Mana App Review: Game Changer or Gimmick?
Mana debit card and app

Mana App Review: The Neobanking App for Gamers

One of the most intriguing trends I’ve seen emerge since I’ve been following FinTech is the advent of niche neobanks. These days, you can find apps geared towards certain communities, interests, and more. Among the latest examples I’ve seen of this is an app called Mana, which bills itself as the best debit card for gamers.

Now, I may not be a big gamer, but I do know a thing or two about banking applications. So, how does Mana measure up? Let’s take a look at what this account and debit card have to offer.

Mana Review
Mana: A Clever and Fun Banking Account for Gamers That Comes at a Cost
2.5
Mana Lite cost
$34.95 per year
Mana Pro cost
$134.95 per year
Partner bank
MVB Bank, N.A., Member FDIC
Mana is a unique banking account built for gamers. Among the key perks is the ability to earn points on debit card purchases as well as earn daily points for playing select mobile games. What’s more, these points can be redeemed for gift cards from Amazon, Best Buy, and elsewhere. However, since Mana no longer offers a free tier, annual fees for the account start at $34.95 (or $134.95 for Mana Pro). This coupled with the fact that Mana doesn’t currently doesn’t offer any APY on funds may make this a non-starter for most.
Pros
  • Earn points on digital game purchases, entertainment subscriptions, and more
  • Earn points for playing mobile games
  • Points redeemable for gift cards and more
Cons
  • Annual plans start at $34.95
  • No APY paid on funds
  • Point caps for ‘everything else’ spending and gaming

What is Mana and How Does it Work?

Mana app sign up

Signing up and FDIC

To get started with Mana, you’ll need to provide personal information including your name, address, Social Security number, etc. You’ll also need to confirm both your email address and your phone number. Naturally, you’ll need to agree to some terms of service as well.

On that note, since Mana is not a bank, they partner with the institution MVB Bank. This means that deposits are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor.

Account options and pricing

Currently, Mana offers two different account options: Mana Lite or Mana Pro. Of note, while the app launched with a free version, that has since been discontinued. 

Starting with Mana Lite, it comes at a cost of $34.95 per year. In addition to some basic features and other perks (which will be discussed in a bit), Lite members also get a 90-day subscription to FitGMR Pro as well as a one-year subscription to FirstBlood Premium.

As for Mana Pro, this option now costs $134.95 per year. However, that price includes the following bonuses:

  • Discord Nitro Classic 1 year subscription
  • $25 Xbox Gift Card
  • $25 PlayStation Store Gift Card
  • FitGMR Pro 1 year subscription
  • Surfshark VPN 1 year subscription
  • FirstBlood Premium 1 year subscription

Both account options also advertise welcome bonuses, triggered by different activities. First, new customers can earn 1,500 points for setting up direct deposit and 100 points after making their first deposits. Then, new Mana Lite customers can earn 50 points when they activate their debit card, while new Mana Pro users can get 100 bonus points when they activate theirs. 

When I first signed up for Mana, I was on their (now defunct) free plan. But, after winning a complimentary Pro subscription, I tried that for a year — but it’s since expired. So, for the rest of this review, I’ll be sharing my experience with each, even though the free version is no longer available.

Making deposits

In order to move money to Mana, you’ll likely need to connect an external bank account. This is done using Plaid, allowing you to log into your account and link it. Somewhat annoyingly, you can only link a single external account to Mana at a time. Even more annoyingly, while it notes that you’ll need to remove an existing account to add a new one, I couldn’t figure out how to do this in the app.

Another option you have for adding money to your Mana account is direct deposit. To get started with this, you can search through popular employers or payroll providers.

Lastly, the app also lists an “Instant Transfers” option. Alas, this doesn’t give you the ability to deposit money by charging a debit card like some other apps do. Instead, it lists popular P2P payment options Venmo, Apple Cash, PayPal, and Cash App and provides you with instructions for how to use those apps’ instant deposit features to move your cash faster. That’s kind of clever but also a bit misleading in my opinion. Plus, while Mana doesn’t charge you any fees for these instant transfers, the apps themselves likely will.

Mana Debit Visa Card

Debit card

As a Mana customer, you’ll be provided with a free debit card. For basic users, this is a grey, plastic card with a fun-enough Mana design. Meanwhile, Pro users will receive a black, metal card with an otherwise similar design. These debit cards operate on the Visa network

One thing that disappointed and surprised me was that Mana did not provide a digital version of the card in the app. Because of this, I had to wait until my physical card arrived before I could make purchases. This isn’t exactly a deal breaker, but digital cards do feel like a standard these days so I was taken aback by their exclusion.

Luckily, however, the card can be added to Apple Pay.

ATM access

When I initially reviewed Mana, it was stated that they used the Allpoint ATM network, providing access to more than 55,000 fee-free ATMs. There was also a tool in the app to find free ATMs. Now, the Mana homepage lists “300,000+ fee-free ATM locations” as a perk of their accounts. However, the ATM tool is missing and I can’t find clarification in the FAQ to know whether this means that ATM fees are reimbursed by Mana. Hopefully that is the case, but it’s strange that this isn’t explicitly stated.

