FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
Annual Percentage Yield
Accurate as of 8/09/2023
Up to 3.30%
on balances up to $50,000
Minimum Deposit Requirement
$0
Monthly Maintenance Fee
$0
On Axos Bank's Website.
Cash in on up to a $500 bonus† and up to 3.30% APY* with a new Rewards Checking account. Just use promo code RC500 before July 31, 2024. Terms apply.
Accurate as of 8/09/2023
Up to 3.30%
on balances up to $50,000
$0
$0
Best Online Checking Accounts 2024
We’ve compared 157 checking accounts at 66 nationally available banks and credit unions to find some of the best accounts available. See below to learn more about why we picked each account, the pros and cons, and to access individual bank reviews.
Annual percentage yields (APYs) and account details are accurate as of July 11, 2024.
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
4.8
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Annual Percentage Yield
Up to 3.30%
on balances up to $50,000
Minimum Deposit Requirement
$0
Monthly Maintenance Fee
$0
On Axos Bank's Website.
Cash in on up to a $500 bonus† and up to 3.30% APY* with a new Rewards Checking account. Just use promo code RC500 before July 31, 2024. Terms apply.
Up to 3.30%
on balances up to $50,000
$0
$0
Editor's Take
In addition to a competitive yield and low-fee structure, Axos Bank’s Rewards Checking account provides customers with easy-to-use digital tools to help them manage their money. The mobile app allows you to sync all of your financial accounts into a single dashboard, analyze your spending, quickly send payments and wire transfers, deposit checks remotely and automate your bill paying.
The app also can connect you 24/7 with a virtual financial assistant to help you navigate financial questions, and it allows you to contact a customer service representative if you need live help.
Customers can also expect excellent security, as Axos offers two-step authentication, 128-bit SSL encryption, antivirus and malware protection, automatic logout and account monitoring to check for signs of fraud.
Read our full Axos Bank Review.
Pros & Cons
- Competitive tiered interest rate structure
- No monthly, overdraft or NSF fees
- Unlimited domestic ATM reimbursem*nts
- No interest on balances over $50,000
- Stringent monthly requirements to earn higher interest
- No physical branches
- No live chat
Details
The Axos Rewards Checking account has interest tiers that allow an account holder to earn up to 3.30% APY total. Balances above $50,000 do not earn interest. These are the steps required to build the highest APY:
- 0.40% APY: Receive monthly direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more. This must be met to be eligible to earn any interest during the statement cycle.
- 0.30% APY: Sign up for personal finance manager (PFM) “account aggregation” (an online banking tool to track all of your accounts in one spot), or use your Axos debit card for a total of 10 transactions per month (minimum $3 per transaction).
- 1.00% APY: Maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Managed Portfolios Account.
- 1.00% APY: Maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account.
- 0.60% APY: Use your Rewards Checking account to make your full monthly Axos consumer loan payment, which might include a mortgage, personal and auto loans.
Axos offers 24/7 customer service via phone and secure online messaging. The site also has a live chat feature available during regular business hours.
Its mobile banking app, available on the App Store and on Google Play, is highly rated and an excellent tool for the fast-paced lifestyle of a student.
Discover® Cashback Debit Checking
4.7
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Annual Percentage Yield
N/A
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. See website for details.
Minimum Deposit Requirement
$0
Monthly Maintenance Fee
$0
Learn More
Read Our Full Review
N/A
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. See website for details.
$0
$0
Editor's Take
Unlike the other accounts on this list, the Discover Cashback Debit Checking account does not pay interest. However, customers are eligible for 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. See website for details
The Discover app offers many of the usual digital banking features: mobile check deposit, ATM locator, account activity tracking, transaction scheduling, money transfers and bill pay. You can also enable Quick View, which allows you to see your account balances without logging into your account. Apple users can also access the app using touch ID, which means this tool is both convenient and secure.
Like some other banks on this list, Discover has partnered with the peer-to-peer digital payment system Zelle, which allows customers to easily send and receive money from the app or the website at no cost. Zelle can send and receive money between nearly any U.S.-based bank account.
The debit card associated with this account can be integrated into an Apple Pay digital wallet, but there is no contactless purchasing enabled, nor are other digital wallets supported.
Read our full Discover Bank Review.
Pros & Cons
- Earn cash-back rewards for debit card purchases. See website for details.
- No monthly maintenance, non-sufficient funds or ATM fees
- No minimum deposit requirement to open
- Does not earn interest
- $3,000 threshold on cash-back qualifying purchases per month. See website for details.
