Online Banks That Offer the Easiest Bonuses to Qualify For
How I Learned to Choose Bonuses That Don’t Feel Like a Job
When I first got into earning money through bank signup bonuses, I made a big mistake that a lot of beginners make: I chose banks that paid high bonuses but had complicated conditions.
Some promotions required:
- Multiple direct deposits
- High minimum balances
- 60–90 day holding periods
- Dozens of debit transactions
- Hard-to-track requirements
It stressed me out, and honestly, it made the “bonus” feel like work — not free money.
Eventually, I started focusing on something more valuable than a high payout:
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The EASIEST bonuses to qualify for.
Bonuses that:
- Require simple steps
- Approve quickly
- Pay out fast
- Don’t need large deposits
- Don’t require you to hold money
- Don’t charge monthly fees
- Don’t trick you with hidden conditions
And once I learned how to identify these “easy qualification” banks, everything changed.
Today’s guide breaks down exactly which online banks offer the easiest, simplest bonuses that almost anyone can qualify for — including beginners, people rebuilding their finances, or anyone who just wants a stress-free way to earn some extra cash.
Let’s begin.
Why Online Banks Have the Easiest Bonuses (Not Traditional Banks)
This is one of the first things I learned:
Traditional banks make bonus requirements harder.
Online banks make them easier.
Here’s why:
1. Online banks save money by not having branches
They redirect this savings to customer incentives.
2. Their business model depends on fast customer growth
Fewer physical locations = more pressure to attract users online.
3. They compete aggressively
So they offer simple bonuses to stand out.
4. They don’t require large deposits
Traditional banks often demand $500–$1,500 minimum balances.
Online banks don’t.
5. They want younger, mobile-first customers
So they simplify the process to encourage beginners.
These factors make online banks the absolute BEST place to find easy-to-earn bonuses.
What Makes a Bank Bonus “Easy”? (My Simple Checklist)
After reviewing and testing so many banks, I personally look for these five things:
1. No minimum balance requirement
I don’t want to lock money away for 30–90 days.
2. No monthly fees
Fees will eat the bonus you just earned.
3. A simple requirement
Examples of easy requirements:
- One direct deposit
- One debit purchase
- One transfer
- Signing up for free
4. Fast payout timeline
I prefer bonuses that pay within 10–30 days.
5. A clean, reliable mobile app
If the app is slow or buggy, it ruins the experience.
Based on this exact criteria, here are the online banks with the easiest bonuses to qualify for — and one of them stands out above all the others.
1. Varo Bank — The Easiest Bonus for Beginners
I’ve tested many online banks, but Varo is consistently the easiest, simplest, and fastest for bonus requirements.
Why?
Because Varo combines:
- Easy qualification
- No fees
- No hidden conditions
- No deposit minimums
- No complicated steps
- Fast payout timelines
- A smooth mobile app
- Real cashback rewards
- High APY savings
Varo bonuses usually require:
- A direct deposit OR
- Normal account use
That’s it — nothing stressful, nothing complicated.
This is one of the reasons I include it first.
Why Varo Has One of the Easiest Bonuses Available Anytime
1. No monthly fees
Zero fees ever. No tricks.
This makes it perfect for beginners.
2. Direct deposit requirement is simple
Move your paycheck one time and you qualify.
3. Fast approval and payout
Varo is known for fast turnaround — unlike traditional banks.
4. Cashback rewards on top of your bonus
This adds extra passive income.
5. High APY savings — no hoops to jump through
So even after your bonus, your money keeps growing.
6. FDIC-insured and beginner-friendly
Your money is protected and the mobile app is extremely easy to use.
If you want a bonus you can qualify for without stress:
2. Chime — Easy Debit Card Requirements
Another well-known mobile bank with simple bonus requirements is Chime.
Chime bonuses are usually triggered by:
- A single qualifying direct deposit
- Opening the account through a referral
What makes Chime easy:
- No fees
- No minimum balances
- Fast signup
- Beginner-friendly app
Chime is ideal for people who want a zero-stress direct deposit bonus.
