Erika's Picks for Best Checking Accounts
- Best overall:
SoFi Checking and Savings Account - Best for cashback:
Upgrade Rewards Checking Preferred - Best for no monthly/annual service fees:
Chime® Checking - Best for ATM access:
Capital One 360 Checking - Best for checking & savings bundle:
Axos Checking - Best for digital banking:
Quontic High Interest Checking
A good checking account should offer access to ATMs everywhere you need them, super-simple mobile banking so you can manage your money from anywhere, and no account fees. Oh, and good customer service is a must!
Based on that, we’ve put together a list of the top checking accounts to cover a variety of banking styles.
Best Overall: SoFi Checking and Savings Account
- Maximum APY: Up to 3.80% APY with qualifying activities (3.10% Savings APY +0.70% boost to up to 3.80% for up to 6 months on new accounts) (terms apply)
- Welcome offer: Earn up to $400 with qualifying direct deposits
- Monthly fee: $0
- Minimum balance: $0

SoFi is a complete financial services company that offers investing, insurance, loans, and even crypto. Its banking services are simple to use and come with a comprehensive mobile app that gives you access to all your accounts in one place.
The SoFi Checking and Savings Account is a no-fee* checking account with an attached high-yield savings account.
The account offers a solid APY on savings balances,** and you can also get a welcome offer*** if you receive a direct deposit in the first 25 days of the account. You'll receive a $50 bonus if the direct deposit is between $1,000 and $4,999. Direct deposits of $5,000 or above will earn a $300 bonus.
There are no monthly maintenance fees and, unless you're trying to earn the welcome bonus, no minimum deposit.
Other highlights of the SoFi Online Checking Account include:
- Access to 50,000+ fee-free ATMs
- Mobile check deposit and bill pay
- Send money to other SoFi users instantly
- Up to $50 in overdraft coverage
- Earn cashback with the SoFi debit card
Pros
- No fees
- Earn interest on deposits
- ATM access nationwide
- Super-simple mobile app
Cons
- No physical locations
- Cash deposits must be made via Green Dot, which charges fees
- $1,000 minimum direct deposit for overdraft coverage
* We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
** Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 5/28/26. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
** Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
*** New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Best for Cashback: Upgrade Rewards Checking Preferred
- APY: Up to 1.5% with connected Performance Savings account; up to 3.05% with connected Performance Savings account and monthly $1,000 direct deposit
- Welcome offer: None
- Monthly fee: $0
- Minimum balance: $0

Upgrade is an online-only bank that offers a rewards checking account and connected high-yield savings account.
The Upgrade Rewards Checking Preferred account comes with no fees, no account minimums, and a rewards debit card that earns cashback. You can earn up to 2% cashback at select retailers, and 1% cashback on all other purchases.
Here are some key features:
- Mobile check deposit
- Joint accounts available
- Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs (Allpoint network)
- Up to 10% cashback through partner Dosh at specific retailers
Upgrade also has a Premier Savings account that offers 3.05% APY, with a minimum $1,000 deposit.
Pros
- Earn rewards with each debit card purchase
- No maintenance fees or minimums
- Access to fee-free ATMs nationwide
Cons
- No overdraft protection
- No physical locations
- No cash deposits
Best for No Monthly/Annual Service Fees: Chime Checking®
- APY: N/A
- Welcome offer: None
- Monthly fee: $0
- Minimum balance: $0

The Chime® Checking account has no monthly fees, no account minimums, and offers fee-free overdraft of up to $200 for eligible members with its SpotMe® feature.1 Chime also offers a savings account that earns up to 3.00% APY with qualifying direct deposits.2
Chime is online-only but offers fee-free ATM access to over 47,000 ATMs nationwide. You can withdraw cash from FCTI® ATMs located in a 7-Eleven or Speedway or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.3
Plus, you can get paid up to two days early when you set up direct deposit from your employer.4
Pros
- No monthly fees or account balance requirements
- Can access your money before payday with direct deposit
- Fee-free overdraft up to $200 for eligible members
Cons
- Out-of-network ATM fee of $2.50 charged at non-MoneyPass locations
- No joint accounts
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
1. SpotMe Debit Disclosure: 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 physical Chime Visa®️ Debit Card or secured Chime Visa®️ Credit Card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account 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 and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. 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.
2. The Annual Percentage Yields ("APYs") for the Chime Savings Account are variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY rates are effective as of 04/02/2026. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. The following APY rates apply based upon your status: 3.75% APY for Chime Prime, 3.00% APY for Chime Plus, and 0.75% APY for standard. See Chime Membership Tiers Terms and Conditions for more details.
3. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at FCTI® ATMs in a 7-Eleven® or Speedway, or any Allpoint® or Visa® Plus Alliance ATM participating in the Allpoint network.
4. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
Best for ATM access: Capital One 360 Checking
- APY: 0.10%
- Welcome offer: None
- Monthly fee: $0
- Minimum balance: $0

