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5 Best Prepaid Debit Cards
by Spencer Tierney Senior Writer | Certificates of deposit ethics, ethical banking, bank deposit accounts Spencer Tierney is a consumer banking writer at NerdWallet. He has covered the personal financial sector since, with a focus on deposit certificates and other topics that relate to banking. He has had his work highlighted in The Washington Post, USA Today, The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications. He is located in Berkeley, California.
and Ruth Sarreal Content Management Specialist bank account bonuses Ruth Sarreal is a specialist in content management covering topics related to consumer banking at NerdWallet. She has over a decade of experience in writing and editing for websites for consumers. She was previously editor of content on personal finance topics at GOBankingRates. She has had her work highlighted by Nasdaq, MSN, TheStreet and Yahoo Finance.
Updated Mar 1 2022
Edited by Yuliya Goldshteyn, Assistant Assigning Banking Yuliya Goldshteyn is a bank editor at NerdWallet. She was previously an editor, a writer and a research analyst across a range of industries from healthcare to market research. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree of social science from the University of Chicago, with the focus on Soviet cultural history. She lives within Portland, Oregon.
The majority or all of the items featured on this page come from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about as well as the place and way the product is featured on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our views are our own. Here's a list and .
+ Summary: Best prepaid debit cards
The Bluebird from American Express : Best for getting rid of costs.
Five Three Access 360deg Reloadable Credit Card Ideal for ATM withdrawals.
FamZoo Prepaid Credit Card Best choice for Parents (tie).
Greenlight Prepaid MasterCard: Ideal for parents (tie).
Walmart MoneyCard : Best for shopping at Walmart.
Chime : Best cheap prepaid alternative.
What are prepaid debit cards?
A prepaid debit card can be used as a budgeting tool or an all-out replacement for the bank account -- and the best prepaid cards offer ease of use while charging a few fees.
Prepaid cards are simple to get. Prepaid cards are sold in retail stores (usually with a cost) and some are purchased online. There's no credit check, and they're usually available even if you can't have an account with a bank account because of a bad banking history. Contrary to credit cards that you can load money into prepaid cards prior to using.
Certain firms also provide mobile-optimized bank accounts that don't require a clear credit history or a clean banking record They typically cost less than prepaid cards.
Prepaid debit cards vs. regular debit cards
There is no need for a bank account to get a pre-paid debit card, however it's a requirement for regular debit cards, that is linked to your bank account. For prepaid debit cards, you can load the card with money when you get it, then use it to make purchases. For regular debit cards, the funds for your payments come directly out of your account as you make payments.
>> More information from NerdWallet:
Nerdy Tip
If you need to build credit or are refused an bank account, a prepaid debit card might not be the right choice. and if you aren't able to get an ordinary checking account then try . These accounts provide another shot at the mainstream banking system and its benefits.
Why trust NerdWallet: Our editors and writers follow strict guidelines to make sure our coverage is fair and accurate So you can pick the accounts that are the best for you. Check out our criteria for .
Here are the most popular prepaid debit cards, in relation to fees and features. Scroll down for more detail on each account.
BEST FOR AVOIDING FEES
NerdWallet's ratings are determined through our team of editors. The scoring formulas take into account many data points for each financial product and service.
Bluebird from American Express
There are no monthly charges and there is there is no charge for cash refills at Walmart.
No cost ATM network.
Great budgeting features.
Best ATM FOR WITHDRAWALS
The ratings of NerdWallet are formulated by the editorial staff. The scoring formulas consider several data points associated with each financial product and service.
5th Three Access 360deg Reloadable Prepaid Card
One of the biggest free ATM networks for Prepaid cards.
The fee is $4 per month and affordable to eliminate.
Best for Parents
FamZoo
Multiple subaccounts to account for children.
The cost is $2.50-$5.99 each month.
Greenlight
Multiple subaccounts for kids.
Controls on spending at stores.
Monthly fee from $4.99.
Best for shopping at Walmart
Walmart MoneyCard
3% cash back at Walmart.com and in the Walmart app and other cash back rewards.
Multiple subaccounts for family members.
APR 2% on up to $1,000 in savings account.
THE BEST CHEAP CHOICE OPTION FOR PREPAID
The NerdWallet ratings are made by the editorial staff. The scoring formulas consider multiple data points for each financial service and product.
Chime
There are no monthly costs.
It also has a savings component.
Bluebird from American Express
Best for avoiding fees
The ratings of NerdWallet are formulated by the editorial staff. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial service and product.
