Checking accounts

Try to keep enough money in your checking account to cover monthly expenses, plus a small cushion. Read more tips here.

Banks that offer a metal debit card include Acorns, Cash App, Revolut and Crypto.com. See the pros and cons of a metal debit card here.

American Express’ first-ever consumer checking account comes with no monthly fees and rewards.

There are no fees with e-statements, but First Citizens Bank isn’t available nationwide.

Zeta’s joint account features in-app tools for tracking and budgeting, but there are extra fees for more members.

The free Upgrade Rewards Checking account offers 2% cashback, but you can’t deposit cash.

SoFi wins the best checking account overall, with close runners-up: Chime, Upgrade, Chase, Bluevine, Step, Varo and Capital One.

These banks don’t require ChexSystems or a credit check to open an account: SoFi, Chime, Varo, Dave Spending, Chase Secure Banking and more.

Earn a little interest without limiting your transactions. But don’t expect it to replace your high-interest savings account.

Chime’s checking account has almost no fees and comes with great modern banking features.