Free business checking accounts don't charge monthly fees. The best ones limit other costs, too, with features like free ATM access. Most no-fee accounts are online only. But a few banks offer free options.
Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Senior writer | Small business banking and credit cards, Paycheck Protection Program, consumer spending, and household finances
Kelsey Sheehy is a NerdWallet authority on small business. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the <a href="https://www.today.com/video/christmas-in-july-sales-to-take-advantage-of-now-64075333536">"Today"</a> show, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/tax-code-changes-leave-many-americans-with-unhappy-returns-1440385091860">NBC News</a> and <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/cost-smartphones-reaching-time-high-54166111">"ABC World News Tonight"</a> and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC and American Banker, among other publications. Email: <a href="mailto:ksheehy@nerdwallet.com">ksheehy@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
60+ business bank accounts rated with our objective, comprehensive business bank account rubrics (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business banking content — including our ratings, reviews and recommendations — is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in small-business finances. Their journalism has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Senior writer | Small business banking and credit cards, Paycheck Protection Program, consumer spending, and household finances
Kelsey Sheehy is a NerdWallet authority on small business. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the <a href="https://www.today.com/video/christmas-in-july-sales-to-take-advantage-of-now-64075333536">"Today"</a> show, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/tax-code-changes-leave-many-americans-with-unhappy-returns-1440385091860">NBC News</a> and <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/cost-smartphones-reaching-time-high-54166111">"ABC World News Tonight"</a> and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC and American Banker, among other publications. Email: <a href="mailto:ksheehy@nerdwallet.com">ksheehy@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
60+ business bank accounts rated with our objective, comprehensive business bank account rubrics (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business banking content — including our ratings, reviews and recommendations — is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in small-business finances. Their journalism has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Earn 1.50% interest on account balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply.
Access up to $3 million in FDIC insurance with Insured Cash Sweep.
No fees at MoneyPass ATMs.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
No fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
Bluevine Business Checking offers pretty much everything we look for in a free business checking account: A competitive APY (1.50% on account balances up to and including $250,000; terms apply), unlimited fee-free transactions, free access to an ATM network, the ability to deposit cash (albeit for a fee) and checks. You’ll also get access to useful software tools, like accounts payable services and sub-accounts, to help you manage expenses.
What it lacks: Branches. Bluevine is a financial technology company; it partners with FDIC-insured Coastal Community Bank to provide banking services.
No excess transaction fees and no charge for domestic incoming wires.
Earn 1.30% APY on balances up to $500,000.
24/7 customer support.
No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
No outgoing international wire transfers.
Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
The American Express Business Checking account ticks a lot of boxes for businesses seeking online banking, especially thanks to its 24/7 customer support via phone or the bank’s mobile app — customer support is often a top complaint among business owners using online accounts. AmEx’s account also offers a competitive APY (1.30% on balances up to $500,000) and fee-free access to more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
The key drawback: American Express Business Checking does not accept cash deposits.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Cash deposits via compatible Allpoint ATMs.
No foreign transaction fees when you use your Relay Visa® Debit abroad.
Free incoming wires and low outgoing wire transfer fees.
Up to 50 debit cards.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Direct integration with Shopify.
Cons
Deposited checks are held for up to 6-7 business days.
No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Relay’s free online business checking account comes with several features that benefit midsize businesses and growing startups, including the option to open multiple accounts (up to 20; 10 for sole proprietorships) and ability to invite team members, assign roles and permissions, and set spending limits.
Relay has no monthly fees, includes unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires, and allows for direct integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
One downside: Deposited checks may have long hold times — potentially six to seven business days.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Supports Zelle for Business.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
Low limit on fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
$1 fee for outgoing domestic ACH transfers.
It's unusual to find a free business checking account from a big brick-and-mortar bank, but that's what you'll get with this U.S. Bank business account. You can open an account online, by phone or in person — U.S. Bank has more than 2,000 branches across 26 states.
While the account does not have a monthly service fee, U.S. Bank does still charge for overdrafts, ACH transfers and wire transfers.
Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
Earn up to 1.80% APY.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
Free incoming domestic wires; low fees on other wire transfers.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
$100 minimum opening deposit.
No weekend support.