The card, which is issued through American Express, offers more than the typical debit card that you can purchase prepaid, and you can use it to load and spend cash without having to pay charges.
However, Bluebird has some limitations in terms of acceptance of merchants, and it doesn't allow cash back at retailers.
General fees and benefits: No monthly fee and no costs for online activation or inactivity.
Purchases: No charges.
ATM withdrawals are available for free at ATMs that are part of the MoneyPass network; $2.50 charge at all other ATMs, in addition to any ATM operator fee.
Reload methods: Direct deposit and debit card transfer, card-to-card transfer, mobile check deposit (with a third-party fee for instant processing) and cash load from Walmart or other stores. (Retailers other than Walmart could charge up to $3.95.)
Other services: Separate "set aside" accounts for savings and at least four additional accounts to family members.
There is no cash back at retailers. The card is created by American Express, which isn't accepted everywhere that Visa or Mastercard are.
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Find out more about
5th Third Access 360deg Reloadable Prepaid Card
Ideal for ATM withdrawals
NerdWallet's ratings are determined through our team of editors. The scoring formulas consider multiple data points for each financial service and product.
The Access 360deg credit card is a prepaid debit card takes part in Allpoint's huge U.S. network and has access to more than 50k ATMs. The card is accessible in the states of 11 where There are Fifth Third branches, which is the only way you can get the card.
General charges and benefits: $4 monthly fee that's waived if you have a Fifth Third checking account or in the event that you make at least $500 in monthly deposits. There are no costs to activate or stop activity.
Purchases: No fees.
ATM withdrawals are free at Fifth Third ATMs and ATMs in the Allpoint ATM network; Free at Presto! ATMs inside Publix stores as well as 7-Eleven ATMs listed on the bank's site or mobile app; $2.75 fee for ATMs at other locations and any fees charged by ATM operators.
Reloading methods: Direct deposit, cash load, transfer to bank at Fifth Third branch or ATM.
Additional services Card can have joint owners.
Downsides: The card doesn't have access to a nationwide retail network to add cash; the card is available only within Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia; and the card doesn't come with a savings feature.
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FamZoo Prepaid Card
Best for parents (tie)
FamZoo is a family-friendly prepaid Mastercard that lets parents become virtual bankers for their kids and even children older than 13. Four cards are available for free for the monthly plan but more can be added at a cost of $3 per card. On the app or website you can transfer allowances, split payments, see the balances and activities across all cards, and set up text and email alerts.
General fees and other features. can make a prepayment of $59.99 for two years of FamZoo -- that is $2.50 monthly. Prepayment plans that are not prepay also offer a discount. If you don't prepay, the price for a monthly subscription is $5.99 for a month-long subscription. There is no cost on activation, or for inactivity.
Purchases: No charges.
ATM withdrawals are free from FamZoo However, ATM withdrawals can still cost you. FamZoo does not have any ATMs of its own Third-party ATM operator fees could apply.
Reloading methods : Direct deposit; bank transfer; PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo and Square Cash transfer; PopMoney transfer (for a cost) and cash from retailers like 7-Eleven and Walgreens which are part of the Reload @ The Register, MoneyPak and Mastercard RePower networks (about $5 in retail fees).
Additional services include multiple accounts under one plan, free and instant FamZoo card to-card transfers, ability to secure and lock FamZoo cards as well as budgeting tools.
Downsides: No fee ATM network; maximum monthly fee is higher than the average and there is no mobile check-deposit feature.
Are you looking for an account that is more traditional for spending? Take a look at NerdWallet's accounts.
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Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard
Ideal to give parents (tie)
Greenlight is notable for an advantage which other prepaid cards don't have: store-specific spending controls. Parents are able to preapprove where children spend their money. So, a $300 earmarked for school supplies can only be spent in a campus bookstore, for instance. The prepaid card also offers real-time activity alerts, free transfer from the card to the allowance and the ability to remotely lock down lost cards remotely.
The Greenlight account can have up to five subaccounts therefore it's ideal for a family. Due to the low purchase and withdrawal limits, it's best to be used as a budgeting tool for the family instead of an alternative bank account replacement.
General fees as well as features $4.99 to $9.98 each month depending on chosen plan (more expensive plans come with features such as investing education and protection against identity theft); no costs on activation or inactivity or account closure.
Purchases: No fees.
ATM withdrawals: No fees from Greenlight however, ATM withdrawals may cost you: Since Greenlight doesn't have one of their own ATMs Third-party ATM operator fees could be charged.
