Best Free Checking Accounts of 2024
- Best Overall: SoFi: SoFi Checking Account
- Best APY: Lake Michigan Credit Union: Max Checking
- Best Credit Union: Alliant Credit Union: High-Yield Checking
- Best With a Minimum Deposit to Open: BMO: Smart Advantage
- Best With a Major Bank: Ally Bank: Interest Checking Account
- Best Rewards: Axos Bank: Rewards Checking
- Best for ATM Access: Capital One: 360 Checking Account
Best Overall : SoFi : SoFi Checking Account
- APY: 0.50%
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Minimum Balance: $0
- Cash bonus if you set up direct deposit
- Linked savings account can earn up to 4.60% APY
- Large, no-fee ATM network
- No overdraft fees
- No option to open just checking without savings
- Cash deposits cost $4.95 through a third party
- No physical branches
As long as you don’t mind online-only banking and are OK with opening a savings account at the same time—a requirement when opening a SoFi checking account—then the advantages definitely outweigh the minimal drawbacks. In fact, when you set up direct deposit with the SoFi checking account, it makes you eligible for the savings account’s competitive APY of 4.60%.
Best APY : Lake Michigan Credit Union : Max Checking
- APY: 3.00%
- Minimum Deposit: $5
- Minimum Balance: $0
- Great APY for a free checking account
- Up to $10/month for outside ATM fee reimbursement
- Easier to join than some credit unions
- Several actions required to earn APY
- No branch access outside of Michigan or Florida
- Overdraft fees
Best Credit Union : Alliant Credit Union : High-Yield Checking
- APY: 0.25%
- Minimum Deposit: $25
- Minimum Balance: $0
- $20 per month ATM fee reimbursement
- No overdraft fees
- First box of checks is free
- APY isn’t too impressive
- Paper statements are $1 per month
- No branches, just online
If you want to earn the APY on the Alliant High-Yield Checking account, you must enroll in eStatements and make at least one electronic deposit into the account each month.
Best With a Minimum Deposit to Open : BMO : Smart Advantage
- APY: 0%
- Minimum Deposit: $25
- Minimum Balance: $0
- Just five minutes to open an account online
- There are some fees, but most are avoidable
- Highly-rated mobile banking app
- Charges $3 fee for non-network ATM use
- Overdraft fees
- No APY
Best With a Major Bank : Ally Bank : Interest Checking Account
- APY: 0.25%
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Minimum Balance: $0
- Two-day early access to direct deposit
- No overdraft fees
- $10 monthly reimbursement for non-network ATM fees
- APY isn’t the best
- No cash deposits
- Online-only banking
Best Rewards : Axos Bank : Rewards Checking
- APY: Up to 3.30%
- Minimum Deposit: $50
- Minimum Balance: $0
- No overdraft fees
- Unlimited ATM reimbursements
- A lot of stipulations to earn top APY
- Online-only bank
Axos Bank starts you off with an impressive $300 bonus when opening a Rewards Checking account (if you do so by December 31, 2023, and use the promo code). Beyond that, you’ll enjoy a no-fee experience, including no ATM fees ever.
Before you get drawn in by the APY offer, read the fine print. You have to do five separate things to level up to the top offer, including having Axos loans and trading accounts.
Best for ATM Access : Capital One : 360 Checking Account
- APY: 0.10%
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Minimum Balance: $0
- No foreign transaction fees
- First checkbook is free
- Online account and branch access
- APY is very low
Final Verdict
SoFi's checking account is worth looking into because of its customer-friendly features, lack of fees, and competitive APY. But there are a lot of strong options on this list depending on the attributes that are important to you. For example, the best APY opportunity is an impressive 3.30% from Axos Bank, while Capital One offers more than 70,000 fee-free ATMs. If you want to go with a more well-known banking brand, you can’t go wrong with Ally Bank or SoFi.Whether you prefer online banking, walking into a physical branch, or having the choice to do either, you’ll find free checking account options on the list to match your preference.
