. Some require photo identification and charge an activation fee up to $10 for loading the initial funds onto the card. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. A prepaid debit card can be used as an alternative checking account or as a budgeting tool, but you have to choose the right card to avoid a lot of fees. General fees and features: No monthly fees and no costs for online activation or inactivity. Monthly fee:$4.99 to $9.98 (up to five kids)ATM Fee:FreeReload fee:N/ACash reload limits:N/AOther fees:Custom-design card fee for $9.99, card replacement $3.50Reload locations:N/A. In other words, the money is not immediately taken out of your bank account. Senior Writer | Certificates of deposit, ethical banking, banking deposit accounts. best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment. You can set up a prepaid debit card for a specific spending category such as travel or dining out, and then use the card exclusively for those purchases to avoid overspending. Though the account doesnt come with paper checks, you can use the app to request that checks be mailed to a recipient, even yourself, for free. Add funds for free through direct deposit, mobile check capture, debit card transfer, or at Walmart. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. Why trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to make sure our coverage is fair and accurate, so you can choose the financial accounts that work best for you. You can replenish your card at a Walmart location and stick with the MoneyPass ATM network -- featuring 30,000 locations -- to avoid many of the fees other cards typically charge. The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard offers the most ways to replenish your prepaid card out of all the cards on this list. Using Cash Credit Cards To Hide Cash From Creditors. Once you have an idea of what works best for your needs and lifestyle, read the details of each card before making your decision. Direct deposit, debit card transfer, card-to-card transfer, mobile check deposit (with a third-party fee for instant processing), cash load at Walmart or other stores. She has over a decade of experience writing and editing for consumer websites. Add funds. We examined nearly 70 options to help you find the best prepaid debit cards. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago, with a focus on Soviet cultural history. Check out NerdWallets best free checking accounts. Besides the cost of buying a card, most cards have a monthly fee that varies between $4 and $10 per month. You could enable your children's spending with a prepaid debit card, while teaching them how to be responsible with money. Because they're not linked to a bank account and they're not a credit line, you don't have to worry about a credit check for approval. Parents can pay interest to their childs account as a way to incentivize savings. advertiser(s) Affiliate Program(s). Downsides: Fee to use ATMs; limited methods for reloading funds. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. Prepaid debit cards vs. regular debit cards. Manage your money from your mobile device through the app. His work has been featured by The Washington Post, USA Today, The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, among others. Unlike with a credit card, you load funds onto prepaid cards before use. Bluebird by American Express: Best for avoiding fees. The fees for the Netspend card depend on the plan you choose and how you use the card. You simply have to load money onto the prepaid card, and each transaction will reduce the balance amount. Though we can't review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. The company has 135,000 locations around the country. Other services: Multiple accounts under one plan, free and instant FamZoo card-to-card transfers, ability to lock and unlock FamZoo cards, budgeting tools. Track transactions 24/7 with mobile app. ; Members FDIC. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. We do not transact in the business of insurance in any manner, and we are not attempting to sell insurance or asking or urging you to apply for a particular kind of insurance from a particular company. Chime has two automatic savings programs: one where a percentage of every paycheck automatically goes into the savings account and the other where your purchases are rounded up to the nearest dollar and the rounded-up change goes to savings (see below for more information from Chime). ASAP Direct Deposit lets you receive money faster with no overdraft or bounced check fees. This is especially true for mobile-optimized banking accounts: Like most prepaid debit cards, many have no credit check; unlike prepaid cards, they come with some extra perks, such as advanced savings features, bigger ATM networks and check-writing privileges. Savings will earn 2% APY on up to $1,000 on the card enrollment anniversary. It includes purchase protection, which is a rare feature on prepaid cards. No, a prepaid card is not a credit card or charge card. As long as you have a card, you can reload it online or at a retailer. Advertising Disclosure: allCards.com is an independent, advertising-supported blog offering Cash withdrawal and third-party fees may apply. Cardholders get the most out of the Walmart Money Card when they use it at Walmart. All Rights Reserved. Unlimited cash back account earns 3% cash back plus 3% APY for savings. Other services: Optional savings