0
UpvotesIs it safe to link bank accounts?
Reply
View more answers
2025's Best Online Checking Accounts
Selected from 1,000+ checking accounts for September 2025
Best Overall
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0.00% - 4.00% | None | None |
APY
0.00% - 4.00%
Monthly Fee
None
Editors’ Thoughts
Why we like it: The mph.bank Free Checking Account account offers a 4.00% APY on balances up to $50,000, no monthly fees, no overdraft fees and no minimum deposit required 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 no physical presence, mph Bank’s checking account is best suited for online transactions.
Who should get it: Anyone looking to get a great APY on their checking account, alongside very low fees, should check the mph.bank Free Checking Account account out.
Show More
Show More
HIGHEST APY CHECKING
HIGHEST APY CHECKING
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 4.05% | None | None |
APY
4.05%
Monthly Fee
None
Editors’ Thoughts
Why we like it: The Primis Premium Checking account provides a 4.05% APY on any balance. It has no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, and requires no minimum deposit to open. Among interest-bearing bank accounts, this is one of the best checking options available today.
What we don’t like: With physical branches only in Maryland and Virginia, Primis Bank is better suited for online use.
Who should get it: If you’re looking for the best APY on a checking account, then the Primis Premium Checking account is the one for you.
Show More
Show More
Best with Rewards
Best with Rewards
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 1.00% | None | None |
APY
1.00%
Monthly Fee
None
Editors’ Thoughts
Why we like it: American Express Rewards Checking comes with an APY of 1.00% and 1 Membership Rewards point for each $2 of eligible Debit Card purchases. It also comes with no overdraft or monthly fees.
What we don’t like: While we like the rewards, a sign-up bonus is also common for checking accounts of this kind. 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 American Express Rewards Checking account should be right for you.
Show More
Show More
Best for International Travel
Best for International Travel
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0.10% | None | None |
APY
0.10%
Monthly Fee
None
Editors’ Thoughts
Why we like it: The Capital One 360 Checking Account is our pick for the best checking account for international travel on account of its lack of foreign transaction fees for purchases and ATM withdrawals, as well as a lack of overdraft fees.
What we don’t like: While Capital One is an established and trustworthy bank, the 0.10% APY for this account is way below most offers.
Who should get it: If you’re planning on travelling and want a great checking account for it, the Capital One 360 Checking Account is definitely for you.
Show More
Show More
Best for Students
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25% - 2.00% | None | None |
APY
0.25% - 2.00%
Monthly Fee
None
Editors’ Thoughts
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.
Show More
Show More
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0.50% | None | Up to $30 |
APY
0.50%
Monthly Fee
None
Editors’ Thoughts
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.
Show More
Show More
Best for Business
| APY | Monthly Fee | Signup Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 3.70% | $95 | $300 |
APY
3.70%
Monthly Fee
$95
Editors’ Thoughts
Why we like it: The Bluevine Premier Business Checking account offers 3.70% APY, no deposit fees, no transaction limits, and no overdraft fees.
What we don’t like: This account comes with a $95 monthly fee.
Who should get it: If your business is comfortable operating online, and wants to get some interest on its deposits, then the Bluevine Premier Business Checking account would be a great choice.
Show More
Show More
Were the editor’s picks helpful?
2025’s Best Credit Union Online Checking Accounts
| Best For | Online Checking Account | Best Feature |
| Overall | BCU PowerPlus™ Checking | 8.00% APY on balances up to $15,000 |
| High-Yield (up to $15k balance) | BCU PowerPlus™ Checking | 8.00% APY on balances up to $15,000 |
| High-Yield (from $15k to $35k balance) | Rave Financial Checking Account | 6.10% APY on balances up to $35,000 |
| High-Yield (35k balance and above) | Blackhawk Community Credit Union Premier Checking | 3.15% APY on balances above $35,000 |
| Rewards Checking | PSECU Checking Account | Up to $0.10 Cash Back for Eligible Purchases |
| For International Travel | Boeing Employees Credit Union Member Advantage Checking | No Foreign Transaction Fees |
| Student Checking | Connexus Credit Union Teen Checking | 2.00% APY on balances up to $1,000 |
| Business Checking | Chartway Credit Union Premium Business Checking | 4.00% APY on balances above $500,000 |
How to Get the Best Online Checking Account
- Focus on What You Want: Understanding your own banking habits can help you choose the account that best fits your individual needs. There's a variety of offers out there, each with its own special features (low fees, high APY, etc.). Pay attention to your own banking habits and shop accordingly.
