6 Best Checking Accounts With No Monthly Fees [2026]

The best checking accounts will always be checking accounts with no monthly fees if you ask us. But not every institution has gotten the memo that consumers prefer their banks with no monthly fees, and there are plenty out there – including some otherwise solid ones – with maintenance fees and hoops to jump through to avoid them.

Not here. We've analyzed the top checking accounts available today to find the best-of-the-best in the no monthly fee bank accounts category. So if you prefer to do your banking with no monthly fees too, these accounts stand out not only for having no monthly service fees but also for offering more perks and convenience than the average bank account.

Learn more about why we chose each no-monthly-fee checking account and which might be right for you.

Limited-Time Offer

AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking

SoFi Checking and Savings

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Learn More on SoFi's secure website, Member FDIC

Bonus Offer

Up to $300 New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Minimum Opening Balance

$0

Monthly Fee

$0

Why We Like It

• Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit¹ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> and up to 4.00% APY² <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> on your money
• Limited-Time Offer: +0.70% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.00% for up to 6 months on new accounts. Terms apply.² <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p>
• No account, overdraft, or monthly fees³ <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p>
• Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit⁴ <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
• Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million⁵ <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations.&nbsp;Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at&nbsp;<a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>

Learn More on SoFi's secure website, Member FDIC

What is a free checking account?

Checking accounts that don't charge monthly maintenance fees just for having an account are often called free checking accounts or bank accounts.

The term "free checking" doesn't include accounts with waivable monthly service fees, because these are only fee-free if you meet the requirements to waive charges.

Compare the best bank accounts without monthly fees

Account name	Best for	Minimum deposit
SoFi Checking and Savings	Online checking with no monthly fees	None
Discover® Cashback Debit*	Frequent debit card spending	None
Chime® Checking	Fee-free overdrafts6 <p>There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.</p>	None
KeyBank Key Smart Checking®	In-person and full-service banking	$10
Axos Rewards Checking	Earning interest	$0
Capital One 360 Checking	Multiple no-fee bank accounts	$0

*Details about Discover® Cashback Debit have been collected by FinanceBuzz editors. This information is accurate as of the date of the review and was not reviewed or approved by the issuer. FinanceBuzz does not receive commission for this product.

SoFi Checking and Savings

2026 AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking

SoFi Checking and Savings

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Learn More on SoFi's secure website, Member FDIC

Bonus Offer

Up to $300 New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Minimum Opening Balance

$0

Monthly Fee

$0

Why We Like It

• Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.30% APY¹ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 months on new accounts. Terms Apply.² <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p>
• No account, overdraft, or monthly fees³ <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p>
• Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit⁴ <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
• Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million⁵ <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations.&nbsp;Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at&nbsp;<a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>

Learn More on SoFi's secure website, Member FDIC

Online personal finance company SoFi's one and only bank account, SoFi Checking and Savings, has a $0 monthly maintenance fee³ <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p> and stands out from the other picks here because it's a two-in-one checking and savings account. We chose it for anyone looking to avoid many common banking fees, since SoFi doesn't have monthly fees or fees for most account activities.³ <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p> In many cases, you won't pay ATM fees,⁸ <p>We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees may be incurred when using out-of-network ATMs. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.</p> overdraft fees,⁹ <p>Overdraft Coverage is a feature automatically offered to SoFi Checking and Savings account holders who receive at least $1,000 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits within a rolling 31 calendar day period on a recurring basis. Eligible Direct Deposit is defined on the SoFi Bank Rate Sheet, available at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. Members enrolled in Overdraft Coverage may be covered for up to $50 in negative balances on SoFi Bank debit card purchases only. Overdraft Coverage does not apply to P2P transfers, bill payments, checks, or other non-debit card transactions. Members with a prior history of unpaid negative balances are not eligible for Overdraft Coverage. Eligibility for Overdraft Coverage is determined by SoFi Bank in its sole discretion. Members can check their enrollment status, if eligible, at any time by logging into their account through the SoFi app or on the SoFi website.</p> stop payment fees, or most transfer fees. One of the only things you might be charged for, and this is unlikely to come up often, is for domestic outgoing wires.

And not only will SoFi not shrink your balance with pesky charges, but your money can also grow. The account earns up to 3.30% APY⁷ <p>Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a></p> on savings with direct deposit and 0.50% APY on checking with direct deposit. Without direct deposit linked, the account earns 1.00% (as of 12/23/25) APY on savings balances, which is not especially competitive when some of the best savings accounts offer 4.00% APY or more.

However, that checking APY stays the same regardless of your activity. Plus, any monthly direct deposit activity counts — you don't have to meet a certain minimum.