Earning Mana – Gameplay

There are a few ways to earn Mana, but let me start with my favorite and what I think is the most unique: playing mobile games. In the app, you can choose to link select games to Mana and earn rewards points for daily play — 1 point per game played daily for Lite users and 5 points per game played daily for Pro customers.

This list currently includes:

  • Fortnite
  • Clash of Clans
  • Brawl Stars
  • Apex Legends
  • Clash Royale
  • Halo Infinite
  • The Division 2
  • Splitgate
  • CS:GO
Brawl Stars

To link a game, you’ll first select it from the Games tab of Mana. This will provide you with directions on how to proceed — but you’ll likely need to find your Player Tag for the game. In the case of Brawl Stars (the game I chose to try), I was able to find my identifying collection of letters and numbers in my Brawl Stars profile. After connecting, you can view your game activity in Mana, including streaks.

There are a few things to note about the Mana rewards platform. First, it’s not enough to merely open the game app in order to earn points. Instead, you’ll need to play at least a round to activate the reward. In my experience, this activity would show up in Mana within a few minutes of my completing a round. 

Second, while you might assume that the streaks Mana shows under your game activity would mean bonus point opportunities, that’s not the case. Even if you manage a “perfect month,” you’ll still just earn 1 Mana per day for a total of 30 that month. Lastly, for Lite Mana users, there’s a cap of 100 gameplay Mana per month, while Mana Pro users can earn up to 500 Mana per month with gameplay.

Earning Mana – Purchases

The other main way to earn Mana is by making purchases with your debit card. Lite users enjoy the following multipliers:

  • 3x Mana per dollar spent on Digital Gaming Products in the Mana Shop
  • 2x Mana per dollar spent on select Gaming & Entertainment Subscriptions
  • 1x Mana per dollar spent on all other purchases (up to 1,000 points per month)

Meanwhile, Mana Pro customers earn the following multipliers:

  • 5x Mana per dollar spent on Gaming Products in the Mana Shop
  • 3x Mana per dollar spent on select Gaming & Entertainment Subscriptions
  • 1x Mana per dollar spent on all other purchases (up to 3,000 points per month)

Starting at the top with the subscription multiplier, this not only includes video and audio streaming services but also digital subscriptions for comics, online gameplay, etc. A list of eligible subscriptions can be found in the app, but some popular options that caught my eye were Amazon Prime, Apple One, Disney+ (as well as Hulu and ESPN+ for you bundle fans), Max, Marvel Infinite, Nintendo Switch Online, Spotify, and more.

As for the Gaming Products category, the Mana Shop currently has dozens of PC gaming titles available for purchase. Looking at a few of these games, it looks as though the purchases are made on Mana and then can be redeemed on Steam. Personally, I did not purchase any games in the Mana store, but I did appreciate how simple it seemed to be to do so.

Mana gift card purchase

Gift card purchases

If you don’t want to purchase games from Mana but still want a way to redeem your points, the platform offers a few gift card options. These include digital cards for the likes of Amazon, Best Buy, XBOX, Nintendo eShop, Domino’s, GameStop, AMC, Google Play, Macy’s, and more. For most gift card purchases, you’ll need to redeem at least 50 Mana to do so — although this restriction doesn’t apply to game or hardware purchases. However, over that, you can select any amount you want to redeem over that 50 minimum.

Additionally, while you don’t earn Mana on the points you redeem, you will still earn Mana back on the rest of your purchase. So, for example, I purchased a $10 Amazon gift card with 50 Mana and $9.50 cash, which yielded me 9 Mana back when all was said and done. Also, the card was extremely easy to redeem at Amazon as all I needed to do was enter to code.

Referrals

Like many apps these days, Mana offers rewards to those who refer friends. Currently, those who successfully refer friends — meaning they use your invite code, open an account, and activate their card — will earn up to 750 Mana (which equals $7.50). Specifically, it’s 750 for Pro and 250 for Lite. Additionally, the person being referred will also earn 750 Mana for a Pro subscription and 250 Mana for a Lite subscription. On that note, if you want to use my code, feel free to try kyleb2775.

VR

Finally, I feel as though I really need to mention that Mana apparently offers a VR banking experience. This isn’t a joke — this is real life… as far as I can tell. Looking on the site, this apparently requires something called Sidequest. From there, you can toggle on the VR headset pairing option in settings. I obviously didn’t try this feature out but here’s a video from the site:

Final Thoughts on Mana

Mana logo

Overall, I think there are things for gamers and normies alike to enjoy about Mana. First, the ability to play some fairly fun games and earn real-world rewards (regardless of how small) is pretty nice. Similarly, the multipliers are fairly solid for a debit card. Plus, the ability to cash out as few as 50 Mana (or fewer if you’re buying a game or hardware) means you won’t need to wait too long before making use of your accrued points. All of these factors made Mana worth having if you’re even slightly interested in gaming.

However, you may have noticed by use of the past tense in that sentence. That’s because, sadly, Mana no longer has a free option. Instead, you’ll need to pay $34.95 for a Lite subscription, which changes the equation for me.

