Best Checking Accounts Comparison Guide
Find the right checking account for your needs. We've compared 10+ leading banks across key features like APY, fees, ATM access, mobile banking, and customer service to help you make an informed decision.
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Top Picks By Category
Best for High Interest
SoFi: +0.70% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.00% for up to 6 months on new accounts, up to 3.30% APY on checking. Current: 4.00% APY on savings pods. Axos: up to 3.30% APY on checking with qualifying activities.
Best for No Fees
Ally & Chime
No monthly maintenance, overdraft, or minimum balance fees
Best for ATM Access
Allpoint Network
55,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide through Allpoint partners
Best for Branches
Chase & Bank of America
4,700+ branches nationwide for in-person banking
Best Mobile App
Chime & Ally
4.7+ star rating with intuitive mobile-first features
Complete Checking Account Comparison
Compare all key features side-by-side to find the best account for your needs
| Bank | APY | Monthly Fee | Min Balance | ATM Network | Overdraft Fee | Sign-up Bonus | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SoFi Checking & Savings
Online Only
|
Up to 4.00%*
On savings with boost
Up to 3.30% checking
|
$0 | None |
55,000+ ATMs
Unlimited refunds
|
$0 | $50-$300 | High APY | View Details |
|
Current
Online Only
|
4.00%
On savings pods
|
$0 | None |
40,000+ ATMs
Free Allpoint
|
$0 | $75 | Early Payday | View Details |
|
Ally Bank
Online Only
|
0.25%
All balances
|
$0 | None |
43,000+ ATMs
Allpoint network
|
$0 | None | No Fees | View Details |
|
Chime
Online Only
|
0.00%
No interest
|
$0 | None |
60,000+ ATMs
MoneyPass & Visa Plus
|
$0 | $100 | Mobile App | View Details |
|
Capital One 360
Some branches
|
0.10%
All balances
|
$0 | None |
70,000+ ATMs
AllPoint network
|
$35 | $200-$300 | Cafes | View Details |
|
Discover
Online Only
|
0.00%
No interest
|
$0 | None |
60,000+ ATMs
Unlimited refunds
|
$0 | $150-$200 | Cashback | View Details |
|
Chase Total
4,700+ branches
|
0.01%
All balances
|
$12
Waived options
|
$1,500
To waive fee
|
16,000+ ATMs
Chase ATMs only
|
$34 | $300 | Branches | View Details |
|
Bank of America
3,900+ branches
|
0.01%
All balances
|
$12
Waived options
|
$1,500
To waive fee
|
16,000+ ATMs
BofA ATMs only
|
$35 | $200 | Branches | View Details |
|
Axos Rewards
Online Only
|
Up to 3.30%
With activities
|
$0 | None |
91,000+ ATMs
Unlimited refunds
|
$0 | None | Cashback | View Details |
|
Quontic
Online Only
|
1.10%
All balances
|
$0 | None |
90,000+ ATMs
Fee refunds
|
$0 | None | Award Winner | View Details |
|
Wells Fargo
4,600+ branches
|
0.01%
All balances
|
$10
Waived options
|
$500
To waive fee
|
12,000+ ATMs
Wells Fargo only
|
$35 | $325 | Branches | View Details |
How to Choose the Right Checking Account
Not all checking accounts are created equal. Here's what to consider when making your decision:
Interest Rates (APY)
If you keep significant balances, a high APY can earn you hundreds per year. Online banks typically offer 0.25%-3.30% APY on checking accounts, and up to 4.00% APY on savings accounts (sometimes with promotional boosts). Traditional banks offer 0.01% or less. Note: Checking and savings accounts often have different APYs—checking typically earns less than savings, but offers easier access to your money.
Monthly Fees
Traditional banks often charge $10-15/month, though fees can be waived with minimum balances or direct deposits. Online banks typically charge $0.
ATM Access
Consider ATM network size and fees. Online banks often reimburse ATM fees or provide access to large networks (40,000-90,000+ ATMs).
Branch Access
Need in-person service? Traditional banks like Chase and Bank of America have 3,000+ branches. Prefer online? Digital banks offer 24/7 customer service.
Mobile Features
Check app ratings and features like mobile check deposit, bill pay, budgeting tools, and instant notifications. Online banks typically excel here.
Overdraft Protection
Overdraft fees range from $0-35 per transaction. Some banks offer free overdraft protection or no overdraft fees at all—an important consideration if you occasionally overdraw.
Quick Decision Guide
- Want the highest interest rates
- Prefer no monthly fees
- Are comfortable with digital banking
- Don't need in-person service
- Value in-person service
- Need to deposit cash frequently
- Prefer face-to-face support
- Can meet minimum balance requirements
Our Evaluation Methodology
We evaluate checking accounts based on quantifiable criteria and real user experiences. Our goal is to provide you with objective, comprehensive information to make an informed decision. Here's our evaluation framework:
Interest Rates (20%)
APY competitiveness, requirements to earn interest, and consistency of rates
Fees & Costs (20%)
Monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, ATM fees, and fee waiver options
ATM Access (15%)
Network size, fee reimbursements, and geographic coverage
Customer Experience (15%)
App Store ratings, customer service hours, complaint resolution
Features & Tools (15%)
Mobile app quality, budgeting tools, bill pay, mobile check deposit
Security & Reliability (15%)
FDIC insurance, fraud protection, security features, financial stability
Transparency Note
Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you sign up for an account. This helps support our research and keeps our content free. However, our rankings and reviews are based solely on the evaluation criteria above and are not influenced by affiliate relationships. We only recommend accounts we would use ourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions
What's the difference between online banks and traditional banks?
Online banks offer higher interest rates (up to 4.00% APY) and lower fees but no physical branches. Traditional banks have in-person service but typically offer minimal interest (0.01% APY) and charge monthly fees ($10-15).
Are online checking accounts safe?
Yes. All banks on our list are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor, meaning your money is protected by the federal government. They use the same security measures as traditional banks.
Can I have multiple checking accounts?
Yes! Many people keep one account with a traditional bank for in-person services and another with an online bank for higher interest rates. Just watch for any minimum balance requirements.
What's required to earn the highest APY?
Common requirements include setting up direct deposit, making a certain number of debit card transactions per month, or maintaining a minimum balance. For example, SoFi requires direct deposit to earn up to 3.30% APY. Always check specific requirements before opening an account.
Are sign-up bonuses worth it?
Bonuses ($75-300) are valuable free money if you can easily meet the requirements (typically direct deposit and maintaining the account for 60-90 days). But don't choose an account solely for the bonus—long-term features like APY and fees matter more.
Ready to Choose Your Checking Account?
Use our comparison above to find the account that best matches your needs. Here's a quick recap:
If You Want High Interest
SoFi (+0.70% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.00% for up to 6 months on new accounts, up to 3.30% APY checking), Current (4.00% APY on savings pods), or Axos (up to 3.30% APY). These offer significantly more interest than traditional banks.
If You Want Zero Fees
Ally, Chime, SoFi, and Current all offer $0 monthly fees and $0 overdraft fees. Perfect if you want to avoid all banking fees.
If You Want Physical Branches
Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo offer 3,900-4,700 branches nationwide for in-person service and cash deposits.
If You Want Sign-up Bonuses
SoFi (earn $50 or $300 when you sign up and set up eligible direct deposit), Wells Fargo ($325), and Chase ($300) offer strong bonuses with qualifying activities like direct deposit.
Next Steps
💡 Tip: You can open multiple accounts to maximize benefits. Many people use one online bank for high interest and one traditional bank for in-person services.