We wouldn't recommend this to you if you couldn't link direct deposit or needed to make cash deposits, but it's a great online checking account with few fees.

Visit SoFi Checking and Savings | Read our SoFi Checking and Savings review

Discover Cashback Debit account

If your favorite way to spend is with a debit card, we can't recommend the Discover Cashback Debit account enough. Every checking account under the sun offers a debit card, but few emphasize this spending tool quite as much as Discover. With this online account, you'll earn 1.00% cash back on all of your debit card spending until you reach the monthly limit of $3,000 in purchases. This isn't quite as good as what you'd get with a cash back credit card, but earning any cash back on debit card spending is very unusual. And we like that Discover makes it easy to earn by not restricting you to certain purchase categories, which some rewards checking accounts do. 

There are a lot of people we'd recommend this account to, but we especially like it for beginners and people who want to bank with fewer restrictions and more perks. That's why Discover made our list of the best banks for young adults, especially if you're reaching for your debit card often right now.

You should think of this account like a true spending account and avoid keeping much extra cash in here. The checking account itself doesn't earn interest, so it's not our favorite for especially large balances or funds you're not going to tap into on a regular basis.

Read our Discover checking review

Chime® Checking

2026 AWARD WINNER Best Checking for Bad or No Credit

Chime®

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Learn More on Chime's secure website, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC

Bonus Offer

N/A

Minimum Opening Balance

$0

Monthly Fee

$0

Why We Like It

• No minimum balance, no monthly service fees⁶ <p>There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.</p>
• Get your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit¹⁰ <p> Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.</p>
• Eligible Members can access fee-free overdraft up to $200¹¹ <p>SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest / no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Card Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Chime Card service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime® Checking Account each month and have activated your physical secured Chime Visa® Credit Card or Chime Visa® Debit Card.</p><br> <p>Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Secured Deposit Account up to $20, but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Chime Card Limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s or its banking partners’ discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Chime Card, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. SpotMe on Chime Card won’t cover non-card transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">SpotMe on Chime Card Terms and Conditions</a>.</p>
• 50K+ fee-free ATMs nationwide¹² <p>Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.</p>
• Automatic savings helps you grow your money faster¹³ <p>You can automatically transfer part of your direct deposits of $1 or more from your Checking Account into your selected Chime account(s).</p>

Learn More on Chime's secure website, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC

Chime® is a popular fintech company that offers online bank accounts that regularly stand out for having more features and benefits — with fewer annoying restrictions — than its competitors. The Chime® Checking account is one of the best checking accounts for avoiding monthly fees as well as overdraft fees, even if you overdraw your balance.⁶ <p>There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.</p> The account has a noteworthy feature called SpotMe® that lets you access up to $200 in fee-free overdrafts, depending on your eligibility.¹¹ <p>SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest / no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Card Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Chime Card service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime® Checking Account each month and have activated your physical secured Chime Visa® Credit Card or Chime Visa® Debit Card.</p><br> <p>Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Secured Deposit Account up to $20, but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Chime Card Limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s or its banking partners’ discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Chime Card, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. SpotMe on Chime Card won’t cover non-card transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">SpotMe on Chime Card Terms and Conditions</a>.</p>

What's more, MyPay®¹⁴ <p>MyPay® line of credit provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. MyPay services provided by Chime Capital, LLC (NMLS 2316451).</p> <p>To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A qualifying direct deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 - $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. Other restrictions may apply. See <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/bancorp/mypay/">Bancorp MyPay Agreement</a> or <a href="https://www.chime.com/early-pay/mypay/">Stride MyPay Agreement</a> for details.</p> is a cash advance feature you may be able to use if you need to access part of your paycheck early. It isn't available in every state, but you may be able to access between $20 and $500 each pay period, depending on your financial profile. However, as is the case with SoFi, the catch is that you'll need qualifying direct deposits coming into this account every month to be eligible for either of these perks to help you make it to your next payday.

Chime® also lets you deposit cash fee-free at any Walgreens or Duane Reade location.¹⁵ <p>Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your Chime account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade.&nbsp;</p> Cash deposits are somewhat rare for an online bank.

Visit Chime Checking | Read our Chime review

KeyBank Key Smart Checking®

KeyBank

4.6

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Learn More on KeyBank's secure website, Member FDIC

Bonus Offer

$300 Open a Key Smart Checking® account online by May 22, 2026. Make the minimum opening deposit of $10 and a total of $2,000 or more in eligible direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening. Your $300 cash bonus will be deposited into your account within 60 days of meeting requirements. Account must not be closed at the time of gift payment.

