Where Is The Best Online Checking Account? Keeping up with your finances can feel overwhelming, especially with something as important as a checking account. Whether you're an old hat at banking or looking to open your first-ever checking account, finding the right place to keep your money is key to your continued financial security. Whether you're shopping for better benefits, want a new banking experience, or your old bank doesn't support you the way you need, there are seemingly endless options to sift through.
Chase is a top-tier banking option, offering a mix of in-person and online banking with a wide range of checking accounts for individuals, students, and premium customers (business owners). While most accounts come with monthly fees, they can easily be waived by maintaining the required balance or making regular deposits. With excellent security, millions of satisfied users, and strong mobile app ratings, Chase stands out as one of the best all-around banking choices, earning a perfect score from us for online checking accounts.
CiT Bank is a great choice for those who want a simple, fee-free online checking account with the added perk of earning interest. With features like Zelle, mobile banking, and up to $30 in monthly ATM fee reimbursements, it offers the convenience of a traditional bank without the costs. While it doesn't have options for business owners or in-person banking, CiT's high ratings earn it a near-perfect rating in our review.
SoFi is an online bank that combines checking and savings into one easy-to-use account with competitive interest rates and no fees. Customers love the convenience of early paychecks, fee-free ATMs, and access to loans. With strong ratings and an "A+" BBB score, SoFi is a great choice for those looking for a high-interest, hassle-free personal checking account.
Current is a digital banking app that keeps things simple with a free checking account, fee-free ATM access, and a user-friendly mobile experience. While it doesn't offer check-writing or a desktop version, the app receives high praise for its ease of use and helpful customer service. With a strong reputation that's only increased over the years and an "A" rating from the BBB, Current is a great choice for those who prefer mobile banking, earning it a strong rating in our review.
Good
Read Full Review
Axos offers a fully online banking experience with free personal checking accounts, business checking options, and access to 91,000 in-network ATMs. While customers appreciate the bank's no-fee structure and convenient features, many have reported issues with the mobile app, including crashes and slow performance. With an "A+" rating from the BBB and competitive banking perks, Axos is a solid choice for online checking accounts- though it could greatly improve its user experience by upgrading its app.
Average
Read Full Review
Bank of America is a long-standing financial institution that offers a mix of in-person and online banking, with checking accounts for both personal and business purposes. While customers appreciate the convenience, the bank has faced some criticism, including long wait times for customer service and recent government action. With its long history and wide range of services, Bank of America is a solid choice, but its transparency on interest rates and recent concerns prevent it from earning our enthusiastic recommendation for its online checking accounts.
Varo keeps things simple with a single, fee-free checking account that includes early direct deposit, free cash deposits at CVS, and access to over 40,000 ATMs. The mobile app is highly rated, but some customers report frustratingly long wait times when trying to reach customer service. While it's a solid choice for those looking for a hassle-free online checking account and free cash deposits, the slow support response brings its rating down in our review.
Chime is best for anyone looking for a simple, fee-free online banking experience. This bank offers just one checking and one savings account with no overdraft or maintenance fees. The mobile app is highly rated and includes features like SpotMe, which allows users to overdraw up to $200 without penalties, though some customers report lower limits than advertised. While Chime excels in ease of use, recent complaints and government action in 2024 raise concerns about reliability, earning it a slightly below-average rating.
Subpar
Read Full Review
Short US Bank offers a mix of in-person and online banking with checking accounts for both individuals and businesses. While the accounts come with useful perks like cash-back rewards and fee waivers, many customers report frustrating experiences with customer service and problem resolution. With strong banking options but a poor reputation for support, US Bank isn't an institution we'd recommend for getting an online checking account.
While Citi offers both in-person and online banking, its checking account options are limited and come with fees unless they are waived by meeting deposit amounts of $250 per month. The mobile app is designed to provide a full banking experience, but Citi's customer service reputation is extremely poor, with unresolved complaints and low ratings across multiple review sites. Due to these concerns (and an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau), Citi earns one of the lowest ratings in our review.
Continued from above...
Keeping up with your finances can feel overwhelming, especially with something as important as a checking account. Whether you're an old hat at banking or looking to open your first-ever checking account, finding the right place to keep your money is key to your continued financial security. Whether you're shopping for better benefits, want a new banking experience, or your old bank doesn't support you the way you need, there are seemingly endless options to sift through.
But first, make sure you're getting the right account. A checking account is a bank account designed for those who make frequent withdrawals and deposits. Checking accounts offer a way to keep your money safe but "liquid" (you can use your money like cash whenever you want), and you can withdraw money with a check, debit card, at an ATM, and via electronic transfers.
You generally won't have transfer fees if you send money through a checking account, and most people use this account to pay bills or send money through bank-partnered money programs like Zelle. You don't need to have another account with a bank to qualify, either. So, you don't need a credit card or savings account to get a checking account at your chosen financial institution.
Now, checking accounts are not all the same. You'll find three primary types to choose from including free, interest-bearing, and premium accounts. Free checking accounts have no monthly fees or minimum balances, and these are the standard accounts most people use. Interest-bearing accounts allow you to earn interest like your savings account. Premium accounts usually have a cost to keep them open (paid monthly), and you may be required to keep a minimum balance. The benefits for these higher-tier accounts include waived fees for ATMs, additional interest on deposits, overdraft protection, and higher levels of customer service.
Because there are so many banks out there, from traditional banks with in-person locations to online-only financial institutions, it can be hard to know where to look first to open a new checking account. If you're not sure where to start this financial journey, we've got a few factors to consider that might help:
To help you find the right place to open your next online checking account, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the most popular financial institutions out there today. This way you can deposit your hard-earned money in an account you trust and get back to saving and spending as much as you like!
Compare Any 2 Products
Top Products.
Top Reviews.
Top Consumer Reviews.
Reviews
Browse through thousands of reviews.
Social Media
Like us? Follow us! We'd love to have you join our community.
Newsletter
Stay up to date with the latest reviews. We'll keep you informed, and we'll never sell your information to anyone.
