SNAP

Propel vs. ebtEDGE vs. ConnectEBT

Image of Aidan Lovely
Image of Aidan Lovely
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Mobile apps make it easy to manage your SNAP benefits and check your EBT balance, but it’s hard to know which is the right choice. Propel, ebtEDGE, and ConnectEBT all offer different features depending on your needs—here’s how they compare.

Propel#propel

Propel (formerly known as the Providers app) is a free mobile app that makes it easy to check your EBT balance, whether you get SNAP, WIC, or Summer EBT benefits.

And Propel offers more than just balance-checking, you can also get special offers, discounts, and updates on benefits through the app.

User ratings#user-ratings

  • Google Play Store: 4.7
  • Apple App Store: 4.9

Key features#key-features

  • Balance and transaction tracking: Check your EBT balance instantly and view your transactions to keep track of your spending and see upcoming deposits
  • Security options: Access security features like out-of-state transaction blocking, EBT card freezing, and monitoring for suspicious activity to help protect your benefits from theft
  • Timely alerts: Stay up-to-date on news about government benefits programs including SNAP, Medicaid, and more, and get personalized updates about your benefits
  • Exclusive offers: Access curated discounts and coupons, just for Propel users

Propel is the #1-rated EBT balance checking app

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ebtEDGE#ebtedge

ebtEDGE is an EBT-balance checking app available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts (WIC), Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah (WIC), Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

User ratings#user-ratings

  • Google Play Store: 3.7
  • Apple App Store: 1.8

Key features#key-features

  • Balance and transaction tracking: View your EBT balance, transaction history, and benefit schedule in one place
  • Security options: Freeze your card if it's lost or stolen and block out-of-state transactions to help prevent unauthorized use

ebtEDGE is available for download from Google Play and the Apple App Store.​

ConnectEBT#connectebt

ConnectEBT is another app offered in certain states to help users manage their EBT benefits securely. It allows you to monitor your EBT balance, view deposits, and manage your account.​

ConnectEBT is available in Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.

User ratings#user-ratings

  • Google Play Store: 4.2
  • Apple App Store: 3.9

Key features#key-features

  • Balance checking and tracking: Check your available balance, recent deposits, and transaction activity
  • Security features: Lock your EBT card when not in use to help prevent unauthorized transactions, and select or change your PIN directly through the app

ConnectEBT is available for download from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.​

State-specific EBT apps#state-specific-ebt-apps

While many people use Propel, ebtEDGE, or ConnectEBT to manage their EBT card, some states have their own state-specific apps to help residents manage their EBT and other benefit programs.

These locally-available apps can be helpful, especially if they offer users more options for managing their benefits or accessing local programs.

Here are some of the states that offer local EBT apps:

  • Texas: Your Texas Benefits. Check your Lone Star Card balances, manage your SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and CHIP benefits, update your info, and upload documents
  • New York (NYC only): ACCESS HRA. NYC residents, check your SNAP balance, submit documents, recertify benefits, and get alerts
  • Louisiana: LifeInCheck EBT. Check your EBT balance, see recent purchases, access your benefit schedules, and lock and unlock your EBT card

Is the Propel app safe to use?#is-the-propel-app-safe-to-use

Yes, Propel is safe to use. The Propel app will never steal your benefits or share your information, and using Propel to monitor your EBT card doesn’t make you any more likely to become a victim of theft.

The truth is, EBT theft can happen to anyone—whether you use an EBT app or not.

Most EBT theft happens through card skimming or other tactics that target benefits-recipients, not because of the EBT app you use to check your account.

If a thief gets both your card number and PIN, they can use your benefits, even if you’ve never used an app to track your EBT balance.

Apps like ebtEDGE, ConnectEBT, and Propel are all options for managing your benefits, and you should use whichever one you feel most comfortable with, but it’s important to take advantage of any available security features and change your PIN each month before your deposit arrives.