NerdWallet’s 2019 Best-Of Awards

Checking-account providers are rated on the following factors, in order of importance: monthly fees, domestic ATMs, interest rate, minimum opening deposit.

Aspiration: The Aspiration Summit Account is one of the best checking options on the market. The account earns interest and doesn’t have monthly fees. Aspiration reimburses all ATM fees, worldwide. And the bank has a tool that measures the social and environmental impact of your spending.

Charles Schwab Bank: Schwab has an informative website and well-rated apps, and its High Yield Investor checking offers customers the chance to earn interest. The bank offers unlimited fee rebates at ATMs worldwide, and it doesn’t charge currency conversion fees for debit card transactions made overseas.

Banks chosen for this award are standouts for both checking and savings accounts.

Ally Bank: An online-only bank, Ally Bank has become popular among people seeking strong savings account rates and robust customer service. There are plenty of ways to get your questions answered — by phone, email, snail mail, or live chat, in addition to a stellar help center that answers many FAQs. No maintenance fees or minimum balances are required.

To be considered, a card generally has to deliver an overall rewards rate in excess of 1%. That usually means either a flat rate of more than 1% or a base rate of 1% with bonus categories at rates of 2% or more.

To be considered, a card generally has to deliver an overall rewards rate in excess of 1%. That usually means either a flat rate of more than 1% or a base rate of 1% with bonus categories at rates of 2% or more.

To be considered, a card generally has to deliver an overall rewards rate in excess of 1%. That usually means either a flat rate of more than 1% or a base rate of 1% with bonus categories at rates of 2% or more.

A card with an overall rate below 1% might be considered if it fills a unique niche in the market, such as a rewards card for bad credit (rare) or a card that's easy for students to get.

A card with an overall rate below 1% might be considered if it fills a unique niche in the market, such as a rewards card for bad credit (rare) or a card that's easy for students to get.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

In most cases, these will be cards that offer rewards, but we also look at cards that address a specific niche (e.g., average or bad credit) and/or provide a unique service (e.g., special financing or approval with no personal guarantee).

In most cases, these will be cards that offer rewards, but we also look at cards that address a specific niche (e.g., average or bad credit) and/or provide a unique service (e.g., special financing or approval with no personal guarantee).

Few issuers offer student cards anymore, as the Credit Card Act of 2009 significantly tightened the restrictions on marketing to people under 21. We looked at cards that specifically market to students.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

NerdWallet's evaluations take into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.

When evaluating younger companies, we consider the company's financial health, and we sometimes include niche providers to provide a fuller representation of the landscape for these products.

Charles Schwab: Charles Schwab is good for investors of all stripes. Beginners will find the information they need, while sophisticated tools will appeal to active traders.

Fidelity: Fidelity has a fine reputation for mutual funds, but it should be just as well-known for its brokerage, offering a solid experience for beginning investors without sacrificing anything that advanced investors might need.

TD Ameritrade: TD Ameritrade requires no minimum investment and delivers standout features, including extensive research, quality customer support and portfolio-building guidance.

When evaluating younger companies, we consider the company's financial health, and we sometimes include niche providers to provide a fuller representation of the landscape for these products.

Charles Schwab: Charles Schwab is good for investors of all stripes. Beginners will find the information they need, while sophisticated tools will appeal to active traders.

Fidelity: Fidelity has a fine reputation for mutual funds, but it should be just as well-known for its brokerage, offering a solid experience for beginning investors without sacrificing anything that advanced investors might need.

TD Ameritrade: TD Ameritrade requires no minimum investment and delivers standout features, including extensive — and free — research, quality customer support and portfolio-building guidance.

When evaluating younger companies, we consider the company's financial health, and we sometimes include niche providers to provide a fuller representation of the landscape for these products.

Fidelity: Fidelity has a fine reputation for mutual funds, but it should be just as well-known for its brokerage, offering a solid experience for beginning investors without sacrificing anything that advanced investors might need.

TD Ameritrade: TD Ameritrade requires no minimum investment and delivers standout features, including extensive — and free — research, quality customer support and portfolio-building guidance.

Wealthfront: Wealthfront offers the kind of holistic financial advice and automated investment management that appeals to new and experienced investors alike.

When evaluating younger companies, we consider the company's financial health, and we sometimes include niche providers to provide a fuller representation of the landscape for these products.

Ellevest: There's nothing gender-neutral about Ellevest's approach to money management. The service is designed to help women balance short- and long-term goals and understand the tradeoffs, all while taking into account the financial realities they face.

Vanguard Personal Advisor Services: Vanguard Personal Advisor Services combines human financial advisors with robo-advisor technology at a reasonable cost.

Wealthsimple: Wealthsimple is a clear winner in the values-based investing department thanks to its strong SRI portfolio offerings.

NerdWallet's evaluations of mortgage lenders take into account loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Quicken Loans: Quicken Loans is great for home buyers with questions. Navigating the homebuying process can be a lot easier using Quicken's online application technology and knowing that mortgage advisors are available with just a tap.

NerdWallet's evaluations of mortgage lenders take into account loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Lenda: Lenda is optimal for tech-savvy home buyers and refinancers in its lending territory. Lenda's automated lending platform offers round-the-clock access to application and loan-management tools. Lenda also offers 24/7 loan tracking, and it doesn't charge origination fees or broker commissions.

NerdWallet's evaluations of mortgage lenders take into account loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

US Bank: US Bank is a fit for borrowers who want low fees and options. There are no closing costs, and the annual fee is waived for HELOC borrowers with an eligible checking account. US Bank offers a variable-rate HELOC with up to three fixed-rate options.