Compare the Best Free Checking Accounts
Account | Minimum to Open | Minimum Balance to Maintain | Offers Overdraft Protection |
---|---|---|---|
SoFi: SoFi Checking Account | $0 | $0 | Yes |
Lake Michigan Credit Union: Max Checking | $5 | $0 | Yes |
Alliant Credit Union: High-Yield Checking | $25 | $0 | Yes |
BMO: Smart Advantage | $25 | $0 | Yes |
Ally Bank: Interest Checking Account | $0 | $0 | Yes |
Axos Bank: Rewards Checking | $50 | $0 | Yes |
Capital One 360 Checking | $0 | $0 | Yes |
Guide to Choosing a Free Checking Account
Factors to Consider When Opening a Free Checking Account
- FDIC insured: This means up to $250,000 in your checking account is federally protected. Credit unions offer similar insurance coverage through the National Credit Union Administration.
- Minimum deposit requirements: Many checking accounts require a certain amount to open an account, so that’s something to ask about in case you have limited funds available.
- Fees: While free checking means no monthly maintenance fees, you should see if there are other charges that you might have to pay, like overdraft fees, ATM fees, paper statement fees, and others.
- ATM network: If you make withdrawals often, the number of fee-free ATMs in your area will be an important consideration because those out-of-network fees can add up.
- APY: While checking accounts aren’t traditionally big interest earners, some free checking accounts offer the opportunity to earn a bit.
- Promotions, rewards, or cash back: Some free checking accounts give you the chance to earn extra cash, whether it’s as a bonus for account opening or for using your debit card for transactions.
- Mobile app functionality: Look into how a bank’s app is rated and to see what features it has, like the ability to make mobile deposits, transfers, and bill pay, as well as tools to track your spending and set goals.
- Online or brick-and-mortar availability: Depending on your comfort level with online-only banks, you may or may not wish to have the option to walk into a physical branch.
How to Open a Free Checking Account
Opening a free checking account should be a fairly simple process whether you’re doing it online, in person, or by phone. There will be basic requirements to meet such as being 18 years of age or older, having proper identification, and sometimes a funding source or minimum deposit. Some online checking accounts can be opened in just a few minutes.If you’re opening an account with a credit union, you may also have to become a member, which sometimes can mean proving a certain affiliation or making a small donation to an outside organization.
Common Checking Account Fees
- Monthly maintenance fee: Free checking accounts will not have this recurring fee, which basically charges you each month to keep the account open. Some accounts with these fees offer ways to have them waived (i.e. setting up direct deposit).
- Overdraft fee: If you do not have or do not opt into overdraft protection and you overdraw your account, you could be hit with a fee, sometimes multiple times per day. Not all free checking accounts charge overdraft fees, but the ones that do can be as high as $30.
- Non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee: If you try writing a check and do not have the funds available when it is cashed, you can be charged this fee.
- ATM fee: Most free checking accounts have a fee-free ATM network. But if you go to an ATM that is not supported, you can pay a fee to that third party and sometimes an additional fee from your bank. Some banks reimburse you up to a certain amount for external ATM use.
- Paper statement fee: Many banks charge a small fee if you prefer to receive paper statements in the mail. Opting into paperless statements will save you this fee.
- Foreign transaction fee: Using your checking account debit card abroad will typically incur a fee, although there are some banks that do not charge.
- Account closure fee: There is sometimes a charge for closing your account, most commonly if it’s within a short time frame after account opening.
In the News
In the News: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates numerous times throughout 2022 and 2023 to cool high inflation. For its last four meetings, however, the Fed has held the federal funds rate steady, and signaled on Jan. 31 that the committee’s rate-hike cycle has almost certainly ended. While most Fed members expect two to four rate decreases will occur in 2024, the Fed has cautioned that it could be some time before the first cut is implemented.
Interest rate hikes can directly impact the rate you receive on your checking account. Additionally, they can impact your savings account rate. It's wise to see if the bank you're using for your checking account offers a high-yield savings account. You could also see if it offers one of the best CD rates right now. Combined, these accounts could help you earn the maximum amount of money on the cash you keep at your financial institution.
Pros and Cons of Free Checking Accounts
- No monthly maintenance fees
- May not require a minimum balance or opening deposit
- May earn interest on your balance
- May charge overdraft fees
- May charge a fee for out-of-network ATM withdrawals
- Online banks may not have physical branches
Pros Explained
- No monthly maintenance fees: Free checking accounts don’t charge monthly fees to maintain your account.
