<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-06-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000888953</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ONLINE RESOURCES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ORCC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001298365</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Cowan Joseph L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ONLINE RESOURCES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4795 MEADOW WOOD LANE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHANTILLY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20151</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
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                <value>2010-06-17</value>
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                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>107066</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.67</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
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                    <value>107066</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-06-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
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            </deemedExecutionDate>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>266080</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.67</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-06-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>266080</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionDate>
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            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
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            </deemedExecutionDate>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>214132</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
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            <expirationDate>
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                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-06-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2010-06-17</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>107066</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            <expirationDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>107066</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>107066</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This transaction is a private sale from the Company to Mr. Cowan and is exempt from Section 16(b) of the Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d)(1).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These awards were granted outside of the Company's Amended and Restated 2005 Restricted Stock and Option Plan in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) as an inducement to Mr. Cowan's entry into employment with the Company.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The options vest equally on 6/15/2011, 6/15/2012, 6/15/2013 and 6/15/2014.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The restricted stock units vest equally on 6/15/2011, 6/15/2012, 6/15/2013 and 6/15/2014.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Not applicable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">All restricted stock units will vest 3/17/2011.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joseph L. Cowan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-06-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
