Selected from 1,000+ checking accounts for April 2024
Best Overall
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 5.07% | None | None |
Why we like it: The Primis Premium Checking account offers a 5.07% APY, no monthly fees, no overdraft fees and only $1 minimum to open. Even for interest-bearing bank accounts, this is one of the best checking accounts on the market today.
What we don’t like: With a $6,000 limit on ACH transfers, Primis Premium Checking may not be suited for people looking to transfer large amounts.
Who should get it: Anyone looking to get a great APY on their checking account, alongside very low fees, should check the Primis Premium Checking account out.
| Balance | APY |
|---|---|
| $0+ | 5.07% |
HIGHEST APY CHECKING
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0.51% - 5.30% | None | None |
Why we like it: The All America Bank Ultimate Rewards Checking account comes with an APY of 5.30%, no monthly fees and no ATM fees. It also has no foreign transaction fees on its debit card.
What we don’t like: The minimum required amount to open for the All America Bank Ultimate Rewards Checking account is $500 if you apply online, or $50 if you apply in person. Plus, it comes with an overdraft fee of $25.
Who should get it: Anyone looking for savings account rates on their checking account, or just a solid bank account with low fees, should give the All America Bank Ultimate Rewards Checking account a chance.
| Balance | APY |
|---|---|
| $0 - $15,000 | 5.30% |
| $15,001+ | 0.51% |
Best with Rewards
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0.00% - 0.15% | None | None |
Why we like it: LendingClub Rewards Checking comes with an APY of 0.15% and 1% cash back with no limit. It also comes with unlimited domestic ATM fee rebates and no monthly fees.
What we don’t like: While we like the cash back, other rewards checking accounts also offer a sign-up bonus. LendingClub Rewards Checking, unfortunately, does not. Plus, the APY is much lower than most interest-bearing checking accounts.
Who should get it: If you are looking to get some interest and some rewards for your banking, then the LendingClub Rewards Checking account should be right for you.
| Balance | APY |
|---|---|
| $0 - $2,500 | 0.00% |
| $100,000+ | 0.15% |
| $2,500 - $100,000 | 0.10% |
Best for International Travel
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0.14% - 4.04% | None | None |
Why we like it: The Heritage Bank Payroll Plus Checking Account is our pick for the best checking account for international travel on account of its 4.04% APY and lack of foreign transaction fees for purchases and ATM withdrawals.
What we don’t like: While boasting a great APY, we do have to mention the $33 overdraft fee, which can be a problem if you’re trying to withdraw more than your balance.
Who should get it: If you’re planning on travelling and want a great checking account for it, the Heritage Bank Payroll Plus Checking Account is definitely for you.
| Balance | APY |
|---|---|
| $0 - $100,000 | 4.04% |
| $100,001+ | 0.14% |
Best for Students
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25% - 2.00% | None | None |
Why we like it: Connexus Credit Union Teen Checking is a great choice for students, due to its 2.00% APY, lack of monthly fees and $0 minimum required deposit.
What we don’t like: While membership for the Connexus Credit Union is easy to get, it’s still something that can dissuade some people.
Who should get it: Students looking for great interest rate, little to no fees and the flexibility that comes with it should check out the Connexus Credit Union Teen Checking.
| Balance | APY |
|---|---|
| $0 - $1,000 | 2.00% |
| $1,001+ | 0.25% |
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0.50% | None | $30 |
Why we like it: With no monthly fees, no deposit requirements for opening, no overdraft fees and an APY of 0.50%, the SoFi Student Checking and Savings is one of the best student checking accounts out there.
What we don’t like: An APY of 0.50% is very low compared to the average online interest-bearing checking account.
Who should get it: If you’re a student, and you feel more comfortable working with a bank, but still want to avoid fees and get a little interest, then the SoFi Student Checking and Savings Account is the best one for you.
| Balance | APY |
|---|---|
| $0+ | 0.50% |
Best for Business
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 1.51% - 2.25% | None | None |
Why we like it: The Grasshopper Bank Innovator Business Checking offers 2.25% APY, no monthly fees, no deposit fees, and no transaction limits.
What we don’t like: Because Grasshopper Bank is digital-only, there is no direct way for a business to deposit cash.
Who should get it: If your business is comfortable operating online, and wants to get some interest on its deposits, then the Grasshopper Bank Innovator Business Checking account would be a great choice.
| Balance | APY |
|---|---|
| $0 - $25,000 | 1.51% |
| $25,000 - $250,000 | 2.25% |
| $250,000+ | 1.51% |
Were the editor’s picks helpful?
| Best For | Online Checking Account | Best Feature |
| Highest APY | La Capitol Federal Credit Union Choice Checking | 0.72% - 6.25% APY |
| Rewards | Pelican State Credit Union Kasasa Cash Back | 4% Cash Back |
| International Travel | Boeing Employees Credit Union Member Advantage Checking | No Foreign Transaction Fees |
| Students | Connexus Credit Union Teen Checking | 0.25% - 2.00% APY |
| Business | Navy Federal Credit Union Business Premium Checking | 0.35% - 0.45% APY |
Finding the best checking account can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.
If your checking account has been approved you should receive an email from the bank. You could also be contacted via phone. Each bank has their own method of letting you know if you are approved.
There are some free senior online checking accounts. For example, Axos Bank Golden Checking for people aged 55+ has no fees and offers a 0.2% APY.
The BB&T Bank Senior Checking is age restricted for people who aer 55+. It has a $10 monthly fee which can be waived by maintaining a $1,000 minimum daily balance, or by receiving $500 in direct deposits.
The U.S. Bank Easy Checking has no monthly fee for those aged 65+.
Most banks allow you to overdraft your checking account. However, they all charge an overdraft fee that can be as high as $39 per item.
There are a few ways you can make a cash deposit in an online account. One way is to deposit the cash in an account at a traditional bank, and then transfer it to your online account.
Some online banks can collect cash deposits from linked ATMs. Another way is to get a prepaid debit card and link it to your online account. That way you can deposit the cash on your card and...
To help you learn more about online checking accounts and find the best one for your situation, we posed the following questions to a panel of experts. You can check out their responses by clicking “Read More” below.
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