- Consider All Options: Don't limit your search to online-only banks. Even traditional banks with online account management can be competitive. And if you sometimes want to bank in person, traditional banks are the way to go.
- Create a Central Fund: You don't always need both a checking account and a savings account, unless having both helps you manage your money better. When one type of deposit account offers the best rates by far, as is the case with online checking accounts, you can get away with just that. Creating a one-stop shop for your banking needs could make life easier, after all.
- Understand the Terms: Most online checking accounts don't charge many fees for online services. But things like face-to-face teller assistance and paper checks may cost you, if available. So try to review an account's terms – focus on every place a dollar sign is listed – in order to avoid costly surprises.
Methodology
To identify the best online checking accounts, WalletHub’s editorial team regularly compares over 1000 offers based on APY, minimum opening deposit requirements, and several other features. The products listed in our Best Online Checking Accounts page were chosen for their ability to provide competitive APYs, the institution’s size (as indicated by deposit amounts or assets), and their frequent appearance in online searches or other potential considerations. Below, you can read more about how each category winner was decided:
- Overall – The most important factors were interest rate, monthly and overdraft fees. We also wanted an account that would have a reasonable minimum deposit requirement.
- Highest APY – This category focused on the absolute highest interest rate available to a checking account. We also looked at monthly fees and overdraft fees.
- Rewards Checking – We wanted this category to show accounts with the best rewards. We looked at signup bonuses, ongoing rewards but also APY.
- International Travel – For this category, we looked for checking accounts that had no foreign transaction fees, either for purchases or ATM withdrawals. We also looked at ATM fees and interest rates.
- Student Checking – Here, we looked at monthly fees, overdraft fees, but also a low minimum deposit requirement. We also wanted the checking account to have an associated mobile app.
- Business – Since businesses tend to have more capital to invest, we considered business money market accounts with the best APY for a balance of $500,000 or more. Then, we picked the best ones based on APY, monthly fees, and the number of transactions allowed per month.
Questions & Answers
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.
Most Popular
- Most Popular
- Most Upvotes
Questions sort
5
UpvotesHow do I find out if my checking account has been approved?
Reply
Lisa Cahill
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.
4
UpvotesAre there any free senior online checking accounts?
Reply
Sydney Garth
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+.
3
UpvotesWhat banks allow you to overdraft your checking account?
Reply
Sydney Garth
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.
View more answers
2
UpvotesAre online checking accounts better?
Reply
Ramses Delgado
Online checking accounts aren't necessarily better than traditional checking accounts, but they offer advantages that might be a good fit for you depending on your priorities. If you value convenience, low fees, and high interest rates, then online checking could be a great option. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:
Pros
- Typically higher interest rates: Online banks often have lower overhead costs than traditional banks, and they may pass on those...
1
UpvoteHow do you make a cash deposit in an online account?
Reply
Sydney Garth
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...
0
Upvotes0
UpvotesWhich online checking accounts offer early direct deposit?
Reply
Ramses Delgado
Several online checking accounts offer early direct deposit, including the SoFi® Checking and Savings account. Here are other options to consider:
Please note that this feature may change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, visit the banks' websites or contact their customer service.
You can check the best checking accounts available to ensure that whatever decision you make really fits your goals.
0
Upvotes0
UpvotesExpert Opinions
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.
- What advice do you have for people who are looking for an online checking account?
- What would you say is the biggest mistake that people tend to make when it comes to online checking accounts?
- When do you recommend getting an online checking account instead of another type of bank account?
- What are the most important things to look for when comparing online checking accounts?
- What features do the best online checking accounts have in common?
Zachary Klingensmith
Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Economics – Washington & Jefferson College
Read More
Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Economics – Washington & Jefferson College
Read More
Hossein Salehi
Ph.D., CFP®, Adjunct Professor of Financial Planning at The American College of Financial Services
Read More
Ph.D., CFP®, Adjunct Professor of Financial Planning at The American College of Financial Services
Read More
Jon Hooks
Ph.D., CFA, CFP, Professor, Albion College
Read More
Ph.D., CFA, CFP, Professor, Albion College
Read More
Dr. John Hilston
Professor of Economics and History – Eastern Florida State College
Read More
Professor of Economics and History – Eastern Florida State College
Read More
Yusuf Joseph Ugras
Associate Professor of Accounting, La Salle University
Read More
Associate Professor of Accounting, La Salle University
Read More
Sunita Ahlawat
Ph.D - Chair & Professor, Department of accounting and information systems, School of business, The college of new jersey
Read More
Ph.D - Chair & Professor, Department of accounting and information systems, School of business, The college of new jersey
Read More
More Experts
