Best Business Bank Accounts for Sole Proprietors of November 2025

Get personalized matches in seconds

NerdWallet logo

Bank Account Finder

Here are your recommended bank accounts:

We couldn’t find any matches based on your preferences.

Sort by:

Relay Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Relay Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Relay, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$200

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Unlimited transactions

at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC

Axos Bank® Basic Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$200

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Unlimited transactions

at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC

North One Standard Business Checking

APY
2.50%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at North One, Deposits are FDIC Insured

North One Standard Business Checking

APY
2.50%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at North One, Deposits are FDIC Insured

American Express® Business Checking

APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
30,000 points

Requirements to qualify

at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC

American Express® Business Checking

APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
30,000 points

Requirements to qualify

at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC

Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account

APY
1.35%

With $25,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Clock icon Cash back on debit

at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC

Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account

APY
1.35%

With $25,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Clock icon Cash back on debit

at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC

Best overall online business checking account

Bluevine Business Checking

APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Best overall online business checking account

Bluevine Business Checking

APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$16.00

$0 for the first 12 statement cycles.

Bonus
N/A

at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC

Bank of America® Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$16.00

$0 for the first 12 statement cycles.

Bonus
N/A

at Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC

Mercury Business Bank Account

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$300

Requirements to qualify

at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Mercury Business Bank Account

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$300

Requirements to qualify

at Mercury, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Chase Business Complete Banking®

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$15.00

Waived with $2,000 minimum balance

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Chase, Member FDIC

Chase Business Complete Banking®

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$15.00

Waived with $2,000 minimum balance

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Chase, Member FDIC

U.S. Bank Business Essentials

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$400

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Best free account

at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC

U.S. Bank Business Essentials

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$400

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Best free account

at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC

Rho Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Rho, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Rho Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Rho, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Found Small Business Banking

APY
2.00%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$125

Requirements to qualify

at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Found Small Business Banking

APY
2.00%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$125

Requirements to qualify

at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

APY
0.50%

With $10,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at First Internet Bank, Member FDIC

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

APY
0.50%

With $10,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at First Internet Bank, Member FDIC

Lili Basic Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Lili, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Lili Basic Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Lili, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Brex Business Account

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Brex, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Brex Business Account

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Brex, Deposits are FDIC Insured

nbkc Business Account

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$250

Requirements to qualify

at nbkc bank, Member FDIC

nbkc Business Account

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$250

Requirements to qualify

at nbkc bank, Member FDIC

PNC Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$12.00

Waived with $500 average monthly balance

Bonus
$400

Requirements to qualify

PNC Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$12.00

Waived with $500 average monthly balance

Bonus
$400

Requirements to qualify

Capital One Business Basic Checking®

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$15.00

Waived with $2,000 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

at Capital One, Member FDIC

Capital One Business Basic Checking®

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$15.00

Waived with $2,000 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

at Capital One, Member FDIC

Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking

APY
0.01%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking

APY
0.01%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Huntington Business Checking 100

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$1,000

Requirements to qualify

Huntington Business Checking 100

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$1,000

Requirements to qualify

TD Business Simple Checking℠

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$10.00

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

TD Business Simple Checking℠

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$10.00

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

APY
3.00%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

QuickBooks Money

APY
3.00%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Novo Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$300

Requirements to qualify

at Novo, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Novo Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$300

Requirements to qualify

at Novo, Deposits are FDIC Insured

BMO Simple Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$10.00

Waived with $100 minimum balance

Bonus
$600

Requirements to qualify

BMO Simple Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$10.00

Waived with $100 minimum balance

Bonus
$600

Requirements to qualify

Citizens Bank Clearly Better Business Checking®

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Citizens Bank Clearly Better Business Checking®

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking℠ Account

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$10.00

Waived with $500 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking℠ Account

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$10.00

Waived with $500 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

Live Oak Bank Business Savings

APY
3.00%

With $0.01 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Live Oak Bank, Member FDIC

Live Oak Bank Business Savings

APY
3.00%

With $0.01 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Live Oak Bank, Member FDIC

Santander Bank Basic Business Checking

Santander Bank Basic Business Checking

3.0

 
APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$7.50

Waived with $1,500 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

Santander Bank Basic Business Checking

Santander Bank Basic Business Checking

3.0

 
APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$7.50

Waived with $1,500 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

Regions LifeGreen Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$12.00

Waived with $2,500 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

Regions LifeGreen Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$12.00

Waived with $2,500 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

CitiBusiness® Streamlined Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$15.00

Waived with $5,000 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

CitiBusiness® Streamlined Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$15.00

Waived with $5,000 minimum balance

Bonus
N/A

Truist Simple Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Truist Simple Business Checking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Money Transfer

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Square, Inc.