Details
Discover offers optional overdraft protection by linking a second Discover account to your checking account to fund any overdrafts, other than those caused by an ATM withdrawal or POS debit transaction. Those will simply be declined if there are insufficient funds. Without this protection, or if you have insufficient funds in your secondary account, the bank will simply decline or return transactions that overdraw your account.
Discover does not charge an out-of-network ATM fee, but you may be subject to a third-party fee, which will not be reimbursed.
Discover maintains a large ATM network, with more than 60,000 surcharge-free ATMs throughout the nation.
PenFed Credit Union Access America Checking
4.7
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Annual Percentage Yield
0.15% to 0.35%
0.35% on balances of $20,000 and up to $50,000
Minimum Deposit Requirement
$25
Monthly Maintenance Fee
$10
waivable with monthly direct deposits of $500 or more or daily balance of $500 or more
Learn More
Read Our Full Review
0.15% to 0.35%
0.35% on balances of $20,000 and up to $50,000
$25
$10
waivable with monthly direct deposits of $500 or more or daily balance of $500 or more
Editor's Take
The PenFed Credit Union Access America Checking account comes with a highly rated mobile app that lets you pay bills, transfer funds, make payments, access statements and deposit checks remotely at any time. You can also access the chatbot 24/7 for any questions you may have.
The app additionally offers account holders an ATM locator to help you find one of the more than 85,000 surcharge-free Allpoint and CO-OP ATMs within the PenFed network. As for security, PenFed’s app will accept touch ID or face ID login, so you can feel secure that only you will access your banking information.
The account comes with a free Visa-branded debit card which allows for both contactless purchases and the use of digital wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay.
Read our full PenFed Credit Union Review.
Pros & Cons
- Competitive rate structure
- Highly rated mobile app
- Large ATM network
- Waivable monthly fee
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Recurring direct deposit required to earn dividends (interest)
- Monthly fee if you don’t meet requirements
- $30 non-sufficient funds fee
Details
The yields earned on credit union accounts are referred to as dividends rather than interest. PenFed’s dividends are compounded daily and credited to your account monthly. To receive dividends, you must have recurring direct deposits of $500 or more on a daily balance of up to $50,000. Amounts over $50,000 don’t earn dividends.
To join PenFed, you must open a savings account and deposit at least $5. You can’t access the checking account without a PenFed savings account.
Though PenFed’s Access America Checking account has a monthly maintenance fee of $10, the credit union makes this fee easy to avoid. You can set up at least $500 in monthly direct deposits or maintain a daily balance of at least $500 to waive the fee.
You will receive your first 50 checks for free from PenFed, and additional checks cost $5 for 50.
The credit union offers a fee-free overdraft line of credit to Access America Checking account holders. This line of credit provides $300 or more in overdraft protection with a fixed 17.99% APR. There is no fee for the line of credit or individual overdrafts. When an incoming payment bounces, PenFed charges a $30 nonsufficient funds fee or a $10 uncollected funds fee if the money is in the payer’s account but is on hold.
EverBank Yield Pledge Checking
4.7
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Annual Percentage Yield
0.40%
Minimum Deposit Requirement
$100
Monthly Maintenance Fee
$0
Learn More
Read Our Full Review
0.40%
$100
$0
Editor's Take
EverBank offers a number of easy-to-use online and mobile banking tools for money management. With both the online portal and the mobile app, you can pay bills, track your accounts, create budgets, set savings goals and handle electronic transfers. You can also make online payments via Zelle, and the mobile app will let you remotely deposit checks.
Between the online and mobile tools, EverBank customers have 24/7 access to their funds from virtually anywhere in the world. Additionally, the debit card associated with the EverBank Yield Pledge Checking account can be integrated into digital payment programs like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
EverBank also offers customers their Web Safety Guarantee, which provides 100% protection against any money you might lose because of unauthorized online usage (either on its web portal or the mobile app) or because of the institution’s mistake.
Read our full EverBank Review.
Pros & Cons
- No minimum balance, monthly maintenance or NSF fees
- 80,000+ surcharge-free ATMs
- Out-of-network ATM fees reimbursed up to $15 per for all accounts
- Earn 0.40%0.45% APY
- Some bank branches
- Balance of $5,000 required for unlimited ATM fee reimbursem*nt
- Lower yield than the best interest checking accounts
Details
Fees applicable to the Yield Pledge Checking account include: stop payment ($25), official check ($10), outgoing domestic wire transfer ($25), outgoing international wire transfer ($30 to $65, depending on whether in U.S. dollars or requiring foreign currency, with or without currency exchange).
