8 Best Free Checking Accounts of September 2026

She helps readers track down the best high-yield savings accounts, decide if they’re in between banks, and take their first steps into investing. Savings accounts without minimum balance requirements can help you save more and stress less, and they’re not hard to find anymore (plus, they’re some of the easiest bank accounts to open online). The best high-yield savings account rates vary from bank to bank and over time. These are a lot easier to find than they used to be, especially with online banks, fintechs, and credit unions. To maximize your return on investment (ROI), choose a high-yield savings account with no minimum balance.
The content was clear and easy to understand I found exactly what I was looking for The page layout and design worked well SoFi is a personal finance company and online bank with products that include checking and savings accounts. Many online banks have partnerships that let you deposit cash at ATMs or retail stores nationwide.
That makes it easy to get off the ground and start earning right away. Quontic High Interest Checking makes earning category-leading interest on eligible checking account balances easy. Chime is a mobile-first financial app that merges the low cost of online checking and savings accounts with the convenience of truly on-the-go money management. Unlike traditional banks that treat checking as a non-earning transaction account, Axos ONE pays competitive rates on both your spending and saving money – all from one integrated platform. Axos ONE transforms free checking by bundling high-yield checking and savings into a single, zero-fee package.

• Rates are variable, subject to change.
• Plans range from $5.99/month for the core banking and budgeting features up to $19.98/month for the plan with investing tools and additional protections.
• FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
• Download it and explore the demo features.
• But the best accounts go the extra mile and make it easy — even preferable — to bank on the go.
• Indeed, many online banks and a few choice brick-and-mortar stores still offer legitimately free, FDIC-insured accounts with few restrictions and plenty of sweeteners.
• The account charges no monthly fees and even waives fees for out-of-network ATM withdrawals.

How to choose a high-yield savings account

• The best no-fee checking accounts offer features such as low or no minimum balance requirements, convenient ATM access, overdraft protection and early paycheck access.
• The best high-yield savings account rates vary from bank to bank and over time.
• The content was clear and easy to understand I found exactly what I was looking for The page layout and design worked well
• The account does come with a $1 monthly fee, but considering the ease of earning the bonus, it can still be worthwhile.
• Picking the right no-fee checking account isn’t just about avoiding monthly fees.
• Unlike traditional banks that may require direct deposit or debit card activity, Raisin’s offer is purely balance-based.

You get up to $50 in overdraft coverage on debit purchases (with eligible direct deposit), plus access to 55,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide. SoFi requires no minimum deposit to open your account and charges zero monthly maintenance fees, making it completely free to maintain. The account can be opened entirely online from either desktop or mobile app, making it a convenient and easy way to start banking at low cost. So, if you’re looking to make use of its premium features, it might be worth weighing other options. This is why online US banks allow you to open a bank account online with no money and charge no hidden fees, while many traditional banks require a minimum deposit.

Credit Unions Offering Free Checking

It’s a good fit for those who want to save at a competitive rate while avoiding withdrawal limits or minimum balance requirements. 3.00%¹ annual percentage yield as of . There’s no monthly fee², no minimum to open², and no minimum balance to earn the rate². Also the mobile app is pretty bare-bones, so don’t expect budgeting tools or fancy features. Rates variable & subject to change at any time.

Download it and explore the demo features. Their Foundation Checking account charges no overdraft fees and waives the $7 monthly fee with $500 in direct deposits. Their Safe Debit account has no overdraft fees and a $6.95 monthly fee that’s waived with a $500 minimum balance. After graduation, their Total Checking account waives the $12 monthly fee with $500 in direct deposits. Some traditional banks have gone nuclear on overdraft fees.
While cash accounts aren’t quite the same as a high-yield savings account, they function similarly. It’s worth noting that UFB changes the names and details of its savings accounts more than other banks, but it always offers some version of a high-yield savings account that’s always competitive. But the reason we chose it for this list is that, in addition to regularly offering a good rate even when the market is in flux, this account is designed for quick, easy transfers to and from other accounts. Even though this account doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement to open and earn interest, it does require monthly deposits as one option to unlock the highest rate. SoFi Checking and Savings is a joint account that earns interest on your checking and savings balances, and it stood out in our research because you can earn interest on all your money. Unlike some of the other high-yield savings accounts we recommend, the Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings account doesn’t have any minimums to open or earn the highest interest rate.

Rewards Checking Plus via Upgrade

Check writing limits exist at some online banks. Inactive account fees kick in after 6-12 months of no activity. Chime and SoFi have no minimum opening deposits and simple online applications. Chase provides round-the-clock customer service, while many online banks offer extended hours and quick response times. Marcus by Goldman Sachs and other online banks often pay times more interest than big banks. Most traditional banks pay almost nothing on checking balances.
Chime makes it easy to make cash deposits and transfer money with its mobile app. New crusado customers may qualify for a temporary APY boost that raises the savings rate to as much as 3.80% for up to six months. They also come with other features, like a free debit card, online and mobile banking, and much more.
No monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance to earn interest While the interest-bearing NBKC Everything Account has a very competitive APY, it doesn’t have a minimum opening deposit or balance requirement. Every monthly fee you pay is money that could be earning interest or funding your next business venture. You don’t sacrifice security or features for these savings. Money orders and cashier’s checks often cost $5-10 at traditional banks.