15 Best Online Checking Accounts
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The best online banks, nonbanks and credit unions offer checking accounts with fewer fees and higher interest rates than traditional banks do, in part because of the money they save by not operating branches.
Why trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the financial accounts that work best for you. See our criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions.
These accounts are secure, backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or the National Credit Union Administration. (Although they are not technically banks, nonbanks offer most of the same services that traditional institutions do.)
Here are our favorite online checking accounts.
The best online banks, nonbanks and credit unions offer checking accounts with fewer fees and higher interest rates than traditional banks do, in part because of the money they save by not operating branches.
Why trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the financial accounts that work best for you. See our criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions.
These accounts are secure, backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or the National Credit Union Administration. (Although they are not technically banks, nonbanks offer most of the same services that traditional institutions do.)
Here are our favorite online checking accounts.

at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured
Chime Checking Account

Monthly fee
$0APY
N/ABonus
N/Aat Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured

at Discover Bank, Member FDIC
Discover Bank Cashback Debit

Monthly fee
$0APY
N/ABonus
N/Aat Discover Bank, Member FDIC

at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC
Axos Bank® Rewards Checking

Monthly fee
$0APY
1.25%With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
$150Requirements to qualify
at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC

at Quontic Bank, Member FDIC
Quontic High Interest Checking

Monthly fee
$0APY
1.01%With $0.01 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/Aat Quontic Bank, Member FDIC

at Varo, Member FDIC
Varo Bank Account

Monthly fee
$0APY
N/ABonus
N/Aat Varo, Member FDIC
nbkc bank Everything Account

Monthly fee
$0APY
0.15%With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/AAlly Bank Interest Checking Account

Monthly fee
$0APY
0.10%With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/ABank5 Connect High Interest Checking

Monthly fee
$0APY
0.20%With $100 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/ANationwide Interest Checking

Monthly fee
$0APY
0.10%With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/ATIAA Bank Yield Pledge® Checking

Monthly fee
$0APY
0.10%With $100 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/AUSAA Bank Classic Checking

Monthly fee
$0APY
0.01%With $1,000 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/ALendingClub Rewards Checking

Monthly fee
$0APY
0.10%With $2,500 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/ACapital One 360 Checking

Monthly fee
$0APY
0.10%With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
at Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by the NCUA
Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking

Monthly fee
$0APY
0.25%With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/Aat Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by the NCUA
The pros of online checking accounts
24/7 access. With online banking, you can access your account securely day or night.
Fewer fees. Online checking accounts tend to charge fewer fees than traditional banks since online providers have lower overhead.
User-friendly technology. Online providers typically have well-designed websites and mobile apps for doing your banking, including tasks such as depositing checks and paying bills.
» Looking for online banks with top overall ratings? Check out NerdWallet's list of Best Online Banks
The cons of online checking accounts
No in-person customer service. Online institutions typically don’t have branches, which may be a deal-breaker for customers who prefer face-to-face assistance.
Cash deposits sometimes can be difficult. Some online banks and nonbanks work with ATM networks to allow cash deposits, but others allow only mobile check deposits, direct deposit or electronic transfer from other banking accounts.
» More from NerdWallet: What are online banks? Learn the pros and cons
How do I withdraw and deposit cash with an online checking account?
Options for depositing cash at an online provider usually include using a deposit-accepting ATM or putting cash into a traditional bank account and transferring that money to your online account. You could also convert the cash into a money order, which you might be able to deposit electronically using your online provider's mobile app.
» Learn more: How to take your banking online during the pandemic
Last updated on July 1, 2021
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People often identify opening a savings account as their next money move.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings Account

APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
at Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Member FDIC
Chime High Yield Savings

APY
With $0.01 min. balance for APY
at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured
Discover Bank Online Savings

APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
Requirements to qualify
at Discover Bank, Member FDIC
Methodology
We took a close look at over 70 financial institutions, 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 and/or emerging players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
Financial institutions surveyed are: Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Bank of America, Bank of the West, Barclays, BB&T, BBVA, BMO Harris, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Capital One 360, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Comenity Bank, Comerica Bank, Commerce Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Discover Bank, E*TRADE Bank, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation Bank, First National Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Flagstar Bank, FNBO Direct, GoBank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, KeyBank, LendingClub, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Nationwide Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Popular Direct, PurePoint Financial, Redneck Bank, Regions Bank, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Service Credit Union, State Employees' Credit Union of North Carolina, Suncoast Credit Union, SunTrust Bank, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TCF Bank, TD Bank, TIAA Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Union Bank, USAA, Varo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Woodforest National Bank and Zions Bank.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Online Checking Accounts
- Chime Checking Account
- Discover Bank Cashback Debit
- Axos Bank® Rewards Checking
- Quontic High Interest Checking
- Varo Bank Account
- nbkc bank Everything Account
- Ally Bank Interest Checking Account
- Bank5 Connect High Interest Checking
- Nationwide Interest Checking
- TIAA Bank Yield Pledge® Checking
- USAA Bank Classic Checking
- LendingClub Rewards Checking
- One Spend
- Capital One 360 Checking
- Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking
Frequently asked questions
Online-only checking accounts offer the deposit and withdrawal features of traditional checking accounts but with primarily online customer service options.
Even with strong security measures, financial institutions can still be susceptible to bad actors and data breaches. Online banks have secure technology in place to protect their customers’ assets, but you should safeguard your funds and reduce the risk of having your account hacked by following some simple safety guidelines.