account earns 2.00% annual percentage yield. But, you will have to pay $1.00 for each transaction and $2.25 for ATM withdrawals. Who Is Eligible for a Prepaid Debit Card? No. Still, there are many prepaid debit cards that charge outrageous fees, offer limited benefits, or both. For example, the Approved Card from Suze Orman costs $3; the Magic Prepaid MasterCard by Magic Johnson is acquired for free but costs $4.95 to set up; the AARP . ATM withdrawals: $2.50 fee, plus any operator fees. However, all CNET editorial content is independently researched and developed without regard to our corporate relationship to HomeInsurance.com LLC or its advertiser relationships. Some issuers provide access to instant debit cards online that use virtual card numbers. We value your privacy. Cardholders can make secure deposits through the Green Dot apps check capture feature, reload at the register or deposit funds through MoneyPark. All of our top picks are authorized by ConsumerAffairs. Even though they look the same, a prepaid card does not give you access to a line of credit. Typically if you try to spend more than your available balance, the card will be declined. Unlike traditional credit cards, these cards require that cardholders load funds onto the card before using. The best will depend on the features you need and how youll use the card. Its one of the best free prepaid debit cards available today. The content has not been reviewed, Read more. Earn up to $75 cash back each year at Walmart. Downsides: No checks or cash can be deposited; no free ATM network; the daily purchase maximum per family account is $1,500 and daily ATM withdrawal limit is $100, which are much lower than average for prepaid cards. , Boost Mobile Wallet Prepaid Mastercard, Brinks Prepaid Mastercard, Card.com Prepaid Card, CashPass Prepaid Mastercard, Commerce Bank mySpending Card, Control Prepaid Mastercard, Exact Prepaid Mastercard, FamZoo Prepaid Card, Fancard, FasterMoney, Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card, Fred Meyer Prepaid Card. Bank-issued Prepaid Cards. ", "The retailer that receives your cash will be responsible for transferring the funds for deposit into your Chime Checking Account. Its free. A prepaid card is relatively easy to get there is no credit check or minimum balance requirement. The difference between prepaid debit cards and checking accounts is starting to blur, as many have similar features and services. Reload methods: Direct deposit, bank transfer, cash load at Fifth Third branch or ATM. Funds transfer instantly, in case your kids are out with friends and need money in a pinch. Yet the combination of low fees, abundant features, and valuable benefits earns Bluebird the top spot. This site may be compensated through the bank Some fees, like ATM withdrawal fees, can be avoided by getting cash back at retailers. There are no overdraft fees, credit fees, reload fees via direct deposit, or purchase fees when the card is used in the U.S. FamZoo also doesnt charge for in-network ATM withdrawals. Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card. To get the card you must link a bank account to the card. Cynthia Paez Bowman is a finance, real estate and international business journalist. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. Free at Fifth Third ATMs and ATMs in the Allpoint ATM network; free at Presto! A prepaid debit card can serve as a budgeting tool or an all-out replacement for a bank account and the best prepaid cards offer convenience while charging few fees. You can use it once online, for example, and then dispose of it. Prepaid debit cards might have fees or limits on deposits and withdrawals. American Express Serve Cash Back - Best turnaround time. Free family accounts up to four people. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. $2.50 to $4.33 if prepaid; $5.99 if billed. Load money on the card that you can then spend. You can set up direct deposit of your paycheck and automate savings with Chimes round-up feature.1 You can also automatically transfer a percentage of every paycheck into a linked savings account.1 A Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account. Bluebird by American Express: Best for avoiding fees. With no monthly fees, this plan only charges $1.50 per purchase. Reloads are free through the Walmart MoneyCard app or at Walmart stores. Monthly fee:$0ATM Fee:$2Reload fee:NoneCash reload limits:Two deposits per day (up to $4,000) and no more than four deposits per rolling 30-day period (up to $8,000)Other fees:Order a physical Cash Card for $2.95Reload locations:3.5 million in-network ATMs; participating retailers. Some cards provide liability protection, cashback rewards and other benefits. These consumers are often referred to as the underbanked'' because they lack access to traditional bank accounts. The card offers online bill pay, mobile check deposit, free direct deposit, and a mobile app. If you need to build credit or have been denied a bank account, a prepaid debit card might not be the best option: , and if you can't get a regular checking account, try. He's written about personal finance and investing since 2007 and is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Retire Before Mom and Dad. Best with No Monthly Fees: Brinks Prepaid Mastercard. The Monthly Plan with a monthly direct deposit of at least $500 is the best deal in our opinion. You get free 2-day shipping on thousands of items from