Minimum Opening Balance

$10

Monthly Fee

$0

Why We Like It

• Earn $300 with Key Smart Checking® with qualifying activities¹⁶ <p>Open a Key Smart Checking® account online by May 22, 2026. Make the minimum opening deposit of $10 and a total of $2,000 or more in eligible direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening. Your $300 cash bonus will be deposited into your account within 60 days of meeting requirements. Account must not be closed at the time of gift payment.</p>
• Use EasyUp® to build up savings or pay down debt without even thinking about it
• With Relationships Benefits, earn higher interest rates, more cashback, loan discounts and more — it all starts with a KeyBank checking account
• You could get paid up to two days early with eligible direct deposit

Learn More on KeyBank's secure website, Member FDIC

If you haven't liked any of the options on this list so far because you're not into fully digital banking, you might prefer this no-monthly-maintenance-fee checking account from KeyBank. You'll be able to get help with your account in person if you live near a branch.

The Key Smart Checking Account is one of the only bank accounts like it from a traditional brick-and-mortar bank because it doesn't have a monthly service fee you have to avoid. A lot of big banks, including those from Chase, Bank of America, Citi, and Wells Fargo, only offer everyday banking options that come with monthly maintenance fees. These are almost always waivable, but you usually have to meet deposit or balance requirements to waive them, and that's a whole hassle compared to an account that just has none to begin with.

Even if you don't live near a branch, we think this is one of the best no-monthly-maintenance-fee checking options for anyone looking for or full-service banking. KeyBank offers a host of bank accounts, with five different checking products alone, plus savings accounts, loans, insurance, and more.

Visit Key Smart Checking

Axos Rewards Checking

The online Axos Rewards Checking account has a $0 monthly maintenance fee and enables you to earn an APY of up to 3.30% with qualifying activities. As far as interest checking accounts go, this is about as impressive as they come. We like SoFi Checking and Savings for earning a high yield on any money in your bank account, but if you want to maximize the yield on your checking balance specifically, choose Axos.

That said, we want to stress that the requirements to unlock the highest rate possible are significant. For one, there's a monthly direct deposit requirement of at least $1,500 just to begin earning interest. From there, you can earn additional interest by having at least $2,500 in an Axos self-directed investing account, at least $2,500 in a managed investing account, making at least 10 monthly debit card purchases, and more. Because of this, we'd really only recommend this account if you could meet that direct deposit minimum easily and plan to open many accounts with Axos.

Read our Axos Bank review

Capital One 360 Checking

If you're looking for any type of bank account with almost no fees, start with Capital One 360. The bank's built a lot of its benefits (and advertising) around the fact that it charges very few banking fees, and it offers a variety of free bank accounts with perks to make your life easier, like early direct deposit and the ability to make cash deposits. We chose Capital One 360 Checking for this list because it offers a strong set of features and one of the best banking apps. But rather than open it on its own, we think it's even better if you're looking to open multiple accounts with a bank that doesn't charge a lot of fees. Capital One 360 Performance Savings earns a competitive 3.40% APY (as of 10/01/25)¹⁷ <p>Early paycheck is available for 360 Checking customers that set up direct deposit with their employer or other payor to receive electronic deposits of regular periodic payments (such as salary, pension, or government benefits). Certain non-payroll and tax payments are not eligible for early paycheck. Early direct deposits may be available to you up to 2 days earlier, however, we are dependent on the timing of your payor’s payment instructions and therefore you may not always see your direct deposits arrive early. Early paycheck eligibility may vary between pay periods and daily/transaction limits apply. </p> .

Capital One would also be our pick for bank accounts for kids and teens, since it offers joint bank accounts for teen checking and kids' savings.

Capital One 360 is often compared to Ally and SoFi because there's a lot of overlap in benefits and lack of fees. But unlike Ally and SoFi, Capital One 360 has a branch network, albeit a limited one. It has 265 scattered in-person branches across nine states, and you're in luck if you're around Virginia, New York, or that general region.

