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Out of 70 Prepaid Debit Cards, Find the One for You.

Prepaid debit cards come loaded with charges, from monthly fees to ATM fees to fees for using the card. Answer a few questions to the left, and we'll figure out which one will cost you the least money.

Remember: prepaid debit cards don't improve your credit score! If you're looking to build or rebuild credit, consider a secured credit card. Also keep in mind that prepaid debit cards are rarely cheaper than traditional checking accounts.

Calculate Prepaid Card Fees

Calculate Account Fees

Will you use direct deposit?
Yes
No
How much will you deposit each month?
Hint: Typically twice your bi-weekly paycheck.
$0
How long will you keep the card?
1 year

How long will you keep the card?

We use this information to calculate the impact of activation and cancellation fees.

Calculate Usage Fees

How many purchases will you make each month?
Purchases where I punch in my PIN:
7
All other purchases:
10
Total
17

How many purchases will you make each month?

A PIN transaction is a purchase where you enter your four-digit PIN, such as when you choose "debit" at the grocery store checkout terminal or gas pump.

A signature transaction is any purchase where you don't enter your PIN. This includes choosing "credit" at the checkout terminal, paying the check at a restaurant, or making a small purchase that does not require a signature.

How many ATM withdrawals will you make each month?
In-network ATM withdrawals:
2
Out-of-network ATM withdrawals:
0
Total
2

How many ATM withdrawals will you make each month?

When you withdraw money from an ATM, you can potentially be charged two fees: one by the owner of the card, and one by the owner of the ATM. But thankfully, there are ways to avoid those fees.

Many prepaid and traditional debit cards have a network of ATMs that you can withdraw from without incurring a fee from the ATM owner. These are called in-network withdrawals, and they mean you only pay the card withdrawal fee (if there is one).

But if you withdraw from an ATM that your card isn't associated with (out-of-network), you have to pay an ATM surcharge ($2.60 on average) on top of any card fees, unless your card reimburses out-of-network ATM fees.

How many ATM balance inquiries will you make each month?
2

How many ATM balance inquiries will you make each month?
Many prepaid debit card issuers will charge you a fee if you look up your card balance at an ATM.
How many online bill payments will you make each month?
2

Calculate Reload Fees

How many times will you make a cash reload each month?
2

How many times will you make a cash reload each month?

Loading cash onto your reloadable prepaid debit card usually requires buying a physical "reload pack" like a MoneyPak at a store.

A cash reload usually costs somewhere between $1-$5.

How much will you load each month, excluding direct deposit?
$250

More Sorting Options

Compare To A Checking Account

I want to include checking accounts in my results.
Yes
No
How often do you incur overdraft fees each year?
0
How often do you incur overdraft fees each year?

You overdraw on your account when you spend more than your balance. For example, if you have just $1 in your account but you pay for a $2 coffee, the bank can decide to approve your transaction and charge you an overdraft fee.

Remember, though, that you have to opt in to overdraft protection. You can always opt out of overdraft protection if you do not wish to incur large fees everytime you overdraw your account.

How often do you use a check cashing service each month?
0
How often do you use a check cashing service each month?

You typically can't deposit a personal check straight into your prepaid debit card – you have to pay someone to cash the check, then buy a cash reload pack and use that to load your card. By the time you're done, you've paid a check cashing fee and a retail reload fee.

Most checking accounts, on the other hand, let you cash or deposit your checks for free.

How much do you pay each time you cash a check?
$3.00
How much do you pay each time you cash a check?

Check cashing centers usually charge anywhere from 1% to 3% of a check's face value, to cash a check.

More Choices
Include student cards.
Include area-specific cards.
I want an additional card.
I want an additional card.

Some prepaid debit cards let you add a card to your account (for your kids, your spouse, your babysitter...). Some give you the extra card for free, others charge a one-time card fee, and still others charge you an ongoing monthly fee. Many checking accounts don't have this option, which is why you may see the traditional checking account choices disappear from your results.

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Ask and discuss on the NerdWallet forum.

Want to get your card listed?
Shoot us an email at cards@nerdwallet.com.

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