Best Business Checking Accounts of 2024

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Set up your business for success.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on finding the best business checking accounts. Managing business finances efficiently is crucial for success, and a reliable business checking account forms the foundation of this process.

In this article, we'll delve into the key factors to consider when choosing a business checking account and present you with a handpicked selection of top-tier options.

Whether you're a small startup or an established enterprise, our goal is to help you make informed decisions and secure the perfect checking account for your business needs.

Understanding the Importance of a Business Checking Account

A business checking account is essential for several reasons. It helps keep personal and business finances separate, simplifies accounting, and enhances financial visibility.

Moreover, it allows businesses to accept payments, manage expenses, and build credibility with clients and partners. Choosing the right business checking account is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor; it depends on various factors unique to your business.

Key Features to Look for in a Business Checking Account

When searching for the best business checking account, consider the following features:

1. Low Fees and Minimum Balance Requirements

Opt for an account that offers low or no monthly fees, as well as a reasonable minimum balance requirement. This ensures that you don't incur unnecessary charges while still enjoying essential services.

2. Transaction Limits and Charges

Check the transaction limits and any additional charges associated with exceeding them. Find an account that aligns with your business's transaction volume to avoid unexpected fees.

3. Online and Mobile Banking

In the digital age, seamless online and mobile banking capabilities are a must. Look for an account that provides a user-friendly digital platform, enabling you to manage your finances on the go.

4. ATM Access and Fee Reimbursement

Having widespread ATM access without incurring fees can save your business money. Some accounts even offer fee reimbursements for using out-of-network ATMs.

5. Interest Rates and Overdraft Protection

Although business checking accounts typically offer lower interest rates than savings accounts, consider an account with competitive rates. Additionally, inquire about overdraft protection options to avoid costly penalties.

Our Top Picks for the Best Business Checking Accounts

Based on thorough research and analysis, we present our top picks for the best business checking accounts:

Best for no fees
Best for integrations
Best for freelancers
Best for digital tools
MMG Rating:
4.5
MMG Rating:
4.5
MMG Rating:
4.0
MMG Rating:
5.0
Best for no fees
MMG Rating:
4.5
Best for integrations
MMG Rating:
4.5
Best for freelancers
Best for digital tools

1. Found: Best for no fees

Monthly fee:$0
Minimum opening deposit requirement:$0
APY:None
Transactions:Unlimited
Bonus:None

Found’s free business banking is built for the self-employed. It stands out from the crowd thanks to smart tax and bookkeeping features. The Found business debit Mastercard automatically tracks and categorizes your expenses, helping you save on taxes. Found estimates your tax bill in real time—then sets aside the right amount so you’ll have enough saved for taxes.

Send custom invoices, save receipts, run reports, even pay your taxes right in the app—all for free. Link Found to your payment apps or other bank accounts for seamless money movement. Found’s features eliminate the need to toggle between platforms or pay for clunky financial tools. In all, Found offers reliable business banking and robust features, with no fees or minimums—saving you time and money.

Found Business Checking
4.5

Found Business Checking offers a fully digital business checking account with no monthly fees, no credit checks, a free debit card, and built-in bookkeeping, invoicing, and tax tools. 

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Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Piermont Bank, Member FDIC. The Found Mastercard debit card is issued by Piermont Bank pursuant to a license from Mastercard Inc.

2. Novo: Best for integrations

novo best bank for freelancers
Monthly fee:$0
Minimum opening deposit requirement:$50
APY:None
Transactions:Unlimited
Bonus:None

Novo is the powerfully simple small business checking platform that's resetting expectations of small business finances. Instead of the standard business account offered by the big banks, Novo’s accounts are customized to their user’s needs. 

With integrations to tools small business owners are already using like Stripe, Shopify, Square, and Quickbooks Online and powerful features like Invoices and Reserves, Novo users can save time.  There are no hidden fees or minimums which also saves Novo users money. It's one of the best free business checking accounts available.

Novo
4.4

Get a business edge with an award-winning, free business checking account from Novo. With no monthly fees, unlimited refunds for ATM charges and a focus on digital banking, Novo business checking is a great option for small-business owners on the go.

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4. Lili: Best for freelancers

Lili bank for freelancers
Monthly fee:$0
Minimum opening deposit requirement:$0
APY:None
Transactions:Unlimited fee-free transactions
Bonus:None

Lili is a bank for freelancers that opens its business checking services to anyone who wants to join. Lili offers banking, expense management and other tax-saving tools designed to save you time and money.

There are no monthly fees with a Lili account, minimum balance requirements, or a minimum opening deposit. You can withdraw your money for free with ATM access through the MoneyPass network.

When you’re paid via direct deposit, your money is available in your Lili account up to 2 days earlier than if you were banking with a traditional bank. And they have an app that makes it easy for you to check your balance and transfer funds from anywhere you are.

Lili Bank Account
4.4

Stay in control. Save on taxes. No account fees and no minimum balance. By combining banking with accounting software and technology to optimize tax liability, Lili is designed to save time, money and energy for anyone who runs a business on their own.

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5. NorthOne: Best for digital tools

northone bank for freelancers
Monthly fee:$10
Minimum opening deposit requirement:$50
APY:None
Transactions:Unlimited fee-free transactions
Bonus:Get a $20 bonus when you open and fund a new NorthOne Account

NorthOne is a great place for freelancers to start their business banking. It’s a standout bank that takes just $50 to open an account. The bank has a low monthly maintenance fee of only $10 but doesn’t have any monthly balance requirements or minimum deposits. 

