Best Checking Accounts of May 2025

Last updated May 1, 2025 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

Elevate your banking experience with the best checking accounts available today from our partners. Enjoy fantastic perks like generous signup bonuses, cash back on purchases, early payday, and more.

bonus icon Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 3.80% APY1 on your money
SoFi Checking and Savings
5.0
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

  • Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 3.80% APY1 on your money
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees2
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early3
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million4

bonus icon Earn a $250 bonus with 360 Checking
CapitalOne 360 Checking
4.9
info
  • Earn a $250 bonus by opening a 360 Checking
  • No fees, no minimums
  • Terms Apply5

bonus icon Up to $300 bonus offer. Click ‘Learn More’ for more details
Bank of America Advantage Banking
4.2
info
  • $300 bonus offer. Click 'Learn More' for more details
  • Multiple ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee
  • Thousands of ATMs and financial centers
  • 24/7 security with Total Security Protection® and fraud monitoring
  • Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC

bonus icon Earn up to $360 every year with 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month7
Discover® Cashback Debit
4.5
info
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2025 award winner Best Online Checking Account

  • Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month6
  • No minimum deposit, no minimum balance, and no account fees
  • Easily switch direct deposit via the Discover mobile app or online for Early Pay (get your paycheck up to 2 days early!)
  • 60K+ fee-free ATMs and make cash deposits at Walmart stores nationwide
  • FDIC Insured
bonus icon Get a $325 bonus when you open a new Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account with qualifying direct deposits
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking
4.4
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  • Open an account today & learn how to qualify for a $325 bonus with Wells Fargo
  • No minimum daily balance requirement, $25 minimum opening deposit, multiple ways to avoid the monthly fee
  • Account protections like 24/7 Fraud Monitoring
  • Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

Max-Rate Checking
5.0
info
  • Earn 3.00% Annual Percentage Yield8 with Max-Rate Checking
  • No transaction fees and ATM fee refunds worldwide910
  • FDIC insured up to the applicable limits11
  • Waive the $15 monthly account fee when you maintain an average account balance of $5,000

bonus icon Earn up to 4.66% APY On Savings and 0.51% APY On Checking
Axos ONE®
4.6
info
  • Earn up to 4.66% APY on savings and 0.51% APY12on checking with Axos ONE®
  • No monthly maintenance, minimum balance, account opening, or overdraft fees
  • Powerful mobile app for all your money needs — bank, borrow, invest, and plan
  • Get your paycheck up to 2 days early13
  • Access expanded FDIC Insurance for up to $265 million

Bottom Line: Why We Like the SoFi Checking and Savings Account

This is likely one of the top savings + checking accounts we’ve seen, and offers like this can be very rare. This powerful account from SoFi® allows you to earn up to 3.80% APY.1 Plus, when you set up direct deposit, you could also earn up to a $300 bonus.

  • Earn Up to 3.80% APY: With direct deposit or qualifying deposits, you can earn up to 3.80% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings balances and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Without, you can earn 1.00% APY on savings balances and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
  • Earn Up to $300 With Direct Deposit: Sign up and set up direct deposit, wait for your direct deposit to hit your account (typically 2-4 weeks), then collect a cash bonus of $50 to $300 depending on your direct deposit amount.
  • No Account Fees: No minimum balance fees. No monthly fees. No overdraft fees.14 Plus, 55,000+ fee-free ATMs within the Allpoint® Network.2
  • Get Paid Up to Two Days Early: Feel the magic of payday up to two days earlier — automatically — when you set up direct deposit.3
  • Access Additional FDIC Insurance Up to $3M: Deposits are insured up to $3M through a network of participating banks. SoFi is a Member, FDIC. 4

>> Open an account with SoFi® here

Up To $300 Bonus + Up To 3.80% APY1
bonus icon Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 3.80% APY1 on your money
SoFi Checking and Savings
5.0
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

  • Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 3.80% APY1 on your money
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees2
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early3
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million



Your Checking Account Isn’t Enough — Grow Your Savings Faster With a High-Yield Savings Account

Your checking account is great for everyday transactions, but it's not designed for growing your money. Most checking accounts pay little to no interest — often just 0.01% APY (annual percentage yield)15. By moving extra cash into a high-yield savings account earning 4.00% APY or more, you can watch your balance grow over time with compound interest. Don’t leave money on the table — start putting your savings to work with these top high-yield savings accounts from our partners.

Bank/Institution APY info Open Account Bonus Offer
5.0
info
3.70
% APY
With $0 min. balance16
LEARN MORE Member FDIC
N/A
4.9
info
4.35
% APY
With no min. balance17
LEARN MORE Member FDIC
Earn up to a $500 bonus when you open and fund a new account through Raisin18
4.8
info
4.40
% APY
With no min. balance19
LEARN MORE Member FDIC
N/A


Frequently Asked Questions

When picking a new bank account, there are a few key things to consider, like the types of products and services they offer, the fees they charge, and the bonuses available. If you prefer visiting a branch, check if the bank has locations near you. And remember, you don’t have to stick with just one bank — opening different accounts at different banks can help you get the best rates and offers.

Why should I open a checking account?

Checking accounts are a great starting point for managing your money because they’re easy to use and secure. You can use them for everyday tasks like paying bills, shopping, and receiving your paycheck. Having a checking account can help you keep your finances organized. For example, you can set up direct deposits from your employer and automate bill payments, making things more convenient. Plus, with mobile apps, you can check your account, transfer money, and make payments from anywhere, whether you're at home or on the move.

What is required to open a new bank account?

Requirements vary by bank for opening an account, but you’ll typically need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. You’ll also need to submit photo identification and provide proof of your current address.

How much should I keep in a checking account?

You should keep at least the minimum balance in your checking account and ensure you have enough to cover all your monthly bills. It’s a good idea to have a cushion to protect yourself from accidental overdrafts, but you shouldn’t keep too much money in your checking account if you could earn a better APY by moving some of that money into a savings account.

How many bank accounts should I have?

There’s no magic number; it’s totally okay to have one or multiple checking accounts in your name. Sometimes, having more than one checking account can make money management and budgeting easier. For example, you might want a separate checking account for spending on your kids, or a business checking account for your business expenses.

What does FDIC mean?

You may have noticed the words "Member FDIC" or "FDIC Insured" when shopping for a bank. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation provides deposit insurance for consumers, specifically to protect their funds if their bank fails.

Accounts that are insured by the FDIC must be deposit accounts, which include checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs (certificates of deposit). With FDIC insurance, you’ll get up to $250,000 in insurance per owner, per insured institution, per account category.


How we chose these products

FinanceBuzz evaluated a selection of bank accounts offered by our partners, looking at various criteria including account fees, bonus offers, and more. We did not review all products in the category and compensation was considered when evaluating and ordering the products.