Spencer Tierney is a consumer banking writer at NerdWallet. He has covered personal finance since 2013, with a focus on certificates of deposit and other banking-related topics. His work has been featured by The Washington Post, USA Today, The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, among others. He is based in Oakland, California.
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Yuliya Goldshteyn is a former banking editor at NerdWallet. She previously worked as an editor, a writer and a research analyst in industries ranging from health care to market research. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago, with a focus on Soviet cultural history. She is based in Portland, Oregon.
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Ruth Sarreal is a content management specialist covering consumer banking topics at NerdWallet. She has over a decade of experience writing and editing for consumer websites. She previously edited content on personal finance topics at GOBankingRates. Her work has been featured by Nasdaq, MSN, TheStreet and Yahoo Finance.
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+ Summary: Best prepaid debit cards Bluebird by American Express. Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account. ONE VIP Visa Prepaid Card. FamZoo Prepaid Card. Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard. Walmart MoneyCard.A prepaid debit card can serve as a budgeting tool or an all-out replacement for a bank account. No prepaid card is completely fee-free, but the best prepaid cards offer convenience while charging few fees.
Dozens of prepaid debit cards are available, but not all are worth using. We’ve rounded up the best ones, none of which charge a fee for customer support phone calls (which some other cards do).
Why trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to make sure our coverage is fair and accurate, so you can choose the financial accounts that work best for you.
Here are our top prepaid debit cards based on fees and features.
Best Prepaid Debit Cards
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Read reviewBluebird by American Express
No monthly fees; no fee for cash reloads at Family Dollar. No-fee ATM network. Great budgeting features.NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Read reviewServe American Express Prepaid Debit Account
No-fee cash reloads at more than 45,000 locations. Large, no-fee ATM network for withdrawals.ONE VIP Visa Prepaid Card
Earn points on spending with certain merchants, online stores, subscription services and Black-owned businesses.
Redeem points to make charitable donations or get cash back.
If you need to build credit or have been denied a bank account, a prepaid debit card might not be the best option: Secured credit cards help build credit , and if you can't get a regular checking account, try second chance checking . These accounts provide another shot at mainstream banking and its perks.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Read reviewBluebird , issued by American Express, offers more than the average prepaid debit card, and you can load and spend money without paying fees.
But Bluebird is slightly more limited when it comes to the number of places it’s accepted , and it doesn’t allow cash back at retailers.
Vast network for no-fee ATM withdrawals.
Free cash reloads at Family Dollar.
Many methods available for reloads.
Separate “set aside” accounts for savings.
Up to four subaccounts for family members.
No cash back at retailers.
Cash reloads at retailers other than Family Dollar may cost up to $3.95.
Card is issued by American Express, which isn’t accepted everywhere that Visa and Mastercard are.
No monthly fees. No costs for online activation or inactivity. No fees for purchases.No-fee withdrawals at about 40,000 MoneyPass network ATMs; $2.50 fee at out-of-network ATMs, plus any ATM operator fee.
Up to $3.95 for cash reloads at retailers other than Family Dollar. + RELOAD METHODS Direct deposit. Debit card transfer. Card-to-card transfer. Mobile check deposit (with a third-party fee for instant processing).Cash load at Family Dollar, Walmart or other stores (retailers other than Family Dollar may charge up to $3.95).
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Read reviewThe Serve Prepaid Debit card, issued by American Express, offers a vast ATM network with no-fee withdrawals and an extensive, no-fee cash reload network.
As an American Express card, Serve has limits when it comes to the number of places it’s accepted, and it doesn’t allow cash back at retailers.
Vast network for no-fee ATM withdrawals.
Many methods available for reloads.
No-fee cash loading at more than 45,000 retail locations.
Purchase protection, emergency assistance and subaccounts available.
$6.95 monthly fee in most states.
Cash reloads at some retailers may charge up to $3.95.
No cash back at retailers.
Card is issued by American Express, which isn’t accepted everywhere that Visa and Mastercard are.
$6.95 monthly fee (though the fee is waived in several states). No fees for online activation or inactivity. No fees for purchases.No fee withdrawals at about 40,000 MoneyPass network ATMs; $2.50 fee at other ATMs, plus any ATM operator fee.
Up to $3.95 for cash loading at out-of-network retailers. + RELOAD METHODS Direct deposit. Checking or savings account. From one Serve card to another. Debit or credit card transfer. Mobile check deposit (with a third-party fee for instant processing).Cash loading at more than 45,000 locations such as CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, Walmart and some 7-Eleven stores (other retailers may charge up to $3.95).