Visit Capital One | Read our Capital One 360 review

Credit union checking we recommend

Interest-Bearing Checking Account With No Sneaky Fees

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking Benefits

• Earn 0.25% APY¹⁸ <p>APY=Annual Percentage Yield. The High Rate Checking Dividend provides an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 0.25% APY. The APY is accurate as of the 6/26/2025 dividend declaration date. Checking dividend may change after account is opened and is subject to change at any time. There is no minimum balance requirement to earn the stated APY. Checking Dividends are paid on the last day of each month to checking accountholders who have opted out of receiving paper statements (receive eStatements only) and have a recurring monthly electronic deposit to their Alliant checking account each month (e.g., a direct deposit, payroll deposit, ATM deposit, mobile check deposit or transfer from another financial institution). Otherwise, Alliant checking accounts do not earn a dividend. Alliant checking charges no monthly maintenance or service fees; however, if incurred, other fees may reduce earnings on the account. Please refer to the Alliant <a href="https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/images/uploads/files/FeeSchedule.pdf">Fee Schedule</a> for a list of these types of fees. Dividend applies to Checking and Teen Checking Accounts. Account is subject to approval. We may not open checking for you if you do not meet Alliant criteria.</p> by opting into eStatements and receiving at least one monthly electronic deposit into your account
• No monthly service or overdraft fees¹⁹ <p>Overdraft protection is optional. You must opt in to benefit from this free service and you can unenroll at any time. Alliant's overdraft protection program honors your overdrafts on your checking account when you don't have enough money in your Alliant checking account to cover a transaction, provided you have enough money in your Alliant Savings or Supplemental Savings Account. To do so, we automatically transfer funds from your Alliant Savings or Supplemental Savings Account to your Alliant checking account to cover your overdrafts. Overdraft protection does not cover ATM transactions.</p><p>Courtesy Pay is a discretionary "courtesy" overdraft service. There is no fee to enroll in or use the Courtesy Pay service and you can unenroll at any time. To be eligible for Courtesy Pay, members must be in good standing and have an Alliant checking account that has been open for at least six months. Other eligibility factors are risk-based and determined by Alliant using internal and confidential information, including your account history. To qualify to use Courtesy Pay, eligible members must have qualifying deposits totaling at least $600 into their Alliant checking account in the previous 30 days. Standard Courtesy Pay may pay checks and ACH electronic items that would not have not cleared otherwise due to insufficient funds, up to an approved limit. The full amount of the overdraft balance will be due immediately but in no event more than 30 days from the date of the occurrence at which time Courtesy Pay privileges will be suspended and possibly terminated. If you opt in for extended coverage, Courtesy Pay may also cover everyday debit transactions on your Alliant Visa debit card that would not have cleared otherwise due to insufficient funds, up to an approved limit. See the Alliant Account Agreement and Disclosures and the Courtesy Pay Disclosure for details and the Fee Schedule for a list of fees. Courtesy Pay does not cover ATM transactions.</p> and no monthly minimum balance requirement²⁰ <p>There is no minimum balance requirement to maintain a High-Rate Checking account. However, there is a minimum opening deposit requirement of $25 for new and existing Alliant members that open a High-Rate Checking account online via open.alliantcreditunion.com, and for new Alliant members that open a High-Rate Checking account by telephone (see the Truth-in-Savings Disclosure Chart in the <a href="https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/images/uploads/files/AccountAgreementAndDisclosures.pdf">Account Agreement and Disclosures</a> for more information regarding minimum opening deposit requirements). Any funds that are deposited at account opening to satisfy a minimum opening deposit requirement may be withdrawn at any time. High-Rate Checking accounts that are opened via a paper application, online banking, or in connection with obtaining an Alliant loan (whether originated directly by Alliant or through an indirect lending channel) do not have a minimum opening deposit requirement.</p>
• Access to 80,000 fee-free ATMs²¹ <p>Transactions performed at other ATMs may be subject to the ATM owner’s surcharge fee. Please see the online ATM Locator at <a href="https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/">www.alliantcreditunion.com</a> or our mobile banking app for a list of ATMs that accept deposits or are fee free. Not all ATMs accept deposits.</p> plus up to $20/month in ATM fee rebates for out-of-network ATMs²² <p>Alliant will rebate ATM fees up to $20 per month per membership account when you use your Alliant checking account Visa debit card to make a deposit, withdrawal, transfer or balance inquiry. The rebate does not apply to cash advances from Alliant Visa credit cards through ATMs nor to the Alliant Savings ATM Card and Visa International Service Assessment (ISA) fee, referenced as the foreign transaction fee on account statements. Not all ATMs accept deposits.</p>
• Get your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Payday²³ <p>With Early Payday, Alliant Credit Union may make incoming electronic direct deposits made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) available for use up to two days before the scheduled payment date. Not all direct deposits are eligible for Early Payday. Early availability of direct deposits is not guaranteed and may vary from deposit to deposit. Early access to funds is dependent on submission of direct deposit by payor and standard fraud prevention restrictions. Whether we make funds available early depends on when we receive the payor’s payment instructions, any limitations we set on the amount of early availability, and standard fraud prevention screening. Available for personal accounts only. Eligible direct deposits are limited to electronic direct deposits of items such as your payroll, pension, and government benefit payments made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) to your personal account. Other deposits or credits to your account, such as deposits of funds from person-to-person payment services (e.g., Zelle®, Venmo, or PayPal transfers), check or mobile deposits, and other online transfers or electronic credits are not eligible for Early Payday.</p> <p>If Alliant makes funds available early through Early Payday and the payor reverses or requests a return of the deposit, or the funds are otherwise uncollected by Alliant, Alliant may debit your account for the deposit amount previously made available early, which may draw your account negative.</p>
• Deposits are federally insured up to $250,000 by the NCUA