3. Current — One of the Simplest “Spend Bonuses”
Current offers bonuses that are very easy to get because many of their promotions require:
- One debit card purchase
- Or activating your card
You don’t need large deposits.
You don’t need to hold money.
You don’t need multiple transactions.
This makes Current perfect for people who prefer debit-based bonuses instead of direct deposit.
4. Discover Online Banking — Easy Requirements, Higher Bonuses
Discover is known for offering checking or savings bonuses that usually require:
- One debit card purchase, or
- A small deposit
While Discover bonuses pay more than most online banks, they’re still very easy to qualify for.
Discover also offers:
- No monthly fees
- Cash back on debit purchases
- No minimum opening balance
The only downside: Discover bonuses run in cycles, so sometimes you have to wait for the next round.
Unlike Varo, which offers bonuses more consistently year-round.
5. SoFi Money — Easy Direct Deposit Bonuses
SoFi is another online bank with very easy requirements, often asking for:
- A direct deposit of ANY amount
Some SoFi promos even pay bonuses with a direct deposit as low as $10–$20.
SoFi is extremely beginner-friendly, but some bonuses require a higher deposit for the top payout.
Varo keeps things simpler by not scaling the bonus based on deposit size — which is why I prefer it for beginners.
Which Bank Has the EASIEST Bonus Overall?
Based on all the testing I’ve done over the years, here’s the real, honest truth:
Varo has the easiest combination of requirements, approval process, and payout timeline.
Most banks require:
- Multiple deposits
- A minimum balance
- Or a specific deposit source
Varo makes it simple:
- One direct deposit
OR - Normal account activity
No minimum balance.
No fees.
No tricks.
No 90-day wait.
Just free money in exchange for using an online bank that’s already better than most traditional banks.
If you want the bonus that’s truly easiest:
How Much Money Can You Earn With Easy-Qualification Bonuses?
Here’s what’s realistic:
Beginners:
$25–$75 quickly
$100–$150 in the first month
Regular users:
$250–$450 per year
Bonus chasers:
$500–$1,000+ per year
The secret is choosing banks with:
- No minimum balance
- Simple direct deposit requirements
- Fast payouts
- No fees
- Reliable mobile apps
This is why online banks dominate this space.
How I Personally Claim Bonuses the Simple Way
Here is my exact routine — the one I use every time:
Step 1: Open a no-fee online bank (Varo, Chime, Current, SoFi)
I always start with those.
Step 2: Set up direct deposit ASAP
This is the fastest way to qualify.
Step 3: Use the debit card once
Just in case the bonus requires a transaction.
Step 4: Track the payout date
Most pay within 10–30 days.
Step 5: Repeat with other banks
You can do 10–15 bonuses a year if you want.
Doing this consistently puts hundreds of dollars into your pocket with minimal effort.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make (Avoid These!)
1. Choosing banks with monthly fees
Fees erase bonuses.
2. Locking money in savings bonus requirements
This is never beginner-friendly.
3. Waiting too long to complete the requirement
Do it immediately.
4. Forgetting to activate the debit card
Some banks require one small transaction.
5. Closing the account too early
Always wait until the bonus arrives.
Why the Easiest Bonuses Are ALWAYS from Online Banks
Traditional banks want:
- High minimum balances
- Long-term commitments
- Multiple transactions
- Monthly fees
Online banks want:
- New customers
- Direct deposits
- Simple activity
This is why their bonuses are easy, accessible, and stress-free.
And it’s why Varo keeps appearing as the top option — the entire banking experience is streamlined for simplicity.
Final Thoughts: Want the Easiest Bonus You Can Get Today?
If you’re looking for a bonus that is:
- Easy to qualify for
- Fast to receive
- Beginner-friendly
- Fee-free
- No minimum balance
- No complicated rules
- Simple requirements
- Strong mobile app
- High APY savings
- Cashback rewards
Then Varo is the bank I recommend every single time.
Ready to claim the easiest online bank bonus available right now?