Money Transfer

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at Square, Inc.

Take the quiz again or get back to the full roundup for more options

NerdWallet logo
Matching you with the right bank...

Bank Account Finder

Do you plan to bank in person?

Do you need national branch access?

Are you OK paying a monthly maintenance fee?

Are you OK paying a minimum deposit?

Will you make more than 200 monthly transactions?

Do you want 24/7 customer support?

Is your business structure...

Do you need to deposit cash?

Will you use ATMs often?

Do you want weekend phone support?

Because sole proprietorships are almost always a one-person show, their owners need a small-business bank that offers efficiency and affordability. Below are the best business checking accounts for sole proprietorships (plus a business savings account for your reserves).

Summary of the best business bank accounts for sole proprietors

  • American Express® Business Checking : Best for 24/7 customer support.
  • Bluevine Business Checking : Best overall account for sole proprietors.
  • Chase Business Complete Banking® : Best for brick-and-mortar banking.
  • Found Small Business Banking : Best for tax planning and invoicing tools.
  • Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account : Best for cash-back rewards on debit card spending.
  • Live Oak Bank Business Essential Checking : Best for establishing a relationship with a top SBA lender.
  • Axos Business Premium Savings Account : Best dedicated business savings account.
  • nbkc Business Account : Best for taking in-person payments.
  • U.S. Bank Business Essentials : Best sign-up bonus.
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.
Sort by:
Best overall online business checking account

Bluevine Business Checking

Best for Overall account for sole proprietors

APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Best overall online business checking account

Bluevine Business Checking

Best for Overall account for sole proprietors

Best for Overall account for sole proprietors

APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured

American Express® Business Checking

Best for 24/7 customer support

APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
30,000 points

Requirements to qualify

at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC

American Express® Business Checking

Best for 24/7 customer support

Best for 24/7 customer support

APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
30,000 points

Requirements to qualify

at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC

Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account

Best for Cash-back rewards on debit card spending

APY
1.35%

With $25,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Clock icon Cash back on debit

at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC

Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account

Best for Cash-back rewards on debit card spending

Best for Cash-back rewards on debit card spending

APY
1.35%

With $25,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Clock icon Cash back on debit

at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC

U.S. Bank Business Essentials

Best for Free business checking (brick-and-mortar)

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$400

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Best free account

at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC

U.S. Bank Business Essentials

Best for Free business checking (brick-and-mortar)

Best for Free business checking (brick-and-mortar)

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$400

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Best free account

at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC

Business Premium Savings Account

Best for Dedicated business savings account

APY
3.60%

With $0.01 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$600

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Best overall

at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC

Business Premium Savings Account

Best for Dedicated business savings account

Best for Dedicated business savings account

APY
3.60%

With $0.01 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$600

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Best overall

at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC

Chase Business Complete Banking®

Best for Brick-and-mortar banking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$15.00

Waived with $2,000 minimum balance

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Chase, Member FDIC

Chase Business Complete Banking®

Best for Brick-and-mortar banking

Best for Brick-and-mortar banking

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$15.00

Waived with $2,000 minimum balance

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Chase, Member FDIC

Found Small Business Banking

Best for Tax planning and invoicing tools

APY
2.00%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$125

Requirements to qualify

at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Found Small Business Banking

Best for Tax planning and invoicing tools

Best for Tax planning and invoicing tools

APY
2.00%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$125

Requirements to qualify

at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured

nbkc Business Account

Best for Cash deposits

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$250

Requirements to qualify

at nbkc bank, Member FDIC

nbkc Business Account

Best for Cash deposits

Best for Cash deposits

APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$250

Requirements to qualify

at nbkc bank, Member FDIC

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

Best for Automatic transfers to savings

APY
0.50%

With $10,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at First Internet Bank, Member FDIC

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

Best for Automatic transfers to savings

Best for Automatic transfers to savings

APY
0.50%

With $10,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at First Internet Bank, Member FDIC

Bank/institution Best for NerdWallet rating Monthly fee APY Bonus Learn more
Bluevine Business Checking

Bluevine Business Checking

Overall account for sole proprietors

$0

1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

$500

Requirements to qualify

at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
  • 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.
American Express® Business Checking

American Express® Business Checking

24/7 customer support

$0

1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

$30,000

Requirements to qualify

at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
  • 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.
Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account

Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account

Cash-back rewards on debit card spending

$0

1.35%

With $25,000 min. balance for APY

N/A

at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • 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.
  • Free incoming domestic wires; low fees on other wire transfers.

