We evaluated more than 50 business checking accounts to find the best options. Our top picks pair core services with minimal fees — and benefits like high APYs and 24/7 support.
Rosalie Murphy covers small business topics for NerdWallet. Previously, she led editorial strategy for a local news startup and covered business at The Desert Sun. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Southern California and is currently pursuing an MBA.
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>.
Rosalie Murphy covers small business topics for NerdWallet. Previously, she led editorial strategy for a local news startup and covered business at The Desert Sun. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Southern California and is currently pursuing an MBA.
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 .
Rosalie Murphy covers small business topics for NerdWallet. Previously, she led editorial strategy for a local news startup and covered business at The Desert Sun. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Southern California and is currently pursuing an MBA.
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>.
Rosalie Murphy covers small business topics for NerdWallet. Previously, she led editorial strategy for a local news startup and covered business at The Desert Sun. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Southern California and is currently pursuing an MBA.
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 .
≡ Show summary
Best business checking accounts
Here are our complete picks, in alphabetical order:
American Express® Business Checking: Best for 24/7 customer support.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking: Best for relationship banking.
Bluevine Business Checking: Best for online banking.
Capital One Business Basic Checking®: Best for ATM access.
Chase Business Complete Banking®: Best for full-service banking.
Found Small Business Banking: Best for self-employed business owners.
Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account: Best for cash back on debit card purchases.
Mercury Business Bank Account: Best for free wire transfers.
nbkc Business Account: Best for low-fee online banking.
North One Standard Business Checking: Best for high APY.
Relay Business Checking: Best for expense management tools.
U.S. Bank Business Essentials: Best for free account at a brick-and-mortar bank.
You can apply for the accounts highlighted below via NerdWallet's partners. Those relationships do not influence our editorial team's selections. Our small-business writers and editors chose the best business checking accounts based on their independent research and ratings.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Earn 1.30% 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.
Bill pay tools and invoicing with built-in payment links.
Cons
No fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
Bluevine Business Checking earns 1.30% interest on balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply. This free online business checking account continues to add software features alongside core banking services, like unlimited transactions and free ATM access through the MoneyPass network. You'll have to pay for cash deposits, though.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
Earn 1.30% 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.
Bill pay tools and invoicing with built-in payment links.
Cons
No fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.
Bluevine Business Checking earns 1.30% interest on balances up to and including $250,000. Terms apply. This free online business checking account continues to add software features alongside core banking services, like unlimited transactions and free ATM access through the MoneyPass network. You'll have to pay for cash deposits, though.
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.
There's a lot to like about American Express Business Checking. The account has no monthly fees, a competitive APY, 24/7 support and a generous welcome bonus (terms apply). The only major downside is that you can't deposit cash.
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.
There's a lot to like about American Express Business Checking. The account has no monthly fees, a competitive APY, 24/7 support and a generous welcome bonus (terms apply). The only major downside is that you can't deposit cash.
No required monthly fee or minimum balance requirement.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
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.
Direct integration with Shopify.
Cons
Deposited checks may be held for up to 6-7 business days.
No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Relay has several features that benefit midsize businesses and fast-growing startups. For instance, you can invite team members, assign them roles and permissions, and set spending limits. Businesses can also open up to 20 accounts (10 for sole proprietorships).
Relay has no monthly fees, unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires. This online account also allows for direct integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
The downside: There's a long hold time for deposited checks (six to seven business days).
No required monthly fee or minimum balance requirement.
Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
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.
Direct integration with Shopify.
Cons
Deposited checks may be held for up to 6-7 business days.
No bill pay feature in the free plan.
Relay has several features that benefit midsize businesses and fast-growing startups. For instance, you can invite team members, assign them roles and permissions, and set spending limits. Businesses can also open up to 20 accounts (10 for sole proprietorships).
Relay has no monthly fees, unlimited fee-free transactions and free incoming wires. This online account also allows for direct integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
The downside: There's a long hold time for deposited checks (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.
A free business checking account from a big brick-and-mortar bank is rare thing to find. But be mindful of limits on cash deposits and high fees for overdrafts, wires and other services.
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.
A free business checking account from a big brick-and-mortar bank is rare thing to find. But be mindful of limits on cash deposits and high fees for overdrafts, wires and other services.
Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
Earn up to 1.55% 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 business checking account pays you two ways. You can earn unlimited 1% cash back on qualified purchases and up to 1.55% APY on the balance in your account.
You also get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing. There are no monthly fees or overdraft charges. And this online-only account has free access to more than 45,000 ATMs via the MoneyPass and SUM networks. (Third-party fees may apply outside of these networks.) There are no cash deposits, though.
The bank itself offers a variety of financing options for companies ready to grow. It is also an SBA-preferred lender.
Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
Earn up to 1.55% 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 business checking account pays you two ways. You can earn unlimited 1% cash back on qualified purchases and up to 1.55% APY on the balance in your account.
You also get free, built-in access to Autobooks, as well as business tools like invoicing. There are no monthly fees or overdraft charges. And this online-only account has free access to more than 45,000 ATMs via the MoneyPass and SUM networks. (Third-party fees may apply outside of these networks.) There are no cash deposits, though.
The bank itself offers a variety of financing options for companies ready to grow. It is also an SBA-preferred lender.
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's business checking account stands out for its sophisticated suite of software tools. Wire transfers in U.S. dollars have no fees. Both those features make Mercury a good choice for cashless startups, especially those handling large amounts of money. (If you ever do need to withdraw cash, though, you'll get unlimited refunds on ATM fees.)
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's business checking account stands out for its sophisticated suite of software tools. Wire transfers in U.S. dollars have no fees. Both those features make Mercury a good choice for cashless startups, especially those handling large amounts of money. (If you ever do need to withdraw cash, though, you'll get unlimited refunds on ATM fees.)
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.
Found business checking is a great starter kit for self-employed workers thanks to its built-in bookkeeping, invoicing and tax-planning tools. You can also use Found to manage contractors, their W-9s and their 1099s. This free business checking account has no monthly fees, overdraft fees or minimum opening deposit.
Potential downsides: Limits on deposits and transfers can be low. And the account is currently only available to businesses with one owner.
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.
Found business checking is a great starter kit for self-employed workers thanks to its built-in bookkeeping, invoicing and tax-planning tools. You can also use Found to manage contractors, their W-9s and their 1099s. This free business checking account has no monthly fees, overdraft fees or minimum opening deposit.
Potential downsides: Limits on deposits and transfers can be low. And the account is currently only available to businesses with one owner.
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.
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 2.50% APY on balances up to $250,000 could offer a lot of value for small-business owners with some spare cash on hand (terms apply). You'll also get unlimited transactions, and North One reimburses fees for two ATM withdrawals and one cash deposit per month.
What's missing? Ongoing fee-free access to an ATM network, international wire transfers and phone support during evening and weekend hours.
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.
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 2.50% APY on balances up to $250,000 could offer a lot of value for small-business owners with some spare cash on hand (terms apply). You'll also get unlimited transactions, and North One reimburses fees for two ATM withdrawals and one cash deposit per month.
What's missing? Ongoing fee-free access to an ATM network, international wire transfers and phone support during evening and weekend hours.
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 keeps costs low. There's no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, 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.
You’ll pretty much only face fees for outgoing domestic wires ($5) and incoming and outgoing international wires ($45).
The downside: NBKC doesn’t offer direct integration with any invoicing or bookkeeping tools. This is a common feature among online business checking accounts. You can add on Autobooks for $10 per month.
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 keeps costs low. There's no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, 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.
You’ll pretty much only face fees for outgoing domestic wires ($5) and incoming and outgoing international wires ($45).
The downside: NBKC doesn’t offer direct integration with any invoicing or bookkeeping tools. This is a common feature among online business checking accounts. You can add on Autobooks for $10 per month.
Loyalty perks via Preferred Rewards for Business program.
Relatively low overdraft fees ($10 per item, limited to two per day)
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
$16 monthly fee after introductory period ends.
Bank of America stands out for its big branch and ATM network. Plus, if you qualify for the bank's Preferred Rewards for Business program, you can earn perks like higher rewards rates on business credit cards and discounts on business loans.
Loyalty perks via Preferred Rewards for Business program.
Relatively low overdraft fees ($10 per item, limited to two per day)
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
$16 monthly fee after introductory period ends.
Bank of America stands out for its big branch and ATM network. Plus, if you qualify for the bank's Preferred Rewards for Business program, you can earn perks like higher rewards rates on business credit cards and discounts on business loans.
Unlimited fee-free digital transactions, including mobile deposits, ACH transfers and some bill pay.
Full suite of business services, including business credit cards and loans.
No fees at nearly 80,000 ATMs, including the Capital One, MoneyPass and Allpoint networks.
No fee on cash deposits at Capital One and select Allpoint ATMs.
Cons
No free business checking account options.
Potential for up to 4 overdraft fees per day.
If you live or work near a Capital One branch, take a look at the bank's entry-level business checking account. It includes unlimited transactions and no fees on cash deposits at Capital One and select Allpoint ATMs. And while it charges a monthly fee, it's relatively easy to waive. You just need an average minimum balance of $2,000 over the previous 30 or 90 days, whichever is greater.
Unlimited fee-free digital transactions, including mobile deposits, ACH transfers and some bill pay.
Full suite of business services, including business credit cards and loans.
No fees at nearly 80,000 ATMs, including the Capital One, MoneyPass and Allpoint networks.
No fee on cash deposits at Capital One and select Allpoint ATMs.
Cons
No free business checking account options.
Potential for up to 4 overdraft fees per day.
If you live or work near a Capital One branch, take a look at the bank's entry-level business checking account. It includes unlimited transactions and no fees on cash deposits at Capital One and select Allpoint ATMs. And while it charges a monthly fee, it's relatively easy to waive. You just need an average minimum balance of $2,000 over the previous 30 or 90 days, whichever is greater.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Integrated credit card processing.
No overdraft fee unless account is overdrawn by more than $50; 24-hour grace period applies to overdrafts beyond that amount.
24/7 customer support.
No fees at 15,400 Chase ATMs and access to around 4,900 branches.
Cons
$15 monthly fee.
Monthly limit on fee-free cash deposits ($5,000) and physical transactions (20).
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Chase Business Complete Checking customers get the best of both worlds. The bank has one of the largest branch networks in the country. Plus, you get top-notch digital tools, like the ability to accept card payments via the Chase mobile app (processing fees apply).
Chase Business Complete Checking includes unlimited electronic deposits. There is a welcome bonus for new customers, too. Terms apply.
The downsides: The account has a $15 monthly maintenance fee (multiple ways to waive). It also caps in-person transactions at 20 per month.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Integrated credit card processing.
No overdraft fee unless account is overdrawn by more than $50; 24-hour grace period applies to overdrafts beyond that amount.
24/7 customer support.
No fees at 15,400 Chase ATMs and access to around 4,900 branches.
Cons
$15 monthly fee.
Monthly limit on fee-free cash deposits ($5,000) and physical transactions (20).
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Chase Business Complete Checking customers get the best of both worlds. The bank has one of the largest branch networks in the country. Plus, you get top-notch digital tools, like the ability to accept card payments via the Chase mobile app (processing fees apply).
Chase Business Complete Checking includes unlimited electronic deposits. There is a welcome bonus for new customers, too. Terms apply.
The downsides: The account has a $15 monthly maintenance fee (multiple ways to waive). It also caps in-person transactions at 20 per month.
The following accounts are not available through NerdWallet. Our editorial team still recommends them if they fit your business's needs.
🏦 First Tech Federal Credit Union Business Dividend Checking
Anyone who donates to a qualifying organization can join First Tech Federal Credit Union. You can open an account during a virtual appointment. The institution's Business Dividend Checking account includes unlimited electronic transactions. Its $15 fee can be waived with a minimum balance of $5,000. Here's our list of the best credit unions for business accounts.
🏦 Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking
Navy Federal is one of the largest credit unions in the U.S. Its business checking account has no monthly fee, unlimited fee-free electronic transactions and no limit on cash deposits. Read our review.
How we choose the best business checking accounts
NerdWallet has a full-time team of small-business writers and editors. We review and rate business checking accounts using more than 25 pieces of data. These include:
Monthly fees.
Fees for other services, like wire transfers and cash deposits.
Customer service.
Software features.
Benefits, like interest on your balances and sign-up bonuses.
Accounts generally need to earn at least 4.4 stars to make our list. But if an account offers a unique feature that makes it exceptional compared to the competition, we might include it.
Business accounts that earn 5 stars are exceptional. These are best-in-class accounts that deliver the most value for the greatest number of business owners.
Business accounts that earn 4.5 to 4.0 stars are excellent. They deliver terrific value and might be the best choice for your businesses depending on your needs.
Business accounts that earn 4.0 to 4.5 stars are good, and potentially great for business owners with relatively specific needs. But other accounts may offer fewer fees, more features or a better customer experience.
Business checking accounts that earn below 4 stars are lacking important features, have many high fees or both. You can likely find a better option.
Which business checking accounts did we consider?
There are 4,000+ FDIC-insured banks in the U.S. On top of that, lots of financial technology companies offer business banking tools. We can’t review them all.
Instead, our writers and editors focus on business accounts available to the largest number of business owners. We’ve rated more than 50 business checking accounts in 2025. The list includes:
The largest banks in the U.S. by assets, according to the Federal Reserve.
The largest credit unions by membership, according to the National Credit Union Administration.
Online banks and fintech companies with growing market share or notable features.
≡ Full list of business checking accounts
Our team has covered the following business checking accounts in 2025:
America First Credit Union Basic Business Checking. American Express® Business Checking. Axos Bank Basic Business Checking. Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking. Bank of the West Any Deposit Checking for Business. Blue Federal Credit Union Basic Business Checking. Bluevine Business Checking. BMO Simple Business Checking. Boeing Employees Credit Union Business Basic Checking. Brex Business Account. Capital One Business Basic Checking®. Chase Business Complete Banking®. CitiBusiness® Streamlined Checking. Citizens Bank Clearly Better Business Checking. City National Bank Small Business Checking Account. Comercia Bank Basic Business Checking. Consumers Credit Union Freedom Business Checking. DCU Free Business Checking. Fifth Third Business Checking Account. First Citizens Bank Business Banking. First Horizon Bank BizEssentials Checking Account. First Internet Bank Do More Business Checking. First Tech Business Dividend Checking. Flagstar Bank Standard Business Checking. Found Small Business Banking. Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account. Holdings High-Yield Cash Account. Huntington Bank Business Checking 100. KeyBank Basic Business Checking. LendingClub Tailored Checking. Lili Basic Business Checking. Live Oak Bank Business Essential Checking. M&T Bank Business Essential Checking. Mercury Business Bank Account. Meow Business Checking. Mountain America Credit Union Business Essential Checking. Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking. nbkc Business Account. Northern Bank Business Express Checking. North One Standard Business Checking. Novo Business Checking. PNC Business Checking. QuickBooks Money. Regions LifeGreen Business Simple Checking. Relay Business Checking. Rho Business Checking. Santander Business Checking. Self-Help Credit Union Business Checking. Shopify Balance. Square Checking. TD Business Simple Checking℠. Truist Simple Business Checking. Truist Simple Business Checking. U.S. Bank Business Essentials. Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking℠ Account. Western Alliance Bank Business Checking. Zions Bank Business Inspire Checking.
How we handle banks with multiple account options
Many institutions have several business checking accounts. We only rate the account with the lowest monthly fee. It's easier for comparison purposes. We also think most business owners can get what they need without paying more.
But there are exceptions. In exchange for a higher monthly maintenance fee, you often get other benefits — like cheaper wire transfers, more fee-free transactions or a higher APY. Every dollar matters for a business. You might end up ahead.
What about local banks?
We typically don't review local banks because of their limited availability. But it’s an important option to consider.
A local bank or credit union can be a great choice if you value a face-to-face relationship with your banker. That personal connection can be especially useful when it’s time to apply for a business loan, for instance.
On the flip side, smaller institutions tend to have clunkier software tools. If you want features like built-in invoicing or a cash flow dashboard, national and online banks are probably better options.
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Nerdy Tip
Some accounts on our list come from financial technology companies or "neobanks." Neobanks typically partner with FDIC-insured banks. Those banks hold customer funds, while the fintech provides the banking experience. If a neobank fails, you should be able to recover your funds. But you may have to deal with frozen accounts, failed transactions or other headaches along the way.
How we keep our picks up to date
NerdWallet’s small-business writers and editors continually:
Update our methodology. The business banking industry is always changing. Every year, we tweak our methodology based on which factors we believe are getting more or less important to business owners.
Review information for all accounts. Core checking account features don't change often. We do a full audit every year anyway. We pay closer attention to updated APYs and welcome offers. Our dedicated data quality and compliance team helps with this.
Survey banks. We ask for information that matters to business owners, but may not be publicly available. For instance, our most recent questionnaire collected details on after-hours support and average call wait times.
Keep an eye on user sentiment. We lurk on Reddit and other social channels to see what people say about their business checking accounts. Our team collects reader feedback in a centralized doc to spot trends. We also frequently interview business owners.
Roll up our sleeves. We can't open and use every account. But we still call help lines, talk to banking experts and watch product demos. We also track industry news and trends to help keep readers informed.
What is a business checking account?
A business checking account is a home for your company’s cash.
In general, business checking accounts work just like personal checking accounts. When you make sales, money comes into the account. When you pay bills, money leaves the account. You’ll get a debit card and account and routing numbers, which you can use to send and receive funds.
Beyond that, a business checking account is the gateway to a relationship with a business bank. At some institutions, that means accounts payable and receivable tools to manage your cash flow. At others, it means getting to know a banker who may be able to help you get a loan in the future.
Anyone who owns a business should have a business checking account. That includes sole proprietors and freelancers.
Why? It helps keep your business and personal finances separate. That can help shield your personal assets if your company is sued (especially important for LLCs). It may also make it easier to file taxes and find the financial statements you'll need to apply for loans.
Select your business type to see a more specific list of our top accounts:
As you compare your top choices, pay close attention to the following:
1. Monthly fees
Some business checking accounts charge monthly maintenance fees of around $15. Most offer to waive this fee if you maintain a certain average balance, make a certain number of transactions each month or both.
Traditional brick-and-mortar banks make it easiest to access your cash and write checks. Capital One, for instance, offers unlimited cash deposits at ATMs around the country.
Neobanks almost always offer fee-free access to an ATM network. But you might not get a checkbook. Instead, the institution might send checks on your behalf.
3. Interest, cash back and sign-up bonuses
North One is the market leader here, at 2.5% APY on all balances. Several other online accounts have annual percentage yields of 1% or higher.
Grasshopper pays 1% cash back on debit card purchases. That’s a nice perk — but if a business credit card is an option for your business, you’ll probably get a higher rewards rate. Plus, credit card charges are easier to reverse in case of fraud.
Some financial institutions also offer business bank account promotions to new customers. You'll need to meet specific requirements to qualify, like maintaining a certain balance for several months after opening the account.
Some online accounts offer built-in invoicing, including Bluevine and Relay. Found stands out for tax planning tools.
Another great feature: built-in payment processing. Chase lets you accept tap-to-pay payments from customers using your mobile app.
5. ATM fees
Most banks have some kind of fee-free ATM access. Big-name brick-and-mortars typically have their own machines. Online providers tap into shared ATM networks.
It can cost you if there’s no in-network machine nearby and you need cash, though.
Some small-business banks charge $2 to $3 if you use an ATM outside of their network. You’ll almost always have to pay an additional $2 or $3 to whatever company owns that ATM as well.
If you use an out-of-network ATM and get hit with those fees, Axos automatically refunds them. That essentially makes all ATM withdrawals free.
6. Overdraft policies and fees
Dipping into the red on your business checking account can cost anywhere from $10 to $39 in overdraft or non-sufficient funds fees, sometimes multiple times per day. Chase and Huntington, offer a grace period on overdrafts (up to $50 or 24 hours) to give small businesses some wiggle room.
7. Wire transfer and ACH fees
Wire transfer fees are common; most customers should expect to pay up to $15 to receive a transfer and up to $40 to send one.
If your business relies on wire transfers, consider an account with Mercury or Brex, both of which charge no fees to receive or send wires.
ACH transfers are usually free, but they take one or two business days to complete. Expect to pay a fee for same-day ACH.
8. Transaction and deposit limits
Online business checking accounts usually include unlimited fee-free transactions. That means you can swipe your debit card, send and receive transfers or make withdrawals as often as you want. But they usually limit how much cash you can deposit or withdraw at a time.
Most brick-and-mortar business checking accounts offer 100 to 500 free transactions per month and charge a fee (less than 50 cents) after that. And you’re usually capped at $5,000 per month in free cash deposits with a bank teller. Deposits at ATMs may be free, though.
View transaction, ATM and wire fees for our top business checking accounts
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.
Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC.
Relay is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC. The Relay Visa Debit Card is issued by Thread Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used anywhere Visa cards are accepted.
Last updated on October 27, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
A business checking account is a secure place to store your company's cash. You can access the money in your business checking account immediately by withdrawing cash, using a debit card, writing checks or sending ACH or wire transfers.
Technically, if your bank allows it, you can use a personal bank account for business purposes. But opening a business bank account in your company's name is almost always a better choice. Having separate accounts — and separate record-keeping — makes it easier to identify business expenses for tax deductions and pull financial records for business grants and loans. A dedicated business account can help protect your personal assets if legal action is taken against your company. And business bank accounts may come with software tools that help you run your business, like built-in invoicing.
If your credit union offers business checking accounts, then it can be a great option. Credit union business accounts typically have low or no monthly fees and higher cash deposit limits than big brick-and-mortar banks, making them a good choice for restaurants and other businesses that deal mostly in cash. Some credit unions are also community development financial institutions, which focus on lending to businesses in low-income and underserved communities — so you may be able to work with yours to get a business loan in the future. See our picks for best credit union business accounts.
To open a business checking account, you'll need to provide personal information, such as a government-issued ID and Social Security number, and details like your address and phone number. You'll also need legal business documentation, like your articles of organization or incorporation, and information like your business address and employer identification number (EIN). Here's a list of what you need to open a business bank account.
You don't need an EIN to open a business bank account if you operate a sole proprietorship or single-member LLC. Businesses organized as a partnership, multimember LLC or corporation, however, do need an EIN to open a business checking account. Here are some business accounts available to businesses without EINs.
You may get denied for a business bank account if you have negative marks on your ChexSystems report. A ChexSystems report lists occurrences like bounced checks, overdraft fees and forced closed accounts. Banks generally do not check your credit, however, and it's unlikely you'll be denied for a business bank account based on your credit history. Here's how you can open a business bank account despite a negative ChexSystems history.
Business checking accounts are typically insured by the FDIC up to the standard $250,000 per depositor, per institution. That means, if the bank holding your funds fails, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. would cover up to $250,000 in lost cash. Credit unions are similarly insured through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Some accounts may offer greater protection via Insured Cash Sweep programs. Do not use a checking account that isn't FDIC or NCUA insured.
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.