The account also comes with EverBank’s yield pledge, which promises that the account’s interest will always stay within the top 5% among competitive accounts. If you tend to make purchases with your debit card, EverBank’s card comes with a few buyer benefits, including longer extended warranties on products and price and return protection. Interest on this account is compounded daily and credited monthly.
Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking
4.6
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Annual Percentage Yield
0.25%
Minimum Deposit Requirement
$0
Monthly Maintenance Fee
$0
Learn More
Read Our Full Review
0.25%
$0
$0
Editor's Take
With well-designed and intuitive online and mobile app interfaces, the Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking account more than meets its customers’ digital banking needs.
The Alliant mobile app allows you to remotely deposit checks, transfer money between accounts, pay bills, find in-network ATMs and track your finances. The mobile app also allows for fingerprint authentication and a balance preview—so you don’t have to log in to check your balance.
The Visa debit card that comes with the account allows for contactless payment and is compatible with mobile wallets and peer-to-peer payment apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo and Cash App. You will also enjoy $20 per month in out-of-network U.S. ATM fee reimbursem*nts.
Alliant is a credit union, and you must become a member to access this account. If you do not meet one of the listed membership criteria, you can join by making a $5 donation to Foster Care to Success (FC2S), Alliant’s partner nonprofit organization.
Read our full Alliant Credit Union Review.
Pros & Cons
- Highly rated online banking and mobile app
- Access to more than 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs
- No monthly maintenance or minimum balance requirement
- Free overdraft protection
- Contactless Visa debit card and complimentary box of checks
- Requires membership in the credit union
- There are checking accounts with higher yields
Details
Anyone can join Alliant through its partner charity, Foster Care to Success (FC2S). A $5 donation is required to become a member, but the fee is credited back to your account once it’s set up. The yields earned on credit union accounts are referred to as dividends rather than interest. Dividends are compounded monthly and credited monthly. To earn the APY, you must opt in to receive eStatements and have at least one monthly electronic deposit to your account.
The credit union offers a top-rated website and mobile app. Available for iOS and Android, the app lets you deposit checks, use budgeting tools and manage daily financial transactions.
Summary of Best Online Checking Accounts
| Account | Company - Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Annual Percentage Yield | Minimum Deposit Requirement | Monthly Maintenance Fee | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axos Bank Rewards Checking |  | 4.8 |  | Up to 3.30% on balances up to $50,000 | $0 | $0 | Learn More | On Axos Bank's Website | |
| Discover® Cashback Debit Checking |  | 4.7 |  | N/A | $0 | $0 | Learn More | Read Our Full Review | |
| PenFed Credit Union Access America Checking |  | 4.7 | | 0.15% to 0.35%on balances up to $50,000 | $25 | $10 or $0 | Learn More | Read Our Full Review | |
| EverBank Yield Pledge Checking |  | 4.7 | | 0.40% | $100 | $0 | Learn More | Read Our Full Review | |
| Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking |  | 4.6 | | 0.25% | $0 | $0 | Learn More | Read Our Full Review |
Methodology
The accounts on this list are located at banks and credit unions with solid overall digital banking features and ratings. These institutions tend to have highly rated mobile apps and outstanding online banking services.
To create a list of the best checking accounts for digital banking, Forbes Advisor analyzed 157 checking accounts at 66 financial institutions, including a mix of traditional brick-and-mortar banks, online banks and credit unions. We ranked each account on 17 data points within the categories of digital experience, fees, customer experience, access and minimum requirements.
The following is the weighting assigned to each category for checking accounts for digital banking:
- Digital experience: 50%
- Fees: 20%
- Customer experience: 10%
- Branch and ATM access: 10%
- Minimums: 10%
Specific characteristics taken into consideration within each category included mobile app ratings, online banking features and customer service ratings. We also considered monthly fee, ability to waive the monthly fee, overdraft fee, NSF fee, ATM fees, minimum deposit requirements, the minimum balance requirements.
Checking accounts with high ratings in the App Store and Google Play scored the highest, as did those with high ratings from the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot. The accounts on this list also generally offer no or very low fees and low minimum requirements. To appear on this list, the checking account must be nationally available.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Reviews Banks.
What Is an Online Checking Account?
An online checking account is a checking account you can access digitally, either through your phone or computer. It eliminates the need to visit a brick-and-mortar bank, making it convenient for to manage your finances from anywhere. Online checking accounts typically come with features like mobile banking, online bill pay, e-statements and the ability to deposit and transfer funds electronically.
Pros and Cons of Online Checking Accounts
While online checking accounts offer a convenient alternative to accounts at physical banks or credit unions, they’re not for everyone. Consider these pros and cons of online checking accounts before opening one.
