Best Checking Accounts in April 2025

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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

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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 3.80% on savings balances, and 0.50% on checking account balances. 

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

Best for Cashback: Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus

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Upgrade is an online-only bank that offers a rewards checking account and connected high-yield savings account. 

The Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus 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 Performance Savings account that you can pair with Rewards Checking, that offers 1.5% APY on all deposits.

You can increase this to 4.14% APY if you keep a balance of at least $1,000 or set up direct deposit and deposit at least $1,000 per month into the account.

Best for No Monthly/Annual Service Fees: Chime Checking®

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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 is online-only but offers fee-free ATM access to over 60,000 ATMs nationwide. You can withdraw cash from a MoneyPass ATM located in a 7-Eleven store or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.²

Plus, you can get paid up to two days early when you set up direct deposit from your employer.³

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® 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 Credit Builder Visa® Credit 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.

2. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

3. 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

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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

Best for College Students: Chase College Checking℠

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Chase is the largest bank in the U.S., with thousands of locations across the country, plus almost any type of banking service imaginable.

Most of Chase's checking accounts come with high fees, except for the Chase College Checking. You must be between the ages of 17 and 24 to qualify. This account has no fees while you’re in college, for up to five years, no minimum deposit, and a $100 sign-up bonus.

To qualify for the $100 bonus you have to complete 10 qualifying transactions in the first 60 days of account opening. Qualifying transactions include debit card purchases, online bill payments, Zelle transactions, ACH credits, and Chase QuickDeposit.

Other highlights of the Chase College Checking include:

• Unauthorized debit card purchase protection
• Zelle payments
• Access to over 4,500 Chase in-person branches
• Free credit score monitoring

Best for High APY: Axos Rewards Checking

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Axos is an online bank that offers free checking with up to 3.30% interest. However, to earn that top rate, you have to jump through some hoops. You'll need to:

• Have at least $1,500 in direct deposit per month
• Complete 10 debit card transactions per month
• Keep an average daily balance of $2,500 in an Axos Invest Managed Portfolio account
• Keep an average daily balance of $2,500 in an Axos Invest Self-Directed Trading Account
• Have a mortgage, personal loan, or auto loan with Axos, and use the account to make the payment

If you don't have an investment account or a loan, you can still earn 0.70% APY by meeting the direct deposit requirements and having 10 debit card transactions per month.

Those hurdles could be worth it, though, since the Axos Rewards Checking charges no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft of 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.

Other highlights of the Axos Rewards Checking account include:

• Connect the account with an investment account for automated investing
• Reimbursement for all domestic ATM fees

Best for Digital Banking: Quontic High-Interest Checking Account

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Quontic is an innovative online bank that offers a high-interest checking account 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

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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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.