Grasshopper bank’s free business checking account includes two features rarely offered in tandem on business checking accounts: unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases and up to 1.80% APY. Plus, the account includes unlimited transactions, free incoming wires and fee-free access to an ATM network.
Grasshopper business customers get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing and cash management. That helps make it one of our best banks for startups.
Like some other online-only accounts, however, Grasshopper business checking accounts do not support cash deposits.
Unlimited fee-free U.S. dollar transactions; no overdraft fees.
Free domestic and international U.S. dollar wire transfers.
Advanced digital tools including API access to automate and customize your banking.
Unlimited refunds on all domestic ATM fees.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
Mercury is not part of a fee-free ATM network.
Mercury is a free online banking platform that’s designed for startups. Mercury includes a free business checking account along with a business savings account and the option to open a treasury account to earn a yield on excess cash (its savings account doesn’t earn interest). Mercury also has no wire transfer fees when sending or receiving U.S. dollars and does not charge to send or receive checks.
The platform offers built-in digital tools that allow you to track and manage your payments and expenses, create virtual debit cards and corporate credit cards and manage employee spending.
No required monthly fee or minimum opening deposit.
No excess transaction fees or overdraft fees; free incoming domestic wires.
Free, built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
Integrates with popular business and gig work apps, including Stripe, DoorDash, Uber, Etsy and PayPal.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Built-in payroll features for contractors.
Cons
No weekend or after-hours phone support.
Not available to partnerships or nonprofit organizations.
No fee-free cash deposits.
The Found business account offers more than just free business checking. You'll also get built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning tools, so you can generate profit and loss reports, automatically save for business taxes and schedule recurring invoices. Found integrates with popular business and gig work apps, like Stripe, Square, Uber, PayPal and Lyft, and you can use the platform to pay contractors working in your business.
Make sure to review Found's deposit and transfer limits before applying, as these can be low compared with competitors. Found is also not available to businesses organized as partnerships.
Unlimited fee-free transactions, no overdraft fees and free incoming domestic wires.
Up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Unlimited cash deposits via MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
Accept contactless payments via the NBKC app (iOS only). Fees apply.
Unlimited debit cards.
Cons
High fee ($45) for international wire transfers.
Phone support only available during business hours.
No third-party app integrations.
NBKC’s Business Account is a free business checking account with very few fees, but few bells and whistles. This account includes unlimited transactions, fee-free ATM access through the MoneyPass and Allpoint networks (with the ability to deposit cash) and up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Additionally, there are no incoming domestic wire fees, overdraft, stop payment or other similar incidental fees with the NBKC business checking account. Outgoing domestic wires cost just $5.
If you want add-on software, you can subscribe to Autobooks via NBKC for $10 per month. That service offers invoicing with payment links, tap-to-pay acceptance and basic accounting reports.
Unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires.
Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
Cash deposits via Allpoint ATMs.
Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Cons
$25 fee for insufficient funds/uncollected funds returned.
No third-party app integrations.
Axos Bank’s Basic Business Checking offers unlimited transactions, plus cash deposits via Allpoint+ ATMs. The bank also offers free nationwide ATM access with unlimited refunds for fees charged by other banks and ATM operators in the U.S.
Unlike some online business checking accounts, whose banking services are provided and insured by other financial institutions, Axos Bank is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-insured institution and provides all of its business banking products and services directly.
Same-day deposits from Amazon, Cash App, Square, Stripe and Venmo. Direct payments supported from a variety of other business platforms, including Etsy, Lyft, Shopify and Airbnb.
Sub-accounts that you can use to save for specific goals.
Direct integration with Shopify, Etsy and Amazon.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
Low cash deposit limits ($1,500 per day, $5,000 per month). Service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.
No free ATM network, though North One will reimburse up to two ATM fees per month by request. ATM withdrawals limited to $2,000 per day.
Can’t send or receive international wires.
No weekend customer support.
Not available to nonprofit organizations.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
North One's free online business checking account offers an industry-leading 2.50% APY on all balances.
This account is a particularly good choice for e-commerce businesses, since it supports same-day deposits from Amazon, Cash App, Square, Stripe and Venmo and direct payments from a variety of other business platforms, including Etsy, Lyft, Shopify and Airbnb. That can help you get funds into your account — so they can start earning interest — faster.
