Best Banks With No Monthly Fees for 2026

A no-fee checking account doesn’t charge you a monthly maintenance fee simply for keeping the account open. Traditional banks often charge a monthly service fee unless you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. With a no-fee account, you skip those requirements entirely.

Online banks and financial technology (fintech) companies have made this model the new standard. Without the overhead costs of physical branches, many can offer accounts with no monthly fees, no minimum balances, and no conditions to meet. The result? More of your money stays in your account instead of going toward fees.

The best no-fee bank really depends on what you’re looking for. Some people want physical branches for in-person help. Others care more about earning cashback or interest. Here’s a closer look at the top options available right now.

Chime^®

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. We partner with The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, to provide banking services. Our approach is simple: profit with members, not from them.

That means no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimum balance requirements.* With direct deposit, you can get paid up to two days early.² And if you’re eligible for SpotMe^®, you can overdraw your account by up to $200 on debit card purchases without paying a fee.³

Fee-free overdraft: SpotMe covers eligible purchases even when your balance runs low.³
Early direct deposit: Access your paycheck up to two days sooner.²
Credit building: Chime Card™ helps you build credit history with no annual fee.⁴

But don’t just take our word for it. Chime wasn recently named Best Overall Checking Account of 2026 by Nerdwallet.

Plus, J.D. Power’s quarterly Financial Services Churn Data and Analytics report found that more people open a Chime account than any other bank account.*

Ideal for: People who want straightforward banking without hidden fees, plus tools to build credit and access their pay faster.

SoFi¹

SoFi Checking and Savings combines your checking and savings into one account. Your entire balance earns interest, which helps your money grow while it sits there. The account also provides access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs.

SoFi occasionally offers welcome bonuses for new members who set up direct deposit. If earning interest on your everyday spending money matters to you, this account is worth considering.

Ideal for: People who want to earn interest on their checking balance.

Capital One® 360²

Capital One 360 Checking offers something most online banks don’t: physical locations. Capital One Cafés in select cities let you handle banking in person while grabbing a coffee. You also get access to over 70,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.

The account has no monthly fees and no minimums. You can open multiple savings accounts to organize your money for different goals, like vacations or emergency funds.

Ideal for: People who want no-fee online banking but still value occasional in-person service.

Ally® Bank³

Ally Bank’s Spending Account focuses on flexibility. The account reimburses up to $10 per statement cycle in out-of-network ATM fees, so you’re not stuck searching for a specific ATM when you need cash. Your balance also earns interest.

Ally operates entirely online with no physical branches. However, customer service is available 24/7 by phone if you run into issues.

Ideal for: People comfortable with online-only banking who want ATM flexibility and interest earnings.

Axos^® Bank⁴

Axos Bank Rewards Checking offers competitive interest rates, though you’ll need to meet certain requirements to earn the top rate. The standout feature is unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursement – use any ATM, and Axos refunds the fee.

Axos operates online only. The unlimited ATM reimbursement makes it a solid choice if you withdraw cash frequently and don’t want to hunt for in-network machines.

Ideal for: People who want to maximize interest earnings and need frequent ATM access.

Charles Schwab^®⁵

Charles Schwab Bank Investor Checking pairs with a Schwab brokerage account. The standout feature is unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide – helpful if you travel internationally. There are also no foreign transaction fees.

Opening the account requires a linked brokerage account, though you don’t need to invest any money. If you travel abroad regularly, the global ATM rebates and lack of foreign transaction fees make this account particularly useful.

Ideal for: Frequent travelers and investors.

Even when a bank advertises “no monthly fees,” other charges can still drain your balance. Here’s what to look for before opening an account.

• Overdraft fees: Many banks charge around $35 or more when you spend more than your balance, according to the FDIC. Some no-fee accounts, like Chime with SpotMe, don’t charge overdraft fees.
• Out-of-network ATM fees: Using an ATM outside your bank’s network can cost an average of $4.86 per transaction, according to a 2025 Bankrate survey. Look for accounts with large fee-free networks or ATM reimbursements.
• Foreign transaction fees: Purchases made abroad can trigger fees of 1% to 3%. If you travel internationally, choose an account that waives foreign transaction charges.
• Wire transfer fees: Sending money via wire transfer can cost up to $35 for domestic transfers and more for international ones.
• Paper statement fees: Some banks charge you a monthly fee to have paper statements mailed to you.

Finding the right account means looking beyond the monthly fee. Here are the factors that matter most based on how you actually use your money.

• Think about ATM access. If you withdraw cash frequently, check the bank’s ATM network size and location. A smaller network with reimbursements might work better than a large network concentrated in areas you don’t visit.
• Evaluate the mobile app. You’ll likely manage your account from your phone. Reading reviews about the app’s reliability and ease of use can save you frustration later.
• Check overdraft policies. Accidents happen. Understanding how a bank handles overdrafts – whether they charge fees, decline transactions, or offer fee-free coverage – can save you from unexpected charges.
• Consider your goals. Do you want to build credit? Earn interest? Get cashback? Different accounts excel at different things. Matching the account’s strengths to your priorities helps you get the most value.
• Look at customer service options. Online-only banks save money by skipping branches, but make sure they offer support channels that work for you – whether that’s phone, chat, or email.

Ready to ditch your current bank for a new, fee-free banking experience? You have plenty of options for keeping your hard-earned money where it belongs – in your wallet.

If you’re not sure where to start, read our guide on how to switch banks to learn the right steps to take toward your fee-free future.