These listings are from companies from which this site receives compensation. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Best Online Checking Accounts Of October 2023

Top checking accounts full of amazing features

✓ No monthly fees or overdraft fees

✓ Easy 24/7 mobile access

✓ Large ATM networks

What account do you want?

Account Type

Checking Accounts

9.5

SmartScore

 4.8/5

Upgrade

Best cashback debit card

Unlimited 2.00% Cashback On Debit

Fastest growing online bank

Best cashback debit card

Unlimited 2.00% Cashback On Debit

9.4

SmartScore

 4.7/5

Current

Fee-free overdraft up to $200

9.1

SmartScore

 4.5/5

Quontic

Best for free ATM access

Access 90,000+ Fee-Free ATMs

Best for free ATM access

Earn 3.00% APY

8.7

SmartScore

 4.4/5

Spruce

Limited time: Get a $20.00 bonus

8.4

SmartScore

 4.2/5

GO2bank

Best for overdraft protection

Up To $200 In Overdraft Protection

Based on our editorial reviews

81%

250,000+ people

have chosen a new account using SmartWealthTrends!

SmartScore

The SmartScore consists of a combination of the following 2 components:

Community Feedback

SmartWealthTrends uses community feedback as one of the components to determine the quality of a service or product that is ranked on our lists.

Product Features

SmartWealthTrends uses our individual analysis on the various products and services we review to determine how helpful they are to potential new users.

Editorial Reviews

Our Top Choice

9.5

SmartScore

 4.8/5

Upgrade

Best cashback debit card

Unlimited 2.00% Cashback On Debit

Fastest growing online-bank

Unlimited 2.00% Cashback On Debit

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 Is Right For You?

Savings Account

Checking Account

CD Account

Earns interest

FDIC-insured

ATM access

Debit card & check writing access

Higher yield potential

Our Top Choice:

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, like Upgrade's cashback card, 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 you need it 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.

Top Checking Options As Of October 03, 2023

Bank

ATMs

Explore

Fees Reimbursed

40,000+

90,000+

Top Online Checking Accounts

1. Upgrade

Upgrade Rewards Checking is their best banking product. It has no monthly maintenance fees, no ATM fees, and no transfer fees. Upgrade will pay you back for any ATM fee charged by another institution for debit card withdrawals in the United States–up to five times per month! It also offers a debit card with up to 2% cashback for everyday purchases.

Pros

Cons

2. Current

The Current Account is a free checking/savings account hybrid. If you are okay with having your funds in one spot and want access to budgeting resources and savings features, this account could be the right fit for you.

With Current, you can earn up to 4% APY through a savings feature called a Savings Pod. You can use a Savings Pod to save money for different goals, and each account has three Saving Pods. Unlike other bank accounts with only one saving category, we give you more control over your finances by letting you choose where to put your money.

With the Current Account, you'll receive your direct deposit two days early and earn cash back on every debit card purchase and other nifty features most traditional banks do not offer.

Pros

Cons

3. Quontic

If you're looking for a high-yielding checking account, we recommend taking advantage of Quontic's current offer. You can earn up to 1.10% on balances of $150,000 or less if you make at least 10 qualifying transactions each month–and 0.35% APY on the portion of your balance above $150,000 (plus 1.01% APY on the first $150,000). This is a highly competitive option that will allow you to grow your money without having to move it into a separate account.