Chase Checking Accounts Review: Fees, Options
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Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Overview
Chase is one of the largest banks in the U.S. and one of the best national banks. Chase checking accounts offer solid access to financial services both in person and online, and some accounts offer a sign-up bonus.
Chase offers various accounts to suit different needs, and fees are on par with those at other national banks. Here’s a look at key Chase checking accounts and their features, fees and requirements.
Large branch network.
Large, free, nationwide ATM network.
Early direct deposit.
Overdraft buffer.
Expensive overdraft fee.
Monthly fees (though they are avoidable).
Product reviews
Checking
Best for: Those who want a standard checking account with an overdraft program and can meet requirements to avoid the monthly fee.
Monthly fee: $15; to waive, meet a minimum balance requirement of $1,500 at the beginning of each day or have at least $500 in monthly direct deposits or keep an average beginning day balance of at least $5,000 across Chase accounts.
Minimum opening deposit: $0.
Interest on balances: No.
ATM fees: $3 fee at non-Chase ATMs in the U.S. and its territories, plus any fees from the ATM owner.
Overdraft fees: $34 per overdraft, charged up to 3 times per day. No charge when account is overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the day.
Sign-up bonus: $400 (expires 07/15/2026); our bank bonuses roundup explains how to qualify.
Checking
Best for: Those who want to avoid overdraft fees.
Monthly fee: $4.95; to waive, make electronic deposits into the account totaling $250 or more each month.
Minimum opening deposit: $0.
Interest on balances: No.
ATM fees: $3 fee at non-Chase ATMs in the U.S. and its territories, plus any fees from the ATM owner.
Overdraft fees: None.
Sign-up bonus: $125 (expires 07/15/2026); our bank bonuses roundup explains how to qualify.
Checking
Best for: Those who can meet requirements to waive the monthly fee, and want some free out-of-network ATM access.
Monthly fee: $25; to waive, meet a minimum balance requirement of $15,000 or more across linked Chase accounts at the beginning of each day or enroll the account for automatic payments to a linked qualifying Chase first mortgage or be a current U.S. Armed Forces member or veteran.
Minimum opening deposit: $0.
Interest on balances: 0.01% APY (effective 02/20/2025; rates are variable and subject to change).
ATM fees: Four free ATM withdrawals per statement period at non-Chase ATMs (ATM owner fees may still apply.) The $3 fee applies to any additional withdrawals.
Overdraft fees: $34 per overdraft, charged up to 3 times per day. No charge when account is overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the day.
Sign-up bonus: None.
Chase Premier Plus Checking℠
Checking
Best for: Those who can meet steep minimum balance requirements and want overdraft grace and free use of any ATM worldwide.
Monthly fee: $25; to waive, meet a minimum average balance requirement of $75,000 or more across linked Chase accounts at the beginning of each day.
Minimum opening deposit: $0.
Interest on balances: 0.01% APY (effective 02/20/2025; rates are variable and subject to change).
ATM fees: No ATM fees worldwide; fees from ATM owner are refunded.
Overdraft fees: No charge on overdrafts on the first four business days during current and previous 12 statement periods; after that, $34 per overdraft, charged up to 3 times per day. No charge when account is overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the day.
Sign-up bonus: None.
Premium features include: Dedicated 24/7 customer support; waived fees for wire transfers and stop payments.
Chase Sapphire℠ Checking
Checking
Best for: Those who can meet steep minimum balance requirements and want overdraft grace, free use of any ATM worldwide and more extensive premium benefits.
Monthly fee: $35; to waive, meet a minimum average balance requirement of $150,000 or more across linked Chase accounts at the beginning of each day, or link a Chase Platinum Business Checking℠ account.
Minimum opening deposit: $0.
Interest on balances: 0.01% APY (effective 3/20/2026; rates are variable and subject to change).
ATM fees: No ATM fees worldwide; fees from ATM owner are refunded.
Overdraft fees: No charge on overdrafts on the first four business days during current and previous 12 statement periods; after that, $34 per overdraft, charged up to 3 times per day. No charge when account is overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the day.
Sign-up bonus: Up to $3,000 (expires 07/15/2026); our bank bonuses roundup explains how to qualify.
Premium features include: Waived fees for wire transfers; access to financial specialists; higher limits on ATM withdrawals, Zelle transfers, Chase QuickDeposits and debit card purchases.
