- 72% of checking accounts charge a monthly fee, averaging $13.24 a month.
- 5 of the 10 accounts on this list charge no monthly fee at all, with no minimum balance required.
- The other 5 charge a fee between $12 and $25 a month, but every one of them has at least one realistic way to waive it.
- A monthly fee isn’t automatically a bad account. Some fee-based options here include perks, like a $400 welcome bonus or automatic overdraft fee reversal, that outweigh the cost.
Most “best checking account” lists only cover the free ones. That skips a whole category of accounts that charge $12 to $25 a month but give back more in perks, welcome bonuses, or overdraft protection than the fee ever costs. 72% of checking accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee, averaging $13.24 a month, or $158.88 a year (Money Rates, Checking Account Fee Trend 2026: How to Avoid Higher Bank Fees).
We built this list of the best checking accounts to include both sides: 5 accounts that charge nothing, and 5 that charge a fee but earn their keep. Some accounts here waive the fee easily. Others don’t waive it. We tell you which is which.
How We Picked the Best Checking Accounts
We looked at accounts from online banks and national brick-and-mortar banks to build this list of the best checking accounts for 2026. Here’s what we prioritized:
- Fee transparency. We only included accounts where the bank clearly discloses the fee, if any, and every way to waive it.
- A realistic path to $0. For every fee-based account here, most people can reasonably meet at least one waiver condition.
- Perks worth the fee. Welcome bonuses, overdraft protection, or interest that’s worth more than the fee paid over a year.
- FDIC insurance. Every account on this list is FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor.
- Currently open to new customers. We verified each account is still available in 2026. Chase Sapphire Checking, for example, didn’t make the cut because Chase discontinued it in June 2026.
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Ally Bank Interest Checking
Ally’s Interest Checking account charges no monthly fee and requires no minimum balance, which makes it one of the easiest accounts on this list to qualify for. The APY is tiered: balances under $15,000 earn one rate, and balances of $15,000 or more earn a higher one. Ally also reimburses ATM fees nationwide, a rare perk for a checking account with no branches.
- Monthly fee: $0
- APY: Tiered, higher rate at $15,000+ balances
- Minimum balance: $0
- ATM fee reimbursement: Available nationwide
- Best for: A no-fee account that still pays interest
Pros and Cons
SoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi’s checking account comes bundled with savings in a single sign-up, and it pays 0.50% APY on checking balances with no monthly fee. Qualifying direct deposits also get you up to 2 days of early access to your paycheck. It’s built for people who want one login for both spending and saving.
- Monthly fee: $0
- APY: 0.50% (checking), 4.20% (savings)
- Minimum balance: $0
- Early direct deposit: Up to 2 days early
- Best for: One account that pays interest on money you spend from
Pros and Cons
Capital One 360 Checking
Capital One 360 Checking charges no monthly fee and comes with the closest thing to in-person banking on this list: physical Capital One Cafe locations in select cities. The APY is modest at 0.10%, but the fee-free ATM network, more than 70,000 machines, is one of the largest of any account here.
Capital One also runs seasonal cash bonuses on this account. Check our Capital One promotions page for current offers.
- Monthly fee: $0
- APY: 0.10%
- Minimum balance: $0
- ATM network: 70,000+ fee-free machines
- Best for: Occasional in-person banking without paying for it
Pros and Cons
Axos ONE Checking
Axos ONE Checking pairs with a linked savings account and pays up to 0.51% APY on checking, the highest checking rate on this list, if you meet a direct deposit threshold. Hit $1,500 or $5,000 in monthly qualifying deposits, matched by an equal average daily balance, and the higher rate kicks in automatically. There’s no monthly fee either way.
- Monthly fee: $0
- APY: Up to 0.51% with qualifying direct deposit
- Minimum balance: $0
- Requirement for top rate: $1,500 or $5,000 in monthly direct deposits
- Best for: The highest checking APY on this list, if you qualify
Pros and Cons
NBKC Everything Account
NBKC’s Everything Account treats checking and savings as one product instead of two, and it pays 1.75% APY on the entire balance, whether you’re spending it or saving it. There’s no monthly fee, and you only need a $0.01 minimum balance to open. NBKC also reimburses up to $12 a month in out-of-network ATM fees.