Key drawbacks: No cash deposits or fee-free ATM network. International wires aren't supported, either.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or incoming wire fees.
No fees at MoneyPass ATMs.
Cash deposits via Green Dot network (fees and limits apply).
Early payment feature allows you to receive funds up to two days sooner than with a traditional bank account.
Direct integrations with Square, Shopify, Etsy and eBay.
Cons
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
No fee-free cash deposits.
Low monthly limits for cash deposits, incoming ACH transfers.
Bill pay not included; must upgrade to Lili Smart or higher.
Not available to nonprofit organizations.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
When a customer pays you via ACH transfer, Lili says it can make those funds available in your account within 1-3 days instead of 3-5 days. The free account also has an automatic saving feature to help build your emergency fund.
If you upgrade to one of Lili's paid plans, which start at $9 per month, you'll get access to tools that can help with tax planning, invoicing, expense reports and more.
Unlimited fee-free electronic transactions and free incoming wires.
No dollar limit on cash deposits (other limits may apply).
24/7 customer service.
No fees to deposit cash at Navy Federal or Co-Op Network ATMs.
Cons
High opening deposit (up to $255).
$29 fee for overdrafts, insufficient funds.
Eligibility limited to veterans, military members, Department of Defense employees and their families.
Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
Navy Federal Credit Union offers a free business checking account to qualifying members. Business owners can join Navy Federal Credit Union if they have served in a branch of the U.S. armed forces (either active duty or as a reservist), if they have worked for the Department of Defense or as a contractor, or if they are immediate family of someone who meets the above criteria for membership.
This account also includes unlimited fee-free transactions and 30 fee-free non-electronic transactions per month, free starter checks and 24/7 customer support.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Earn 1.50% interest on account balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply.
Access up to $3 million in FDIC insurance with Insured Cash Sweep.
No fees at MoneyPass ATMs.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
No fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
Bluevine Business Checking offers pretty much everything we look for in a free business checking account: A competitive APY (1.50% on account balances up to and including $250,000; terms apply), unlimited fee-free transactions, free access to an ATM network, the ability to deposit cash (albeit for a fee) and checks. You’ll also get access to useful software tools, like accounts payable services and sub-accounts, to help you manage expenses.
What it lacks: Branches. Bluevine is a financial technology company; it partners with FDIC-insured Coastal Community Bank to provide banking services.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Earn 1.50% interest on account balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply.
Access up to $3 million in FDIC insurance with Insured Cash Sweep.
No fees at MoneyPass ATMs.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
No fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
Bluevine Business Checking offers pretty much everything we look for in a free business checking account: A competitive APY (1.50% on account balances up to and including $250,000; terms apply), unlimited fee-free transactions, free access to an ATM network, the ability to deposit cash (albeit for a fee) and checks. You’ll also get access to useful software tools, like accounts payable services and sub-accounts, to help you manage expenses.
What it lacks: Branches. Bluevine is a financial technology company; it partners with FDIC-insured Coastal Community Bank to provide banking services.
No excess transaction fees and no charge for domestic incoming wires.
Earn 1.30% APY on balances up to $500,000.
24/7 customer support.
No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
No outgoing international wire transfers.
Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
The American Express Business Checking account ticks a lot of boxes for businesses seeking online banking, especially thanks to its 24/7 customer support via phone or the bank’s mobile app — customer support is often a top complaint among business owners using online accounts. AmEx’s account also offers a competitive APY (1.30% on balances up to $500,000) and fee-free access to more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
The key drawback: American Express Business Checking does not accept cash deposits.
No excess transaction fees and no charge for domestic incoming wires.
Earn 1.30% APY on balances up to $500,000.
24/7 customer support.
No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
No outgoing international wire transfers.
Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
The American Express Business Checking account ticks a lot of boxes for businesses seeking online banking, especially thanks to its 24/7 customer support via phone or the bank’s mobile app — customer support is often a top complaint among business owners using online accounts. AmEx’s account also offers a competitive APY (1.30% on balances up to $500,000) and fee-free access to more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
The key drawback: American Express Business Checking does not accept cash deposits.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Cash deposits via compatible Allpoint ATMs.
No foreign transaction fees when you use your Relay Visa® Debit abroad.
Free incoming wires and low outgoing wire transfer fees.
Up to 50 debit cards.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Direct integration with Shopify.