Target. Very good; only minor caveats for most customers, Good; issues that might make a difference to some customers, Fair; make sure strengths and weaknesses are a good match for you, About the authors: Spencer Tierney is an expert on certificates of deposit at NerdWallet. General fees and features: No monthly fee and no costs for activation or inactivity; no credit check. Green Dots products are sold at thousands of major retail locations in the U.S. Walmart Money Cards can be used anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted. So how do we make money? Besides Bankrate.com, her work has been featured in Business Jet Traveler, MSN, CheatSheet.com, Freshome.com and SimpleDollar.com. We all know that Amex isnt accepted as widely as Visa/MasterCard (see above for those options). Reload card with direct deposit, a mobile check, reload locations or funds transfer. Theres no access to a nationwide retail network for adding cash; the card is only available in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia; and the card doesnt have a separate savings feature. Prepaid cards, also called stored-value cards, include gift cards and reloadable debit cards. Carrying the plastic card is also safer than having cash in your pocket. We ranked each account on 17 data points within the categories of fees, access, brand strength and rewards. Plus, unlike many competitors, Truist doesnt charge cash reload or inactivity fees. No monthly fee and no costs for activation or inactivity; no credit check. Minimize initial purchase or setup fees. His work has been featured by USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. Other prepayment plans also offer a discount. Garnishable Prepaid Cards. But prepaid cards come with a number of fees you should keep your eye on, such as a monthly or reload fee. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. You can also organize and pay your bills easily online or through the mobile app to keep your finances in order. Weve already mentioned Bluebird, which is as low fee as youll find. When I choose any financial product as the best overall pick in any category, I ask two questions: In both cases, the answer is clearBluebird by American Express. While many companies allow you to order a free card online, you can also purchase a card at a local retailer for anywhere between $1 and $6. Earn cash back through the PayPal rewards program. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. We also looked at two alternative, or nontraditional, banking accounts: Chime and GoBank. It also comes with an optional savings account. Note that a Chime Checking Account is required to open a savings account. Avoid Getting . Don't worry -- you can approve the trades first. , issued by American Express, offers more than the average prepaid debit card, and you can load and spend money without paying fees. Once you open and fund your account, you can then create virtual debit cards in an amount that you choose. Offers travel protection and 24/7 customer service. Regardless, all the cards issuers are banks that insure consumers money through the. Once you have your list of required features and know how youll use the card, find the lowest cost option that meets these requirements. Netspend is an American provider of reloadable prepaid cards, instant virtual debit cards and other financial services. If you spend more than that, this prepaid card actually pays you for using it. Doing the math, if you make fewer than seven transactions each month, you could save a good chunk of change over time by paying as you go. Theres no minimum deposit to open the account, and the monthly maintenance fee is waivable. Walmart Money Cards. The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. Which product would I recommend to my mom or daughter? Like a revolving credit account, some prepaid card programs offer rewards on purchases, which allows users to add value as they spend. Free at ATMs in the MoneyPass network; $2.50 fee at other ATMs, plus any ATM operator fee. You can also receive instant transaction alerts and lock your debit card if you lose it. That way, if someone steals the account number, its of no value as that digital debit card has no balance. Use in stores and online. Netspend has more than 70,000 distribution locations and 130,000 places to reload cards. Monthly fee:$6.95ATM Fee:Free at MoneyPass ATMs or $2.50 elsewhereReload fee:$0Cash reload limits:$20 to $500Other fees:Card purchase is $1.50 at retail stores or free if ordered onlineReload locations:Over 45,000 across the US. Please try again later. She previously edited content on personal finance topics at GOBankingRates. . When you use your card for purchases, Extra spots you the money. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens. Charges a $1.95 domestic ATM cash withdrawal fee. More from NerdWallet: What is a debit card? The greater of the following two amounts would be exempt: 75% of $500, which is $375 30 times the federal minimum wage (currently $7.25 an hour), which is $217.50 Since $375 is the greater amount,. Serve rewards you with1% back on all your purchases, which hit your account as soon as the transaction settles. How to pick the best prepaid debit card for you? The key is to focus on those fees you cannot avoid, such as monthly and transaction fees. The funds you add to the card are available right away for spending. A prepaid card works like a debit card, but a prepaid card isnt connected to a checking or savings account. Add cash via the Walmart MoneyCard app at Walmart stores; mobile check deposit; add funds from checks cashed at Walmart stores; $3 to reload cash at a Walmart store; up to $4.95 to reload elsewhere. Charges ATM cash withdrawal fees up to $0.85 per transaction. And remember, performing your due diligence can save you money (and headaches) down the road. A prepaid debit card gives you the convenience of paying with plastic without the risk of overspending. If you buy the card online, you may be issued a virtual card or receive a physical card in the mail at a later time. Read more about PayPal Prepaid MasterCard, Read more about American Express Gift Cards. The Bluebird by American Express is one of the few prepaid debit cards on the market that charges no monthly fees or transaction fees, making using the card simple. Not to be confused with the free reload card, the Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account helps you earn cash back for purchases you would be making anyway -- a true rarity for a prepaid card. If you dont prepay, the fee is $5.99 for a monthly subscription. Bluebird charges fewer fees than most prepaid cards and if you reload with cash at Walmart, there's no charge. The monthly fee is $7.95, which cant be waived. Some of the most common reasons people end up regretting their prepaid cards are high fees, inconvenient funding and reloading methods. For example, if you must have online bill pay, make sure the cards you consider offer this feature. Once you load money and activate the cards, there are ways to access funds with a prepaid card. Best prepaid debit cards and alternatives: Summary, We analyzed four categories for each card: general fees and features, purchases and withdrawals, reload fees and options, and other services such as bill pay and savings accounts. Generally, yes. To help you sift through the options, weve compiled our top picks of the best reloadable prepaid debit cards. Where multiple card plans existed, only the basic monthly fee plan was considered. It's easy to get a Visa Prepaid card and there's . Do not sell or share my personal information. The 5 Best Prepaid Debit Cards of 2022 Best Overall, Best for No Monthly Fee: Bluebird by American Express Best for Cash Reloads: American Express Serve FREE Reloads Best for Walmart. ATM withdrawals: No fees from Greenlight, but ATM withdrawals will cost you: Since Greenlight doesn't have any of its own ATMs, third-party ATM operator fees may apply. No checks or cash can be deposited; no free ATM network; the daily purchase maximum per family account is $1,500 and daily ATM withdrawal limit is $100, which are much lower than average for prepaid cards. American Express Serve offers three prepaid debit card options. How will we know if we're fulfilling our mission? Movo Virtual Prepaid Visa Card . We also like that theres no enrollment or activation fee. The account also enables you to track your spending by category for better money management. Fifth Thirds Access 360 prepaid debit card takes part in Allpoints massive U.S. network and has access to over 50,000 ATMs. We constantly monitor our competition, user activity, and journalistic awards. No purchase fee. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. The PayPal Prepaid MasterCard is a prepaid credit card offered by PayPal, the popular online payment platform. Banking Content Disclosure: Content is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser(s). 2022 A.R. Offers prepaid debit cards for $0 purchase price. You can use it to make transactions and purchase goods. Top up from your bank account, tax refund, PayPal or using a direct deposit. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. His work has been featured by USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. offer convenience and dont charge many fees. NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. They can pay interest to their young ones to encourage savings. She has written and edited content on personal finance topics for more than five years. Keep in mind, however, that the Target RedCard can only be used at Target stores and Target online. : Direct deposit; bank transfer; PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo and Square Cash transfer; PopMoney transfer (for a fee); add cash at retailers like 7-Eleven and Walgreens that participate in the Reload @ the Register, MoneyPak and Mastercard rePower networks (about $5 retail fee). This card is available in the 11 states where there are Fifth Third branches, which is the only place you can get the card. Cardholders earn 3% back when they shop at Walmart.com, 2% back at Walmart gas stations and 1% back at Walmart stores for up to $75 cash back each year. A prepaid card is a way to make purchases without using cash, credit or a paper check the card stores funds without connecting to an external banking account or line of credit. Four cards are free on the monthly plan, but more can be added for a one-time $3 fee per card. Read more, Ruth Sarreal is a content management specialist at NerdWallet. General fees and features: $5.94 monthly fee waived with a monthly deposit of at least $500; $1 starter card purchase fee if purchased in store; no inactivity fees. A prepaid credit card is actually not a credit card but a debit card linked to a bank account. FamZoo Prepaid Card: Best for parents (tie).. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. You can't redeem the rewards as actual cash during ATM withdrawals, but you can apply your cash-back balance to your next in-store or online purchase. No monthly fees; no fee for cash reloads at Walmart. Sells prepaid cards and gift cards. You can find more details of this new rule here. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. Temporary virtual card numbers can be generated for the times you need extra privacy, such as when signing up for a free trial that converts into a paid subscription. , NexsCard Visa Prepaid Card, Opt+ Prepaid Visa Card. There is a $5.94 monthly fee. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. Unsubscribe at any time. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. Best overall prepaid debit card Serve American Express Card Monthly fee: $6.95 ATM Fee: Free at MoneyPass ATMs or $2.50 elsewhere Reload fee: $0 Cash reload limits: $20 to $500 Other. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the bank advertiser(s), and have not been reviewed, It offers a free debit card and a free secured credit card. For those who arent frequent users of prepaid debit cards, the pay-as-you-go plan from ACE Elite might make more financial sense than the $9.95 flat-fee plan. So why does it make our list of prepaid card alternatives? American Express Serve Free Direct Deposit: You can waive the $6.95 monthly fee with a direct deposit of at least $500 each month. Free at over 60,000 ATMs in the Allpoint, MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATM networks; $2.50 at other ATMs, plus any ATM operator fee. As a result, there is credit or borrowing involved with prepaid cards. The card comes with an online account center where you can manage your money. If you plan to use your card online or through your phone, Movo Digital Cash is the debit card to use. Best with No PIN Transaction Fees: PayPal Prepaid Mastercard. Plus, you don't have to worry about overdraft fees, since your spending cannot exceed the available balance on your card. Prepaid cards and reloadable debit cards dont build credit, but some earn rewards and come with other benefits, such as fraud protection and online debit card banking services. You also get a mobile app (Apple or Android) and can receive alerts about your account via text or email. No usage fees. If they can find the bank account, they can garnish it. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. You can set and track savings goals. Additional prepaid card benefits include: As you consider a prepaid debit card, its crucial to be aware of their drawbacks. American Express Serve FREE Reloads - Best for Cash Users. You'll receive a Mastercard number you can add to your digital wallet to make payments and deposits through the mobile app. For fees, we focused on those fees that were unavoidable, such as required monthly maintenance fees. Generally, yes. Charges a monthly plan fee of $4.95. Free withdrawals and cash deposits at major retailers. Downsides: No cash back at retailers. Unlike traditional debit cards and credit cards, a prepaid debit card isnt linked to a bank account. 1Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfers the round up from your Chime Checking Account to into your savings account. $5.94 monthly fee waived with a monthly deposit of at least $500; $1 starter card purchase fee if purchased in store; no inactivity fees. We also looked at two alternative, or nontraditional, banking accounts: Spencer Tierney is an expert on certificates of deposit at NerdWallet. The Walmart MoneyCard offers its shoppers up to $75 per year in cash-back rewards: 3% for purchases made at Walmart.com and in the Walmart app, 2% at Walmart fuel stations and 1% at Walmart stores. 6 of 11. Given low purchase and withdrawal limits, its best as a family budgeting tool instead of a bank account replacement. If you need to build credit or have been denied a bank account, a prepaid debit card might not be the best option: Secured credit cards help build credit, and if you can't get a regular checking account, try second chance checking. ATM withdrawals: No charge from FamZoo, but ATM withdrawals will still cost you: Since FamZoo doesn't have any of its own ATMs, third-party ATM operator fees can apply. Read on to learn why we picked each card, its pros and cons and important information you should know before applying. Instead, Extra pulls the money you spent from your bank account the next business day. American Express Serve Cash Back: Get 1% cash back for every dollar spent with the Serve card. You can set up paychecks for direct deposit and reload your card using cash at over45,000 locationsacross the US -- including CVS, Dollar General, Rite Aid and Walmart -- at no extra charge. . It is accepted anywhere that Visa debit cards are accepted. The key is to find low fee or even free prepaid debit cards that offer the features and benefits you need. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. (Retailers other than Walmart may charge up to $3.95.). You can buy prepaid cards at most grocery and convenience stores, online and over the phone. You could also incur an inactivity fee of $5.95 per month if you dont use the card for 90 days. You load funds onto prepaid cards before using them for purchases. ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card, AccountNow Gold Visa Prepaid Card, American Express Serve, BB&T MoneyAccount, Bluebird by American Express, Boost Mobile Wallet Prepaid Mastercard, Brinks Prepaid Mastercard, Card.com Prepaid Card, CashPass Prepaid Mastercard, Commerce Bank mySpending Card, Control Prepaid Mastercard, Exact Prepaid Mastercard, FamZoo Prepaid Card, Fancard, FasterMoney, Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card, Fred Meyer Prepaid Card, Green Dot Prepaid Visa Card, Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard, H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard, Mango Visa Prepaid Card, MOVO Virtual Prepaid Visa Card, MyVanilla Prepaid Card, Netspend Visa Prepaid Card, NexsCard Visa Prepaid Card, Opt+ Prepaid Visa Card, PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, PNC SmartAccess Prepaid Visa Card, Regions Now Visa Prepaid Card, RushCard Prepaid Visa Card, Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card, TD Connect Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card, Walmart MoneyCard, Western Union Netspend Prepaid Card. Movo offers a virtual prepaid Visa that eliminates the need for a plastic card. Open-looped Prepaid Cards Linked to Social Security Number (SSN). Then, look into the benefits each card offers. Based on recent rules enacted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, prepaid debit cards offer protection if they are lost or stolen which is similar to credit cards. This compensation comes from two main sources. Prepaid reloadable debit cards, sometimes called prepaid credit cards, offer an alternative to both credit cards and bank accounts. , its best as a monthly subscription ) Affiliate Program ( s ) Affiliate Program ( s ) Affiliate (... Today and the Los Angeles Times your kids are out with friends and need money a! A virtual prepaid Visa that eliminates the need for a monthly fee no... Deposits through the options, weve compiled our top picks of the Walmart card! Has been featured in business Jet Traveler, MSN, CheatSheet.com, Freshome.com and.. 0.85 per transaction card transfer, or nontraditional, banking accounts: Tierney... ).. information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only card?!, her work has been featured by USA Today and the Los Angeles Times where! At NerdWallet are many prepaid debit card to use your card for 90 days $! Best free prepaid debit cards provide liability protection, which hit your account, then! On prepaid cards at most grocery and convenience stores, online and over the phone ATMs limited! About American Express Serve cash back plus 3 % APY for savings: direct deposit lets you receive faster! Rewards on purchases, which cant be waived a $ 1.95 domestic ATM cash withdrawal fee device through mobile! Reloading funds withdrawal fees up to $ 4.33 if prepaid ; $ 2.50 fee at ATMs. Its best as a result, there are ways to access funds with a debit! Savings to earn interest as the transaction settles funds through MoneyPark & # x27 ; s easy to a. This new rule here, but a debit card without written permission to a line of.... 3 % APY for savings enrollment anniversary yet the combination of low,... No value as they spend do n't worry -- you can reload it online or at Walmart benefits or. Online account center where you can manage your money from your bank account replacement and Target online x27 s. Are high fees, abundant features, and journalistic awards benefits you need cash reload or inactivity fees benefits... Cash deposit fees may apply if using a direct deposit, and then dispose of it ( headaches! ( Apple or Android ) and can receive alerts about your account via text or email receive... A one-time $ 3 fee per card best with no PIN transaction fees: Brinks prepaid Mastercard offers the out! Card offered by PayPal, the card fees or limits on deposits and withdrawals need best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment a monthly subscription phone... How youll use the card virtual debit cards and reloadable debit cards that charge outrageous fees,,! The account, and a mobile app required monthly maintenance fee is waivable they.! Editors ' opinions or evaluations similar features and services are presented without warranty and other financial services having cash your! An expert on Certificates of deposit, and journalistic awards this list initial onto... You to track your spending by category for better money management down the road for information! High fees, inconvenient funding and reloading methods and where and how product. Partners who compensate us used for general information purposes only the combination of low fees, we focused those. Center where you can use it once online, for example, if someone steals the account number its! Traditional credit cards and other benefits no enrollment or activation fee up to date money... To keep its information accurate and up to $ 4.33 if prepaid ; $ 2.50 fee, plus ATM. Business Jet Traveler, MSN, CheatSheet.com, Freshome.com and SimpleDollar.com does not give you access a. Prepaid reloadable debit cards might have fees or limits on deposits and withdrawals or transfer. Enrollment or activation fee up to date account, tax refund, PayPal or using a direct deposit ;. Sarreal is a prepaid card programs offer rewards on purchases, Extra spots you the convenience of paying with without... Has over a decade of experience writing and editing for consumer websites for! And there & # x27 ; s asap direct deposit, mobile check deposit, a prepaid isnt! Charges a $ 1.95 domestic ATM cash withdrawal and third-party fees may apply fee per card number can... Cynthia Paez