Our Nerdy picks for
Best Free Business Checking Accounts
Bank/institution | NerdWallet rating▼ | Monthly fee▼ | APY▼ | Bonus▼ | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bluevine Business Checking Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 5.0/5 Best for High-yield business checking | $0 | 2.00% With $0 min. balance for APY | $0 | Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Grasshopper Business Checking Account Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC | 5.0/5 Best for 1% cash back + high APY | $0 | 2.25% With $0 min. balance for APY | $0 | Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC |
Relay Business Checking Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 5.0/5 Best for Multiple business checking accounts (up to 20) | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Found Small Business Banking Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 5.0/5 Best for Freelancers and gig workers | $0 | N/A | $20 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Lili Basic Business Checking Learn more at Lili, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.5/5 Best for Early access to payments | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at Lili, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC | 5.0/5 Best for Free online business checking with no deposit | $0 | N/A | $400 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC |
nbkc Business Account Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC | 5.0/5 Best for Unlimited fee-free cash deposits via MoneyPass ATMs | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC |
U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC | 4.0/5 Best for Welcome bonus | $0 | N/A | $800 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC |
Mercury Business Bank Account Learn more at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.5/5 Best for Free domestic and international wire transfers | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Novo Business Checking Learn more at Novo, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.5/5 Best for Refunds on all ATM fees worldwide | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at Novo, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Oxygen Business Account | 4.5/5 Best for Up to 5% cash back at select merchants | $0 | N/A | $0 | |
Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking | 4.5/5 Best for Military families | $0 | 0.01% With $0 min. balance for APY | $0 | |
American Express® Business Checking | 5.0/5 Best for High-yield business checking; 24/7 customer support | $0 | 1.30% | $300 Requirements to qualify | |
Huntington Business Checking 100 | 4.0/5 Best for Overdraft grace period | $0 | N/A | $0 | |
Bank/institution | NerdWallet rating▼ | Monthly fee▼ | APY▼ | Bonus▼ | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bluevine Business Checking Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 5.0/5 Best for High-yield business checking | $0 | 2.00% With $0 min. balance for APY | $0 | Learn more at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Grasshopper Business Checking Account Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC | 5.0/5 Best for 1% cash back + high APY | $0 | 2.25% With $0 min. balance for APY | $0 | Learn more at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC |
Relay Business Checking Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 5.0/5 Best for Multiple business checking accounts (up to 20) | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Found Small Business Banking Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 5.0/5 Best for Freelancers and gig workers | $0 | N/A | $20 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Lili Basic Business Checking Learn more at Lili, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.5/5 Best for Early access to payments | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at Lili, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC | 5.0/5 Best for Free online business checking with no deposit | $0 | N/A | $400 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC |
nbkc Business Account Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC | 5.0/5 Best for Unlimited fee-free cash deposits via MoneyPass ATMs | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at nbkc bank, Member FDIC |
U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC | 4.0/5 Best for Welcome bonus | $0 | N/A | $800 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC |
Mercury Business Bank Account Learn more at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.5/5 Best for Free domestic and international wire transfers | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Novo Business Checking Learn more at Novo, Deposits are FDIC Insured | 4.5/5 Best for Refunds on all ATM fees worldwide | $0 | N/A | $0 | Learn more at Novo, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
Oxygen Business Account | 4.5/5 Best for Up to 5% cash back at select merchants | $0 | N/A | $0 | |
Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking | 4.5/5 Best for Military families | $0 | 0.01% With $0 min. balance for APY | $0 | |
American Express® Business Checking | 5.0/5 Best for High-yield business checking; 24/7 customer support | $0 | 1.30% | $300 Requirements to qualify | |
Huntington Business Checking 100 | 4.0/5 Best for Overdraft grace period | $0 | N/A | $0 |
I'M INTERESTED IN:
Our pick for
High-yield business checking
Bluevine Business Checking
at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured
2.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
$0
$0
No
Fee of up to $4.95 per cash deposit.
