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.
I’ll review your best free Checking account options below.
Chime Spending Account + $100 Bonus
With the Chime Spending account, you’re able to track your account balances, daily transactions, & savings from anywhere with the Chime mobile app.
Chime has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fees or maintenance fees of any kind. Since it has no fees, this makes it a very easy bank account to manage.
- Open a new Chime bank account using a referral link.
- Make a direct deposit of $200 or more within 45 days of opening your account.
- The $100 bonus posts to your Chime account within 2 business days of meeting the requirements, but typically posts instantly once the requirements are met.
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.
Fairwinds Checking + $100 Bonus
Available nationwide, get a $100 bonus when you open a Fairwinds Checking Account or Fairwinds Spending Account and complete a direct deposit of $200 or more.
- Availability: Available nationwide
- Mobile App: iOS or Android
- Bonus Offer: Yes, $100 bonus
- Interest Rate: None
- Monthly Fee: None
- How To Earn Bonus:
- Open a Fairwinds Checking or Spending Account with a $25 minimum deposit using this link.
- Make a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more (excluding the new account deposit) within 45 days of account opening.
- Get a $100 bonus on or about the 15th day of the month following the qualifying direct deposit.
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $25
- Credit Card Funding: Up to $500
- Credit Inquiry: Soft Pull
(Visit Fairwinds Credit Union to learn more)
Chase Total Checking® + $200 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 more than 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 – no overdraft fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day* *With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, we won't charge an Insufficient Funds Fee if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day (you have until 11 PM ET (8 PM PT) to make a deposit or transfer). Chase Overdraft Assist does not require enrollment and comes with eligible Chase checking accounts. |
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
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.
 Earn up to 3.30% APY with the Axos Bank Rewards Checking account while enjoying a suite of digital tools for smarter money management. This is banking, redefined. • Earn up to 3.30% APY • Zero monthly maintenance fees • Zero overdraft or NSF fees • Zero minimum monthly balance reqs • Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements • Online debit card management • Simple, 3-step process for direct deposit • Only $50 to open an account |
BMO Harris Bank Checking
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With the BMO Harris Smart AdvantageTM Account, you’ll get the banking perks you need with no monthly maintenance fees.
- No minimum balance required
- Fee-free transactions at more than 40,000 Allpoint® network ATMs nationwide
- No monthly fees with paperless statements
With the BMO Harris Smart MoneyTM Account, enjoy no overdraft or NSF fees.
- No minimum balance required
- Unlimited fee-free transactions at over 40,000 Allpoint® network ATMs nationwide
- No monthly maintenance fee if you’re under 25 years old
(Visit BMO Harris to learn more)
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 up to 5.00% APY. 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 |
- 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
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)
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.
- 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.
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
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 Citi, Huntington, HSBC, Chase, TD, Discover Bank, Aspiration, Axos Bank, PNC Bank, BMO Harris, SoFi, Fifth Third Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, US Bank, and more!
*See free business checking accounts here.*
