Too many of us are settling for less-than-satisfactory checking accounts. (Just look at the folks complaining on Twitter!)
We’re still forking over so many bank fees. The average American forks over $360 a year in overdraft fees alone, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. That doesn’t even account for ATM network fees, monthly maintenance fees, minimum balance fees… you get the point.
In reality, there are a ton of free checking account options out there; you just might not be looking in the right places (ahem, online banking!). No need to spend hours researching, though. We did that for you.
7 Best Free Checking Accounts of 2020
Now, you might not have heard of some of the financial institutions on our list, but give them a chance. It’s likely they all offer what your current account does, including online bill pay, mobile check deposit, ATM withdrawals and deposits and Visa debit card transactions. Plus, they’re all FDIC-insured. (Safety first!)
What’s different than your more traditional banking options is that these are all free: No monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements or fees, no ATM fees and no overdraft fees. None of them have insanely high minimum opening deposit requirements either.
Even better? Each bank offers a unique perk, including interest, cash-back rewards checking and early paydays.
So, without further ado, check out these best checking accounts:
1. NBKC Personal Checking Account
Best for: Those constantly running to the ATM for cash
Our favorite perk: Now, many of the checking accounts on this list offer free ATMs, but we like NBKC’s online checking account because it adds an extra layer of protection.
In addition to free MoneyPass ATM transactions (there are 32,000-plus in the U.S.), NBKC also gives account holders a monthly $12 ATM reimbursement allowance — just in case you somehow use an out-of-network ATM.
This is also an interest-bearing account, and you’ll earn 1.01% on your account balance.
Minimum deposit: $5
How to sign up: Open your NBKC checking account online. It takes about five minutes.
2. Varo Money Banking Account
Best for: Those those who want a connected savings account
Our favorite perk: Looking for a free checking account and a savings account? We’ve got a few other dual options on this list, but we like Varo Money, an app-based financial institution. Why?
It’ll help you grow your money a lot faster than the average person — more than 20 times faster.
The FDIC reports that the average savings account pays a paltry .08% APY*, but when you open an online checking and savings account with Varo, it will pay you more than 20 times that amount on your savings account.
Oh, and there are no monthly fees.
Minimum deposit: None
How to sign up: We know opening a new bank account isn’t exactly everyone’s idea of fun, but Varo makes it easy. You can open an account with just a penny, and more than 750,000 people have alreadysigned up.
Best for: Those most interested in a high interest checking account
Our favorite perk: Yes, there are plenty of high-yield savings options out there, but what about high-yield checking?
So far, one of the highest interest rates we’ve found for a checking account is with SoFi Money. It gets you 2.25% APY — the interest (including compound interest) that you’ll earn on your money in a year. That’s better than the rate on a lot of savings accounts.
Minimum deposit: None
How to sign up: You can sign up for SoFi Money in about 60 seconds.
4. Chime Bank Account
Best for: Those who need access to money before payday
Our favorite perk: Want to get a jump on payday? Let Chime be your secret weapon.
Unlike most banks, this free online-only bank won’t wait until your pay date to get your money. As soon as it receives notification of a direct deposit from your employer, it immediately posts those funds to your account — up to two days before payday.
Minimum deposit: None
How to sign up: It takes about five minutes to sign up for Chime online.
5. Discover Cashback Debit
Best for: Those who are brand traditionalists (or, ahem, have trust issues) who want cash back
Our favorite perk: We get it. Sometimes jumping ship and moving all your money into a bank you’ve never heard of can be intimidating, so here’s an option for you brand traditionalists: Discover’s Cashback Debit. The fee-free account offers 1% cash back on up to $3,000 of purchases each month.
Minimum deposit: None
How to sign up: Whether you’re new to Discover Bank or an existing customer, you can sign up online.
6. Simple’s Checking Account
Best for: Those who need some help putting money away
Our favorite perk: Saving money isn’t the easiest of tasks, but Simple can help. Set savings goals, and Simple will automatically stash your money away in a separate protected account, which earns you up to 2.02% interest (on balances of $2,000 or more).
Not sure how much you can afford to save? No worries. Simple’s Safe-to-Spend feature will help you forecast your spending for the month and determine how much you can put away.
Minimum deposit: None
How to sign up: You can sign up for your shiny new Simple account online.
7. Capital One 360 Checking Account
Best for: Those who can’t seem to stop overdrafting
Our favorite perk: Overdrafting is a cruel — and expensive — cycle. The accounts on this list won’t charge you overdraft fees, but none of them give you as many options as this fee-free Capital One 360 account.
You can opt to:
Auto-decline any transaction that’ll cause you to overdraft.
Transfer funds from your savings account to cover the charge.
Open an overdraft line of credit, which allows you to borrow money with interest.
Use next-day grace, which gives you one business day to deposit more money into your account.
Of course, you’ll want to figure out how to stop overdrafting, but at least you have a few options with this account.
Minimum deposit: None
How to sign up: It takes about five minutes to sign up for a new Capital One 360 account. If you’re already a Capital One customer? It’ll be even snappier.
A Final Note on Free Checking Accounts
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Like we said, all the checking accounts on this list are free of monthly service fees, minimum balance fees, ATM fees and overdraft fees. Those are the big hitters when it comes to bank fees.
However, we suggest peeping the fine print. Some of these accounts have a few more obscure fees you likely won’t face but could be important for you. These might include card replacement fees, foreign transaction fees or stop payment fees.
Now, did you ever think you would be so excited for a new checking account?!
Carson Kohler ([email protected]) is a staff writer at Codetic.