Cons

  • Can’t deposit cash.
  • $100 minimum opening deposit.
  • No weekend support.
U.S. Bank Business Essentials

U.S. Bank Business Essentials

Free business checking (brick-and-mortar)

$0

N/A

$400

Requirements to qualify

at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No monthly service fee.
  • Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
  • 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.
Business Premium Savings Account

Business Premium Savings Account

Dedicated business savings account

$0

3.60%

With $0.01 min. balance for APY

$600

Requirements to qualify

at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC

Pros

  • Industry-leading APY.
  • No minimum balance to earn interest.
  • Access to Insured Cash Sweep network for expanded FDIC insurance.

Cons

  • Fee for excess transactions.
  • No ATM or debit card access.
Chase Business Complete Banking®

Chase Business Complete Banking®

Brick-and-mortar banking

$15.00

Waived with $2,000 minimum balance

N/A

$500

Requirements to qualify

at Chase, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No minimum opening deposit.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Found Small Business Banking

Found Small Business Banking

Tax planning and invoicing tools

$0

2.00%

With $0 min. balance for APY

$125

Requirements to qualify

at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Pros

  • 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.
nbkc Business Account

nbkc Business Account

Cash deposits

$0

N/A

$250

Requirements to qualify

at nbkc bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
  • 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.
First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

Automatic transfers to savings

$0

0.50%

With $10,000 min. balance for APY

N/A

at First Internet Bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
  • Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
  • Up to $10 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks.
  • APY of 0.50% with an average daily balance of $10,000 or more.

Cons

  • No cash deposits.
  • $15 fee for incoming wires.
Bank/institution
Bank/institution
Best for
Best for
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet rating
Monthly fee
Monthly fee
APY
APY
Bonus
Bonus
Learn more
Learn more
Bluevine Business Checking

Bluevine Business Checking

Overall account for sole proprietors

$0

1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

$500

Requirements to qualify

at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured

American Express® Business Checking

American Express® Business Checking

24/7 customer support

$0

1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

$30,000

Requirements to qualify

at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC

Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account

Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account

Cash-back rewards on debit card spending

$0

1.35%

With $25,000 min. balance for APY

N/A

at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC

U.S. Bank Business Essentials

U.S. Bank Business Essentials

Free business checking (brick-and-mortar)

$0

N/A

$400

Requirements to qualify

at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC

Business Premium Savings Account

Business Premium Savings Account

Dedicated business savings account

$0

3.60%

With $0.01 min. balance for APY

$600

Requirements to qualify

at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC

Chase Business Complete Banking®

Chase Business Complete Banking®

Brick-and-mortar banking

$15.00

Waived with $2,000 minimum balance

N/A

$500

Requirements to qualify

at Chase, Member FDIC

Found Small Business Banking

Found Small Business Banking

Tax planning and invoicing tools

$0

2.00%

With $0 min. balance for APY

$125

Requirements to qualify

at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured

nbkc Business Account

nbkc Business Account

Cash deposits

$0

N/A

$250

Requirements to qualify

at nbkc bank, Member FDIC

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

Automatic transfers to savings

$0

0.50%

With $10,000 min. balance for APY

N/A

at First Internet Bank, Member FDIC

Best overall online business checking account

Bluevine Business Checking

Best for Overall account for sole proprietors

Close
APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
  • 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.

American Express® Business Checking

Best for 24/7 customer support

Close
APY
1.30%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
30,000 points

Requirements to qualify

at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
  • 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.

Grasshopper Innovator Business Checking Account

Best for Cash-back rewards on debit card spending

Close
APY
1.35%

With $25,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

Clock icon Cash back on debit

at Grasshopper Bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • 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.
  • Free incoming domestic wires; low fees on other wire transfers.

Cons

  • Can’t deposit cash.
  • $100 minimum opening deposit.
  • No weekend support.

U.S. Bank Business Essentials

Best for Free business checking (brick-and-mortar)

Close
APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$400

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Best free account

at U.S. Bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No monthly service fee.
  • Welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply).
  • 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.

Business Premium Savings Account

Best for Dedicated business savings account

Close
APY
3.60%

With $0.01 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$600

Requirements to qualify

Clock icon Best overall

at Axos Bank®, Member FDIC

Pros

  • Industry-leading APY.
  • No minimum balance to earn interest.
  • Access to Insured Cash Sweep network for expanded FDIC insurance.