Pros
- Convenient and easily accessible
- Typically offer higher yields and lower fees
- May allow mobile check deposits
- Many offer 24/7 customer service
- User-friendly mobile apps
Cons
- No access to physical branches
- Can be difficult to deposit cash
- Online banks tend to offer fewer services
How To Choose the Best Online Checking Account
Finding the right digital banking experience for your needs depends greatly on your banking habits and routines. Most financial institutions offer at least some basic digital banking features, but the best checking account for digital banking will generally include the following:
- A highly-rated mobile app
- Mobile check deposit
- Easy access to customer support via multiple channels
- Excellent digital security
- Integration with alternate digital payment methods
- A well-designed and user-friendly online portal
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for the following when choosing an online checking account.
- Fees. Common fees to avoid include monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, non-sufficient fees and ATM fees.
- Interest and rewards. Be sure to compare any interest rates or rewards offered if you’re looking to maximize your earnings and watch your money grow over time.
- ATM network. Some online banks offer limited ATM network access, which can be inconvenient if you need to withdraw cash often. If you use ATMs, look for an online bank that offers ATM access near you.
- Minimum balance requirements. Some checking accounts require you to maintain a minimum account balance to qualify for benefits like fee waivers and interest.
- FDIC insurance. Before opening an online checking account, verify the bank is FDIC-insured so your hard-earned cash (up to $250,000) is protected.
| Pro Tip |
|---|
Some banks run checking account promotions to attract new customers. These bank account bonuses typically offer a cash bonus if you open a new account and complete qualifying activities, like depositing a certain amount within a certain period of time. If you find an online checking account you’re interested in, look to see if it offers a sign-up bonus. |
Banks We Monitor
These financial institutions were included in our research for the best CD rates: ableBanking, Acorns, Affinity Federal Credit Union, Affirm, Albert, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amalgamated Bank, American Express, Aspiration, Axos Bank, Apple Federal Credit Union, BancorpSouth Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, BankDirect, BankPurely, BankUnitedDirect, Barclays, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Betterment, Blue Federal Credit Union, Bread Savings (formerly Comenity Direct), BrioDirect Banking, Capital One, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chevron Federal Credit Union, CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Colorado Federal Savings Bank, Comerica, CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Copper, Credit Union of Denver, Dave, Discover, Dollar Savings Direct, E*Trade Bank, EmigrantDirect, Fidelity, Financial Partners Credit Union, Financial Resources Federal Credit Union, First Internet Bank, First National Bank of America, FNBO Direct, Georgia’s Own Credit Union, Golden1 Credit Union, Greenwood Credit Union, Heritage Bank, HSBC Direct, Hughes Federal Credit Union, Ideal Credit Union, iGoBanking, Investors eAccess, Keybank, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, LendingClub, Limelight, Live Oak Bank, MAC Federal Credit Union, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, My eBanc, MySavingsDirect, Navy Federal Credit Union, nbkc Bank, Northern Bank Direct, Northpointe Bank, Nuvision Federal Credit Union, Pacific National Bank, Paramount Bank, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, PenFed, PNC Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic, Quorum Federal Credit Union, Radius Bank, Regions Bank, Rising Bank, SalemFiveDirect, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander, SFGI Direct, SmartyPig Bank, SoFi, Spectrum Federal Credit Union, State Bank of Texas, State Department Federal Credit Union, Step, Superior Choice Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, EverBank, TotalDirect Bank, Truist, Union Bank & Trust, U.S. Bank, USAA, USAlliance Federal Credit Union, Varo Bank, Vio Bank, Virtual Bank, Wealthfront, and Wells Fargo.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you open a checking account entirely online?
Yes, you can. In the past, it was necessary to visit a bank branch in order to open a bank account. But the rise of digital banking means customers can now open a checking account and handle all of their transactions without ever setting foot inside a brick-and-mortar financial institution.
Are online checking accounts safe?
Most online checking accounts are safe, but you should always check to ensure the bank website is not fraudulent and the bank is FDIC-insured. You can use the FDIC’s BankFind tool to determine if your bank is secure. As long as your bank is insured by the FDIC, you’re qualified for up to $250,000 in coverage if the bank fails.
Online banking is just as safe as traditional banking, but you can still take steps to keep your financial information secure by using a strong password, enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding public WiFi and signing up for banking alerts.
Who has the best online checking account?
All the banks on this list, including Axos, PenFed, EverBank, Discover and Alliant, offer some of the best online checking accounts and digital banking experiences. However, the best online checking account depends on your banking needs, habits and preferences. Before settling on one, compare features across multiple online checking accounts to find the most suitable option.
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