Capital One is a large online bank known for its credit cards, but it also offers a fee-free checking account and access to a huge selection of ATMs nationwide. Capital One has also an intuitive mobile app that makes it easy to manage your account 24/7.
Capital One does have a few in-person locations, called “Capital One Cafes,” which offer modern workspaces, free WiFi, and access to coffee and food.
There is no minimum deposit required to open an account, no monthly maintenance fees, and no overdraft fees.
Other highlights of the Capital One 360 Checking account include:
- Over 70,000 fee-free ATMs
- Zelle payments
- Account locks and protection
- Account alerts
Pros
- No minimums (at all)
- Access to all MoneyPoint and Allpoint ATMs
- Can connect to a high-yield savings account
Cons
- Not many physical locations
- No free checks
Best for Checking & Savings Bundle: Axos Checking
- APY: 1.00%; up to 0.51% on checking and 4.21% on savings with Axos ONE® bundle
- Welcome offer: None
- Monthly fee: $0
- Minimum balance: $0

Axos is an online bank that offers free checking with a base interest rate of up to 1.00% APY, so long as you set up at least $1 in qualifying direct deposits.
However, if you bundle your checking and savings with Axos ONE®, you'll earn up to 0.51% APY on the checking portion and up to 4.21% APY on your savings. For the maximum APY on the bundle, you need to either:
- Receive at least $1,500 in total monthly qualifying direct deposits and maintain an average daily balance of at least $1,500.
- Receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of at least $5,000.
The Axos Checking account charges no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft or non-sufficient fund (NSF) fees, and all domestic ATM fees are reimbursed. It also has zero minimum monthly balance requirements and no minimum for opening the account.
Pros
- No fees
- Simple application process
Cons
- The highest APY requires a high daily balance
Best for Digital Banking: Quontic High-Interest Checking Account
- APY: Up to 1.10%
- Welcome offer: None
- Monthly fee: $0
- Minimum balance: $100

Quontic is an innovative online bank and the Quontic High Interest Checking is currently paying up to 1.10% APY. All you have to do is make 10 debit card purchases each month for at least $10. They also have a “pay ring,” letting you tap to pay without a debit card.
Quontic checking accounts don’t have monthly fees or overdraft charges, and you can even get free cashier’s checks. There is a $100 minimum to open an account.
Other highlights of the Quontic High-Interest Checking account include:
- Access to 90,000+ ATMs for free
- 24/7 online and mobile banking
- Can connect to a high-yield savings account
Pros
- Can earn up to 1.10% interest
- Innovative pay ring
- Live online chat support
Cons
- $100 minimum deposit to open an account
- No paper checkbook
- No physical locations
How To Choose a Checking Account
When searching for the right checking account, consider what you will use it for and what features are most important to you.
For example, maybe you don’t care about physically going into a bank, but you value low fees and the mobile banking experience. In this case, an online bank would be your best bet.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself before choosing your checking account:
- What will I use this account for?
- Do I need paper checks?
- Do I prefer banking online or in person?
- What services will I use (cashier’s checks, bill-pay, money transfers, etc.)?
- Do I need ATM access?
Don’t forget to ask about fees, as some checking accounts charge monthly fees or require a minimum balance.
Tips for Managing Your Checking Account
After opening your checking account, it’s important to set up all the features you will be using. Here are a few things to do:
- Arrange direct deposit with your employer
- Create your online account to log in
- Request a debit card
- Request paper checks (if needed)
- Move bill autopay over to your new checking account
- Set up account alerts
- Connect your budgeting app to your new account (if applicable)
- Download the banking mobile app and log in
Once your account is set up, you should be able to completely manage your account from the bank’s website or mobile app.
READ MORE: Checking vs. Savings Accounts: What's the Difference?
FAQs
What are the requirements for opening a checking account?
To open a checking account, you typically must be 18 years old and a legal U.S. resident. You’ll need to submit personal information like your full name, address, email, and phone number.
You also typically need a Social Security number and to submit a government-issued ID for verification.
Some accounts require a minimum deposit.
Are online banks better than traditional banks?
Traditional banks offer more in-person banking locations and sometimes more services, but they also generally charge monthly maintenance fees.
Online banks offer lower fees, better interest rates, and a better mobile banking experience in most cases.
If you prefer in-person banking or have a specific banking need, traditional banks might be your only option. If you don't mind doing all your banking digitally, then online banks will serve your needs.
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