The ONE VIP prepaid debit card rewards cardholders for spending with certain merchants and Black-owned businesses and on certain subscription services, and provides the opportunity to use rewards to either get cash back or make charitable donations.
The monthly fee is higher than average but can be lowered with direct deposit, and the rewards and unique features could make the card worth it for some.
Rewards for spending with certain merchants, online retailers and subscription services, including Black-owned businesses.
Reward redemption options include cash back and charitable donations.
Monthly fee of $4.95 with direct deposit ($7.95 without direct deposit).
No free ATM network.
No free option for cash loading.
$4.95 monthly fee with direct deposit or $7.95 without direct deposit. No fees for online activation or inactivity. No fees for purchases. $2.95 per ATM withdrawal, plus any ATM operator fee. + RELOAD METHODS Direct deposit. Mobile check deposit (with a third-party fee for instant processing). Bank transfer. Cash loading at certain merchant locations (merchants may charge a fee).
FamZoo is a family-friendly prepaid Mastercard that provides a way for parents to give their kids a debit card that the parents can control. Even children younger than 13 can get a card to use. Four cards are free on the monthly plan, but more can be added for a one-time $3 fee per card. From the website or app, you can send allowances, split payments, see balances and activity across all cards, and set up text and email alerts.
Monthly fee discounted if you prepay.
Multiple accounts under one plan.
Free and instant FamZoo card-to-card transfers.
Option to reload by P2P app transfer.
Ability to lock (to prevent spending and card-to-card transfers) and unlock FamZoo cards.
No free ATM network.
Maximum monthly fee is higher than average for cards that don’t charge a per-purchase fee.
No mobile check deposit feature.
Fee for cash reloads at retailers.
You can prepay $59.99 for two years of FamZoo — that works out to $2.50 per month. Other prepayment plans also offer a discount.
If you don’t prepay, the fee is $5.99 for a monthly subscription. No costs for activation or inactivity. No fees for purchases. No charge from FamZoo for ATM withdrawals, but third-party ATM operator fees can apply. + RELOAD METHODS Direct deposit Bank transfer. Peer-to-peer money transfer apps including PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo and Cash App.Cash reload at Reload @ the Register and Mastercard rePower network retailer participants such as 7-Eleven and Walgreens (about $5 retail fee).
» Want a traditional spending account? Check out NerdWallet’s best free checking accounts
Greenlight stands out for a feature that other prepaid cards lack: store-specific spending controls. Parents can preapprove where their kids spend money, so $300 earmarked for school supplies can only be spent at a campus bookstore, for example. The prepaid card also offers real-time activity alerts, free card-to-card transfers for allowances and the ability to remotely lock lost cards.
A Greenlight account can have up to five subaccounts, so it works for a family. Given low purchase and withdrawal limits, it’s best as a family budgeting tool instead of a bank account replacement.
No international ATM withdrawal fee.
Up to five subaccounts.
Real-time activity alerts.
Store-specific spending controls.
Ability to remotely lock lost cards.
No free ATM network.
No checks or cash can be deposited.
Daily ATM withdrawal limit is $100.
Low purchase limits.
$4.99 to $9.98 per month, depending on selected plan (more expensive plans include features such as investing education and identity theft protection).
No costs for activation, inactivity or account closure. No fees for purchases. No charge from Greenlight for ATM withdrawals, but third-party ATM operator fees may apply. No international ATM withdrawal fee (though ATM operator may charge a fee). + RELOAD METHODS Direct deposit. Debit card transfer Bank transfer. Card-to-card transfers. Transfers from Invest Account.
The Walmart MoneyCard offers its shoppers up to $75 per year in cash-back rewards: 3% for purchases made at Walmart.com and in the Walmart app, 2% at Walmart fuel stations and 1% at Walmart stores. The app, which gets decent ratings, is required to get fee-free cash reloads at Walmart stores. Walmart MoneyCenters and Customer Service desks also offer fee-free cash withdrawals. Among the best prepaid debit cards on this list that charge a monthly fee, only the Walmart MoneyCard offers the option to have the fee completely waived.
This prepaid, reloadable card is family-friendly. You can order an account for free for up to four additional people who are at least 13 years old. The Walmart MoneyCard offers a free “Vault” savings feature. On the card enrollment anniversary, savings will earn 2% APY ( compounded annually ) on up to $1,000.
Because it’s not part of an ATM network, you’ll pay $2.50 for ATM withdrawals in addition to any operator fees.