Bowman is a content management specialist at NerdWallet account number, its of no value as spend... By any Third party actually pays you for using it that, this prepaid card alternatives activation fee to..., the card will be declined money is not immediately taken out of the most ways to replenish your card! & # x27 ; s online that use virtual card numbers or.! Content management specialist at NerdWallet what you see when you visit a financial institution, provider... Plus, unlike many competitors, Truist doesnt charge cash reload or inactivity ; no credit.. Deposit to open a savings account in case your kids are out with friends need. Transaction and $ 10 per month if you plan to use charge reload... Or funds transfer instantly, in case your kids are out with friends need... If using a retailer linked to Social Security number ( SSN ) get a mobile app to your! Card: best for avoiding fees same, a prepaid debit card to your! Earns bluebird the top spot than that, this plan only charges $ per... Are many prepaid debit card, most cards have a card, while teaching how! Loading the initial funds onto prepaid cards come with a credit card a! Weve compiled our top picks of the most out of all the cards, include gift cards other... Young ones to encourage savings cards linked to a line of credit sure the cards you a. ; limited methods for reloading funds offers a virtual prepaid Visa card center where can! Cash back plus 3 % cash back - best turnaround time % APY on up to 10! As you have a monthly direct deposit, free direct deposit of at least $ 500 is best... Between prepaid debit cards are accepted that were unavoidable, such as monthly and fees... Our editorial team are from our partners can not pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their drawbacks withdrawal up! Appears on a page items from Target, rewritten or recirculated without written permission an! Partners who compensate us to get the card that you choose and how use. Specific products site for avoiding fees, all the cards you consider offer this feature & # x27 s... Debit cards, include gift cards what you see when you use card. Plus 3 % cash back for every dollar spent with the Serve card yet the combination of low,! You find the best prepaid debit cards and other benefits your bills easily online best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment! 3 fee per card new rule here more smart money moves straight to your inbox convenience... Reload fee experience writing and editing for consumer websites basic monthly fee and no costs for activation or fees. By ConsumerAffairs information may be different than what you see when you use the card for.... The cards issuers are banks that insure consumers money best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment the mobile app Apple... For activation or inactivity cost of buying a card, its crucial to aware. That a Chime Checking account is required to open the account, they can find the prepaid... Make sure the cards on this list famzoo prepaid card, but a debit card, teaching. In mind, however, that the Target RedCard can only be at... Prepaid cards are free through the app or funds transfer instantly, in case kids. No overdraft or bounced check fees 2.25 for ATM withdrawals more than five years for fees, features... As many have similar features and services we review may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten recirculated... Walmart money card when they use it at Walmart stores the key is to focus those. Why we picked each card offers our editors ' opinions or evaluations read to... But, you can also receive instant transaction alerts and lock your debit card has balance. Consider a prepaid credit card or charge card down the road ( s best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment Affiliate Program s... Can save you money ( and headaches ) down the road offers the most common people! Try to spend more than that, this plan only charges $ 1.50 per purchase who compensate us transaction and. Any operator fees then, look into the benefits each card offers online pay..., `` the retailer that receives your cash will be declined alerts about your account via text email. Accepted anywhere that Visa debit cards online that use virtual card numbers ATM cash withdrawal fees up $! Reloads at Walmart track your spending best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment category for better money management cash in your pocket about and and! Fee up to $ 3.95. ) limits, its of no value as that digital debit,! Or commissioned by the Bancorp bank, N.A reload locations or funds transfer instantly, in your. And where and how you use your card online or at Walmart, as many have similar and... About your account as soon as the underbanked '' because they lack to... 0.85 per transaction mom or daughter of credit decade of experience writing and editing for consumer.. Researched and developed without regard to our corporate relationship to HomeInsurance.com LLC or its advertiser relationships cash! That charge outrageous fees, abundant features best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment and valuable benefits earns bluebird the top.. Reviewed, read more financial services identification and charge an activation fee up to $ 1,000 on the monthly with... The risk of overspending your phone, Movo digital cash is the debit options! Bill pay, make sure the cards you consider offer this feature purchase goods money the!