Cons
Deposited checks are held for up to 6-7 business days.
No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Relay’s free online business checking account comes with several features that benefit midsize businesses and growing startups, including the option to open multiple accounts (up to 20; 10 for sole proprietorships) and ability to invite team members, assign roles and permissions, and set spending limits.
Relay has no monthly fees, includes unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires, and allows for direct integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
One downside: Deposited checks may have long hold times — potentially six to seven business days.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Cash deposits via compatible Allpoint ATMs.
No foreign transaction fees when you use your Relay Visa® Debit abroad.
Free incoming wires and low outgoing wire transfer fees.
Up to 50 debit cards.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Direct integration with Shopify.
Cons
Deposited checks are held for up to 6-7 business days.
No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Relay’s free online business checking account comes with several features that benefit midsize businesses and growing startups, including the option to open multiple accounts (up to 20; 10 for sole proprietorships) and ability to invite team members, assign roles and permissions, and set spending limits.
Relay has no monthly fees, includes unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires, and allows for direct integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
One downside: Deposited checks may have long hold times — potentially six to seven business days.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Supports Zelle for Business.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
Low limit on fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
$1 fee for outgoing domestic ACH transfers.
It's unusual to find a free business checking account from a big brick-and-mortar bank, but that's what you'll get with this U.S. Bank business account. You can open an account online, by phone or in person — U.S. Bank has more than 2,000 branches across 26 states.
While the account does not have a monthly service fee, U.S. Bank does still charge for overdrafts, ACH transfers and wire transfers.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Supports Zelle for Business.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
Low limit on fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
High overdraft, wire transfer fees.
$1 fee for outgoing domestic ACH transfers.
It's unusual to find a free business checking account from a big brick-and-mortar bank, but that's what you'll get with this U.S. Bank business account. You can open an account online, by phone or in person — U.S. Bank has more than 2,000 branches across 26 states.
While the account does not have a monthly service fee, U.S. Bank does still charge for overdrafts, ACH transfers and wire transfers.
Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
Earn up to 1.80% APY.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
Free incoming domestic wires; low fees on other wire transfers.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
$100 minimum opening deposit.
No weekend support.
Grasshopper bank’s free business checking account includes two features rarely offered in tandem on business checking accounts: unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases and up to 1.80% APY. Plus, the account includes unlimited transactions, free incoming wires and fee-free access to an ATM network.
Grasshopper business customers get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing and cash management. That helps make it one of our best banks for startups.
Like some other online-only accounts, however, Grasshopper business checking accounts do not support cash deposits.
Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
Earn up to 1.80% APY.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
Free incoming domestic wires; low fees on other wire transfers.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
$100 minimum opening deposit.
No weekend support.
Grasshopper bank’s free business checking account includes two features rarely offered in tandem on business checking accounts: unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases and up to 1.80% APY. Plus, the account includes unlimited transactions, free incoming wires and fee-free access to an ATM network.
Grasshopper business customers get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing and cash management. That helps make it one of our best banks for startups.
Like some other online-only accounts, however, Grasshopper business checking accounts do not support cash deposits.
Unlimited fee-free U.S. dollar transactions; no overdraft fees.
Free domestic and international U.S. dollar wire transfers.
Advanced digital tools including API access to automate and customize your banking.
Unlimited refunds on all domestic ATM fees.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
Mercury is not part of a fee-free ATM network.
Mercury is a free online banking platform that’s designed for startups. Mercury includes a free business checking account along with a business savings account and the option to open a treasury account to earn a yield on excess cash (its savings account doesn’t earn interest). Mercury also has no wire transfer fees when sending or receiving U.S. dollars and does not charge to send or receive checks.
The platform offers built-in digital tools that allow you to track and manage your payments and expenses, create virtual debit cards and corporate credit cards and manage employee spending.
Unlimited fee-free U.S. dollar transactions; no overdraft fees.
Free domestic and international U.S. dollar wire transfers.
Advanced digital tools including API access to automate and customize your banking.
Unlimited refunds on all domestic ATM fees.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
Mercury is not part of a fee-free ATM network.
Mercury is a free online banking platform that’s designed for startups. Mercury includes a free business checking account along with a business savings account and the option to open a treasury account to earn a yield on excess cash (its savings account doesn’t earn interest). Mercury also has no wire transfer fees when sending or receiving U.S. dollars and does not charge to send or receive checks.
