If you’re here, you’re more than likely looking for the Best Free Checking Accounts and that’s definitely a smart financial move if you do not want to pay to have a checking account.
When opening a checking account, it’s important to keep in mind the monthly service fees and if you’re able to fulfill those fees each month.
Monthly maintenance fees can range from just a few dollars and up to $30+; typically, the higher the fee, the more perks and benefits the account offers.
Often times, there are fee waivers if you meet A, B, or C requirement – however, there are accounts out there that offer the checking account for free. Some of these free Checking accounts also have sign-up bonuses as well.
If you do not need the extra perks and benefits, then a free checking account will suffice just fine for your daily transaction and banking needs. Free checking accounts will help you save money and keep more in your pocket.
Overall, we recommend an online bank as there are plentiful options for free accounts. This is possible as there are very little to no physical banks so their overhead costs are far lower than one with a physical branch(es).
With that being said, some accounts offer interest rates, so you can make a return on your money! The only con is that depositing cash is an issue; but depositing checks if very easy via mobile apps.
Compare the latest banking promotions from institutions like Chase, Huntington, HSBC, Discover Bank, TD Bank, BBVA, CIT Bank, Citi, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America.
I’ll review your best free Checking account options below.
*See free business checking accounts here.*
Table of Contents
- 1 Chase Total Checking® account
- 2 Aspiration Spend & Save™ account
- 3 Axos Bank Rewards Checking
- 4 Discover Cashback Debit account
- 5 CIT Bank eChecking & Savings Connect
- 6 BBVA Free Checking
- 7 Chime Spending Account
- 8 Capital One 360 Checking Account
- 9 Betterment Checking
- 10 NBKC Bank Personal Checking Account
- 11 FNBO Direct Online Checking account
- 12 Charles Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking®
- 13 Ally Interest Checking Account
- 14 Huntington Asterisk-Free Checking Account
Chase Total Checking® account
Best Choice For: Sign-up Bonus
Although the Chase Total Checking® account is not free, the monthly service fee is very easy to waive. This account offers outstanding perks and benefits and we feel like this account should be added to this list.
You’ll be able to use their online banking, bill pay and mobile banking services, plus Chase DepositFriendlySM ATMs nationwide.
• New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit • Access to 16,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches • Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device. • Open your account online now • Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com. • Chase Overdraft AssistSM: $0 overdraft fee when you overdraw your account $50 or less* *We won't charge an overdraft fee if you are overdrawn $50 or less at the end of the business day. Chase may pay, for a $34 fee, overdraft transactions at our discretion based on your account history, deposits and transaction amount. If you've enrolled in Debit Card Coverage, everyday debit card purchases like groceries, may be approved at our discretion when you don't have enough money in your account. |
- Availability: Nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico (Bank Locator)
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: No
- Monthly Service Fee: $12, see below on how to waive fee
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $0
- ATM Access: Access to several Chase ATMs
Chase Total Checking® has no Monthly Service Fee when you do any one of the following each statement period. Otherwise a $12 Monthly Service Fee will apply.
Have monthly direct deposits totaling $500 or more made to this account.
Keep a minimum daily balance of $1,500 or more in your checking account.
Keep an average daily balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of qualifying Chase checking, savings and other balances.
Aspiration Spend & Save™ account
With Aspiration Spend & Save™, get the world’s first cash back account that lets you track the impact of your spending – all managed through one intuitive app.
You’ll receive a debit card with cash back on every dollar spent, get free access to every ATM in the world, and earn a competitive APY on your funds! In addition, your deposits are FDIC-insured, there are no hidden fees!
 With Aspiration Spend & SaveTM, get the world’s first cash back account that lets you track the impact of your spending - all managed through one intuitive app. You'll save the planet and earn a $150 or $200 bonus and up to 1.00% APY. Offer tiers are as follows: • $150 credit for customers who open a standard Aspiration Spend & Save Account, or • $200 for customers who enroll into Aspiration Plus either during account sign up, or no later than 60 days from account opening, and continue to be enrolled in Aspiration Plus through the date of credit. Customer must complete the following activities: • Open and fund an Aspiration Spend & Save Account or Aspiration Plus Account with a deposit of $10 or more, and • Use their Aspiration debit card to make at least $1,000 worth of cumulative transactions within the first 60 calendar days from account opening. $1,000 transaction minimum refers to net purchases (purchases minus any credits or returns). |
- Availability: Online
- Physical Branches: No
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: Yes
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $10
- ATM Access: Free access to every ATM in the world
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
Best Choice For: Interest Earning
An internet-only bank, Axos Bank offers a few free Checking accounts you may want to consider. There Rewards Checking account lets you earn interest and has no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements.