Reload methods: Direct deposit, debit card transfer, bank transfer.
Other services: Up to 5 subaccounts. No charge for ATM withdrawals to ATMs in the world.
Downsides: No checks or cash are able to be deposited; no free ATM network; the daily purchase maximum per account for a family is $1,500 and daily ATM withdrawal limit is $100. Both are lower than the norm for prepaid credit cards.
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Walmart MoneyCard
Best place to shop at Walmart
The Walmart MoneyCard offers its shoppers up to 75 dollars per year in cash-back rewards: 3percent for purchases made at Walmart.com and through the Walmart app and 2% in Walmart fuel stations, and 1 percent at Walmart stores. The app, which has high marks, is required to get free cash reloads in Walmart stores. Walmart MoneyCenters and Customer Service desks also offer fee-free cash withdrawals.
This prepaid, reloadable , card is a great option for families. You can get an account at no cost for up to four additional individuals who are at least 13 years of age. The Walmart MoneyCard offers a free "Vault" saving feature. Savings will earn 2% APY on up to $1,000 at the anniversary of the card's enrollment.
Because it's not part of any ATM network, it's possible to pay $2.50 to make ATM withdrawals, in addition to any fees charged by the operator.
General charges and features: $5.94 monthly fee waived by a monthly payment of at least $500. the starter card fee is $1 for purchases in stores and no inactivity fee.
Purchases: No cost.
ATM withdraws $2.50 fee, plus any operator fees.
Reload methods: Add cash via Walmart MoneyCard. Add cash via Walmart MoneyCard app at Walmart stores; mobile check deposit and add the funds from checks cashed in Walmart stores; $3 to reload cash in a Walmart store; and up to $4.95 to reload elsewhere.
Other services include: up to four free additional accounts; savings account that offers 2% APY on the first $1,000, as well as the chance to win cash prizes every month the option to lock and unlock your card via the app; and text or email notifications.
The downsides are: There is a fee for ATM use; insufficient methods for reloading money.
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Are you looking to increase your savings more quickly? See our list of the
Alternatives to prepaid cards with low fees
The difference between prepaid debit cards and checking accounts is starting to blur, as they have the same characteristics and features.
This is especially true for accounts that are mobile-optimized: Like most prepaid debit cards, many offer no credit check; unlike prepaid cards, they come with some extra perks like advanced savings features, bigger ATM networks and check-writing privileges.
Chime
Cheapest alternative to prepaid
The ratings of NerdWallet are formulated by the editorial staff. The scoring formulas are based on several data points associated with every financial product or service.
Chime isn't a debit card or a typical bank account but a free checking account that is part of the Visa payment network. Although the account isn't equipped with checks in paper but you can use Chime to ask that the checks be mailed to an person, or even yourself, for no cost.
You could also open a linked Chime savings account and set up automatic transfer.
General fees and features: No monthly fee and no costs of activation, or for inactivity. no credit check. Cash withdrawal and third-party fees may apply.
Purchases: No additional charge.
ATM withdrawals are free at over 60,000 ATMs within the Allpoint, MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATM networks; $2.50 at other ATMs in addition to any ATM operator fee. Fees for cash withdrawals and fees from third parties might be charged.
Deposit methods: Direct deposit, bank transfer and mobile check deposit; add cash at stores like 7-Eleven or Walmart (the retailer could charge fees) or at Walgreens for no cost.
Other services: Optional savings account earns 2.00 per cent annual percent yield. Chime offers two automated savings programs. One where each paycheck is credited with a portion of the money that is automatically deposited to the savings account, and the other in which your purchases are rounded in dollars to nearest and the rounded-up change goes to savings (see below for further details from Chime). You also get instant transaction alerts and protect your debit card should you lose it. Note that a Chime Checking Account is required to create a savings account.
The downsides: The out-of-network ATM fee.
Chime says: "Chime is a financial technology company that is not a bank. Services for banking are provided via The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC."
See more information from Chime
Chime says: "Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases according to dollar amounts and transfer the round-up to your Chime Checking Account to your savings account."
"The retailer who accepts your cash will be accountable for the transfer of funds to your Chime Bank Checking account. Deposit fees for cash may be charged if using a retailer other than Walgreens."
"Save When I Get Paid" automatically makes 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 , but not at MoneyPass ATMs located in 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM."
"Mobile Check Deposit" eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion. The eligibility of mobile check deposits is based on various factors including but not limited to, a member's enrolling in direct deposits."
