- Last updated December 2024
Best Checking Accounts Of December 2024
Top checking accounts full of amazing features
✓ Low monthly fees or overdraft fees
✓ Easy 24/7 mobile access
✓ Large ATM networks
9.7
KeyBank
No monthly fees & 40,000+ free ATMs
Earn $300 with Key Smart Checking®
- Zero monthly maintance fees
- No minimum balance requirements
- Access to 40,000+ KeyBank & Allpoint® ATMs
No monthly fees & 40,000+ free ATMs
Apply in 3 minutes
Earn $300 with Key Smart Checking®
9.5
Chime
Fee-free overdraft up to $200*
Over 50k fee-free ATMs
- No monthly fees or minimums
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
- Fee-Free Overdraft up to $200* with SpotMe®
- Live customer support 7 days a week
9.3
Chase Total Checking®
Safe, secure, & trusted by millions
- Access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
9.3
USAA® Classic Checking
No Monthly Service Fees.
- Over 100,000 no surcharge fee ATMs to choose from
- Get Paid Early: Payday comes up to two days sooner when you set up direct deposit
- Deposit products and services offered by USAA Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC
8.7
Upgrade
The debit card with up to 2% cash back¹
- No monthly fees³
- Get paid up to 2 days early²
- No Overdraft Fees³
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Our Ratings:
The rating system for the best checking accounts consists of a combination of the following 3 components:
Customers prioritize accounts with low or no monthly maintenance fees, transparency and reasonableness of overdraft fees, and access to a wide network of fee-free ATMs or reimbursement for out-of-network ATM fees.
A strong presence of physical branches and ATMs is crucial for many customers, along with user-friendly and feature-rich online and mobile banking options that are essential for managing finances on-the-go. Additionally, quality and availability of customer support, including 24/7 helplines and live chat options, are important for users.
Some checking accounts offer interest on balances, adding extra value. Features such as cash-back rewards, budgeting tools, or integration with other financial products are appealing, and many customers prefer accounts with low or no minimum balance requirements.
Best Checking Account Of 2024
9.7
KeyBank
No monthly fees & 40,000+ free ATMs
Earn $300 with Key Smart Checking®
- Zero monthly maintance fees
- No minimum balance requirements
- Access to 40,000+ KeyBank & Allpoint ATMs
Best Checking Account Of 2024
9.5
Chime
Fee-free overdraft up to $200*
Over 50k fee-free ATMs
- No monthly fees or minimums
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
- Fee-Free Overdraft up to $200* with SpotMe®
Why Should You Open An Online Checking Account?
There are many reasons why you should open a checking account. For one, it can help you budget your money by allowing you to track your spending and income. Additionally, a checking account has various features and benefits, such as online banking, mobile banking, and overdraft protection. Plus, having a checking account can make it easier to pay bills and manage your finances. If you're looking for a way to simplify your financial life, a checking account may be the right choice.
Choosing an account with no or low fees is important because you want to avoid paying unnecessary charges. You'll also want to find an account that offers features that fit your lifestyle. For example, if you travel often, you may want an account that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on its debit card. Or, if you're always on the go, you may want an account with mobile banking capabilities.
Once you've found the right account for you, open a checking account today and start enjoying the benefits it has to offer.
Which Account Type Is Right For You?
Top 5 Benefits Of Online Checking Accounts
Get Paid Early: With a checking account, you can get paid early
with a direct deposit. This means that you can get your paycheck a few days earlier than you would without a bank account. This means you can access your funds sooner to pay bills or make purchases.
Easier Payments: Most checking accounts come with a debit card. This means you can use your checking account to pay for groceries, gas, or online purchases. You can also set up automatic payments for rent or mortgage. Some debit cards also give you additional money back on everyday purchases.
Quickly Transfer Funds: With a checking account, you can quickly and easily transfer funds to another person or account. This can be helpful if you need to pay someone back or send money to someone else, like friends or family.
Access Your Money Easily: With a checking account, you can access your money through an ATM or debit card. This means you can get cash when needed or make purchases without carrying around a lot of cash.
Keep Your Money Safe: When you have a checking account, your money is kept in an FDIC-insured account. This means that your money is protected in the event of a bank failure. Generally, your funds will be protected up to $250,000
Disclosures
KeyBank:
Earn $300 after qualified activities until 05.16.25 with the no-monthly-maintenance-fee Key Smart Checking®.
Open a Key Smart Checking® account online by May 16, 2025.
Make the minimum opening deposit of $10, plus one single eligible direct deposit of at least $1,000 within the first 60 days of account opening.
Your $300 cash bonus will be deposited into your account within 60 days of meeting requirements. Accounts must not be closed at the time of gift payment.
Chime:
*Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.
*SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your Visa debit card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime's sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions.
Upgrade:
Upgrade is a financial technology company, not a bank. Rewards Checking Plus services provided by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. Upgrade VISA ® Debit Cards issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
¹Rewards Checking Plus customers who set up monthly direct deposits of $1,000 or more earn 2% cash back on common everyday expenses at convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants and bars – including deliveries – and gas stations, as well as recurring payments on utilities and monthly subscriptions including phone, cable, TV and other streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other debit card purchases. 2% cash back is limited to $500 in rewards per calendar year; after $500, customers earn 1% cash back on all eligible debit card purchases for the remainder of the year. Rewards Checking Plus accounts with less than $1,000 in monthly direct deposits 60 days after account opening will earn 1% cash back on common everyday expenses and 0.50% cash back on all other eligible debit card purchases. Some limitations apply. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.
²Active Accounts with a monthly direct deposit of $1000 are eligible for additional benefits on Rewards Checking Plus such as additional cash back rewards, and more. See the Active Account page for more information.
³There are no overdraft fees or annual fees associated with Rewards Checking Plus accounts. Third-party institutions may charge you a fee if you use their ATM/network or if you use your Upgrade VISA® Debit Card internationally. Please refer to the applicable Cross River Bank Checking Deposit Account Agreement and Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.
Chase Total Checking®:
New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.