$100 New Account Bonus
Use the promo code HOLIDAYS when you apply for a Rewards Checking account by 11/30/21. Then complete direct deposit(s) totaling at least $1,500 within the first 60 days after the account is opened to earn $100.
- Up to 1.00% APY
- Zero monthly maintenance fees
- Zero overdraft or NSF fees
- Zero minimum monthly balance reqs
- Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
- Online debit card management
- Zero minimum balance requirement
- Only $50 to open an account
There best account feature in my opinion may be the unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements.
- Availability: Available online nationwide, but no physical branches.
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Bonus Offers? Check for current bonus offers
- Interest Rate: Yes, 1.00% APY
- Monthly Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $1
- Credit Card Funding Options: N/A
- ATM access: No ATM fees nationwide as they reimburse all fees at U.S. ATMs
(great checking rate!)
Discover Cashback Debit account
The Discover Cashback debit account comes with no monthly fees or monthly balance! With access to over 60,000 no-fee ATMs across the U.S., this is a great way for you to earn rewards on all of your purchases! Plus, you may consider to open their online savings account to earn a sign-up bonus.
 With the Discover Checking Account: • Cashback – Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month • No. Fees. Period. That means you won’t be charged an account fee on our Cashback Debit account. • Early Pay – Get your paycheck up to two days early with no charge • No credit impact - You can apply without affecting your credit score. • Fraud Protection - You’re never responsible for unauthorized debit card purchases. If you suspect someone else has used your debit card without your permission, let us know. • Apply in minutes - Applying for a Cashback Debit account is simple and fast. • Fee free overdraft protection |
- Availability: Nationwide Online
- Physical Branches: None
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: No, but earns cash back
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: None
- ATM Access: With over 60,000 no-fee ATMs in the U.S., Discover is always nearby.
CIT Bank eChecking & Savings Connect
Best Choice For: Online Checking & Savings
Available nationwide, CIT Bank is offering a competitive rate on your funds when opening a CIT Bank Savings Connect account with a linked eChecking account. All you’ll need to do to earn the top tier rate is make a monthly $200 electronic deposit into your eChecking account..
- Availability: Available online nationwide
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Bonus Offers? Check for current bonus offers
- Interest Rate: Yes, with Savings Connect linked with eChecking account
- Monthly Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: $100
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $100 for each account
- Credit Card Funding Options: Unknown
- ATM access: CIT Bank doesn’t charge ATM fees and reimbursements up to $30 in other U.S. bank’s ATM fees on eChecking accounts.
(Visit CIT Bank to learn more)
BBVA Free Checking
If you’re paying a monthly Service Charge with your current checking account, consider the switch and you could save $144/yr with Free Checking!
Your Free Checking account also comes loaded with free features, plus it gives you the flexibility to customize your account by adding optional Custom Features to meet your specific banking needs.
- Apply Now at BBVA
- Availability: Online account available nationwide except for AK and HI
- Branches in AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, NM & TX (Bank Locator)
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: No
- Monthly Service Charge: None
- Bonus Offers? Check for current promotions
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $25
- ATM Access: 55,000 AllPoint® and BBVA ATMs worldwide (no fees)
Chime Spending Account
With the Chime Spending account, you’re able to track your account balances, daily transactions, & savings from anywhere with the Chime mobile app.
You’ll get daily balance notifications and instant transaction alerts any time you use your Chime Visa® Debit Card. Also, you can get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit!
- Apply Now at Chime
- Availability: Online
- Physical Branches: No
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: No
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: Any
- ATM Access: Over 38,000 fee-free MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATMs.
Capital One 360 Checking Account
Expect more from your checking. With this free account, you’ll have no monthly fees to worry about and you can use this account anytime, anywhere.
You’ll be able to take advantage of several perks like a fee-free account, no minimums to worry about, free ATMs, mobile deposit, online bill pay, overdraft options, and more!
- Apply Now at Capital One
- Availability: Online
- Physical Branches: Locator
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: Yes
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $250
- ATM Access: Access to over 39,000 fee-free Allpoint® ATMs.
