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.
I’ll review your best free Checking account options below.
*See free business checking accounts here.
Table of Contents
- 1 Discover Cashback Debit account
- 2 Simple Protected Goals Accounts
- 3 Chase Total Checking® account
- 4 Axos Bank Rewards Checking
- 5 BBVA Online Checking account
- 6 BBVA Free Checking
- 7 Aspiration Spend & Save™ account
- 8 Chime Spending Account
- 9 Capital One 360 Checking Account
- 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
Discover Cashback Debit account
Best Overall Choice
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.
 • Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month, which lets you earn up to a total of $360 Debit Card Cashback Bonus per year. • Anyone can open a Discover Cashback Debit account online • No monthly fees or monthly balance requirements • With over 60,000 no-fee ATMs in the U.S., Discover is always nearby. • Move money easily and securely with just a few clicks or taps (transfers to existing discover accounts are immediate)! • Manage your account and avoid late fees by paying bills online. • Deposit checks on the go with your phone or automatically with direct deposit. |
- 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.
For more details, view our Discover Cashback Debit review & list of Discover Promotions.
Simple Protected Goals Accounts
A Protected Goals Account is designed to help you save in a separate high-yield checking account, and is required to receive this bonus. With this free account, you have the opportunity to earn a generous bonus and a great APY rate.
 Bank, budget, and save with up to 1.90% APY. Simple’s Protected Goals Account is designed to help you save in a separate high-yield checking account. • Earn 1.90% APY on balances $10,000 and above • Earn 1.75% APY on balances $9,999 or less |
- Availability: Nationwide Online
- Physical Branches: None
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Earns Interest: Up to 1.90% APY
- Monthly Service Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: None
- ATM Access: Over 40,000 totally-free ATMs
For more details, view our Simple Promotions & review.
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.
 • Enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a new Chase Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit • Access to 16,000 Chase ATMs and nearly 4,900 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. |
- 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.
For more details, view our Chase Total Checking review & list of Chase Bank promotions.
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.
You can earn interest on balances up to $150,000. In order to get the maximum rate, you’ll have to meet certain account activities each month up to 1.25% based on the following combined rate rewards:
- Direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more each month will earn .4166%
- At least ten (10) point-of-sale transactions per month using your Rewards Checking Visa Debit Card for normal everyday purchases with a minimum of $3 per transaction will earn .4166%
- Adding five (5) or more point-of-sale transactions per month using your Rewards Checking Visa Debit Card for normal everyday purchases with a minimum of $3 per transaction will earn .4166%.
- Qualifying transactions must post and clear the account during the monthly qualification cycle.
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 Promotion: Check for current bonus offers
- Interest Rate: Yes, 1.25% 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
Learn more about Axos Bank review here.
(great checking rate!)
BBVA Online Checking account
Best Choice For: ATM Access
Experience the future of online checking. With no monthly Service Charge and an award-winning mobile banking app, you can now control the future of your finances at your fingertips.
You’ll also have access to features & benefits like overdraft protection where you can get protected in the event of an overdraft, ClearBenefits Program enrollment where you can get benefits like identity theft restoration and insurance, cell phone protection, and other great protection services (the monthly fee for the ClearBenefits Program is $4.00), and much more!
- 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 Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $25
- ATM Access: 55,000 AllPoint® and BBVA ATMs worldwide (no fees)
See our BBVA Online Checking review & list of BBVA Promotions.
BBVA Free Checking
If you’re paying a monthly fee 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 Fee: None
- Minimum Balance Requirement: None
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $25
- ATM Access: 55,000 AllPoint® and BBVA ATMs worldwide (no fees)
See our BBVA Free Checking review & BBVA Promotions.
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!
- Apply Now at Aspiration
- 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
For more details, view our Aspiration Spend & Save account review.
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.
For more details, view our Chime Spending Account review.
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.
See our Capital One 360 Checking review & list of Capital One Promotions.
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.
- Click “Open Account” above to learn more
- 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.
For more details, view our NBKC Bank Checking Account review.
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®.
- Click “Open Account” above to learn more
- 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
For more details, view our FNBO Direct Online Checking account review.
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
For more details, view our Charles Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking review.
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)
For more, see our list of Ally Bank Promotions.
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
See our Huntington Asterisk-Free Checking review & list of Huntington promotions.
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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