$0
$0
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
- Earn 2.00% interest on account balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply.
- Access up to $3 million in FDIC insurance with Insured Cash Sweep.
Cons
- Cash deposits limited to $500 per deposit, $2,000 per day. Service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- No joint accounts or employee debit cards.
Our pick for
1% cash back + high APY
Grasshopper Business Checking Account
at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC
2.25%
With $0 min. balance for APY
$0
$100
No
No cash deposits.
$0
$0
Pros
- Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
- Earn up to 2.25% APY.
- No monthly fees or overdraft charges.
- Free, built-in bookkeeping software.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
- $100 minimum opening deposit.
- No weekend support.
Our pick for
Multiple business checking accounts (up to 20)
Relay Business Checking
at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured
N/A
$0
$0
Yes
Unlimited
$0
$0
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
- Cash deposits via compatible AllPoint ATMs.
- Automatic transfers to high-yield business savings earning up to 3.00% APY.
- No foreign transaction fees when you use your Relay Mastercard abroad.
Cons
- Limited phone support. Email support available seven days a week.
- Deposited checks are held for up to 6-7 business days.
Our pick for
Freelancers and gig workers
Found Small Business Banking
at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured
N/A
$0
$0
No
No cash deposits.
$0
$20
Requirements to qualify
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
- Free, built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
- Integrates with popular business apps, including Stripe, Etsy and PayPal.
Cons
- Weekend and after-hours support via email only.
- Have to open account in your name, not business name, and use your SSN to apply. (Business EIN can be added later.)
- No outgoing wires. Can’t pay by check.
- Cash deposits limited to $1,000 per week; $4,000 per month. A $2 service fee applies.
Our pick for
Early access to payments
Lili Basic Business Checking
at Lili, Deposits are FDIC Insured
N/A
$0
$0
No
Fee of up to $4.95 per cash deposit.
$0
$0
Pros
- No monthly fees or transaction 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.
Cons
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- Cash deposits limited to $1,000 per day, $9,000 per month. Service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.
- No checkbooks; can’t send wire transfers.
Our pick for
Free online business checking with no deposit
Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking
at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC
N/A
$0
$0
Yes
Unlimited
$25
$400
Requirements to qualify
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions.
- Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
- Cash deposits via MoneyPass and AllPoint ATMs.
- 24/7 customer support.
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Cons
- $25 fee for insufficient funds/uncollected funds returned.
- No third-party app integrations.
Our pick for
Unlimited fee-free cash deposits via MoneyPass ATMs
nbkc Business Account
at nbkc bank, Member FDIC
N/A
$0
$0
Yes
Unlimited
$0
$0
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft or incidental fees.
- Up to $12 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks worldwide.
- Cash deposits via MoneyPass ATMs.
- Accept contactless payments via the NBKC app (iOS only). Fees apply.
Cons
- High fee ($45) for international wire transfers.
- No weekend or after-hours customer support.
- No third-party app integrations.
Our pick for
Welcome bonus
U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking
at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC
N/A
$0
$100
Yes
Up to $2,500 per month.
$36
$800
Requirements to qualify
Pros
- No monthly service fee for Silver Business Checking account.
- Business accounts can be opened entirely online.
- Optional payment processing services ranging from mobile apps to in-store payment terminals. Additional fees apply.
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Cons
- Low cash deposit limits.
- Terms and fees are not easily accessible via the bank’s website.
Our pick for
Free domestic and international wire transfers
Mercury Business Bank Account
at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured
N/A
$0
$0
No
No cash deposits.
$0
$0
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
- No fees at Allpoint ATMs.
- Free domestic and international wire transfers.
- Advanced digital tools including API access to automate and customize your banking.
Cons
- Limited phone support. Weekend and after-hours support via email only.
- Can’t deposit cash.