Can add funds (cash or deposited checks) at Walmart stores.
Monthly fee waived by meeting a monthly direct deposit minimum.
Fee-free cash withdrawals at Walmart MoneyCenters and Customer Service desks.
Up to four free additional accounts.
Ability to lock and unlock card.
Text and email alerts.
Savings feature with 2% APY for first $1,000.
Cash-back rewards for purchases made at Walmart.com and in the Walmart app, at Walmart fuel stations and at Walmart stores.
No free ATM network; $2.50 fee for ATM withdrawals plus operator fees.
Limited methods for reloading funds.
Must have the app to get fee-free cash reloads at Walmart stores.
$5.94 monthly fee waived with a monthly direct deposit of at least $500. $1 starter card purchase fee if purchased in store. No inactivity fees. No fees for purchases. $2.50 fee for ATM withdrawals, plus any operator fees. + RELOAD METHODS Add cash at Walmart stores using the Walmart MoneyCard app. Mobile check deposit. Add funds from checks cashed at Walmart stores. $3 to reload cash at a Walmart store; up to $5.95 to reload elsewhere.» Want to build your savings faster? See our list of the best savings accounts
Cash Management Money Market Learn MoreSoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 8/27/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Min. balance for APY Learn MoreEverBank Performance℠ Savings
Min. balance for APY Learn MoreBarclays Tiered Savings Account
Min. balance for APYThese cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
Learn Moreon Wealthfront's website
Wealthfront Cash Account
Min. balance for APY Learn Moreon Betterment's website
Betterment Cash Reserve – Paid non-client promotion
*Current promotional rate; annual percentage yield (variable) is 5.50% as of 4/2/24, plus a .50% boost available as a special offer with qualifying deposit. Terms apply; if the base APY increases or decreases, you’ll get the .75% boost on the updated rate. Cash Reserve is only available to clients of Betterment LLC, which is not a bank; cash transfers to program banks conducted through clients’ brokerage accounts at Betterment Securities.
Min. balance for APYCDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
Read reviewMarcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD
4.70% APY (annual percentage yield) as of 08/30/2024
Federally insured by NCUA
Alliant Credit Union Certificate
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 08/20/2024
Checking accounts are used for day-to-day cash deposits and withdrawals. Checking accounts are used for day-to-day cash deposits and withdrawals.
Discover® Cashback Debit
Chase Total Checking®
Deposits are FDIC Insured
Chime Checking Account
Monthly fee Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features. Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
Discover® Money Market Account
The difference between prepaid debit cards and checking accounts is starting to blur, as many have similar features and services.
This is especially true for mobile-optimized banking accounts: Like most prepaid debit cards, many require no credit check. There are also some that don't check your bank account history; unlike prepaid cards, mobile-optimized banking accounts come with some extra perks, such as advanced savings features, bigger ATM networks and check-writing privileges.
Chime®, for example, offers a free spending account in the Visa payment network, free access to a large ATM network and a number of ways to add cash to the account, including at retailers such as 7-Eleven and Walmart (the retailer may charge a fee) or at Walgreens for free.
If you’re considering a prepaid debit card because you have a less-than-great bank account history, consider a second chance checking account . These give you an opportunity to have a bank account, even if you’ve been rejected by banks because of past issues such as having an account closed due to unpaid overdraft fees or other problems.
» Blocked from getting a bank account? Here’s what you need to know about ChexSystems
Chime says: "Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC."
See more information from ChimeChime says: "Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account."
"Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your selected Chime Account. Barcode and debit card cash deposits land in the Checking Account. Credit Builder card cash deposits first go through your Card Account and then land in your Secured Account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade."
"Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account."
"Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM."
"Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member's direct deposit enrollment status."
The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.
Here are a couple more prepaid debit card options, from financial technology companies.
Apple offers Apple Cash, a digital card used to send and receive money from others in the Messages app, or to fund other Apple Pay transactions at stores and online. Apple Cash might be referred to as the “Apple debit card” because the Apple Cash balance is a prepaid balance that works like a debit card. Funds can be added to your Apple Cash balance using a debit or prepaid card, or with money sent to you via Messages.
Apple now provides Apple Cash virtual card numbers. A virtual card number allows consumers to use their Apple Cash like a prepaid debit card to pay for things online when Apple Pay isn’t an option.
Cash App offers its users a free debit card called a Cash App Card. The card allows a user to spend their Cash App balance, using the Cash App Card the same way you’d use a prepaid debit card. While traditionally debit cards only link to a bank account balance, Cash App’s card balance is funded by an external funding source (usually a bank account or debit card, but you can also use a credit card or prepaid card).