- Monthly fee: $0
- APY: 1.75% (combined balance)
- Minimum balance: $0.01
- ATM fee reimbursement: Up to $12/month
- Best for: Earning real interest on money you’re actively spending
Pros and Cons
Chase Total Checking
Chase Total Checking charges a $15 monthly fee, but it’s one of the easiest fees on this list to avoid. You can waive it with $500 or more in direct deposits, a $1,500 starting balance, a $5,000 average daily balance, or a linked Chase savings account. New customers can also earn up to a $400 bonus for meeting a qualifying direct deposit amount, an offer that runs through October 14, 2026. Chase’s branch and ATM network is the largest of any bank on this list.
For current offers, including this one, see our Chase Bank promotions roundup.
- Monthly fee: $15
- Fee waiver: $500+ direct deposits, $1,500+ starting balance, $5,000+ average balance, or linked account
- APY: None
- Welcome bonus: Up to $400 (through October 14, 2026)
- Best for: The biggest branch and ATM network, with an easy fee waiver
Pros and Cons
Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking
Advantage Relationship Banking is Bank of America’s premium checking account, and the $25 monthly fee reflects that. You’ll waive it by keeping $20,000 or more in combined qualifying balances, or by reaching a Preferred Rewards tier (Preferred Plus, Preferred Honors, or Premier). That balance threshold puts this account out of reach for many households, but those who clear it get perks across Bank of America and Merrill accounts.
- Monthly fee: $25
- Welcome bonus: Up to $500
- Fee waiver: $20,000+ combined balance or qualifying Preferred Rewards tier
- APY: Yes, on checking balance
- Branch network: Nationwide
- Best for: Households with higher balances who want perks across accounts
Pros and Cons
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking is the bank’s most popular checking account. It includes 5 ways to waive the $15 monthly fee. Qualify with a $500 qualifying electronic deposit, a $1,500 daily balance, $5,000 in combined balances, or by being 17 to 24. Military members can also qualify with a qualifying direct deposit through Wells Fargo’s Worldwide Military Banking program.
New customers can also earn a $325 bonus with $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days. That offer runs through October 13, 2026.
- Monthly fee: $15
- Fee waiver: $500+ electronic deposit, $1,500+ daily balance, $5,000+ combined balance, age 17-24, or qualifying military deposit
- APY: None
- Welcome bonus: $325 (through October 13, 2026)
- Best for: The most fee-waiver options of any account on this list
Pros and Cons
TD Bank Beyond Checking
TD Beyond Checking charges a $25 monthly fee, but you can waive it in 3 ways. Hit $5,000 or more in monthly direct deposits, keep a $2,500 daily balance, or maintain $25,000 in combined linked balances. It also automatically reverses up to 2 overdraft fees a year, capped at $70, and TD Early Pay deposits qualifying direct deposits up to 2 days early.
TD also runs its own account bonuses; see our TD Bank promotions roundup for the current offer.
- Monthly fee: $25
- Fee waiver: $5,000+ direct deposits, $2,500+ daily balance, or $25,000+ combined balance
- APY: 0.01%
- Overdraft protection: Up to 2 fees reversed automatically per year (max $70)
- Best for: Multiple realistic paths to waiving the fee
Pros and Cons
U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking
U.S. Bank Smartly Checking charges the lowest fee of any fee-based account on this list, just $12 a month. It waives the fee in several ways. Keep a $1,500 balance or direct deposit, fall in the 13-24 or 65+ age range, or qualify for Smart Rewards.
New customers also get the first 2 statement periods free, regardless of balance, giving you time to figure out whether you’ll hit a waiver before the fee kicks in.