Our pick for
Refunds on all ATM fees worldwide
Novo Business Checking
at Novo, Deposits are FDIC Insured
N/A
$0
$0
No
No cash deposits.
$0
$0
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions.
- Refunds on all ATM fees worldwide.
- Integrates with top business tools, including Xero, Stripe and Shopify.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
- Can’t send domestic or international wires.
- No recurring payments available with bill pay.
- No customer support by phone.
Our pick for
Up to 5% cash back at select merchants
Oxygen Business Account
N/A
$0
$0
No
Fee of up to $4.95 per cash deposit.
$0
$0
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions.
- No fees at Allpoint ATMs; cash deposits via Green Dot network (fees and limits apply).
- Earn up to 5% cash back when using the Oxygen business debit card.
- Ability to create an LLC through the Oxygen app before signing up for a business account.
Cons
- App only, no web access.
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- Cash deposits limited to $1,000 per day; service fee of up to $4.95 per cash deposit.
- Can’t send domestic or international wires; can’t receive international wires.
- No multi-user accounts.
Our pick for
Military families
Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking
0.01%
With $0 min. balance for APY
$0
$255
Yes
Unlimited
$29
$0
Our pick for
High-yield business checking; 24/7 customer support
American Express® Business Checking
1.30%
$0
$0
No
No cash deposits.
$0
$300
Requirements to qualify
Pros
- No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
- Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
- Earn 1.30% APY on balances up to $500,000.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- Can’t deposit cash.
Our pick for
Overdraft grace period
Huntington Business Checking 100
N/A
$0
$0
Yes
Up to $5,000 per month.
$36
$0
Pros
- No monthly service fee for Business Checking 100 account.
- No overdraft fee unless account is overdrawn by more than $50; 24-hour grace period applies to overdrafts beyond that amount.
- Business accounts can be opened entirely online.
- Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Cons
- Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
- Monthly limit on fee-free cash deposits ($5,000) and transactions (100).
- Accounts only available in 11 states.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Want to earn more interest on your company’s cash? Consider a business savings account in addition to your business checking account. These accounts are also often free and can pay APYs as high as 4% or more. You can easily open many of them online, too.How to compare free business checking accounts
- Understand your business's needs. Every business operates differently. Some make regular cash deposits, while others deal solely with electronic transactions. Some need bookkeeping and invoicing tools, while others have established systems in place. The unique needs of your small business will determine your priority features in a business checking account.
- Look at upfront costs. You can open most free business accounts with no deposit, but a handful require at least $100 up front to open your account.
- Consider cash deposits. Many free business accounts are online options, which often have strict limits on how much you can deposit at once or charge fees for doing so — if they support cash deposits at all (some don't). If your business deals with cash, make sure to choose an account without those restrictions.
- Be aware of incidental fees and transaction limits. Pay close attention to the fine print. Some free business checking accounts charge for out-of-network ATM use, cash deposits, wire transfers and overdrafts. Some also limit the number of transactions you can make each month for free. See NerdWallet's picks for the best business bank accounts to compare cash deposits, branch access and other features, and see below for more details about these fees.
- Factor in additional perks and features. Some business checking accounts earn interest or offer cash back when you use your business debit card (a few offer both). And many offer additional features, like bookkeeping software, tax-planning tools and free invoicing. Weigh these perks and benefits when choosing an account.
- Decide how you want to open an account. Convenience is key when choosing a business account, including how easy it is to open. You can open a business checking account online in minutes with digital banks and even some brick-and-mortar banks. Others banks require you to open a business account in person and a few give you the option to do so over the phone.
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How much do banks charge for a business account?
Free business checking accounts by state
Compare more business banking options
Methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
- U.S. Bank: Silver Business Checking Package.
- Huntington Bank: Business Checking 100.
- Truist: Simple Business Checking.
- Citizens Bank: Clearly Better Business Checking.
- First Citizens Bank: Business Banking.