The platform offers built-in digital tools that allow you to track and manage your payments and expenses, create virtual debit cards and corporate credit cards and manage employee spending.
No required monthly fee or minimum opening deposit.
No excess transaction fees or overdraft fees; free incoming domestic wires.
Free, built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
Integrates with popular business and gig work apps, including Stripe, DoorDash, Uber, Etsy and PayPal.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Built-in payroll features for contractors.
Cons
No weekend or after-hours phone support.
Not available to partnerships or nonprofit organizations.
No fee-free cash deposits.
The Found business account offers more than just free business checking. You'll also get built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning tools, so you can generate profit and loss reports, automatically save for business taxes and schedule recurring invoices. Found integrates with popular business and gig work apps, like Stripe, Square, Uber, PayPal and Lyft, and you can use the platform to pay contractors working in your business.
Make sure to review Found's deposit and transfer limits before applying, as these can be low compared with competitors. Found is also not available to businesses organized as partnerships.
No required monthly fee or minimum opening deposit.
No excess transaction fees or overdraft fees; free incoming domestic wires.
Free, built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
Integrates with popular business and gig work apps, including Stripe, DoorDash, Uber, Etsy and PayPal.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Built-in payroll features for contractors.
Cons
No weekend or after-hours phone support.
Not available to partnerships or nonprofit organizations.
No fee-free cash deposits.
The Found business account offers more than just free business checking. You'll also get built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning tools, so you can generate profit and loss reports, automatically save for business taxes and schedule recurring invoices. Found integrates with popular business and gig work apps, like Stripe, Square, Uber, PayPal and Lyft, and you can use the platform to pay contractors working in your business.
Make sure to review Found's deposit and transfer limits before applying, as these can be low compared with competitors. Found is also not available to businesses organized as partnerships.
Unlimited fee-free transactions, no overdraft fees and free incoming domestic wires.
Up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Unlimited cash deposits via MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
Accept contactless payments via the NBKC app (iOS only). Fees apply.
Unlimited debit cards.
Cons
High fee ($45) for international wire transfers.
Phone support only available during business hours.
No third-party app integrations.
NBKC’s Business Account is a free business checking account with very few fees, but few bells and whistles. This account includes unlimited transactions, fee-free ATM access through the MoneyPass and Allpoint networks (with the ability to deposit cash) and up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Additionally, there are no incoming domestic wire fees, overdraft, stop payment or other similar incidental fees with the NBKC business checking account. Outgoing domestic wires cost just $5.
If you want add-on software, you can subscribe to Autobooks via NBKC for $10 per month. That service offers invoicing with payment links, tap-to-pay acceptance and basic accounting reports.
Unlimited fee-free transactions, no overdraft fees and free incoming domestic wires.
Up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Unlimited cash deposits via MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
Accept contactless payments via the NBKC app (iOS only). Fees apply.
Unlimited debit cards.
Cons
High fee ($45) for international wire transfers.
Phone support only available during business hours.
No third-party app integrations.
NBKC’s Business Account is a free business checking account with very few fees, but few bells and whistles. This account includes unlimited transactions, fee-free ATM access through the MoneyPass and Allpoint networks (with the ability to deposit cash) and up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
Additionally, there are no incoming domestic wire fees, overdraft, stop payment or other similar incidental fees with the NBKC business checking account. Outgoing domestic wires cost just $5.
If you want add-on software, you can subscribe to Autobooks via NBKC for $10 per month. That service offers invoicing with payment links, tap-to-pay acceptance and basic accounting reports.
Unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires.
Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
Cash deposits via Allpoint ATMs.
Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Cons
$25 fee for insufficient funds/uncollected funds returned.
No third-party app integrations.
Axos Bank’s Basic Business Checking offers unlimited transactions, plus cash deposits via Allpoint+ ATMs. The bank also offers free nationwide ATM access with unlimited refunds for fees charged by other banks and ATM operators in the U.S.
Unlike some online business checking accounts, whose banking services are provided and insured by other financial institutions, Axos Bank is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-insured institution and provides all of its business banking products and services directly.
Unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires.
Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
Cash deposits via Allpoint ATMs.
Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Cons
$25 fee for insufficient funds/uncollected funds returned.
No third-party app integrations.
Axos Bank’s Basic Business Checking offers unlimited transactions, plus cash deposits via Allpoint+ ATMs. The bank also offers free nationwide ATM access with unlimited refunds for fees charged by other banks and ATM operators in the U.S.
Unlike some online business checking accounts, whose banking services are provided and insured by other financial institutions, Axos Bank is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-insured institution and provides all of its business banking products and services directly.
Same-day deposits from Amazon, Cash App, Square, Stripe and Venmo. Direct payments supported from a variety of other business platforms, including Etsy, Lyft, Shopify and Airbnb.
Sub-accounts that you can use to save for specific goals.
Direct integration with Shopify, Etsy and Amazon.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
Low cash deposit limits ($1,500 per day, $5,000 per month). Service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.
No free ATM network, though North One will reimburse up to two ATM fees per month by request. ATM withdrawals limited to $2,000 per day.
Can’t send or receive international wires.
No weekend customer support.
Not available to nonprofit organizations.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
North One's free online business checking account offers an industry-leading 2.50% APY on all balances.
This account is a particularly good choice for e-commerce businesses, since it supports same-day deposits from Amazon, Cash App, Square, Stripe and Venmo and direct payments from a variety of other business platforms, including Etsy, Lyft, Shopify and Airbnb. That can help you get funds into your account — so they can start earning interest — faster.
Key drawbacks: No cash deposits or fee-free ATM network. International wires aren't supported, either.
Same-day deposits from Amazon, Cash App, Square, Stripe and Venmo. Direct payments supported from a variety of other business platforms, including Etsy, Lyft, Shopify and Airbnb.
Sub-accounts that you can use to save for specific goals.
Direct integration with Shopify, Etsy and Amazon.
Account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
Low cash deposit limits ($1,500 per day, $5,000 per month). Service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.
No free ATM network, though North One will reimburse up to two ATM fees per month by request. ATM withdrawals limited to $2,000 per day.
Can’t send or receive international wires.
No weekend customer support.
Not available to nonprofit organizations.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
North One's free online business checking account offers an industry-leading 2.50% APY on all balances.
This account is a particularly good choice for e-commerce businesses, since it supports same-day deposits from Amazon, Cash App, Square, Stripe and Venmo and direct payments from a variety of other business platforms, including Etsy, Lyft, Shopify and Airbnb. That can help you get funds into your account — so they can start earning interest — faster.
Key drawbacks: No cash deposits or fee-free ATM network. International wires aren't supported, either.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or incoming wire fees.
No fees at MoneyPass ATMs.
Cash deposits via Green Dot network (fees and limits apply).
Early payment feature allows you to receive funds up to two days sooner than with a traditional bank account.
Direct integrations with Square, Shopify, Etsy and eBay.
Cons
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
No fee-free cash deposits.
Low monthly limits for cash deposits, incoming ACH transfers.
Bill pay not included; must upgrade to Lili Smart or higher.
Not available to nonprofit organizations.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
When a customer pays you via ACH transfer, Lili says it can make those funds available in your account within 1-3 days instead of 3-5 days. The free account also has an automatic saving feature to help build your emergency fund.
If you upgrade to one of Lili's paid plans, which start at $9 per month, you'll get access to tools that can help with tax planning, invoicing, expense reports and more.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or incoming wire fees.
No fees at MoneyPass ATMs.
Cash deposits via Green Dot network (fees and limits apply).
Early payment feature allows you to receive funds up to two days sooner than with a traditional bank account.
Direct integrations with Square, Shopify, Etsy and eBay.
Cons
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
No fee-free cash deposits.
Low monthly limits for cash deposits, incoming ACH transfers.
Bill pay not included; must upgrade to Lili Smart or higher.
Not available to nonprofit organizations.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
When a customer pays you via ACH transfer, Lili says it can make those funds available in your account within 1-3 days instead of 3-5 days. The free account also has an automatic saving feature to help build your emergency fund.
If you upgrade to one of Lili's paid plans, which start at $9 per month, you'll get access to tools that can help with tax planning, invoicing, expense reports and more.
Unlimited fee-free electronic transactions and free incoming wires.
No dollar limit on cash deposits (other limits may apply).
