- 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
Experian Smart Money™
Build credit without the debt
Simple & easy $50 bonus¹
- No monthly fees, no minimums²
- 55,000+ no-fee ATMs worldwide³
- Get your paycheck 2 days early⁴
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
9.0
Primis Bank
Earn $0.50 for every debit card swipe
- Free ATM use nationwide
- No overdraft fees, ever
- Get paid up to 2 days early
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
8.7
HSBC Premier
Worldwide fee-free ATM access
- Get rewarded with a higher savings rate
- Savings account included
- Customers get special rates on home loans
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8.3
First Tech Rewards
30,000+ fee-free ATMs
- ATM rebates up to $15 per month
- No monthly account fees
- Earn 5.00% APY* & a $300 bonus
9.6
U.S. Bank Smartly Checking®
Pay no fees for overdrafts of $50 or less
Up to $450 offer until 9/26/24. Terms and limitations apply. Member FDIC.
- No ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs and no surcharge fees at MoneyPass® Network ATMs
- Access to U.S. Bank Smart Rewards® to reap additional benefits
Pay no fees for overdrafts of $50 or less
Apply in 2 minutes
Up to $450 offer until 9/26/24
8.2
Varo
No monthly or hidden fees. Period.
- Get paid up to 2 days early
- 40,000+ fee-free ATMs
- Earn up to 6% cashback at select brands
9.7
BMO Checking Accounts
Choose from 3 personal checking options
Earn up to $500 with qualifying activities
- $0 monthly maintenance fee with Smart Advantage
- 40,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide
- Conditions apply. Available in the U.S. BMO Bank N.A. Member-FDIC
Our #1 choice for 2024
Apply in 5 minutes
Earn up to $500 with qualifying activities
9.4
Discover® Cashback Checking
1% cash back on debit purchases. See website for details
- Get paid early with direct depoist
- Fee-free overdraft protection transfer service
- No. Fees. Period.
250,000+ people
have chosen a new account using SmartWealthTrends!
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®
Best Checking Account Of 2024
9.6
U.S. Bank Smartly Checking®
Pay no fees for overdrafts of $50 or less
Up to a $450 sign up bonus
- Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and a Standard Savings account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through September 26, 2024. Member FDIC.
- Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint or are not an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm.
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
Top Online Checking Accounts
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
- Up to $30/mo refunded in ATM fees
- No minimum opening deposit
- Up to 2% cashback debit card
Cons
- No physical locations
- No 24/7 support
- No cash deposits
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
- Earn up to 4% APY
- No monthly fees
- No minimum balance requirement
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees
- No physical locations
- Category limits on debit card for cashback
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.
Pros
- High APY rates
- No monthly fees
- 90,000+ ATM locations
Cons
- No physical locations
- Limited support
- No cash deposits
Disclosures
KeyBank:
Earn $300 after qualified activities until 12.13.24 with the no-monthly-maintenance-fee Key Smart Checking®.
Open a Key Smart Checking® account online by December 13, 2024.
Make the minimum opening deposit of $10, plus one 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.
Experian:
The Experian Smart Money™ Debit Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), pursuant to a license from Mastercard International. Banking services provided by CFSB, Member FDIC. Experian is a Program Manager, not a bank.
Experian Boost® results will vary.
¹Results will vary. Not all payments are boost-eligible. Some users may not receive an improved score or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost®. Learn more.
²See the Experian Smart Money™ Digital Checking Account & Debit Card Agreement.
³Access to over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs with the Allpoint ATM network. You may be charged a fee for attempting a cash withdrawal with an out-of-network ATM or point-of-sale device by Experian and/or the operator including for a balance inquiry even if you do not complete a cash withdrawal. Learn more.
⁴Early access to your direct deposit depends on the timing of receipt of the incoming direct deposit file. We generally make direct deposits available up to 2 days earlier than the payment date specified in the direct deposit file. Early availability of direct deposits is not guaranteed and may vary from deposit to deposit. Daily and monthly deposit limits apply. See Cardholder Agreement.
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.
TD Bank:
New customers who apply online for a TD Beyond Checking account can earn a $300 cash bonus after receiving direct deposits of $2,500 or more within 60 days.
To qualify for this offer, you must be a U.S. resident and apply for the offer online.
Offer is available in these states: CT, DC, DE, FL, MD, ME, MA, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VT, VA”
Three ways to go monthly maintenance fee-free: Monthly Maintenance fee waived when you set up direct deposits of $5,000 or more within a statement cycle, maintain a $2,500 minimum daily balance, or have a $25,000 combined balance across eligible TD accounts.
ATM perks: TD fees waived at any ATM and non-TD fees reimbursed when you keep at least a $2,500 daily balance
A little extra time. A lot of extra relief: Avoid fees with Grace Period, which gives you until 11 PM ET the next business day to fix an overdraft. Make sure your available balance is at least $0 by depositing enough to cover the overdrawn balance plus any additional transactions and TD will refund the overdraft fee to your checking account.
Fast and secure payments: TD Bank debit cards are backed by the Zero Liability guarantee and 24/7 fraud monitoring
Convenient locations with the longest hours around: We have over 1,100 locations from Maine to Florida that's open early, late, and weekends.
Get reimbursed for fees including two overdraft fees per year, all Rush Bill Payments, and one outgoing wire per statement cycle (domestic or international).
Additional TD Bank checking account perks worth talking about: Get 24/7 access to all your TD accounts with Online & Mobile Banking, plus Bill Pay, Send Money with Zelle®, Mobile Deposit and Online Statements.
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.
HSBC:
Deposit products are offered in the U.S. by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Member FDIC.
*Investment and annuity products are offered by HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (HSI), member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. HSI is an affiliate of HSBC Bank USA, NA.
