How do people do banking on their mobile devices? Do they access the institution's online banking through a browser or use the bank's mobile banking app?
Using the browser would keep things simpler:
No need to load and maintain yet another app and hope there are no vulnerabilities in its code;
No need to deal with another interface as the view would be the same on both desktop and mobile devices. (The bank may load different web pages for a mobile user but you can request the desktop version through a browser setting.)
Are there advantages in using the mobile app? A quick perusal of app comments reveals mixed user experiences.
I'm a fan of my banks mobile app. I sign in on my smartphone with fingerprint, can do any and all banking, remote cheque deposits, etc. Excellent when travelling or anywhere away from my computer.
I use a browser for the reasons you mentioned. Havent had to deposit a cheque in years. So mobile cheque deposit not much use. I have the mobile app on my phone but find it not as easy to use as the browser version.
Last edited by SQRT on 11 Aug 2017 13:06, edited 1 time in total.
I have used the mobile apps on only a few occasions on my smartphone when I have to access that way (can't read the website on my phone). Perhaps twice in the past year. I just don't have a need to get on to online banking more than once or twice a month, e.g. to make a transfer between accounts or to download PDF statements and use my laptop for that.
Edited: Context
Last edited by AltaRed on 11 Aug 2017 12:34, edited 2 times in total.
The mobile app would indeed be handy for depositing cheques. However that's not an issue for me. I think I'll stick with access via the browser app for the time being as it serves my need. Thanks for all the responses.
twa2w wrote: ↑12 Aug 2017 14:45Hmm, I use cheque deposit on the RBC regular Internet banking site. I rarely use a mobile app except to check balances or due date of a visa bill.
twa2w wrote: ↑12 Aug 2017 14:45Hmm, I use cheque deposit on the RBC regular Internet banking site. I rarely use a mobile app except to check balances or due date of a visa bill.
There are security considerations too. Which is the most secure hardware + software combination: cell phone + app, cell phone + browser, desktop + Chrome, desktop + Firefox, etc.
Do you increase your security risk if you use more than one combination with one account? Should you use different combinations with different bank/broker accounts? For example, would it be a good idea to access your TD accounts from your desktop and your RBC accounts from your cell phone?
From what I can tell there's no right answer as to what is more secure, Banking App or Browser. Browsers generally get more thorough testing than any individual app, but browsers are vulnerable simply because they do more, hence more opportunities to find exploits. Still, I suspect the most common risk is URL spoofing, which is why I never follow any url from a bank promotional email or website. Just type the URL into your browser.
I use a browser banking site on my laptop at home and at work nowhere else.
I use my banking app occasionally when I am travelling to pay a bill, transfer money and once in a blue moon deposit a paper cheque and never over insecure wifi (which to me is anything other than my home and work.)