- May not require a minimum balance or opening deposit: If a checking account is truly free, it won’t charge a fee for dropping below a minimum balance. Free checking accounts also typically don’t require a minimum deposit to open the account.
- May earn interest on your balance: Some free checking accounts offer interest earnings on your balance or other perks, such as a cash-back debit card or reimbursement for out-of-network ATM fees.
Cons Explained
- May charge overdraft fees: Some banks with free checking accounts still charge fees if you overdraw your account.
- May charge a fee for out-of-network ATM withdrawals: While you may have access to a large network of fee-free ATMs, you could incur a fee for taking out cash from an ATM that’s not in-network.
- Online banks may not have physical branches: If you opt for a free checking account from an online bank, you probably won’t have the option of visiting a brick-and-mortar location. Some online banks don’t let you deposit physical cash into your account or only permit this through a third-party service for a fee.
Alternatives to Checking Accounts
As you explore options for storing your money, consider these alternatives to checking accounts:- High-yield savings account. If you’re looking to meet a savings goal, consider parking your cash in a high-yield savings account. You’ll earn interest on your balance, but watch out for any withdrawal limits that restrict the number of times you can access your cash per month.
- Money market account: Money market accounts are like a checking and savings account hybrid. They usually come with a debit card and check-writing capabilities while offering a decent interest rate on your balance. However, they may come with monthly fees or high minimum balance requirements.
- Certificate of deposit (CD): If earning interest is a priority, consider parking your money in a CD for a certain period of time. CD terms often range from one to five years or longer, and your rate may depend on your balance and term. See the best CD rates available today.
- Brokerage account: Investing in a taxable brokerage account is another option, especially for long-term wealth creation. Make sure you understand the tax implications and fees before you start investing.
- I Bonds. These government-issued bonds are a fairly safe investment and can help protect your money from inflation. However, you won’t be able to withdraw your money for at least a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Does It Matter if a Checking Account Is Free?
Having a free checking account allows you to conduct transactions and pay bills without a recurring cost. Considering that some checking accounts charge as much as $10 or more per month, it’s worth exploring the no-fee options available.
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What Should I Look for in a Checking Account?
When choosing a checking account, consider a number of features. One of the main ones is if it charges fees such as monthly maintenance, ATM fees, overdraft fees, and others. You also want to find a checking account that matches your digital comfort level, which can help you narrow down your choices between online-only and brick-and-mortar banks. Finally, look for features that can benefit you, like interest earning, bonuses, digital tools, and good customer service.
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What Is the Difference Between Free Checking and Regular Checking?
Free checking is different from regular checking in two main ways. First, you will not have to pay a monthly maintenance fee with a free checking account. Second, you usually do not have to maintain a minimum balance in the account in order to avoid paying a monthly fee.
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How Secure Is a Free Checking Account?
A free checking account is as secure as any other bank account. As long as you work with a reputable bank or credit union, there should be protections in place to safeguard your personal information and financial data. Account security features will be listed on a bank’s website or app so you know exactly the steps taken to protect your privacy and your money.
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Who Has the Best Free Checking Account?
SoFi provides our top-rated free checking account, as it doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees or any other hidden fees. SoFi’s free checking account also provides interest, but usually at a modest rate compared to high-yield checking accounts. Lake Michigan Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, and BMO also provide excellent accounts.
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What Banks Have No Fees for Checking Accounts?
Some banks that don’t charge fees for checking accounts include SoFi, BMO, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ally Bank, Axos Bank, and Capital One. -
How Do I Avoid Monthly Checking Account Fees?
You can avoid monthly checking account fees by opening a free checking account with a bank that doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees.
If you’re worried about incurring a monthly checking account fee, read over your bank’s guidelines to find out how to avoid this. For instance, you may need to maintain a certain balance in your account or conduct a certain number of transactions each month. -
What Are the Best Free Checking Accounts?
The best free checking accounts come from SoFi, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, BMO, Ally Bank, Axos Bank, and Capital One.