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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.

Standout Online Checking Accounts From Our Partners

Bank/Institution	NerdWallet Rating	Monthly fee	APY	Bonus	Learn More
Citi Priority Checking Learn more at Citibank, N.A., Member FDIC	2.5 /5	$30.00 Waived with $50,000 minimum balance	0.01% With $0 min. balance for APY	$300 Requirements to qualify	Learn more at Citibank, N.A., Member FDIC
Chime Checking Account Learn more at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured	4.5 /5	$0	N/A	N/A	Learn more at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured
Current Account Learn more at Current, Deposits are FDIC Insured	4.5 /5	$0	N/A	N/A	Learn more at Current, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Citi Priority Checking

2.5

NerdWallet rating

Monthly fee

$30.00

Waived with $50,000 minimum balance

APY

0.01%

With $0 min. balance for APY

Bonus

$300

Requirements to qualify

Learn more

at Citibank, N.A., Member FDIC

Bonus

$300

Requirements to qualify

Read Full Review

Learn more

at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Chime Checking Account

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Monthly fee

APY

N/A

Bonus

N/A

Learn more

at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured

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.

Read Full Review

Learn more

at Current, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Current Account

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Monthly fee

APY

N/A

Bonus

N/A

Learn more

at Current, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Bonus

N/A

Read Full Review

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.