The Aperture Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is subject to change and could alter at any moment. The declared APY will be in effect as of October 25, 2022. No minimum balance is required. It is necessary to have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.
From top to bottom
Best prepaid debit cards and alternatives Summary
Account/card
Monthly fee
The number of ATMs that are free
Bluebird by American Express
$0
30,000+
Chime account
$0
60,000+
FamZoo Prepaid Card
$2.50 to $4.33 If prepaid; $5.99 If the amount is billed
None
Five 3 Access 360deg Reloadable Prepaid Credit Card
$0-$4
50,000+
Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard
$4.99 to $9.98
None
Walmart MoneyCard
$0-$5.94
None
Frequently asked questions What is an prepaid debit card?
A debit card that is prepaid can be used as a tool for budgeting or as a substitute for an bank account. The offer convenience and doesn't cost many costs.
There's no credit check required to obtain a prepaid credit card, and they're usually available if you can't get a bank account because of a bad banking history. It is possible to load funds into the prepaid cards prior to using them to make purchases. In general, you can make use of a debit card that is prepaid in order to cash out cash at ATMs.
Where can you find a credit card that is prepaid?
Prepaid cards can be purchased at stores that sell retail (usually at a cost) and some can be bought online.
How do you add money to an prepaid card?
The methods of adding funds to a prepaid card are different from card to card. The most common methods include adding cash at a register in a store (often at a cost) and adding funds using an app for the deposit on a mobile device, or by direct deposit, card-to-card transfer or bank transfer.
What is a debit card that is prepaid?
A prepaid debit card could serve as a budgeting tool or even a replacement for the bank account. The offer convenience and don't charge many charges. It's no credit check required to obtain a prepaid credit card, and they're usually available in the event that you aren't able to get an bank account because of a poor credit background. The funds are loaded onto prepaid cards before using them to purchase items. In general, you can use a prepaid debit card for cash withdrawals from ATMs.
Where can you purchase the prepay card?
Prepaid cards can be purchased in retail stores (usually at a cost) and some of them can be bought on the internet.
How do you add money an prepaid card?
The methods of adding cash to a prepaid credit card are different between cards. But generally, the options include adding cash at a register in a store (often at a cost), adding funds by using an app to make the deposit on a mobile device, as well as direct transfer, card-to card transfer, as well as bank transfer.
Methodology: The Best Prepaid Debit Cards in 2022
We examined 45 reloadable prepaid debit card options offered by some of the largest banks, credit unions and debit card issuers that issue prepaid debit cards. Where multiple card plans existed, only the basic cost-per-month plan was considered.
We analyzed four categories for each card generally-related charges and features, purchase and withdrawals, reload fees and options, and additional options like the ability to pay bills as well as savings account. The cards that made this list have the best mix of all of them. Certain cards featured in this roundup have nonbank program managers that collaborate with banks. Regardless, all the card issuers are banks that guarantee consumers' money through the No card above. include overdraft charges.
Prepaid debit cards we looked at included , , Fifth Third Access 360deg Reloadable Card, , Mango Visa Prepaid Card, , .
See full list
, , BB&T MoneyAccount, Boost Mobile Wallet Prepaid Mastercard, Brink's Prepaid Mastercard, Card.com Prepaid Card, CashPass Prepaid Mastercard, Commerce Bank mySpending Card Control Prepaid Mastercard, Credit Card, Exact Prepaid Mastercard, FamZoo Prepaid Card, Fancard, FasterMoney Fifth Third Access 360deg Reloadable Prepaid Card, Fred Meyer Prepaid Card, Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard, H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard, Mango Visa Prepaid Card, MOVO Virtual Prepaid Visa Card, MyVanilla Prepaid Card, NexsCard Visa Prepaid Card, Opt+ Prepaid Visa Card, , PNC SmartAccess Prepaid Visa Card, Regions Now Visa Prepaid Card, , Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card, TD Connect Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card, Western Union Netspend Prepaid Card.
We also looked at two alternatives, or nontraditional, banking accounts: and .
What do the ratings mean?
-among the top
Excellent There are only minor issues for most customers
-- Good. Issues that could be of interest for some customers.
Fair. Make sure your the strengths and weak points are good match for you.
-- Poor; proceed with great care
(or below) (or below) avoid
About the authors: Spencer Tierney is a writer and NerdWallet's expert on certificates of deposit. He has had his work featured by USA Today and the Los Angeles Times.
Ruth Sarreal is a content management specialist at NerdWallet. She has been writing and editing content on personal finance topics for more than five years.
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