Top 10 FinTech Apps build using Plaid
- Arpan Desai
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
In the world of financial technology (FinTech), data connectivity and seamless user-experience are king. That’s where Plaid enters: as an API layer that allows financial apps to connect with users’ bank accounts, parse transactions, verify identity and more — in just a few clicks. Plaid+2itexus.com+2
If you’re curious about the top fintech apps built using Plaid, here’s a human-touch, narrative-driven look at ten standout players, followed by some FAQs to round things out.
Why Plaid matters
Before diving into the list, it helps to understand why Plaid matters in the FinTech ecosystem.
Plaid enables apps to let users link bank accounts quickly and securely — no manual uploads, no “enter all your transactions” hassles. Plaid+1
By giving access to transaction data, balances, income, liabilities and more, Plaid empowers apps to offer smarter services: budgeting, investing, lending, cross-account views. itexus.com+1
For users, this means less friction — and for builders, less reinventing the infrastructure of connectivity. itexus.com+1
Hence, the following apps stand out not just for being trendy, but for being built on and empowered by Plaid’s connectivity.
Top 10 FinTech apps built using Plaid
Here’s a curated list of ten fintech applications (not ranked strictly) that illustrate different use-cases, all leveraging Plaid’s connectivity.
Chime
A mobile-first bank account provider, Chime gives users early access to direct deposit, fee-free checking and savings, and tools to grow money. On Plaid’s “Discover Apps” page, Chime is listed under “Banking – Mobile banking”. Plaid+1
Why it matters: It’s a neobank that makes linking external accounts easy, supporting users who may otherwise be underserved.
What stands out: Early payday access, automated savings, and the simplicity of banking without legacy-branch overhead.
MoneyLion
An all-in-one finance app offering spending, savings, credit-building, investing and more. On Plaid’s app list. Plaid+1
Why it matters: It showcases how linking transactions via Plaid supports insights and services across multiple financial dimensions.
Human touch: Imagine someone juggling multiple small pay-ins; MoneyLion gives them a dashboard and actionable nudges via data pulled in via Plaid.
Varo
A mobile bank account with no minimum balance and features like early direct deposit. Varo features on Plaid’s list of banking apps. Wise+1
Why it matters: It lowers the barrier to entry for banking and uses Plaid to aggregate account information seamlessly.
Personal story angle: A user switching jobs frequently uses Varo to avoid traditional bank hassles — the connectivity makes the transition smoother.
Robinhood
A popular investing app offering commission-free trades, accessible to everyday users. Robinhood is referenced as one of the investment apps powered by Plaid. Wise+1
Why it matters: Investing historically required manual statements; with Plaid, Robinhood and similar apps can pull in banking or brokerage data faster, improving user experience.
Human touch: A young professional starts micro-investing while still managing salary flow — linked accounts via Plaid remove friction.
Acorns
A “round-up” investing app that saves spare change and invests it. Listed among the investment apps using Plaid. Wise
Why it matters: For users new to investing, seamless linking means the “extra cents” get captured without too much setup.
Story insight: Someone who always forgets to save, uses Acorns to automatically invest “leftover” cents — because the backend is connected via Plaid.
Venmo
A peer-to-peer payment app, massively popular for splitting bills, paying friends and more. Venmo appears in lists of payment apps using Plaid. Wise+1
Why it matters: Even for payments between friends, linking bank accounts (via Plaid) helps with verification, transfers and trust.
Lifestyle angle: After a group dinner, splitting the bill is painless because the payment app can easily verify funds via Plaid-powered connection.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
A cross-border payments and multi-currency account app. The Wise blog lists Wise among the apps that use Plaid. Wise+1
Why it matters: For sending money internationally, verifying source accounts and managing multiple currencies is smoother with Plaid’s connectivity.
User story: A digital nomad uses Wise to hold multiple currencies and send money home; the linking of accounts means fewer delays and manual inputs.
Acorns
(Already mentioned) – since we already listed it, let’s instead pick Qapital
A savings/investing app that uses rules-based automation (e.g., “If I spend less than $50 this week, invest $5”). On Plaid’s list of saving/investing apps. Wise
Why it matters: Extra linking allows Qapital to monitor spending from bank accounts and trigger savings rules automatically.
