an online bank is generally quick and easy. You will need to provide valid proof of identity (identity card, passport), proof of address (utility bill less than 3 months old), and sometimes proof of income or a first direct debit. Everything is done online, often via the bank's mobile application, with an electronic signature and an initial transfer.
Yes, online banks operating in France are subject to the same regulations and security standards as traditional banks. They are approved by the ACPR (Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution) and have the same deposit guarantees (up to €100,000 per customer in the event of bankruptcy). Their applications are secured by encryption and strong authentication technologies.
The main charges to watch out for are: account maintenance charges (often zero under certain conditions), bank card charges (often free), charges for withdrawals abroad (outside the euro zone), exchange charges for payments in foreign currencies, charges for international transfers, and any charges linked to account inactivity or failure to comply with the conditions for free use.
Yes, several online banks and neobanks offer special deals for students, sometimes including higher welcome bonuses, tailored services (budget management, instant transfers) and advantages for making payments abroad. It's a good idea to compare these offers to see which one best suits your student profile.
Most online banks do not have physical branches, which can make it difficult to deposit cash. Some, such as Boursorama Banque and Fortuneo, allow cheques to be deposited by post. For cash, there may be partnerships with tobacconists or traditional banks (such as Nickel with tobacconists). It is important to check this option if you need to deposit cash regularly.
For most young people, an online bank's mobile application is more than enough to manage their day-to-day banking: they can check their balance, make transfers, categorise their spending, block/unblock their card, manage limits, and even open new savings products. It is the central tool in their banking experience.
A neobank is a type of online bank, but it is generally distinguished by a mobile 100% experience and services that are often more basic and focused on current accounts, payments and budget management. Legacy' online banks (subsidiaries of major banks) often offer a more comprehensive range of banking products (savings, loans, stock market) and more extensive customer service.
Some online banks offer authorised overdrafts, but the conditions for granting them may be stricter, especially for young people with no fixed income or little banking history. Neobanks such as Nickel or Bunq do not offer overdrafts at all, which can be an advantage when learning how to manage your budget without the risk of overspending.
If you have a problem, you can contact your online bank's customer service via various channels: online chat (often fast), e-mail, telephone (some offer extended opening hours), or via the FAQ section of their website or application. Online banks strive to offer responsive support despite the absence of physical branches.
Yes, online banks, and particularly neobanks such as Revolut or N26, are very suitable for students abroad thanks to their low charges on foreign currency payments and withdrawals. They offer great flexibility and easy management via the app, which is ideal for Erasmus or study trips.
