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An online checking account is available as a low-cost banking product that comes with multiple benefits to help manage your day-to-day finances. We’ve evaluated the top options based on fees, minimums, APY, customer service, digital experience, and overall quality.
Current is a financial technology company that provides banking services through Choice Financial Group, a member of the FDIC.
Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by and Visa® Debit Card issued by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc and can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
Teen accounts do not earn points
The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for Current Interest is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of April 1, 2022. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn Current Interest on up to $2000 in deposits per Savings Pod up to $6000 total. Please refer to Current Interest Terms and Conditions
Out of network cash withdrawal fees, third-party, and adding cash fees may apply.
Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer’s submission of deposits.
Please refer to Overdrive™ Features Terms and Conditions.
Chime will not charge you a monthly fee and does not require a minimum balance to avoid maintenance fees.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
*Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each month. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member's Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime's discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won't cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.
1Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
The checking account does not charge users any maintenance, ATM, or overdraft fees. Users also earn up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses and 1% on everything else.
1There are no account fees, overdraft fees, annual fees, or transfer fees associated with Rewards Checking accounts. Rewards Checking charges no ATM fees, but third-party institutions may charge you a fee if you use their ATM/network or if you use your Upgrade VISA® Debit Card internationally. Upgrade will rebate any ATM fee charged by another institution for debit card withdrawals in the United States, up to five times per calendar month. To be eligible to receive third-party ATM fee rebates in any calendar month for eligible ATM withdrawals made during that month, customers must have (i) an open Rewards Checking account and (ii) either maintained an average daily balance in their account of at least $2,500 in the prior calendar month or made direct deposits into their account totaling at least $1,000 during the prior calendar month. As a courtesy to new customers, Upgrade will provide third-party ATM fee rebates for up to the first 2 calendar months after account opening regardless of account activity. Some limitations apply. Please refer to the applicable Cross River Bank Deposit Account Agreement and Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.
2Rewards Checking customers earn 2% cash back on common everyday expenses at convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants, and bars - including deliveries - and gas stations, as well as recurring payments on utilities and monthly subscriptions including phone, cable, TV and other streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other debit card charges. 2% cash back is limited to $500 in rewards per calendar year; after $500, customers earn 1% cash back on all eligible debit card charges for the remainder of the year. Some limitations apply. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.
3Upgrade is a financial technology company, not a bank. Rewards Checking services provided by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. Upgrade VISA® Debit Cards issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Personal Loans made by Upgrade's bank partners. Personal Credit Lines are issued by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. The Upgrade Card is issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
Chase provides you with an easy-to-use online banking and mobile app service to help you manage your account day-to-day. In addition, with branches across the U.S., you can receive personalized support at a location convenient for you.
This checking account is great because you won't have to worry about paying monthly fees if your balance goes to $0. Not only that, Axos Bank reimburses fees charged by domestics ATMs. When opening an account, you only need to deposit $50 to open it but it can be removed without any issues and fees. To get the high APY, you need to deposit $1000+ monthly and make 15 debit card transactions a month.
Quontic helps maximize your savings, while managing everyday finances, by paying a high rate on your entire account balance. To qualify for the interest rate, you have to make a minimum of 10 qualifying point of sale debit card transactions that are at least $10 each, per statement cycle
Varo provides online banking without the need for physical branches and in-person support.
Here are some reasons why you should consider opening an online checking account:
Opening a checking account online is simple and should take less than 10 minutes. You need to provide some basic information about yourself and be at least 18 years old. The information you may be asked for includes your name, address, and Social Security number. You’ll also need a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or identification card.
Every online bank provides multiple ways to get your money into and out of your account. The best options depend on how much cash you have to deposit or withdraw.
Deposits can be made in various ways:
Online checking accounts usually come with a debit card that you can use to withdraw money from any ATM. You can also visit a branch of your bank or one of its partners if it has any. Online banks also have come up with apps that can make it easy to access your money through digital transfers.
Here are some of the most common fees you might encounter with online checking accounts:
Online checking accounts are not different from traditional checking accounts at big banks. You deposit money, get a debit card, and earn interest based on your balance. The only real difference is that online checking accounts operate entirely online.
Online checking accounts are as safe as their traditional counterparts. Most are insured by either the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which protects deposits. While all FDIC-insured institutions must follow certain rules and guidelines to receive coverage (and some exceptions), the FDIC covers bank accounts up to usually $250,00.
You have to check with the bank if they offer debit cards, but most online institutions will provide a debit card. Some banks will offer debit cards linked to your checking account only, and others will offer a Visa or Mastercard debit card. The benefit of having a Visa or Mastercard debit card is the ability to use it at any online retailer and not just the bank’s ATM.
Most online banks will also require you to use a secondary bank for ATM withdrawals from your online checking account because they don’t have their physical branches.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing an online checking account:
