Best Free Business Checking Accounts of September 2026
The business checking accounts on this list have no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement. The best ones go beyond that. They offer interest on your balance, standout software or round-the-clock support.
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Written by
Rosalie Murphy
Lead Writer & Content Strategist
Expertise
Small business
Business banking
Business credit cards
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
Expertise
Small business
Personal finance
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>.
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.
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, comprehensivebusiness 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.
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We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. While we don’t cover every company or financial product on the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective editorial perspectives.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that appear on our site or when you click to or take an action on their website. This compensation helps us provide tools and services - like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies.
However, these factors do not influence our editors’ opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners.
Reviewed by
Kelsey Sheehy
Senior writer | Small business banking and credit cards, Paycheck Protection Program, consumer spending, and household finances
Expertise
Small business
Personal finance
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>.
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.
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, comprehensivebusiness 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.
You're our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. While we don’t cover every company or financial product on the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective editorial perspectives.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that appear on our site or when you click to or take an action on their website. This compensation helps us provide tools and services - like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies.
However, these factors do not influence our editors’ opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners.
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Earn 1.00% APY (annual percentage yield) on balances up to $500,000 as of 09/15/2026. APY is subject to change at any time without notice before and after a Business Checking Account is opened.
$0
35,000 Points
Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points. Convert Membership Rewards® points into deposits directly into your American Express® Business Checking account. Other redemption options available. Terms apply. For new members: Points you earn, including the Welcome Bonus and from making Business Debit Card purchases, can be converted into deposits made directly into your Business Checking account. Terms apply. For Membership Rewards-enrolled Card holders: You can choose to convert points into deposits directly into your Business Checking account or use them the same way you always have – for travel, gift cards, and more. Terms apply. *Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.
1) Deposit a total of $5,000 or more in eligible deposits within 30 days of opening your first account, AND
▪ Eligible deposits are any deposits except deposits using our Redeem for Deposits feature, deposits from interest payments, and deposits from any other American Express Business Checking accounts.
2) Maintain an average account balance of $5,000 for the next 60 days,
AND
3) Make 5 or more qualifying transactions within 60 days of opening your account
▪ Qualifying transactions are mobile deposits, check deposits by mail, and electronic/online transactions including ACH, Wire, and Bill Payments. Business Debit Card transactions and deposits using our Redeem for Deposits feature are not qualifying transactions.
4) American Express is currently accepting applications from eligible U.S. businesses. Not all applicants will be approved for a Business Checking account. Select industries or businesses engaged in certain activities are currently ineligible, such as money service businesses, cryptocurrency, internet gambling businesses, and marijuana related businesses.
Earn a $400 bonus when you open a U.S. Bank Business Essentials Account online with promo code Q3DIG26 and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through September 27, 2026. Member FDIC.
Earn 1.00% APY on balances up to $24,999 and on balances greater than $250,000. Earn 1.35% APY on balances of $25,000 to $250,000.
With $25,000 min. balance for APY
$0
$300
Boost your earnings with a $300 sign-on bonus when you open an eligible Innovator Business Checking Account with promo code NW300 and complete qualifying activities. Terms Apply.
New customers signing up after 11/1/25 can earn 2.00% APY on balances up to $20K when you spend $5000 on qualifying transactions in a month.¹
Terms Apply¹
$0
None Required*
$125
Earn $125 when you deposit $5,000 within the first 30 days of account creation and maintain it for another 30 days. Offer valid until 12/31/26. Terms Apply.
Business owners get up to $200 welcome bonus!* Open a business checking account by January 31, 2027 and get up to $200 when you use promo code START200 on your application.*
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
No required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or 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.
Bill pay tools and invoicing with built-in payment links, plus tap-to-pay card acceptance.
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 (1.30% 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Earn 1.00% APY (annual percentage yield) on balances up to $500,000 as of 09/15/2026. APY is subject to change at any time without notice before and after a Business Checking Account is opened.
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
35,000 Points
Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points. Convert Membership Rewards® points into deposits directly into your American Express® Business Checking account. Other redemption options available. Terms apply. For new members: Points you earn, including the Welcome Bonus and from making Business Debit Card purchases, can be converted into deposits made directly into your Business Checking account. Terms apply. For Membership Rewards-enrolled Card holders: You can choose to convert points into deposits directly into your Business Checking account or use them the same way you always have – for travel, gift cards, and more. Terms apply. *Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.
1) Deposit a total of $5,000 or more in eligible deposits within 30 days of opening your first account, AND
▪ Eligible deposits are any deposits except deposits using our Redeem for Deposits feature, deposits from interest payments, and deposits from any other American Express Business Checking accounts.
2) Maintain an average account balance of $5,000 for the next 60 days,
AND
3) Make 5 or more qualifying transactions within 60 days of opening your account
▪ Qualifying transactions are mobile deposits, check deposits by mail, and electronic/online transactions including ACH, Wire, and Bill Payments. Business Debit Card transactions and deposits using our Redeem for Deposits feature are not qualifying transactions.
4) American Express is currently accepting applications from eligible U.S. businesses. Not all applicants will be approved for a Business Checking account. Select industries or businesses engaged in certain activities are currently ineligible, such as money service businesses, cryptocurrency, internet gambling businesses, and marijuana related businesses.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit or excess transaction fee.
24/7 customer support.
No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every $2 spent on eligible business debit card purchases.
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 (1.00% on balances up to $500,000) and fee-free access to more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Earn a $400 bonus when you open a U.S. Bank Business Essentials Account online with promo code Q3DIG26 and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through September 27, 2026. Member FDIC.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Receive and send payments via Zelle.
Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
$25 minimum opening deposit.
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, excess transactions and other services.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
No required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or 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.
Cons
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. Invoicing tools come built in, too.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Earn 1.00% APY on balances up to $24,999 and on balances greater than $250,000. Earn 1.35% APY on balances of $25,000 to $250,000.
With $25,000 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
$300
Boost your earnings with a $300 sign-on bonus when you open an eligible Innovator Business Checking Account with promo code NW300 and complete qualifying activities. Terms Apply.
Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
Earn up to 1.35% APY.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
Low fees on wire transfers.
All account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
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 1.35% 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Free domestic and international U.S. dollar wire transfers.
Unlimited refunds on all domestic ATM fees.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction fee on U.S. dollar transactions or overdraft fees.
Users can apply for the rewards-earning Mercury IO Card, a corporate credit card with numerous expense control tools.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
Choice Financial Group, one of Mercury’s banking partners, is currently under a federal consent order.
Mercury is a free online banking platform designed for startups. Mercury includes a free business checking account, as well as savings and treasury account options. 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
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
Must pay a fee to use built-in software features via Autobooks.
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.
Beyond that, there are no incoming domestic wire fees, overdraft or stop payment fees. 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
New customers signing up after 11/1/25 can earn 2.00% APY on balances up to $20K when you spend $5000 on qualifying transactions in a month.¹
Terms Apply¹
Monthly fee
$0
None Required*
Bonus
$125
Earn $125 when you deposit $5,000 within the first 30 days of account creation and maintain it for another 30 days. Offer valid until 12/31/26. Terms Apply.
No required monthly fee*, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
Built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
Built-in payroll features for contractors.
Can manage up to 5 businesses from a single login.
Cons
No weekend or after-hours phone support.
Subscription required to earn interest.
The Found business account offers more than just free business checking. You'll also get built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning tools that you can use to generate profit and loss reports, automatically save for business taxes and schedule recurring invoices. You can also use the platform to collect tax forms from your contractors and pay them (with no payroll processing fees).
One downside: Found doesn't offer a way to deposit cash without paying a fee.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Business owners get up to $200 welcome bonus!* Open a business checking account by January 31, 2027 and get up to $200 when you use promo code START200 on your application.*
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit or excess transaction fee.
Cash deposits at compatible ATMs.
Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
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.
Bill pay not included; must upgrade to Lili Smart or higher.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
Lili's standout feature is, unfortunately, not free. But it's still worth considering if your personal credit might limit your access to financing in the future.
For $18/month for the first three months, then $30/month, you can enroll in Lili BusinessBuild. Users get a secured credit card and Lili reports its use to Dun & Bradstreet, one of three business credit bureaus. This can help you build a credit history for your business if you're unable to open a traditional business credit card.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
No monthly fee and unlimited fee-free electronic transactions.
No dollar limit on cash deposits (other limits may apply).
24/7 member 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
No required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or 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.
Bill pay tools and invoicing with built-in payment links, plus tap-to-pay card acceptance.
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 (1.30% 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 required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or 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.
Bill pay tools and invoicing with built-in payment links, plus tap-to-pay card acceptance.
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 (1.30% 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Earn 1.00% APY (annual percentage yield) on balances up to $500,000 as of 09/15/2026. APY is subject to change at any time without notice before and after a Business Checking Account is opened.
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
35,000 Points
Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points. Convert Membership Rewards® points into deposits directly into your American Express® Business Checking account. Other redemption options available. Terms apply. For new members: Points you earn, including the Welcome Bonus and from making Business Debit Card purchases, can be converted into deposits made directly into your Business Checking account. Terms apply. For Membership Rewards-enrolled Card holders: You can choose to convert points into deposits directly into your Business Checking account or use them the same way you always have – for travel, gift cards, and more. Terms apply. *Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.
1) Deposit a total of $5,000 or more in eligible deposits within 30 days of opening your first account, AND
▪ Eligible deposits are any deposits except deposits using our Redeem for Deposits feature, deposits from interest payments, and deposits from any other American Express Business Checking accounts.
2) Maintain an average account balance of $5,000 for the next 60 days,
AND
3) Make 5 or more qualifying transactions within 60 days of opening your account
▪ Qualifying transactions are mobile deposits, check deposits by mail, and electronic/online transactions including ACH, Wire, and Bill Payments. Business Debit Card transactions and deposits using our Redeem for Deposits feature are not qualifying transactions.
4) American Express is currently accepting applications from eligible U.S. businesses. Not all applicants will be approved for a Business Checking account. Select industries or businesses engaged in certain activities are currently ineligible, such as money service businesses, cryptocurrency, internet gambling businesses, and marijuana related businesses.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit or excess transaction fee.
24/7 customer support.
No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every $2 spent on eligible business debit card purchases.
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 (1.00% on balances up to $500,000) and fee-free access to more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit or excess transaction fee.
24/7 customer support.
No fees on withdrawals at more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every $2 spent on eligible business debit card purchases.
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 (1.00% on balances up to $500,000) and fee-free access to more than 70,000 MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Earn a $400 bonus when you open a U.S. Bank Business Essentials Account online with promo code Q3DIG26 and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through September 27, 2026. Member FDIC.
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Receive and send payments via Zelle.
Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
$25 minimum opening deposit.
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, excess transactions and other services.
Up to 25 free cash deposit units per statement cycle.
Overdraft fees
$36
Pros
No monthly service fee.
Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions.
Receive and send payments via Zelle.
Accept payments with free mobile card reader, no monthly software fee. Processing fees apply.
Cons
$25 minimum opening deposit.
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, excess transactions and other services.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
No required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or 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.
Cons
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. Invoicing tools come built in, too.
No required monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or 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.
Cons
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. Invoicing tools come built in, too.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Earn 1.00% APY on balances up to $24,999 and on balances greater than $250,000. Earn 1.35% APY on balances of $25,000 to $250,000.
With $25,000 min. balance for APY
Monthly fee
$0
Bonus
$300
Boost your earnings with a $300 sign-on bonus when you open an eligible Innovator Business Checking Account with promo code NW300 and complete qualifying activities. Terms Apply.
Unlimited 1% cash back on qualified debit card purchases.
Earn up to 1.35% APY.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
Low fees on wire transfers.
All account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
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 1.35% 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 1.35% APY.
No monthly fees, transaction fees or overdraft charges.
Free, built-in bookkeeping and invoicing software.
Low fees on wire transfers.
All account holders are assigned to a dedicated banker or customer support representative.
Cons
$100 minimum opening deposit.
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 1.35% 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Free domestic and international U.S. dollar wire transfers.
Unlimited refunds on all domestic ATM fees.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction fee on U.S. dollar transactions or overdraft fees.
Users can apply for the rewards-earning Mercury IO Card, a corporate credit card with numerous expense control tools.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
Choice Financial Group, one of Mercury’s banking partners, is currently under a federal consent order.
Mercury is a free online banking platform designed for startups. Mercury includes a free business checking account, as well as savings and treasury account options. 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.
Free domestic and international U.S. dollar wire transfers.
Unlimited refunds on all domestic ATM fees.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction fee on U.S. dollar transactions or overdraft fees.
Users can apply for the rewards-earning Mercury IO Card, a corporate credit card with numerous expense control tools.
Cons
Can’t deposit cash.
Choice Financial Group, one of Mercury’s banking partners, is currently under a federal consent order.
Mercury is a free online banking platform designed for startups. Mercury includes a free business checking account, as well as savings and treasury account options. 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
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
Must pay a fee to use built-in software features via Autobooks.
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.