Human perspective: Someone who flushed money on impulse buys finds that Qapital nudges them to save when they spend less — thanks to the account link.
Betterment
A robo-advisor / digital investing platform; listed as a saving or investing app that uses Plaid. Wise
Why it matters: For DIY investors, pulling in transaction or cash-flow data via Plaid can inform better portfolio guidance.
Story: A busy professional sets up automatic investment contributions, while the app monitors cash flow from linked accounts to avoid overdraft risk.
Expensify
A business-expense/tracking app, used by small businesses to capture receipts, track expenses and integrate payments. Listed on Plaid’s app list under business. Wise
Why it matters: Business finance apps need transaction streams and account links; Plaid enables these seamlessly.
Scenario: A freelancer in India (say in Surat) uses Expensify to track business expenses, while their linked bank account via Plaid ensures data flows automatically.
How to pick among them
While all the above leverage Plaid in one way or another, the right fit depends on your personal-finance goals:
For banking and daily transactions: Chime, Varo and MoneyLion offer bank-like features with ease of linkage.
For investing/saving: Acorns, Qapital, Betterment and Robinhood offer tools built on connected data.
For payments & transfers: Venmo and Wise make social and international transfers smoother.
For business/expense tracking: Expensify shows how Plaid isn’t just for consumer finance but also SMB workflows.
The human element: Why users care
Beyond the tech, what matters to people is less friction, more control, and better clarity. Linking your bank account manually, uploading statements, waiting days for verification — those are painful steps. Apps built using Plaid reduce that pain. For example:
A young graduate in India or anywhere wants to set up their first investment app. Instead of scanning paperwork, they link their bank account, the app sees their cash-flow quickly, they start investing.
A small business owner wants to track expenses across multiple bank accounts; with Plaid enabled apps, the linking is smoother and the spend data comes in automatically.
A friend group splits bills while traveling; rather than one person paying and chasing, the payment app (linked via Plaid) enables seamless transfers.
Final thoughts
The financial services landscape is evolving. Users expect apps to just work: link their bank, show balances, track spending, let them move money, invest, or save — without friction. The top fintech apps built using Plaid are those that understood this and built around it. From everyday banking to investing and expenses, the connectivity backbone matters.
Whether you’re someone looking for a better personal finance tool, or a startup builder considering your fintech architecture, the role of data connectivity (and thus services like Plaid) is central.
If you like, I can dig up 10 more fintech apps built with Plaid, including global-use ones, and map their use-cases and growth stories. Would you like that?
FAQs
Q1: What exactly does the focus keyword mean — top fintech apps built using Plaid?
It refers to leading financial-technology applications that leverage Plaid’s connectivity to bank accounts or transaction data (e.g., linking accounts, retrieving transactions, verifying identity) and which have achieved significant traction or recognition.
Q2: Is Plaid safe to use?
Yes — Plaid uses encryption (AES-256, TLS) and allows users to control what data is shared, and to disconnect accounts via the Plaid Portal. Norton+1
However, as with any financial service, users should review app permissions, understand what data is being shared, and ensure they trust the app itself.
Q3: Why do many apps choose to integrate with Plaid?
Because Plaid removes much of the heavy lifting around connecting to hundreds or thousands of banks and financial institutions. In turn, the apps can focus on user experience and value-added features rather than building complex backend banking integrations. itexus.com+1
Q4: Are all the apps above using Plaid in the exact same way?
No — while they all use Plaid (or are listed as using Plaid) in some capacity, the depth of integration may vary. Some might use Plaid for identity/verification, others for transaction streaming, others for account funding. Always check the app’s features and how it uses connected data.
Q5: If I’m developing a fintech app, should I consider Plaid?
Definitely. If your app needs to connect to users’ bank accounts, aggregate transactions, verify income or provide multi-account views, Plaid (or similar open-banking / API aggregators) is a strong option. Guides explain the benefits and how to use Plaid’s API. itexus.com
