Best Checking Accounts July 2022

Do you remember why you chose your current checking account?

If you got started early, your parents might have helped you open a kids’ checking or savings account at their bank’s branch. Or maybe you went with the credit union down the street from your work after getting your first W2 job.

Whatever the reason, location likely played a big part. Thankfully, you’re no longer confined to a financial institution for a checking account because of its proximity to you — or a brick-and-mortar site altogether, for that matter.

From higher interest rates to better benefits, it pays to expand your search beyond your local bank or credit union these days. Here’s how to choose the right checking account for you.

Chime Spending Account

Best for Digital Features

Key Features

• No monthly maintenance fees
• Free access to in-network ATMs
• A “Pay Friends” feature to give money to friends

Chime is an online checking account that truly embraces the digital banking space* — consider that its app has over 300,000(!) five-star reviews. The company’s tagline is “banking that has your back” and it aims to do that through its Early Payday function (where you get access to direct deposit funds up to two days early), fee-free overdraft services and more.

Chime Spending Account

Fees

None

APY

0.50%

ATM access

60K+ fee-free ATMs

Promotions

None

Prime perk

“Pay friends” feature

More information About Chime Spending Account

Chime doesn’t charge overdraft fees or for overdraft protection, a monthly maintenance fee, foreign transaction fees or minimum balance fees. You can also open an easy-to-access connected savings account — it allows you to automate your savings with features like the round-up tool, which will round up your transactions to the nearest dollar and dump the change into savings. Bonus: Chime has a “Pay Friends” feature, so you don’t have to mess with cash, math or other apps to split the bill.

Varo Bank Account

Best for Keeping Track of Your Accounts

Key Features

• No hidden fees
• Early access to your paycheck
• Tool to project your cash flow

Varo has combined traditional banking tools with modern technology to help its customers become financially healthy. Its big selling points include Varo Perks — get up to 15% cash back with in-app purchases — no hidden fees and early access to your paycheck. You can also earn up to a whopping 5.00% APY with a Varo high-yield savings account.

Varo Bank Account

Fees

Out-of-network ATM and cash deposit fees

APY

Up to 5.0%

ATM access

More than 55,000 Allpoint ATMs

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Tools to analyze cash flow

More information About Varo Bank Account

With Varo, you’ll pay no monthly service fees, no extra fees for minimum balance requirements, no foreign transaction fees and no cash replacement fees. You’ll just pay out-of-network ATM fees and cash deposit fees if you deposit cash in-store through Green Dot®. Varo keeps tabs on how much you spend across all your accounts, too, so you can better analyze and project your cash flow. It also allows you to set spending caps so you have a better handle on your money.

Chase Total Checking Account

Best for Promotional Offers

Key Features

• A hefty sign-on bonus for new customers
• Offers online, mobile and text banking
• Lots of branch locations in the U.S.

Chase Bank is a well-known entity in the financial world, and we had to include its Total Checking Account on our list. The account comes with a $12 monthly service fee, but it’ll be waived if you have monthly direct deposits of at least $500. If you don’t have direct deposit, you can also have the fee waived with a minimum daily balance of $1,500 (or $5,000 across multiple Chase accounts).

Chase Total Checking Account

Fees

Yes, but may be waived

APY

0.01%

ATM access

16,000 ATMs

Promotions

Yes

Prime perk

Branches in 33 states to avoid fees

More information About Chase Total Checking

This Chase account has other fees. For example, you can use a Chase ATM for free, but you’ll pay a $3 fee for non-Chase ATMs in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and $5 outside of those locations — so, this account isn’t the best for frequent international travelers. Thankfully, the bank has branches and 16,000 fee-free ATMs in 33 states around the U.S., so you can avoid the fees if you’ve got one nearby.

Bonus (literally): You can get $200 when you open a new checking account. Getting it is pretty simple, too, compared with similar offers — open a new Chase Total Checking account* with $0, and set up direct deposit within 90 days of opening. Keep your account open for at least six months, or you’ll lose the bonus at closing.

TD Bank Convenience Checking

Best for Mobile Banking

Key Features

• Free online and mobile banking
• No maintenance fee for students 17-23 years old
• Monthly fee that can be waived easily

TTD Bank is another big name on our list. All TD accounts include free online and mobile banking, including mobile check deposit. The $15 monthly maintenance fee on this account sounds hefty at first, but it’s waived if you maintain a $100 minimum daily balance. However, if you tend to keep a low account balance, that fee — and the account’s $35 overdraft fee — could pinch your wallet.