24/7 customer service.
No fees to deposit cash at Navy Federal or Co-Op Network ATMs.
Cons
High opening deposit (up to $255).
$29 fee for overdrafts, insufficient funds.
Eligibility limited to veterans, military members, Department of Defense employees and their families.
Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
Navy Federal Credit Union offers a free business checking account to qualifying members. Business owners can join Navy Federal Credit Union if they have served in a branch of the U.S. armed forces (either active duty or as a reservist), if they have worked for the Department of Defense or as a contractor, or if they are immediate family of someone who meets the above criteria for membership.
This account also includes unlimited fee-free transactions and 30 fee-free non-electronic transactions per month, free starter checks and 24/7 customer support.
Unlimited fee-free electronic transactions and free incoming wires.
No dollar limit on cash deposits (other limits may apply).
24/7 customer service.
No fees to deposit cash at Navy Federal or Co-Op Network ATMs.
Cons
High opening deposit (up to $255).
$29 fee for overdrafts, insufficient funds.
Eligibility limited to veterans, military members, Department of Defense employees and their families.
Does not offer jointly owned accounts.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
Navy Federal Credit Union offers a free business checking account to qualifying members. Business owners can join Navy Federal Credit Union if they have served in a branch of the U.S. armed forces (either active duty or as a reservist), if they have worked for the Department of Defense or as a contractor, or if they are immediate family of someone who meets the above criteria for membership.
This account also includes unlimited fee-free transactions and 30 fee-free non-electronic transactions per month, free starter checks and 24/7 customer support.
These business checking accounts don't offer unique combinations of features like the ones above. But if you're considering these particular financial institutions, they're solid options.
First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking
First Internet Bank is an FDIC-insured, online-only bank. Its Do More Business ™ Checking account has a few useful features, including “Balance Optimizer," which makes automatic transfers between your checking and savings or money market account to maintain your preferred minimum balance. The account also integrates with QuickBooks, Xero and Freshbooks and can do automated cash flow forecasting. Accountholders can't make cash deposits, though.
First Internet Bank
First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking
NerdWallet Rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Novo is a fintech company. Its business checking account is a useful option for digital freelancers thanks to its built-in invoicing tools. There isn't much else to set it apart, though.
Novo
Novo Business Checking
NerdWallet Rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Huntington Bank is one of the few brick-and-mortar banks that offers a free business checking account. It also comes with a competitive sign-up bonus:
For a $100 bonus, make a cumulative new money deposit of at least $2,000 within 60 days after opening an eligible account. For a $400 bonus, make a cumulative new money deposit of at least $5,000 within 60 days after opening an eligible account (not available with Business Checking 100). For a $1,000 bonus: Make a cumulative new money deposit of at least $20,000 within 30 days after opening an eligible account, then maintain a daily balance of $20,000 for 60 days after you've met the cumulative opening deposit requirement. ($1,000 bonus available with Unlimited Plus Business Checking only.)
Customers are limited in other ways, though — you can only make 100 fee-free transactions each month, for instance, and only deposit $2,500 per month in cash before fees kick in. And you'll face high incidental fees on things like wire transfers.
Huntington National Bank
Business Checking 100
NerdWallet Rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
If you want to keep your business local and prefer a smaller bank, choose your state to find free business checking accounts in your area:
Why are so many free business accounts from online banks?
Most online banks and neobanks offer free business checking accounts. In part, that's because they have lower overhead by not operating branches. The downside: Online banks often reduce overhead in other ways, too, like limiting phone support hours.
Brick-and-mortar banks tend to charge monthly fees, even for their entry-level accounts. In exchange, you get access to branches and, often, more responsive customer service. Banks usually offer to waive those monthly fees if you maintain a certain average balance or transact often enough.
🙋 Are online banks safe?
Online banks aren’t less safe or secure than brick-and-mortar banks, as long as they offer security measures like fraud alerts and two-factor authentication.
Beyond that, insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. protects customer funds at all the institutions NerdWallet recommends. If the bank holding your cash fails, the FDIC promises to cover up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution.
There’s one wrinkle when it comes to neobanks. These are tech companies, like Bluevine, Relay and Found, that focus on software tools. They partner with FDIC-insured banks for banking services, and those partner banks actually hold your funds.