Customer experience & overdraft fees
Customer experience
Although some accounts waive out-of-network ATM fees, Chase generally charges $3 per withdrawal from non-Chase ATMs in the U.S. and its territories, plus any fees from the ATM owner. Outside the U.S. and its territories, that fee is $5.
Free access to more than 5,000 branches and more than 15,000 ATMs: This network reaches 48 states and is one of the largest in the U.S.
Chase online and mobile banking: Check balances and pay bills, and set up alerts via text and email. The app also has a mobile check deposit feature.
Zelle: This person-to-person payment service lets you send money online to friends and family, even if they use a different bank. It’s free, and money often arrives within minutes. (Learn more about Zelle.)
Chase debit card with liability protection: If you report unauthorized activity on your card right away, you’ll get reimbursed for the fraudulent charges.
Cardless ATM access: Chase lets you withdraw cash at its ATMs with just your smartphone. Open your mobile wallet app (for example, Apple Wallet), select your Chase debit card (or add it if you haven’t yet), tap the phone to the cardless symbol on the ATM and enter your PIN.
What fees do Chase checking accounts have?
Chase Total Checking®, the bank’s basic checking account, has a monthly fee of $12, though you can get it waived by meeting one of a few requirements. Other fees include $3 for each use of a non-Chase ATM in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There is also a $34 fee for overdrafts, charged up to 3 times a day (though there's no charge when the account is overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the day). Scroll down to see other Chase checking fees.
Does Chase have a free checking account?
Almost all Chase checking accounts carry a monthly fee. However, there are ways to get the fee waived on most accounts, such as by keeping a certain balance in the account or setting up direct deposit.
Chase does offer two checking accounts with no monthly fee. The accounts are for children: Chase First Banking and Chase High School Checking.
What is the Chase checking account minimum balance requirement?
There is no minimum balance required to have a Chase checking account, but keeping a certain balance is one way to avoid a monthly fee on some accounts — for example, the $12 monthly fee for Chase Total Checking® is waived if you maintain a $1,500 balance at the beginning of each day.
What is the Chase direct deposit requirement for checking accounts?
Chase doesn’t require direct deposits in order to open or to have a checking account. But for some accounts, one way to avoid the monthly service fee is to meet a minimum requirement of received electronic deposits. For example, Chase Total Checking® account holders can have the $12 Chase monthly service fee waived by receiving at least $500 in monthly electronic deposits.
Is a Chase checking account the right choice?
Chase checking accounts are generally a solid bet if you have easy access to their ATMs and can avoid the monthly fees. But some accounts have steep minimum balance requirements to avoid a monthly fee — it could be more worthwhile to keep your money in a high-yield online savings account where it can earn interest.
If you’re not in the Chase branch network, can’t avoid the monthly fees or are looking to earn interest on your checking, check out NerdWallet’s best credit unions and top online banks. Or see how other national banks compare.
Overdraft fees
Generally, the bank’s overdraft fee is $34 per instance, and can be charged up to 3 times per day. But some Chase checking accounts don’t charge this fee.
Rating methodology
How we rate banks and credit unions
Banking writers and editors use an objective methodology to rate banks, credit unions, and other providers, and to recommend the best products.
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
We took a close look at around 100 financial institutions and financial service providers, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on assets and membership; and other notable players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
30+
Categories assessed
30+
Categories assessed
Each provider is evaluated across five weighted categories and 30 subcategories, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, customer experience, and overdraft services. For banks or credit unions without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
60+
Data points analyzed
60+
Data points analyzed
We considered more than 60 data points for each provider. Depending on the category, these included account fees and rates (such as annual percentage yields), ATM and branch access, account features, account bonuses, customer service access and user-facing technology, such as innovative tools and mobile apps. We gathered this information for each financial institution from its website, a media representative or both.
Star rating categories
The review team is made up of seasoned writers and editors who cover personal banking deposit accounts, such as checking, savings and certificates of deposit, as well as related banking services, such as overdraft programs and ATM networks. For providers without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Alto, Amalgamated Bank, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Barclays, Bask Bank, BMO, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings®, BrioDirect, Capital One, Cash App, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Climate First Bank, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Customers Bank, Discover® Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First Internet Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Hope Credit Union, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, Ivy Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, My Banking Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, Newtek Bank, OMB Bank, OnePay, Openbank, PayPal, Peak Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Poppy Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Valley Bank, Varo, Venmo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank, Zolve and Zynlo Bank.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for banks and credit unions and our editorial guidelines.