As for other downsides, Mana does not currently offer any interest on funds. This wouldn’t have been too big of a deal in the past but, with savings APYs now topping 4% in many cases, it’s a definite sore spot. To be fair, though, it is a checking account and not a savings account, so the absence of interest isn’t a dealbreaker

All things considered, while I enjoyed using Mana in the past and earning points that I redeemed for gift cards, I haven’t renewed my subscription. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to seeing how the app grows as it seems there’s already a pretty dedicated fanbase (if their Discord server is any indication).

Ultimately, at a cost that works out to less than $3 a month, I don’t think Mana Lite is a terrible value. But, the cost no longer makes it an account worth taking a flyer on. Instead, before deciding to sign up for this or the Pro version of Mana, you’ll want to make sure that the credit and perks actually make sense for you. If so, then I think you’ll enjoy the platform.

Author

Kyle Burbank

Head Writer ~ Fioney
Kyle is the head writer for Fioney. He is a personal finance nerd, constantly looking for new apps and services to test and incorporate into his own financial game plan. In addition to his role at Fioney, he's written for other publications including Born2Invest, Lifehack, and Laughing Place, as well as his own site Money@30. He also creates personal finance and travel-related videos for Money@30's YouTube channel, which has garnered more than 2 million views. Currently, Kyle resides in Springfield, Missouri with his wife of 10 years. Together, they enjoy traveling (including visiting Disney Parks around the world), dining, and playing with their dog Rigby.

Other Articles by Kyle Burbank

Robinhood Gold Credit Card

Robinhood Reveals New Credit Card, Reimagined Flagship App

During its "New Gold Standard" keynote event, Robinhood made some major announcements, including the launch of a new credit card. About the Robinhood Gold Card: The headlining announcement was the reveal of the new Robinhood Gold Card. In a bit that paid homage to Steve Jobs' iconic iPhone announcement, Robinhood co-founder and CEO Vlad Tenev teased plans to release three different cards (a starter card, an everyday card, and a...
holding an American Express Gold card in front of a table of food

How to Maximize All of the American Express Gold Card Credits

One of the most often-used cards in my wallet is the American Express Gold Card. Like its "big brother" the Platinum Card, the Amex Gold card commands a sizeable annual fee but attempts to offset that expense by including monthly credits. Of course, the card also includes some lucrative rewards categories and redemption options that further give it value. Having recently explored the best ways to maximize the Platinum card's...
US Bank Altitude Connect Credit Card

U.S. Bank Plans Major Changes to Altitude Connect Credit Card

U.S. Bank has revealed several major changes to its Altitude Connect credit card, which will arrive this September. About the changes: The first update is that the card will no longer carry an annual fee. Previously, the Altitude Connect card came at a cost of $95 per year — although this was often waived for the first year. Those who apply for the card now will enjoy a $0 introductory...
The "Email" field is empty, you must enter some text to proceed.The text you entered in the "Email" field appears to be invalid, please edit it and try again
Get the Latest News Delivered to Your Inbox

A Guide to Building Credit and Increasing Your Credit Scores

When it comes to credit, there’s some good news. The average credit score in the United States has been steadily rising in recent years, coming in at 715 in 2023. That may be because, today, consumers not only have more ways to access their credit reports and scores than ever before but also because there are an increasing number of options that Americans have for building credit in the first...

2024 SoFi Checking and Savings Review

Ever since I started taking an interest in the FinTech sector, one company whose name I’ve seen pop up over and over again is SoFi. Lately it seems as though that theme has been sent into overdrive as the company has not only become a household name thanks to its stadium naming rights deal but also because of the company’s continued product expansions. The most interesting development in my mind...
Chase Freedom Flex card

Chase Reveals Q2 2024 Freedom 5%(+) Bonus Categories

Chase has announced its bonus category picks for the second quarter of 2024 — including some interesting twists. About the categories: As April approaches, Chase has revealed what categories Freedom and Freedom Flex cardholders can earn bonuses on. From April 1st through June 30th, customers can earn 5% (or more) in three categories: Amazon.com, Hotels, and Restaurants. Similar to how Chase embraced a "New Year, New Me" theme last quarter,...

FedEx Announces Winners of 11th Annual 2023 Small Business Grant Contest

Nearly three months after the entry period ended, FedEx has announced the winners of its 11th annual Small Business Grant Content. This year's event saw more than $300,000 in funds going to a variety of small businesses across the nation. Last month, the company revealed 100 finalists, with that list now being narrowed down to just 10 winners. This year's grand prize winners included KindVR, The Cupcake Collection, Up In...
H-E-B and Central Market  credit cards

Imprint Launches Credit Cards from H-E-B and Central Market 

The FinTech Imprint is partnering with the popular Texas-based grocery chain H-E-B for a pair of new rewards credit cards. This week saw the launch of the H-E-B Visa Signature Credit Card as well as the Central Market Visa Signature Credit Card. With these two (nearly identical) options, customers will be able to earn rewards on groceries and beyond. First, both versions of the card earn up to 5% back on select...