Best Checking Accounts With No Monthly Maintenance Fee

BRAND PASS / Banking / U.S. accounts

Best Checking Accounts With No Monthly Maintenance Fee

Keep more of your money for everyday life. Compare five checking options with $0 monthly maintenance fees—and check the other charges before you choose.

Other fees may apply. For eligible U.S. applicants. Provider terms apply.

Advertising disclosure: BRAND PASS may earn a commission through affiliate links. This page currently uses official provider links. It covers the listed shortlist, not the entire market, and does not rank the accounts. “Best” depends on your circumstances. Information is educational, not personalized financial advice.
Compare your options

Skip the monthly charge. Find your fit.

Each account below currently has no monthly maintenance fee. Choose the account format, cash access and payment features that suit you, then review the provider’s complete fee schedule.

$0 monthly maintenance fee
AXOS BANK

Axos Checking

Standalone checking without a monthly maintenance charge. Compare it if you want a separate account for everyday spending.

Account format
Standalone checking
Monthly fee
$0. Other charges may apply.
What to check
Interest eligibility is separate from the $0 monthly maintenance fee. Read the account agreement for other service charges.
Explore Axos Checking ↗

Opens the official provider website. Approval and terms apply.

$0 monthly maintenance fee
AXOS BANK

Axos ONE Checking

A checking-and-savings bundle with no monthly maintenance fee. Compare both accounts if you want spending and saving together.

Account format
Checking + savings
Monthly fee
$0. Other charges may apply.
What to check
Higher yields require qualifying deposits and a checking balance. Review service charges and ATM reimbursement limits.
Review Axos ONE ↗

Opens the official provider website. Approval and terms apply.

$0 monthly maintenance fee
SOFI

SoFi Checking and Savings

Checking and savings opened together, with a $0 monthly maintenance fee listed on the SoFi fee sheet.

Account format
Checking + savings
Monthly fee
$0. Other charges may apply.
What to check
Outgoing wires, outgoing Instant Transfers and global remittance transfers can incur fees. Cash-deposit partners and out-of-network ATM operators may also charge.
Explore SoFi Checking and Savings ↗

Opens the official provider website. Approval and terms apply.

$0 monthly maintenance fee
CHIME

Chime Checking Account

App-based checking with no monthly service fee and no minimum opening deposit.

Account format
Checking through partner banks
Monthly fee
$0. Other charges may apply.
What to check
Out-of-network ATM withdrawals and some cash-deposit services may cost extra. Optional features have separate eligibility and terms.

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.

Explore Chime Checking ↗

Opens the official provider website. Approval and terms apply.

$0 monthly maintenance fee
CIT BANK

CIT Bank eChecking

Electronic checking with a $0 monthly service fee listed in CIT Bank’s fee schedule. A $100 opening deposit applies.

Account format
Standalone checking
Monthly fee
$0. Other charges may apply.
What to check
Charges can apply to outgoing wires, Bill Pay stop payments, certain card services and international debit transactions. Review the current schedule.
Explore CIT Bank eChecking ↗

Opens the official provider website. Approval and terms apply.

Fees at a glance

The monthly fee is only the starting point.

Other charges and eligibility differ. Scroll the comparison horizontally on smaller screens.

Monthly maintenance fees and details to review
AccountMonthly maintenance feeFormatCheck before openingProvider
Axos Checking$0Standalone checkingDirect deposit rules for advertised interestView details ↗
Axos ONE Checking$0Checking + savingsDeposit and balance conditions affect yieldsView details ↗
SoFi Checking and Savings$0Checking + savingsTransfer, cash-deposit and third-party ATM chargesView details ↗
Chime Checking Account$0Checking through partner banksOut-of-network ATM and some cash-deposit chargesView details ↗
CIT Bank eChecking$0Standalone checking$100 opening deposit; selected service chargesView details ↗
Compare the costs you will use

Three checks before you choose.

Cash and ATMs

Check convenient locations, out-of-network charges, reimbursement limits and cash-deposit fees.

Payments and transfers

Review wires, instant transfers, international payments and any service charges for your normal transactions.

Account conditions

Distinguish requirements to open or fund an account from conditions for interest, bonuses and optional features.

Put the monthly cost in perspective

Small recurring charges add up.

A hypothetical $10 monthly maintenance fee costs $120 over 12 months. A $0 monthly maintenance account removes that particular expense, but your total savings depend on other charges and your current account.

$5 per month

$60 per year in monthly maintenance fees.

$10 per month

$120 per year in monthly maintenance fees.

$15 per month

$180 per year in monthly maintenance fees.

Illustrations only. These are not fees charged by the listed accounts or guaranteed savings.

Understand the details

No monthly maintenance fee: your questions answered.

What is a monthly maintenance fee?

It is a recurring account charge, sometimes called a monthly service fee. The listed accounts currently have no monthly maintenance fee. Other transaction or service charges can still apply.

Does $0 monthly maintenance mean the account is completely free?

No. Depending on the provider, you may pay for ATM use, cash deposits, wires, certain transfers or other services. Compare the charges relevant to how you bank.

Do I need direct deposit to avoid the monthly maintenance fee?

The listed $0 monthly maintenance fees are not presented as conditional fee waivers. Direct deposit may still be required for interest, bonuses, early-pay features or optional benefits. Review current account terms.

Is an opening deposit a fee?

No. An opening deposit funds your account and becomes part of its balance. CIT Bank eChecking requires a $100 opening deposit; this is separate from its $0 monthly service fee.

How do Axos Checking and Axos ONE differ?

Axos Checking is standalone checking. Axos ONE combines checking and savings. Both advertise no monthly maintenance fee, but promotional yields and other benefits have separate conditions.

Will SoFi open a savings account too?

Yes. SoFi Checking is opened together with a savings account. Check their separate rates and the transaction fees in SoFi’s current fee sheet.

Is Chime a bank?

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Chime itself is not FDIC insured; pass-through deposit insurance is subject to applicable conditions and covers failure of an insured bank.

Can I apply from the UK or another country?

These are U.S. offerings. Each provider sets its own residency, identification, age and other eligibility requirements. Check those requirements before applying.

Choose checking without the monthly charge.

Compare the features, read the fee schedule and apply directly with your chosen provider.

Explore the accounts ↑
Provider references

Fee information checked on October 8, 2026. Fees, benefits and eligibility may change. Confirm current terms with the provider.

BRAND PASS does not open accounts or hold deposits. Applications and servicing are handled by providers or their banking partners. Review account eligibility and applicable deposit insurance terms before opening.