Cons

  • Fee for excess transactions.
  • No ATM or debit card access.

Chase Business Complete Banking®

Best for Brick-and-mortar banking

Close
APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$15.00

Waived with $2,000 minimum balance

Bonus
$500

Requirements to qualify

at Chase, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No minimum opening deposit.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Found Small Business Banking

Best for Tax planning and invoicing tools

Close
APY
2.00%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$125

Requirements to qualify

at Found, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Pros

  • 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.

nbkc Business Account

Best for Cash deposits

Close
APY
N/A

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
$250

Requirements to qualify

at nbkc bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
  • 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.

First Internet Bank Do More Business™ Checking

Best for Automatic transfers to savings

Close
APY
0.50%

With $10,000 min. balance for APY

Monthly fee
$0

Bonus
N/A

at First Internet Bank, Member FDIC

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.
  • Unlimited fee-free transactions; no overdraft fees.
  • Up to $10 in monthly refunds for ATM fees charged by other banks.
  • APY of 0.50% with an average daily balance of $10,000 or more.

Cons

  • No cash deposits.
  • $15 fee for incoming wires.

Logo iconJump to

Can you open a bank account as a sole proprietor?

Financial institutions typically don't limit business accounts to incorporated companies or restrict access based on factors like revenue or time in business. That means that sole proprietors can — and should — open a business bank account. You can often open an account online or in person easily with the right documentation.

How to open a business checking account as a sole proprietor

While business account requirements will vary by bank, here's what you'll typically need as a sole proprietor:
  • A government-issued photo ID.
  • Business license.
  • Business name registration certificate or “doing business as” documentation.
  • Employer identification number (EIN) if you have one. Otherwise, your Social Security number.
  • Company details: industry and business type, when it was formed, and your business address and phone number.
You’ll also need to provide some personal information, including your date of birth, home address and phone number, and personal email address.

Do sole proprietors need business bank accounts?

A dedicated business bank account can help sole proprietors separate business and personal finances. This makes it easier to track business income and expenses, file taxes, and apply for business loans and grants.
If your business is more of a side hustle than a full-time operation, you may technically be able to use your personal checking account for business purposes (check your deposit agreement, though, as some banks prohibit this). But even then, using a dedicated business checking account can save you headaches come tax time and put you one step ahead if and when your business grows.

What sole proprietors should look for in a business account

Sole proprietors wear so many hats when running their business: CEO, social media manager, accountant, inventory specialist, tax preparer, tech support and more. Aim for a business account with features that let you take off at least one of those hats, even for a little while.
  • Ease of access: The account you choose should be easily accessible, meaning there aren’t strict limits on transfers or deposits or high fees for activities that are routine for your business (if you do lots of wire transfers, for instance, or make frequent cash deposits). Take note of customer service hours, too. Some online business accounts rely primarily on email for customer support. That might work for some businesses but be a deal-breaker for others.
  • Sub-accounts: Set funds aside for quarterly tax payments or upcoming expenses with dedicated sub-accounts, “envelopes” or savings buckets. Using these tools can make it easier to keep an eye on your business’s overall financial health — and in some cases, continue earning interest on your idle cash. 
  • Interest or cash back: Another way to put your business account to work for you? Have it earn you extra money with features like a high interest rate on your balance or cash back on debit card purchases. 
  • Tax planning: Several online business accounts include tax-planning tools that automatically categorize expenses, identify potential deductions and help calculate what you need to save for self-employment taxes. A few will even generate the necessary tax documents. You may also want to look for built-in bookkeeping software, like Autobooks, or direct integrations with your existing accounting software.
  • Invoicing: A business account that includes free invoicing can cut down on the time it takes to get paid — that’s a real win for client services businesses. Make sure the account doesn’t limit the number of invoices you can send and that they can be customized with your logo.
Notes from financial institutions
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.
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.
*Customers who have signed up for an account after Nov. 1, 2025 will earn a bonus equal to 2.0% APY on 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.
Last updated on November 18, 2025

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.
Advertiser icon
Close
Advertiser icon
Close

$0 monthly fees. 1.30% APY. Built for small business growth

Bluevine Business Checking

$0 monthly fees. 1.30% APY. Built for small business growth

Bluevine Business Checking

Bluevine Business Checking

at Bluevine, Deposits are FDIC Insured