NerdWallet's evaluations of mortgage lenders take into account loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Rocket Mortgage: Rocket is a prime pick for mortgage borrowers looking for an online experience. It provides a high-tech mortgage loan process with on-demand mortgage advisors when you need help.

NerdWallet's evaluations of mortgage lenders take into account loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

SoFi: SoFi is a jumbo specialist that was among the first to offer a complete digital platform. SoFi offers a variety of mortgage products, including jumbo and interest-only loans.

NerdWallet's evaluations of mortgage lenders take into account loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

New American Funding: New American is superb for home buyers and refinancers who want an FHA mortgage and need to be evaluated using nontraditional credit criteria. The company offers a full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.

NerdWallet's evaluations of mortgage lenders take into account loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Veterans United: Outstanding for military-connected customers looking for VA expertise. Veterans United is the nation's largest VA home purchase lender.

Lists based on credit scores (lenders for good credit, for average credit, etc.) reflect lenders' stated credit ranges but may take into consideration averages if we have that data.

LightStream: LightStream's starting rates are among the lowest for online lenders. It charges no fees and has a satisfaction guarantee.

SoFi: SoFi is one of the only lenders to offer fixed- and variable-rate personal loans. Borrowers can also get perks like career coaching.

Lists based on credit scores (lenders for good credit, for average credit, etc.) reflect lenders' stated credit ranges but may take into consideration averages if we have that data.

OneMain: OneMain's starting rates are high, but the lender offers the option to secure a loan, which can lower the rate. Borrowers also get free access to their credit scores.

Upstart: Upstart is an option for young borrowers who are new to credit. It considers factors like education and work history in its approval process.

Lenders are considered for inclusion on the "Best for Debt Consolidation" list if they have features that make sense for consolidation (rates lower than credit cards, direct payment to creditors, etc.).

Laurel Road: Laurel Road offers rates that are lower than most credit cards, making it a good option for borrowers trying to consolidate credit card debt.

Payoff: Payoff's loans are designed for debt consolidation and include financial guidance to help borrowers stay on track when paying off debt. Features include low starting rates and flexible repayment options.

Lenders are considered for inclusion on the "Best for Home Improvement" list if they market loans for home improvement and/or offer loans that we believe make sense for home improvements (low rates, large loans).

LightStream: LightStream's low rates and high loan amounts make it a good option for funding home improvements. Loan terms extend up to 12 years.

SoFi: Offering high loan amounts, SoFi can help fund large home improvement projects at competitive rates. Borrowers may also get flexible repayment schedules.

Lenders were scored for the presence of 35 features across across multiple categories, including repayment options, customer service, lender transparency, loan eligibility and underwriting criteria. We chose the three lenders with the highest overall ratings.

Federal direct student loans: Federal student loans are the best option for borrowers. They offer the most flexible repayment options and the opportunity to receive loan forgiveness depending on the career and repayment plan you choose.

Lenders were scored for the presence of 39 features across across multiple categories, including repayment options, customer service, lender transparency, loan eligibility and underwriting criteria. We chose the three lenders with the highest overall ratings.

Earnest: Earnest stands out for an underwriting approach based on a borrower’s earning potential and the financial accounts he or she connects, not just credit score.

Lenders were scored for the presence of several fast-repayment features (such as easily arranged or automatic extra payments). Of those that scored the maximum number of points, we chose the three with the highest overall ratings.

SoFi: Borrowers who refinance with SoFi get access to unique perks like free career coaching and no-fee investing. SoFi also lets borrowers make biweekly or greater-than-minimum payments automatically.

Lenders were scored for the presence of nine customer service features, such as use of in-house customer service representatives (instead of a third-party call center), number of available help channels (phone, live chat, email, etc.), presence of an ombudsman and website clarity (such as the clear display of interest rates, loan terms and late fees). Of lenders that scored the maximum number of points, we chose the three with the highest overall ratings.

Purefy: Purefy assigns each refinance customer a personal student loan advisor and gives borrowers access to an in-house customer service team.

NerdWallet evaluates online tax software for the price of federal and state returns, the breadth of free offerings and the usability of the software, as well as customer-support options.

TaxAct: TaxAct brings a revamped user experience to software that remains less expensive than similar products from the competition.

NerdWallet evaluated hotels with major presences in the United States and elsewhere in the Americas (> 300 locations). We looked at the average cost of reward redemption in 15 U.S. cities and 15-25 international cities.

NerdWallet evaluated hotels with major presences in the United States and elsewhere in the Americas (> 300 locations). We looked at the average cost of reward redemption in 15 U.S. cities and 15-25 international cities at high-end properties (defined as the upper half of the category spectrum, or upscale hotels when hotels have no defined award categories).

NerdWallet evaluated hotels with major presences in the United States and elsewhere in the Americas (> 300 locations). We looked at the average cost of reward redemption in 15 U.S. cities and 15-25 international cities. Factors included the value of points and how quickly travelers could earn one free night (on average) with a hotel credit card.

NerdWallet evaluated eight major airlines headquartered in the continental U.S. We looked at the average cost of award redemptions across each airline's 20-25 busiest routes as determined by data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, plus randomly selected international flights from an airline's network. We did not review airlines that do not have stand-alone loyalty programs or that have flat rewards programs.

NerdWallet evaluated eight major airlines headquartered in the continental U.S. We looked at the average cost of award redemptions across each airline's 20-25 busiest routes as determined by data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, plus randomly selected international flights from an airline's network. We did not review airlines that do not have stand-alone loyalty programs or that have flat rewards programs.