TD Bank Convenience Checking

Fees

Yes, but may be waived

APY

0.01%

ATM access

1,900 ATMs

Promotions

Yes

Prime perk

No monthly maintenance fees for students

More Information About TD Bank Convenience Checking

Anyone can open an online checking account, but TD’s brick-and-mortar banks (and ATMs) are mostly located on the East Coast. With a $3 fee for using an out-of-network ATM, you might want to have a physical location nearby.
The best thing about this financial institution is it’ll pay you — just for opening an account. For a $300 bonus and an interest-yielding account, consider TD Bank’s higher-tier Beyond Checking account. You must meet certain criteria (and be a new customer) to earn this bonus. (And double-check when the offer ends.)

Axos Bank Essential Checking

Best for Online Customers

Key Features

• Up to 1.00% APY on certain accounts
• Requires balance of only $1
• Unlimited ATM-fee reimbursement in the U.S.

Axos’ Essential Checking account comes with no monthly, annual or overdraft fees. An Axos representative told TPH all its checking accounts require a $100 minimum opening deposit — but, after that, you only need a minimum balance of $1. Despite the low minimum balance, this bank rewards its customers with up to 1.25% APY on their balance (though Essential Checking accounts are not eligible).

Axos Bank Essential Checking Account

Fees

None

APY

Up to 1.25% on certain accounts

ATM access

Unlimited domestic ATM reimbursements

Promotions

Yes

Prime perk

Online bankers valued

More Information about Axos Bank Essential Checking

Axos offers a lot if you’re in the market for an online-only checking account. On top of no fees, Axos will also reimburse you by the end of the next business day for unlimited ATM fees within the U.S.
Regarding spending abroad — per a rep via live chat, you’ll pay a 1% service transaction charge on purchases made in other countries. So, even though this online bank account is flexible, it isn’t ideal for international travelers.

Ally Interest Checking Account

Best for No Fee Perks

Key Features

• Any Allpoint ATM in U.S. free of charge
• No overdraft fees
• Up to 0.25% APY

With Ally’s online Interest Checking account, you can take advantage of no minimum required deposit and use any Allpoint ATMs in the U.S. for free. Plus, Ally will reimburse you up to $10 per statement cycle for other ATM fees within the U.S. As for no fees, there’s more good news: Last year, Ally permanently suspended overdraft fees for checking accounts and all others.

Ally Interest Checking Account

Fees

None

APY

Up to 0.25%

ATM access

More than 55,000 Allpoint ATMs

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Account accessible online or through app

More Information About Ally Interest Checking

With a daily balance of $15,000 or more, this checking account yields 0.25% interest. Below $15,000, it’s 0.10%. That tops a lot of bank accounts, but it’s not as impressive as we’d expect for an account with “interest” in the name — and that balance requirement is a beast. We expect more when checking accounts earn interest.

You can access Ally Interest Checking online or through the Ally app, so it’s an accessible choice for anyone within the U.S.

Consumers Credit Free Rewards

Best for High Balance Benefits

Key Features

• Earn 2.09% interest
• All ATM fees in the U.S. are reimbursed
• Branches in IL; anyone in U.S. can bank online

Prefer to bank at a credit union? Check out the Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards Checking Account. The interest is solid and the rewards are pretty sweet — no monthly maintenance fees, good APY, early direct deposit and more — but the requirements are a bit hefty.

Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards

Fees

Overdraft fees

APY

2.09% (but up to 4.09% for all accounts)

ATM access

Over 30,000 ATMs

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Solid interest offers

More Information About Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards Checking

With this Consumers Credit Union plant, account holders will earn 2.09% interest on your balance up to $10,000. You’ll also have all ATM fees reimbursed, as long as you:

• Make 12 debit card purchases each month without using the PIN (as a credit transaction).
• Have at least one direct deposit or ACH credit of $500 or more each month.
• Enroll in e-documents.

In addition to that, you can earn 3.09% or 4.09% APY (annual percentage yield) on balances up to $10,000 if you meet CCU Visa credit card spending requirements: $500 and $1,000, respectively.
All CCU branches are in Illinois, but anyone can open and manage an account online and through the mobile app.

