Your shortcut to the best bank accounts for you
Our Nerds researched more than 250 banking products, narrowing down to just one winner per category.
Your shortcut to the best bank accounts for you
Our Nerds researched more than 250 banking products, narrowing down to just one winner per category.


Find a top bank account — fast

BEST BANK 2026
SoFi Checking and Savings

SoFi Checking and Savings
APY
Up to 4.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
$300 + 0.70% APY
Earn up to $300 and +0.70% Boost on Savings APY. Terms apply.
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft Coverage is a feature automatically offered to SoFi Checking and Savings account holders who receive at least $1,000 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits within a rolling 31 calendar day period on a recurring basis. Eligible Direct Deposit is defined on the SoFi Bank Rate Sheet, available at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Members enrolled in Overdraft Coverage may be covered for up to $50 in negative balances on SoFi Bank debit card purchases only. Overdraft Coverage does not apply to P2P transfers, bill payments, checks, or other non-debit card transactions. Members with a prior history of unpaid negative balances are not eligible for Overdraft Coverage. Eligibility for Overdraft Coverage is determined by SoFi Bank in its sole discretion. Members can check their enrollment status, if eligible, at any time by logging into their account through the SoFi app or on the SoFi website.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

SoFi® has competitive rates and no monthly fees on its checking and savings accounts. The online bank goes beyond basics with multiple savings tools, fast money transfers and a strong overdraft program.

BEST CREDIT UNION 2026
Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Savings

Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Savings
APY
3.10%
With $100 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Alliant Credit Union has no monthly or overdraft fees, a large, free ATM network, and competitive rates on share certificates. Anyone can become a member by making a one-time $5 donation to a non-profit. Alliant will even pay the donation for you.

BEST CHECKING ACCOUNT OVERALL 2026
Chime® Checking Account

Chime® Checking Account
APY
N/A
Bonus
Up to $350
Requirements to qualify
Monthly fee
$0
Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Chime’s checking account has no monthly fees and gives customers access to tens of thousands of ATMs. It has a robust overdraft buffer program that allows customers to overdraft up to $200 as long as they meet a minimal direct deposit requirement.

BEST SAVINGS ACCOUNT 2026
Newtek Bank Personal High-Yield Savings
Newtek Bank Personal High-Yield Savings
APY
4.35%
With $0.01 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Newtek Bank’s high-yield savings account has an attractive rate, no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements.

BEST MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT 2026
Zynlo Money Market Account

Zynlo Money Market Account
APY
3.90%
With $0.01 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

ZYNLO’s money market account earns a strong APY and has no minimum requirement to open. It does not charge monthly fees.

BEST BANK OR CREDIT UNION FOR CDS 2026
Marcus by Goldman Sachs 13 Month No-Penalty CD

Marcus by Goldman Sachs 13 Month No-Penalty CD
APY
3.95%
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$500

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers a stellar line-up of high-yield CDs across a wide range of terms and with a relatively low minimum deposit of $500. The bank even provides uncommon and useful options, including no-penalty CDs.

BEST BANK OR CREDIT UNION FOR BRANCH ACCESS 2026
Chase Total Checking®

Chase Total Checking®
APY
N/A
Bonus
$300
Requirements to qualify
Monthly fee
$15.00

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Chase banks are available in most states and Washington, D.C. The bank offers over 5,000 locations, the most branches of any financial institution in the country.

BEST ONLINE BANKING EXPERIENCE 2026
Chime® Checking Account

Chime® Checking Account
APY
N/A
Bonus
Up to $350
Requirements to qualify
Monthly fee
$0
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

The Chime digital banking experience tops that of other financial institutions. Its website makes it easy to find and understand information, and its mobile apps feature 24/7 live customer support and are well-rated by users.

BEST ONLINE BUSINESS CHECKING ACCOUNT 2026
Bluevine Business Checking

Bluevine Business Checking
APY
1.30%
Bonus
$500
Requirements to qualify
Monthly fee
$0
No requited 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.
No fee-free cash deposits.
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.
Does not offer jointly-owned accounts.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Bluevine's online account is a great choice for businesses of all sizes. Beyond a high APY and few fees, it offers lots of useful digital features — like invoicing, accounts payable and sub-accounts — that can save entrepreneurs time and money.

BEST BRICK-AND-MORTAR BUSINESS CHECKING ACCOUNT 2026
Chase Business Complete Banking®

Chase Business Complete Banking®
APY
N/A
Bonus
$500
Requirements to qualify
Monthly fee
$15.00
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 14,000 Chase ATMs and access to around 5,000 branches.
Receive and send payments via Zelle.
$15 monthly fee.
Monthly limit on physical transactions (20).
Fee for using out-of-network ATMs.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Chase offers the largest branch network in the U.S. Beyond that, its small-business accounts include built-in credit card processing, unlimited electronic deposits and a nice sign-up bonus.
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Frequently asked questions
NerdWallet's award winners are chosen through a rigorous evaluation process involving 37 writers and editors. NerdWallet's ratings formulas for credit cards, for example, consider the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel, or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and other features. For more info, see our methodologies.
Our team of nerdy experts is composed of writers and editors — based all across the country — who have a combined 450 years of journalistic experience reviewing and writing about personal finance products for consumers.
Yes. Writers and editors use comprehensive scoring formulas that assess each financial product’s key features, weighting them according to their importance to consumers.
Nope. Editorial team members are solely responsible for creating all product reviews and ratings, and these assessments reflect their opinions alone. Only products that meet the editorial team’s standards appear in our Best-Of Awards lists, meaning no company can “buy” an award.
Our Best-Of Awards are given annually to the top financial products on the market. Our other “best” articles may:
• be longer than our Best-Of Awards list
• offer additional consumer choices
• get updated as products change or are discontinued and as new products emerge
This year's Best-Of-Awards list winners were chosen in mid-October 2025.