- Monthly fee: $12
- Fee waiver: $1,500+ balance or direct deposits, age 13-24 or 65+, or Smart Rewards tier
- APY: Yes, on checking balance
- Fee-free trial: First 2 statement periods
- Best for: The lowest fee of any fee-based account here, with a built-in grace period
Pros and Cons
10 Best Checking Accounts Compared
| Account | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver | APY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ally Interest Checking | $0 | None needed | Tiered, higher at $15,000+ |
| SoFi Checking and Savings | $0 | None needed | 0.50% |
| Capital One 360 Checking | $0 | None needed | 0.10% |
| Axos ONE Checking | $0 | None needed | Up to 0.51% (with direct deposit) |
| NBKC Everything Account | $0 | None needed | 1.75% (combined) |
| Chase Total Checking | $15 | Direct deposit, balance, or linked account | None |
| BofA Advantage Relationship Banking | $25 | $20,000+ balance or Preferred Rewards | Yes |
| Wells Fargo Everyday Checking | $15 | $500+ deposit, $1,500+ balance, $5,000+ combined, or age 17-24 | None |
| TD Beyond Checking | $25 | Direct deposit, balance, or combined balance | 0.01% |
| U.S. Bank Smartly Checking | $12 | $1,500+ balance/deposits, age, or rewards tier | Yes |
How to Choose Between Them
Start with whether you can realistically meet the fee waiver requirements. Moving direct deposit to Chase, TD, or Wells Fargo Everyday Checking can waive the fee without keeping a high balance. If your balance runs closer to $20,000 or more, Bank of America is the better fit. That’s especially true if you already bank there.
If you’d rather skip fees entirely, the 5 free accounts here- Ally, SoFi, Capital One 360, Axos ONE, and NBKC- all charge $0 with no minimum balance. Axos ONE and NBKC pay the strongest interest rates of the group, so they’re worth a look even if you’re not chasing a specific bank’s brand or branch network.
Weigh the fee against what you actually get. Chase’s $400 bonus and Wells Fargo’s $325 bonus can each cover more than a year of their account’s fee. TD’s automatic overdraft reversal and U.S. Bank’s 2 free statement periods work the same way: a fee-based account that pays part of itself back.
To understand how overdraft protection works across different banks, we cover that in our overdraft protection guide.
If you want a debit card and in-person branches but no monthly fee, Capital One 360 and Ally are the strongest fits. If you want the highest combined checking APY and don’t mind meeting a direct deposit threshold, Axos ONE is hard to beat.
The Bottom Line
The best checking accounts for 2026 aren’t all free, and that’s the point. Ally, SoFi, Capital One 360, Axos ONE, and NBKC charge nothing and cover most everyday banking needs. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, TD, and U.S. Bank charge a fee, but each offers a realistic way to waive it or a perk that offsets it.
Pick based on your balance, your direct deposit habits, and whether a branch network matters to you. Whichever account you choose, check the current waiver terms and rate before opening it, since banks update both from time to time.
Once you open one, you’ll need your new routing and account numbers to set up direct deposit. Here’s how to find both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best checking account overall?
It depends on whether you want to pay a fee. Among the free accounts, Axos ONE and NBKC pay the most interest. Among the fee-based accounts, Chase Total Checking has the easiest waiver and the biggest welcome bonus.
Can I avoid a checking account’s monthly fee?
Usually, yes. Every fee-based account on this list has at least one waiver condition, most commonly a direct deposit amount or a minimum balance. Read the specific terms before opening the account, since waiver conditions vary by bank and can change.
Is a checking account with a monthly fee ever worth it?
It can be, if the perks outweigh the cost. A welcome bonus, overdraft protection, or a strong branch network can outweigh a $12 to $25 fee over a year. That’s especially true if you can waive the fee some months anyway.
How many checking accounts should I have?
Most people only need one. A second account can help if you want to separate bill-paying money from spending money, but it also means tracking 2 sets of fees, waivers, and balances.
Do checking accounts earn interest?
Some do. Ally, SoFi, Axos ONE, and NBKC all pay interest on checking balances. Chase Total Checking and the other traditional bank accounts on this list don’t.
What’s the difference between this list and a free checking account list?
A free checking account list only includes accounts with no monthly fee. See our Best Free Checking Accounts guide if that’s all you want. This list includes those, plus fee-based accounts, since some offer perks worth more than the fee.