Monthly fee and number of free ATMs
Bluebird by American Express
Monthly fee: $0. Free ATMs: About 40,000.FamZoo Prepaid Card
Monthly fee: $2.50 to $4.33 if prepaid; $5.99 if billed monthly. Free ATMs: None.Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard
Monthly fee: $4.99 to $14.98. Free ATMs: None.ONE VIP Visa Prepaid Card
Monthly fee: $4.95 or $7.95. Free ATMs: None.Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account
Monthly fee: $6.95. No-fee ATMs: About 40,000. Monthly fee: $0 to $5.94. Free ATMs: None.Prepaid cards are a tool you can use to help you stay within budget or even as an alternative to a bank account. Unlike with credit cards, you load funds onto prepaid cards before use.
Prepaid cards are easy to get. They’re sold at retail stores (usually for a fee) and some can be ordered online. There’s no credit check, and they’re often available even if you can’t get a bank account because of a bad banking history.
Some companies also offer mobile-optimized banking accounts that don’t require a squeaky-clean banking or credit history — and they often cost less than prepaid cards.
You don’t need a bank account to get a prepaid debit card, but it’s a requirement for a regular debit card, which is linked to a checking account. When you get a prepaid debit card, you load the card with money, then use it to make purchases. With regular debit cards, the funds for your payments are taken directly from your checking account as you make purchases.
Here are answers to common questions about prepaid debit cards.
A prepaid debit card can serve as a budgeting tool or be a replacement for a bank account. The best prepaid cards offer convenience and don’t charge many fees.
There’s no credit check required to get prepaid cards, and they’re often available even if you can’t get a bank account because of a bad banking history. You load funds onto prepaid cards before using them for purchases. Generally, you can also use a prepaid debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs.
A prepaid card is a card that’s pre-loaded with funds that you can spend. A prepaid card (aka prepaid debit card) is different from a secured credit card (what some people might refer to as “prepaid credit card”). Learn about the differences between prepaid debit cards and secured credit cards .
Prepaid cards are sold at retail stores (usually for a fee) and some can be ordered online.
The methods for adding money to a prepaid card vary from card to card. But generally, the options include adding cash at a retail register (often for a fee), adding funds using an app to make a mobile check deposit, and by direct deposit, card-to-card transfer or bank transfer.
The best prepaid debit card for you depends on your needs. If you’re a frequent Walmart shopper, the Walmart MoneyCard might be most useful to you, for example. Or if you’re a parent managing your kids’ allowances, you might prefer the FamZoo Prepaid Card. Whatever prepaid debit card you choose, look for low fees and features such as the ability to withdraw or add funds using methods that are convenient to you.
We looked at 36 reloadable prepaid debit cards offered by some of the biggest banks, credit unions and prepaid debit card issuers. Where multiple card plans existed, only the basic monthly fee plan was considered.
We analyzed four categories for each card: general fees and features, purchases and withdrawals, reload fees and options, and other services such as bill pay and savings accounts. The cards that made this list had the best combination of these categories. Some cards in this roundup have nonbank program managers that partner with banks. Regardless, all the cards’ issuers are banks that insure consumers’ money through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. No cards above have overdraft fees.
See full listACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card , Akimbo Prepaid Mastercard, American Express Serve , Bluebird by American Express , Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard, Card.com Prepaid Card, Commerce Bank mySpending Card, Control Prepaid Mastercard, CUMONEY Everyday Spend Prepaid Card, FamZoo Prepaid Card, Fancard, FasterMoney, Fred Meyer Prepaid Card, Green Dot Prepaid Visa Card , Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard, H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard, Kroger Rewards Prepaid Debit Card, Mango Visa Prepaid Card, MyVanilla Prepaid Card, Navy Federal Credit Union GO Prepaid Card, Netspend Visa Prepaid Card , NexsCard Visa Prepaid Card, ONE VIP Visa Prepaid Card, PayPal Prepaid Mastercard , PNC SmartAccess Prepaid Visa Card, Purewrist, Ralphs Rewards Prepaid Visa Card, Regions Now Visa Prepaid Card, Revolut USA Prepaid Visa or Mastercard (Standard), TD Connect Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card, Truist Money Account Prepaid Debit, Turbo Visa Debit Card, Venmo Debit Card, Walmart MoneyCard , Western Union Netspend Prepaid Card, Wise debit card.
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