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How to choose the best checking accounts with no monthly fees

If you're looking to do your checking with no monthly fee, each of these checking accounts offers different benefits and perks. That makes each one better suited for some people but not for others. As you shop around for the best checking accounts, here are a few factors to consider.

• Do you use cash a lot? Look for an account with cash deposit options.
• Are you banking with a partner? If so, choose a joint checking account option.
• Do you get FDIC insurance? Banks that are member-FDIC provide protection for your money balance.
• Will you need to borrow money in the future? Some banks and fintech companies offer personal loans and may give you discounts on your loan if you're already a client.
• Do you work for an employer or receive benefits? Many checking accounts have perks and features that are only available with direct deposits.
• What other fees does the bank charge? Checking accounts with no monthly fees typically mean that these accounts don't charge monthly maintenance fees. However, no account is completely free. Work with the best banks and make sure to review their fees.
• Is the process pain-free? If the process to open an account is easy and smooth, that's typically a good sign. That can often signal that the experience of using that bank's other products will be a painless process. 

We also surveyed bank customers to determine what's important when choosing a bank. Here's what they said.

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AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking

SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit

Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.30% APY¹ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.² <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> FDIC Insured.⁵ <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations.&nbsp;Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at&nbsp;<a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>

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Bank of America Advantage Banking

Up to $500 cash offer. Click ‘Learn More' for more details. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.

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Use Cash App As Your All-in-One Financial Services Platform

Bank²⁴ <p>Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand.</p><p class="">Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Direct Deposit provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand.</p> without all the fees—save, send, and spend your money the way you want.²⁵ <p class="">Your balance is eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance through our Program Banks Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and/or Sutton Bank, Members FDIC for up to $250,000 per customer when aggregated with all other deposits held in the same legal capacity at each Program Bank above, if certain conditions are met. Cash App is a financial services platform, and not an FDIC-insured bank. Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See <a href="https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement">terms and conditions</a>. </p> Get paid up to 2 days early – up to 2 days earlier than most banks²⁶ <p>Your first deposit may take longer depending on your employer.</p>

Download Cash App

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Enjoy $400 as a new Chase checking customer

When you open a new Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities.²⁷ <p>Offer not available to existing Chase checking customers, or those whose accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance within the last 3 years. You can receive only one new checking account opening related bonus every two years from the last coupon enrollment date and only one bonus per account. Coupon is good for one-time use. To receive the bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval; AND 2) Have your direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more made to this account within 90 days of coupon enrollment. Your direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government. Person to Person payments (such as Zelle®) are not considered a direct deposit. Micro-deposits do not qualify as a direct deposit for the bonus. Micro-deposits are small deposits, typically less than $1, that are sent to your account to verify it is the correct account. After you have completed all the above requirements, we'll deposit the bonus in your new account within 15 days. To receive this bonus, the enrolled account must not be closed or restricted at the time of payout. Eligibility may be limited based on account ownership. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT (or Form 1042-S, if applicable). Offer availability subject to change. Other Chase checking bonus offers may exist concurrently.</p> FDIC Insured. Offer valid through 4/15/2026.

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FAQs

Bottom line

If you're looking for a bank account with no monthly fee, many of the accounts we've featured here go one step further than just not having a monthly maintenance fee. 

SoFi, Chime, Discover, KeyBank, and Axos all have checking accounts worth opening, but one might be better for you depending on the key feature you need in an everyday bank account. For instance, if you want to grow your money, including your savings, SoFi is a good place to do that. But for some of the best overdraft coverage, Chime is our pick. You can also find some high-interest checking accounts that don't have monthly account fees. 

Be sure to dig into the account details to find the best bank accounts with no monthly fees for your needs. While not having monthly service fees is helpful, be sure the account you choose has the features most important to you, such as early pay access.

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5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking

High APY of up to 4.00% on Savings (3.30% APY¹ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.² <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p>

Paycheck access up to 2 days early with direct deposit⁴ <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>

No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees³ <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p>

Streamlined savings and savings goals with Vaults

Access to a large ATM network⁸ <p>We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees may be incurred when using out-of-network ATMs. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.</p>