Schwab Bank High Yield Investor

Best for International Travelers

Key Features

• Easy-to-use app
• ATM-fee reimbursements around the world
• No fees or minimum deposit required

Schwab Bank is loved by international travelers. The account offers unlimited ATM fee rebates for cash withdrawals at ATMs anywhere in the world. You can manage your account online or through the Schwab app for iPhone, and make deposits through the app, so this account keeps up with jet-setters.

Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking

Fees

None

APY

0.03%

ATM access

Unlimited ATM-fee reimbursements

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Free ATM rebates worldwide

More Information About Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking

The downside? Schwab’s online-only High Yield Investor Checking account must be linked to a Schwab One brokerage account. Luckily, there are no fees or minimum deposits to open either account, as long as you open them together.
Neither account comes with monthly fees or a minimum balance, but “other account fees, fund expenses and brokerage commissions may apply” to the brokerage account once you begin investing, according to the Schwab site.
The checking account offers a variable interest rate. If you want to grow your savings through Schwab, you’ll want to invest through the brokerage account.

Chase College Checking Account

Best for Responsible Students

Key Features

• New applicants can qualify for a bonus
• Lots of branches and ATMs in the U.S.
• No monthly service fee

The Chase College Checking Account is designed with the college student in mind. For anyone ages 17 to 24 with proof of college enrollment, there is no monthly service fee. However, it does come with some hefty insufficient-funds fees and fees for using non-Chase ATMs.

Chase College Checking Account

Fees

None

APY

None

ATM access

16,000 ATMs

Promotions

Yes

Prime perk

$100 for signing up

More Information About Chase College Checking Account

New applicants can get a $100 bonus in their account just for signing up for paperless statements and making 10 qualifying transactions within the first 60 days. Debit card transactions count, so that should be easy.
No other rewards are a part of this account, but that’s typical with a student checking account. Beyond that, the account comes with the accessibility of one of the nation’s largest financial institutions, so ATMs are plentiful and online and mobile banking is available.

Montgomery Bank New Start

Best for No-Frills Banking

Key Features

• Low minimum deposit to open an account
• No service fees or required monthly balance
• Free debit card

The Montgomery Bank New Start Checking account is what you want in a second chance banking account. No frills, but no unnecessary fees, either. All it takes is a $20 minimum deposit to open the account. While this is a no-frills account, it offers a lot of benefits for those who are looking to get back on their financial feet again.

Montgomery Bank New Start Checking

Fees

$20 to open, and then none

APY

None

ATM access

Montgomery Bank & MoneyPass ATMs

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Lots of freebies

More Information About Montgomery Bank New Start Checking Account

This account is loaded with freebies and other extras, such as free direct deposit, unlimited check writing and a free debit card. You can also open interest-bearing accounts with the bank if you’re interested in other options. Additionally, Montgomery Bank offers a business checking account, too.

How to Choose a Checking Account

You probably already know that you need a checking account and if it comes with a free debit card, that’s even better. A checking plan serves as the primary hub for your money. It’s where your paychecks and direct deposits land, and, from there, you use the money to pay bills, buy the stuff you need and hopefully slide some of it into a savings account. Maintaining a savings account is a smart personal finance decision.

Picking a bank account is a personal choice. What makes checking accounts “good” depends largely on your financial situation and goals. Checking accounts come in a lot of varieties these days, each with different features and benefits. You can pick from online-only banks to those with physical branches, and from those that pay interest to those that offer free checking accounts and no fees for out-of-network ATM use. It’s up to you to do the research and find the one that will benefit you and your lifestyle the most.

But we can tell you a few things that make certain checking accounts worth opening. Here are a few important features to keep in mind when looking for the best checking accounts:

• Fees: How much will it cost you to manage your money with this account?
• Rewards: What do you earn in return for using the account?
• Accessibility: What are the requirements to open this account and earn the rewards?
• Mobility: Can this account travel and move with you? How are the online banking features? Do direct deposits make your banking life easier? How good is the financial institution’s app in making mobile check deposits easier? Are you considering online banks or only those with physical branches?