NorthOne has some of the best integration and features: 

  • Works with billing systems like Stripe, Quickbooks, Shopify, and Square
  • Supports all modern payments types 
  • Pay invoices
  • Simple and powerful insights into your cashflow

Interest-bearing accounts are not available, but you enjoy unlimited fee-free transactions and a ton of online tools to help you manage your business banking. You also don’t need a branch to operate your account with NorthOne banks because mobile banking and mobile check deposit are available.

NorthOne Business Banking
5.0

NorthOne offers a variety of online and digital tools to manage your business banking. Open an account in as little as 3 minutes. Join now with no commitments, no minimum balance, and cancel anytime.

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6. Chase Business Complete Banking℠: Best for Chase customers

chase business complete
Monthly fee:$15. Waivable
Minimum opening deposit requirement:$0
APY:None
Transactions:Unlimited fee-free electronic transactions
Bonus:Earn $400 for new business checking customers with qualifying activities.

With its amazing features and services, Chase Business Complete Banking makes it easier for small business owners to keep track of their finances. The account is easy to open and grants a Chase promotion of up to $400 if you deposit $2,000 or more within the first month of opening the account.

Though Chase Business Complete Banking requires a $15 monthly service fee, it provides several options that you can use to avoid the charge and conditions that are easy to meet. The monthly fee can be waived if you:

  • Maintain a minimum of $2,000 daily
  • Use Chase QuickAccept or another Chase Payment Solution transaction to deposit a minimum of $2,000 into your account
  • Spend $2,000 or above using a Chase Ink Business Card
  • Link a Chase Private Client Checking account

7. Axos Basic Business Banking: Best for simplified banking

Monthly fee:$0
Minimum opening deposit requirement:$1,000
APY:None
Transactions:– Up to 200 fee-free items per month, 30 cents per item after
– Up to 60 fee-free remote deposits per month, 30 cents per deposit after
Bonus:$400 welcome bonus

Axos Bank has a Basic Business Checking account designed for small businesses and freelancers with moderate account activity. The Axos Basic Business Banking account has no monthly maintenance fees and a low minimum deposit requirement of $1,000 to open an account.

If you want to have interest checking you can upgrade to Business Interest Checking (0.81%). Small business owners can also benefit from small business savings accounts with APY’s starting at 0.20%. Axos has one of the best business bank accounts overall. For a limited time, get a $400 bonus with promo code NEW400 through this link.

$400 bonus
Axos Basic Business Checking
4.0

Axos Bank's Basic Business Checking account is a free checking account for small businesses. It doesn't have a minimum balance requirement or monthly maintenance fee, and it offers unlimited item processing, including up to 60 remote deposits per month. The account also offers a sign-up bonus of up to $400.

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Why Should I Open a Business Account?

There are many benefits to having a specific account just for your small business. Here are a small handful of those:

  • Having all your withdrawals together can make it tough to determine whether all bills have been paid in either circumstance. 
  • Whether you are the sole member on staff or have employees, it can be difficult to determine exactly how much money you have available for business expenses when the two are mixed. 
  • There are tax advantages for small businesses you can take advantage of with a business account. 
  • If nothing else, a dedicated small business bank account will lend your business an air of professionalism. 

Perhaps you have not started your own account because you are not sure what to look for in a business bank account. It can certainly be intimidating, but not to worry – we will help you narrow down your options by looking at account features you can find in the best small business banks. 

Primarily, there are two major account options when determining what to look for when opening a business bank account: checkings and savings.

You’re probably asking yourself, “What bank account should I have?” In short, your first option should be a small business checking account because you will be using that account to keep track of your small business transactions. 

A checking account will allow you to pay your business expenses and deposit your company profits, which makes it easier to keep your books accurate and is invaluable for making sure your business is profitable.  It will also make it easier to file your business taxes! 

That being said, having a business savings account is also a great idea, and you can set one up at the same time as your checking account. There are plenty of benefits to having one as well, since you can earn interest on your money and it can actually help you boost your company’s credit.

Conclusion

Remember that in this situation, you are the customer and they are the business – a bank that does not seem interested in your business is a red flag. Your business bank should want to work with you and should make it feel as easy as possible to become a member of their institution. 

Remember that finding the best small business bank means finding one that meets your needs and being confident that it will be able to handle and support your growing business. And don’t be afraid to call the bank and hear them out in regards to pitching you their services. 

Once you have a dedicated bank account for your small business, you will enjoy how much easier it is to handle your business without having to wade through your personal finances at the same time. 

Earn $300 bonus
Axos Bank® Rewards Checking
5.0

A free account with unlimited ATM fee reimbursements. You don't have to worry about keeping a minimum balance with Axos' Rewards Checking. As with the bank's other checking accounts, there are no monthly fees, and all fees charged by domestic ATM operators are reimbursed. Axos doesn't charge any ATM fees itself.

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About the author

Brian Meiggs
Hi, I'm Brian Meiggs! A personal finance expert, entrepreneur, and the founder of My Millennial Guide. My drive is to help others unlock the wealth of freedom and pave the path to financial success. With my bachelor's degree in finance, I help millennials follow the smart money in order to increase their earning potential and start building wealth for the future. I write regularly about side hustles, investing, and general personal finance topics aimed to help anyone earn more, pay off debt, and reach financial freedom. I have been quoted in major publications including Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, NASDAQ, Discover, GoDaddy, BiggerPockets, Fox News, Debt.com, Quick Sprout, Money Geek, MSN Money and many more!