Most people can open a bank account online in a few minutes, from the couch, without putting a dime down. The trick is picking one that doesn’t come back later with a monthly fee you didn’t see coming.
Quick answer
The easiest bank account to open online is Current: you sign up in the app in a few minutes, there’s no deposit required to open it, and you just need your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, a phone number and an email. The top three are Current, Chase Secure Banking℠ and Quontic High Interest Checking.
Our top picks
Current
A checking account you open in the app
Get $75 when you set up direct deposit
- Use code WELCOME75, then get $1,500+ in paychecks deposited in 35 days
- Your paycheck can land up to 2 days early
Chase Secure Banking℠
A low-cost checking account from Chase
Get $175 after 10 purchases or payments in 60 days
- $0 monthly fee if you get $250+ in paychecks or benefits deposited a month, or you’re 17 to 24
- No money needed to open it
Continue securely on Chase’s site
For new Chase checking customers. Chase sets the terms.
| Account | Open online | Minimum deposit | Monthly fee | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | Yes, in the app | $0 | $0 | $75 with code WELCOME75 |
| Chase Secure Banking℠ | Yes | $0 | $4.95 or $0 | $175 |
 Quontic High Interest Checking | Yes, about 3 minutes | $100 | $0 | None shown |
 SoFi Checking and Savings | Yes, in the app | $0 | $0 | Up to $400 |
 Ally Bank Spending Account | Yes | $0 | $0 | None shown |
 Varo Bank Account | Yes, in the app | No minimum balance | $0 | None shown |
 Wells Fargo Everyday Checking | Yes, if you are 18+ | $25 | $15 or $0 | None shown |
 Marcus Online Savings Account | Yes | $0 | $0 | None shown |
 Synchrony High Yield Savings | Yes | $0 | $0 | None shown |
Tap an account name to jump to its section.
Every account below opens online. The first four pay you to open them or have a perk worth having. The rest are solid if you want something specific, like a savings account or a bank with branches.
Easiest Bank Accounts to Open Online
1. Current
A checking account you open in the app
Best for: anyone who wants an account fast with nothing down
Get $75 when you set up direct deposit. You need $0 to open it and there’s no monthly fee.
Use code WELCOME75 at sign-up. Our link applies it too.
- $75 bonus with code WELCOME75 after $1,500 or more in payroll direct deposits in your first 35 days
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
- Paycheck Advance up to $1,000 for eligible members
- Current is a fintech, not a bank, so FDIC coverage is pass-through
- $3.50 to deposit cash at a store and $3.50 at out-of-network ATMs
2. Chase Secure Banking℠
A low-cost checking account you can open online
Best for: anyone who wants a simple account with nothing down to open
A real Chase account you can open from your couch with $0, plus $175 after 10 purchases or payments in 60 days.
- No minimum deposit to open
- $175 after 10 qualifying transactions in 60 days
- $0 monthly fee with $250+ in qualifying electronic deposits or an owner 17 to 24
- $4.95 a month if you miss both ways to waive it
- The bonus is only for new Chase checking customers
- 17 year olds have to open it in a branch
Continue securely on Chase’s site
For new Chase checking customers. Account subject to approval. Chase sets the terms.
3. Quontic High Interest Checking
Online checking that pays interest when you use your card
Best for: debit card users who want their checking to earn
Your checking earns 1.10% APY when you use your debit card 10 times a cycle.
- Open online in about 3 minutes
- 1.10% APY on your whole balance in any cycle you hit the card activity
- No monthly service fee
- You need $100 to open it
- You need 10 debit purchases of $10 or more each cycle to get the rate
Continue securely on Quontic’s site
Rates can change. Quontic sets the terms.
4. SoFi Checking and Savings
Checking and savings you open together online
Best for: people paid by direct deposit who want one app for everything
Get up to $400 when you set up direct deposit, with no account fees.
- Up to $400 cash bonus when you set up direct deposit
- No account fees and no minimums
- 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs with no SoFi fee
- No branches if you ever want help in person
- Overdraft coverage is only up to $50 and needs $1,000+ in direct deposits
More Easy Bank Accounts to Open Online
5. Ally Bank Spending Account
Online checking, up and running in minutes
Best for: no-fee everyday banking
6. Varo Bank Account
A bank account you apply for in the app
Best for: phone-first banking
7. Wells Fargo Everyday Checking
Big-bank checking, apply online at 18+
Best for: people who want branches
8. Marcus Online Savings Account
Savings only, from Goldman Sachs
Best for: a savings account next to your checking
9. Synchrony High Yield Savings
Online savings with no minimums
Best for: parking savings
What you need to open a bank account online
Pretty much the same everywhere: your Social Security number, a driver’s license or other government-issued ID, a phone number and an email.
Age matters too. Most online applications want you to be 18. Here’s how old you have to be to open a bank account and what teens can do instead. New to all of this? Our guide on how to open a checking account walks through it step by step.
No deposit, bad credit or ChexSystems?
No money to put down? Current, Chase Secure Banking℠, Ally, Marcus and Synchrony all open with $0. More options are in our list of accounts you can open online with no deposit.
Banks don’t usually pull your credit for a checking account, but many check ChexSystems for past overdrafts. If that’s been a problem, Chase Secure Banking℠ is the account Chase points people to when they need a second chance. Or look at banks that don’t use ChexSystems.
Bottom line: start with Current if you get a paycheck by direct deposit, and Chase Secure Banking℠ if you want a big bank. Both open online with nothing down.
FAQs
Current and Chase Secure Banking℠ are two of the fastest. You apply online or in the app, verify your identity with your Social Security number and ID, and you can be done in minutes. Neither needs a deposit to open.
Yes. Current, Chase Secure Banking℠, Ally Bank Spending Account, Marcus and Synchrony all open with $0. Wells Fargo Everyday Checking needs $25 and Quontic High Interest Checking needs $100.
A checking account usually doesn’t need good credit, but many banks check ChexSystems. Chase Secure Banking℠ is the account Chase points people to when they need a second chance, and there are also banks that don’t use ChexSystems.
Your Social Security number, a government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license, a phone number and an email. Most banks also want you to be 18 or older to apply online.
Current pays $75 with code WELCOME75 after $1,500 or more in payroll direct deposits in your first 35 days. Chase Secure Banking℠ pays $175 to new Chase checking customers after 10 qualifying transactions in 60 days.