Types of Checking Accounts

There are a few varieties of checking accounts out there that offer different benefits. You just need to figure out which kind will work best for you. Some of your options are:

• Student Checking: These accounts usually feature minimal fees and no minimum balance. They also don’t offer a lot of perks. They’re bare-bones accounts designed for cash-strapped students who just need the basics.
• Express Checking: This is the checking account for today’s digital person. If you don’t like going to the bank, this could be for you. These accounts are designed for use on computers, phone apps, ATMs or by telephone. You may actually get a fee for going to a live teller. The upside is fees are minimal as long as you keep banking digitally.
• Joint Checking: Need to share a checking account with a spouse or another person? A joint account lets you both put money in and take money out as needed.
• Fresh Start or Second Chance Checking: If you’ve run into financial trouble and have had your accounts closed, it can be tough to get a new account. These accounts are designed to minimize the bank’s risk, but they allow you to open a new account. If you maintain it well for an extended period of time, it may open opportunities for you to upgrade.
• Rewards Checking: Rewards checking offers the highest perks, such as annual percentage yield (APY) interest on the account balance. Debit card purchases could also receive cashback bonuses or earn points for things like airline travel or gift cards. Some, however, will come with an annual fee.

Choosing a Checking Account vs. a Savings Account

First off, don’t think of it as an either-or situation. Both a checking account and a savings account are essential components of a healthy financial setup. You want to have one location for more regular, everyday expenses (checking) and one for longer-term savings and goals (savings).

You can also mix and match. For instance, you might go for an online checking account and a savings account at a local credit union. You can also have multiple checking accounts; perhaps one offers a new-member bonus for an influx of free cash, while another offers free overdraft protection for regular spending. Alternatively, when it comes to savings accounts, one might offer a higher annual percentage yield, while another offers other saving products like a money market account.

Regardless of the checking account or savings account you choose, it’s a good idea to have at least one of each.

Choosing a Bank vs. a Credit Union vs. a FinTech Company for Your Checking Account

Similarly, opening a checking account, period, is generally a good move, regardless of where you do it.

Keep your own habits and preferences in mind, especially when it comes to choosing between a brick-and-mortar and online-only setup. Consider fees, from initial to ongoing, as well to make sure the account doesn’t end up costing you.

Don’t get hung up on too many details: When it comes to personal finance, it ultimately comes down to what works for you and your situation.

So How Do You Choose? Our Methodology

We decided to see how some of our favorite checking accounts stack up against this criteria.

We graded 10 bank and credit union accounts on the factors that we like to see in any checking account — no fees, free ATMs, good rewards, easy setup and accessibility.

If an account has a monthly fee or out-of-network ATM charges, we highlighted some more positive qualities (think: a low minimum balance requirement, interest checking account offering or a free debit card). With that said, we prioritized those checking accounts that nixed monthly maintenance fees, featured savings accounts and had no-charge or reimbursed network ATM fees.

Here are the best checking accounts we found across (online) banks, credit unions and other financial institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Checking Accounts

When it comes to choosing the best checking accounts, there’s a lot of information out there. Here, we’re answering some of the most popular questions about checking accounts.

The Bottom Line When It Comes to Checking Accounts

We provided a lot of things to consider when opening a checking account.

To recap, the best checking account for you will depend on what you need and want. If there’s a monthly fee but no network ATM fees, that account may be worth considering. Similarly, an interest-bearing checking account may rank higher on your list than online bill pay capabilities.

Ideally, you’ll find an account with no or low fees that offers easy banking options, whether you prefer in-person or mobile banking, or something else. (And hey, a cash bonus and other perks don’t hurt, either.)

Remember, you don’t have to stick with the same checking (and savings) accounts, either. It quite literally can pay to shop around for better offers.

Contributor Kathleen Garvin (@itskgarvin) is a personal finance writer based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and former editor and marketer at The Penny Hoarder. She owns a content-writing business and her work has appeared in U.S. News, Clark.com and Well Kept Wallet.

*Chime disclosure:
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.

*Chase fine print:

“Checking offer is not available to existing Chase checking customers, those with fiduciary accounts, or those whose accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance. To receive the $200 checking bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval AND 2) Have your direct deposit made to this account within 60 days of account opening. Your direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government. After you have completed all the above requirements, we’ll deposit the bonus in your new account within 10 business days. You can only receive one new checking account-related bonus per calendar year. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.

“Account Closing: If your checking account is closed within six months after opening, we will deduct the bonus amount at closing.”

Editorial Disclosure

This content is not provided by the bank advertiser. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the bank advertiser. This site may be compensated through the bank advertiser Affiliate Program.