Betterment Checking
Take advantage of the Betterment Checking and utilize features such as ATM and foreign fees reimbursed worldwide as well as Visa foreign transaction fees reimbursed. Additionally, Betterment aims to provide more services and benefits with upcoming features such as deposit checks from your phone as well as joint checking accounts.
- Availability: Nationwide Online
- Physical Branches: None
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Bonus Offer? Check for current promotions
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: None
NBKC Bank Personal Checking Account
With this account, you can surely expect no monthly fee with no minimum balance to worry about. Convenience is also on your side with access to 32k+ Moneypass® ATMs + up to $12/mo refund for any other ATM fees!
With that being said, you can expect to pay:
- $0 minimum balance
- $0 for a nifty box of checks
- $0 for online banking with bill pay
- $0 for stop payments
- $0 for incoming domestic wires
- $0 for overdrafts or NSFs
However, you may have to pay a $5 to send a domestic wire to Anywhere, USA & $45 to send or receive international wires.
- Availability: Nationwide (Bank Locator)
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: Yes
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $5
- ATM Access: Use 32,000+ MoneyPass® ATMs for free in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, plus up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees any other banks charge you from anywhere in the world.
FNBO Direct Online Checking account
With the FNBO Direct Online Checking account, you can expect a security, 24/7 acess convenience, and the confidence of banking with FNBO Direct all with no hidden fees, and so many perks.
With this account, you can manage and organize your finances, check balances, and pay bills, & get access via online banking at your fingertips (log in on any device), & monitor your spending, set account alerts, and download activity to Quicken® or QuickBooks®.
- Availability: Online
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: Yes
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $1
- ATM Access: Access 55,000 ATMs surcharge-free on the Allpoint Network
Charles Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking®
When people think of Charles Schwab, the first thing that typically comes to mind is brokerage accounts. However, did you know their checking account is a fantastic account especially for travelers?
Why? There are unlimited ATM fee rebates on withdrawals worldwide!
On top of that, there are no monthly service fees and you’ll get access to many perks and benefits with this account. In addition, you’ll receive a free brokerage account when opening a checking account.
- Apply Now at Charles Schwab
- Availability: Nationwide (Branch Locator)
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: Yes
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $0
- ATM Access: Unlimited ATM fee rebates anywhere in the world
Ally Interest Checking Account
Ally is an online bank with a tremendous presence. Why? Well, for one, they have one of the best customer service teams available 24/7, any day of the week in addition to online chat! With this account, you can expect no monthly fee or minimum balance to worry about.
On top of these perks, this checking account earns interest! You can also send money to, or receive money from, friends and family with a bank account in the U.S. quickly and securely with Zelle®
- Apply Now at Ally
- Availability: Online
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: Yes
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $0
- ATM Access: Use any Allpoint® ATM in the U.S. for free, plus they’ll reimburse up to $10 per statement cycle for fees charged at other ATMs nationwide (Find ATMs)
Huntington Asterisk-Free Checking Account
If you’re looking for a great checking account where you do not have to worry about maintain minimum balances, here is your calling! However, this account is only available across eight Midwestern states.
Although this account is free, you’ll have access to the standard benefits you expect. The Asterisk-Free Checking® is free to open and free to maintain with no monthly maintenance fees. Plus, this checking account has all the features you want, including All Day Deposit?, 24-Hour Grace® and free online banking.
- Availability: IN, KY, MI, OH, PA, & WV (Bank Locator)
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: No
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $25
- ATM Access: Over 1,800 ATMs across eight Midwestern states
The best bank bonuses are updated here. Check the below pages to get started with some of the best offers: • Chase Bank Bonuses. Read about several offers for their Checking, Savings and Business accounts. Chase usually offers the most sign-up bonuses of all the big banks. • HSBC Bank Bonuses. HSBC Bank routinely has offers for several of their Personal Checking and Business Checking accounts. They also have a good referral program. • TD Bank Bonuses. TD Bank consistently offers great Checking account bonuses all year long. Savings account offers are less frequently available. • Huntington Bank Bonuses. Bonus offers for their Checking accounts are only available for limited periods throughout the year. They also have great options for those looking for a free Checking account (no monthly fees). • Discover Bank Bonuses. Discover Bank offers top cashback, savings, money market accounts and CD rates for you to take advantage of. Discover has industry leading selections to cater to your banking needs. |
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