Beyond that, there are no incoming domestic wire fees, overdraft or stop payment fees. 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.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
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
Must pay a fee to use built-in software features via Autobooks.
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.
Beyond that, there are no incoming domestic wire fees, overdraft or stop payment fees. 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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
New customers signing up after 11/1/25 can earn 2.00% APY on balances up to $20K when you spend $5000 on qualifying transactions in a month.¹
Terms Apply¹
Monthly fee
$0
None Required*
Bonus
$125
Earn $125 when you deposit $5,000 within the first 30 days of account creation and maintain it for another 30 days. Offer valid until 12/31/26. Terms Apply.
No required monthly fee*, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
Built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
Built-in payroll features for contractors.
Can manage up to 5 businesses from a single login.
Cons
No weekend or after-hours phone support.
Subscription required to earn interest.
The Found business account offers more than just free business checking. You'll also get built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning tools that you can use to generate profit and loss reports, automatically save for business taxes and schedule recurring invoices. You can also use the platform to collect tax forms from your contractors and pay them (with no payroll processing fees).
One downside: Found doesn't offer a way to deposit cash without paying a fee.
No required monthly fee*, minimum opening deposit, excess transaction or overdraft fees.
Built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning features.
Built-in payroll features for contractors.
Can manage up to 5 businesses from a single login.
Cons
No weekend or after-hours phone support.
Subscription required to earn interest.
The Found business account offers more than just free business checking. You'll also get built-in invoicing, bookkeeping and tax-planning tools that you can use to generate profit and loss reports, automatically save for business taxes and schedule recurring invoices. You can also use the platform to collect tax forms from your contractors and pay them (with no payroll processing fees).
One downside: Found doesn't offer a way to deposit cash without paying a fee.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
Business owners get up to $200 welcome bonus!* Open a business checking account by January 31, 2027 and get up to $200 when you use promo code START200 on your application.*
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit or excess transaction fee.
Cash deposits at compatible ATMs.
Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
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.
No monthly fee, minimum opening deposit or excess transaction fee.
Cash deposits at compatible ATMs.
Automatic refunds of all ATM fees (domestic).
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.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
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.
Bill pay not included; must upgrade to Lili Smart or higher.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
Lili's standout feature is, unfortunately, not free. But it's still worth considering if your personal credit might limit your access to financing in the future.
For $18/month for the first three months, then $30/month, you can enroll in Lili BusinessBuild. Users get a secured credit card and Lili reports its use to Dun & Bradstreet, one of three business credit bureaus. This can help you build a credit history for your business if you're unable to open a traditional business credit card.
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.
Bill pay not included; must upgrade to Lili Smart or higher.
No spend controls on employee debit cards.
Lili's standout feature is, unfortunately, not free. But it's still worth considering if your personal credit might limit your access to financing in the future.
For $18/month for the first three months, then $30/month, you can enroll in Lili BusinessBuild. Users get a secured credit card and Lili reports its use to Dun & Bradstreet, one of three business credit bureaus. This can help you build a credit history for your business if you're unable to open a traditional business credit card.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each business account, including fees, perks and accessibility.
No monthly fee and unlimited fee-free electronic transactions.
No dollar limit on cash deposits (other limits may apply).
24/7 member 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.
No monthly fee and unlimited fee-free electronic transactions.
No dollar limit on cash deposits (other limits may apply).
24/7 member 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.
NerdWallet’s editorial team rates more than 50 business checking accounts. We focus on accounts from the largest U.S. banks by assets and the largest U.S. credit unions by membership.
To choose the accounts above, I eliminated any that charge a monthly fee, even if it’s possible to waive it. From there, I looked at each account’s star rating. Here’s our methodology for rating business bank accounts.
I chose to exclude some accounts with high ratings that aren't available to the majority of business owners, like Brex. I also included some with relatively lower ratings that offer something unique.
Here are all the other banks, credit unions and fintech companies we monitor that have free business checking accounts:
America First Credit Union.
Blue Federal Credit Union.
Boeing Employees Credit Union.
Brex.
Citizens Bank.
Comercia Bank.
Consumers Credit Union.
Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU).
Fifth Third Bank.
First Citizens Bank.
First Horizon Bank.
First Internet Bank.
Flagstar Bank.
Holdings.
Huntington Bank.
Northern Bank.
Novo.
QuickBooks.
Rho.
Square.
Truist.