If one of those fintech companies were to go under, customer funds should be safe in the partner bank's coffers. But account holders could have to deal with the headaches of locating and moving your funds. It can be wise to keep an emergency fund at a different bank to avoid that kind of cash flow interruption.
How to compare free business checking accounts
Finding a small-business checking account with no monthly fees is a great start. But you'll still probably run into other charges, like the following. (You can find all of these fees and limits in a deposit account agreement.)
If your business is likely to encounter any of these fees — if you deposit large amounts of cash, for instance — make sure to compare accounts on those points too.
💸 Transaction fees
Most banks allow you to make at least 100 transactions (either electronic, in-person or both) each month. Transaction fees tend to be pretty small — generally around 50 cents apiece — but they can add up over time. Unlimited fee-free transactions are ideal; American Express and Relay both offer this.
💸 Overdraft fees
Overdraft fees kick in if you try to spend more money than you have in your account. They usually cost between $30 and $35 per overdraft, though some banks allow you a grace period of up to 24 hours or up to around $50 before you're charged. Huntington and Chase, for instance, offer both.
Some online-only neobanks don’t allow overdrafts at all. If you don't have sufficient funds, your purchase won't go through — but you won't be charged a fee either.
💸 ATM fees
Nearly all business banks provide fee-free access to ATMs affiliated with the bank or with an ATM network, like MoneyPass. Need to use an out-of-network ATM? That ATM's provider will most likely charge you a fee. Your bank may or may not charge another one.
The best-case scenario: Your bank refunds out-of-network ATM fees, allowing you to withdraw cash virtually anywhere for free. Axos and Novo both offer this perk.
💸 Cash deposit fees
Many banks limit how much cash you can deposit per day or per month for free. After you reach that limit — which is often around $5,000 per month — your bank may charge a small volume-based fee, such as 10 cents for every $100 over the limit. Some banks also charge transaction fees for each deposit.
If cash is an important part of your business, look for a bank that offers unlimited fee-free cash deposits like NBKC.
💸 Wire transfer fees
Wire transfer fees are common. Most banks charge fees for both sending and receiving wires, and fees tend to be higher for international wire transfers. Free wires are a rare perk — so if they're a top priority for your business, prioritize them in your search. For example, Mercury offers free domestic and international wire transfers in U.S. dollars (a 1% currency exchange fee applies to transfers not in U.S. dollars).
Notes from NerdWallet partners
Lili is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Sunrise Banks N.A., Member FDIC.
Note on American Express® Business Checking : At Allpoint® and MoneyPass® locations in the U.S., you can withdraw cash and get balance information with no fee. Access to ATMs outside of the Allpoint® and MoneyPass® networks are subject to fees by the ATM owner and/or network. ATM withdrawal limits apply. American Express applies foreign exchange fees to withdrawals in foreign currencies. American Express does not accept ATM cash deposits into your Business Checking account at this time. Visit americanexpress.com/atm-locator to find participating ATMs in the U.S.
Last updated on July 18, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Most online banks and business accounts offer free business checking, including Relay, NBKC, Axos and American Express. Free small-business checking accounts are available from local, national and regional banks, too, including:
Scroll up for a state-by-state breakdown of banks that offer free business checking accounts.
Several online banks — including Bluevine, Mercury, Relay and NBKC — allow you to open a business account with no money. These accounts have no monthly service fee and do not require a minimum opening deposit.
Although it’s less common, you may also find some regional and local banks that allow you to sign up for a free business checking account online with no minimum opening deposit.
Methodology
NerdWallet evaluates more than 50 business bank accounts from national, regional and online banks. Collectively, these accounts represent the largest banks by assets and the largest credit unions by membership, along with notable and emerging fintech companies and online banks.
We consider more than 20 data points for each account, including services, fees, features and rewards. We gather this information from rates and fees documents, deposit account agreements, financial institution websites and company representatives.
Our editorial team regularly reviews and updates our data to ensure consistency and accuracy. We also update our scoring on an ongoing basis to reflect changing industry norms and business owner needs. For instance, in 2025, we introduced bonus points for notable built-in software features, like the ability to accept tap-to-pay payments from customers using a mobile app.
Final star ratings are presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a five-star score represents the best available product for the largest number of business owners. Learn more about how we rate business checking accounts.
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