Standout Online Checking Accounts
There are a lot of checking accounts out there. So many, in fact, it can be overwhelming to weed through all the options — good and bad — and then confidently choose one. Social scientists call this “information overload”. We call it inconvenient.
To get the most from your checking account, you need low fees, good customer support and free ATMs nearby. If you earn interest on your cash, even better. Compare standout checking accounts from our partners below.
There are a lot of checking accounts out there. So many, in fact, it can be overwhelming to weed through all the options — good and bad — and then confidently choose one. Social scientists call this “information overload”. We call it inconvenient.
To get the most from your checking account, you need low fees, good customer support and free ATMs nearby. If you earn interest on your cash, even better. Compare standout checking accounts from our partners below.
Standout Online Checking Accounts From Our Partners
| Bank/institution | NerdWallet rating | Monthly fee | APY | Bonus | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 SoFi Checking and Savings Learn more at SoFi, Member FDIC | $0 | 1.20% With $0 min. balance for APY | $250 Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply. | Learn more at SoFi, Member FDIC | |
 Chime Checking Account Learn more at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured | $0 | N/A | N/A | Learn more at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured | |
 Citi Priority Account Learn more at Citibank, N.A. | $30.00 Waived with $30,000 minimum balance | N/A | $200 Requirements to qualify | Learn more at Citibank, N.A. | |
 Current Account Learn more at Current, Deposits are FDIC Insured | $0 | N/A | N/A | Learn more at Current, Deposits are FDIC Insured |
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People often identify opening a savings account as their next money move.
American Express® High Yield Savings Account
APY
With $1 min. balance for APY
at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC
Discover Bank Online Savings
APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
at Discover Bank, Member FDIC
Monthly fee
$0
APY
1.20%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
$250
Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.
Monthly fee
$0
APY
N/A
Bonus
N/A
Why We Like It
Chime is a mobile checking account that has no minimum balance requirements or overdraft fees, and you have access to more than 38,000 fee-free MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATMs. There are also no monthly fees, though cash withdrawal and third-party fees may apply. Through Chime’s early direct deposit service, customers can get their paychecks up to two days earlier than if they cashed their checks at a bank, though early access to direct deposit funds depends on payer.
This account works best for people who don’t write many checks or make cash deposits. If you need to write a check, Chime has an online feature that creates and mails one on your behalf. For cash deposits, you’ll need to use a third-party service.
Monthly fee
$30.00
Waived with $30,000 minimum balance
APY
N/A
Bonus
$200
Requirements to qualify
Monthly fee
$0
APY
N/A
Bonus
N/A
Why online checking accounts dominate the list
Some important factors for virtually every bank-shopper are monthly fees, ATM access and interest rates (since they have the biggest impact on your bottom line). And, as it happens, online banks typically offer higher interest rates.
To recap our selections...