🧾 Important product updates
August 2026: We removed North One Standard Business Checking from this page. We previously listed it as our top pick for a high APY. But this account appears to no longer be available, with the North One website now redirecting to Relay.
What other fees do business bank accounts charge?
Even if your business checking account has no monthly fee, you’ll still have to pay for other banking services. Most banks charge you for using out-of-network ATMs, sending wire transfers, depositing more than a certain amount of cash and other types of transactions.
Before you open an account, ask your potential bank for a copy of its fee schedule. Then check to see whether those costs line up with the standard ones below.
💸 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 that.
💸 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. Some banks, like Huntington and Chase, allow you a grace period of up to 24 hours or up to around $50 before you're charged.
Some online-only neobanks don’t allow overdrafts at all. If you don't have sufficient funds, your purchase just 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 or Allpoint. Need to use an out-of-network ATM? That ATM will most likely charge you a fee. Your bank may or may not charge another one.
Axos offers the best-case scenario. They refund out-of-network ATM fees, allowing you to withdraw cash virtually anywhere for free. But if your bank has several ATMs that are convenient to where you live and work, you should be able to go to an in-network ATM for free most of the time.
💸 Cash deposit fees
Most 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.
Some brick-and-mortar banks only charge for deposits with a bank teller. You can make unlimited deposits at ATMs. That’s the case with Capital One and Chase (though neither bank offers a free account).
💸 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).
How to waive the monthly fee on a business checking account
Entry-level business checking accounts at brick-and-mortar banks usually have monthly fees of $10 to $15. Often, if you keep a certain amount of money in your account or meet certain activity requirements, the bank will waive that fee.
That might be easy. For example, BMO charges $10 per month for its Simple Business Checking account. It waives that fee when you keep an average balance of $100 or more. And Mountain America Credit Union waives the $5 fee on its Business Essential Checking account if you enroll in e-statements.
If your business has steady cash flow and you’ll typically meet the necessary requirements, it’s worth considering these banks. That’s especially true if you’re thinking ahead to getting a business loan. If you already have an account with a bank, they may be more open to lending to you.
When should you upgrade to an account with a monthly fee?
Brick-and-mortar banks usually have a few business checking accounts at different price points. Higher monthly fees usually come with higher transaction limits and lower fees on other services, like wire transfers.
Some online banks have free accounts, but offer extra software features if you pay a monthly subscription fee. Bluevine, for instance, ups your APY and lowers your wire and ACH transfer fees when you upgrade.
Fees for premium accounts generally start around $30. Most banks will waive these fees if you maintain a higher minimum balance. My recommendation: Start with the free account and use it for a few months. If you want more advanced software tools or need a higher transaction limit after that, consider upgrading. If you’re consistently meeting the higher minimum balance requirement, it’s likely worth it. If not, add up the fee savings or use our compound interest calculator to see if the perks offset the cost.
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. Unfortunately many also reduce overhead in other ways, like limiting customer support.
Brick-and-mortar banks tend to charge monthly fees, even for their entry-level accounts. In exchange, you get access to branches and, in general, more responsive customer service. Banks will 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.
Lili is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Sunrise Banks N.A., Member FDIC.
The information about the Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ account has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
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.
Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.
Notes on Found: Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. The funds in your account are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor for each account ownership category. FDIC insurance only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured depository institution.
*Found's core features are free. Optional subscriptions to Found Plus for $35/month or $315/year or Found Pro for $80/month or $720/year. There are no monthly account maintenance fees, but other fees such as transactional fees for wires, instant transfers, and ATM apply. Read Found Fee Schedule.
¹Customers who have signed up for an account after Nov. 1, 2025 will earn a bonus equal to 2.00% Annual Percentage Yieldon the portion of their account balance up to $20,000 for a given month only if they spend $5,000 in qualifying debit card transactions during the month and satisfy other eligibility requirements as described in the Card Spend Bonus Terms. No bonus will be earned on the portion of account balances over $20,000.
²Welcome offer: Earn $125 when you deposit $5,000 within the first 30 days of account creation and maintain it for another 30 days. Offer valid until 12/31/26. Terms Apply.
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.
To view rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, see this page.
Last updated on January 5, 2026
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’s writers and editors evaluate more than 60 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 2026, we adjusted our expectations for APYs due to falling interest rates.
Final ratings range from one to five stars. 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.
Best-of Awards 2026
Bluevine Business Checking
$0 monthly fees. 1.30% APY. Built for small business growth
No monthly fee
Best free account
Learn more
