USA flag

Best Checking Accounts For Freelancers – USA

Best Checking Accounts For Freelancers

USA flag
USA – April 2024
  • No paperwork, fast approval & automated accounting from FDIC insured US banks
  • Save money with low or no fees on transactions
  • Perfect for small businesses & startups
Last Updated April 2024
  • No paperwork, FDIC insured banks
  • Low or no fees on all transactions
  • Perfect for small businesses
Advertiser Disclosure

Advertiser Disclosure

Top10BusinessBanks is a free online resource meant to help users find the information they need in order to make a confident decision. We spend countless hours of research to find the most relevant content and present it in the most accessible way. However, please don’t view the information presented here as a recommendation from our end.

Please note:

  • All the information displayed in this site is completely subjective. Moreover, we have broad editorial discretion as to the content we publish on the site and due to various reasons, the information you see may be incomplete and/or inaccurate. Please don’t hesitate to double-check the information we provide. It’s okay, we won’t be offended – on the contrary, we would love to hear your feedback!
  • We’re able to offer this completely free-of-charge online resource thanks to the referral fees we receive from our partners (some of the companies listed on this site). While this may affect the location of these companies and the content we feature on the site, it’s not possible to purchase a favorable review or a position on this site.
Business Banks Pricing Card Regulation Main Advantages Score Open an Account
Free plan More info Found Debit Mastercard
FDIC
  • Automatic expense tracking for self-employed
  • Built-in tax calculator and tax-saving tools
  • No monthly fees, NSF, or minimum balances
 9.8
Visit Site
Found
Found Review

Payments

Domestic Transfers
  • Unlimited free ACH transfers
  • Incoming Wire transfers only
International Transfers

N/A

Card

Business debit Mastercard

Cash

Deposit and withdrawal available at 79,000 locations

Checks

Check scanner

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Unlimited free invoicing
  • green-check-mark Expense tracking
  • green-check-mark Tax estimation and saving tool
  • green-check-mark integration with Stripe, Square, PayPal & more

Security Features

  • Deposits up to $250k are insured by Piermont Bank; Member FDIC

Account Access

Based on 265 reviews
Found.com
Free plan More info Bluevine Debit Mastercard
FDIC
  • 2.0% APY on positive balance up to $250k for eligible customers
  • Quick & easy migration of existing accounts
  • Business loans are available up to $250k
 9.5
Visit Site
Bluevine Review

Payments

Domestic Transfers

Free ACH Transfers
Wire transfers

Standard ACH fee: $0
Same-day ACH fee: $10
Incoming Wire Fee: $0
Outgoing Wire Fee: $15
International Transfers

Transfers to 32 countries outside the U.S in 15 currencies

Outgoing transfer fee (USD): $25
foreign transfer fee: $25 + 1.5% on base payment amount
Card

Business debit Mastercard

Cash

Deposits and withdrawals available at 91,500+ Green Dot ATMs

Checks

Recieve: Check scanner.
Send: 2 free checkbooks.

After 2 checkbooks – $18.22 per checkbook, plus taxes and shipping.
Checking

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Bill pay
  • green-check-mark Free unlimited invoicing
  • green-check-mark Expense Management
  • green-check-mark Payment approvals

Security Features

  • Deposits up to $3,000,000 are insured by Coastal Community Bank; Member FDIC and their program banks.

Account Access

Based on 7,503 reviews
bluevine.com
Free plan More info Relay Debit Visa
FDIC
  • Best-in-class accounting integrations
  • Open multiple individual business accounts
 9.1
Visit Site
Relay Review

Payments

Domestic Transfers

Free ACH Bank Transfer

$5 fee for sending Wire transfer
International Transfers

Wire transfers

$10 fee for sending Wire transfer
Card

Relay Debit Visa

Cash

Deposits available at 55,000+ AllPoint ATMs.
Withdrawls are fee-free on any ATM

Check

Recieve: Check scanner
Send: Mailed for you on-demand.

 

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Billpay
  • green-check-mark Savings account
  • close-mark-black Free unlimited invoicing
  • green-check-mark Expanse management
  • green-check-mark integration with QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, Yodlee and more

Security Features

  • Deposits up to $2,500,000 are insured by the Evolve Bank & Trust and Thread Bank; Members FDIC.
  • Secure collaboration with accountants

Account Access

Based on 1,204 reviews
relayfi.com
$15 / $30 / $95
monthly fee More info 		Chase Debit Visa
FDIC
  • Fee-free ATMs at 15,000 locations
  • Same-day cash deposits at no additional cost
 8.8
Visit Site
Chase Review

Payments

Minimum Balance

$2k min. balance

Domestic Transfers

ACH transfers: Outgoing: $25 per payment

Wire Transfers: Incoming: $15, Outgoing:$25/$35

International Transfers

Wire Transfers: Incoming: $15, Outgoing:$40

Accounting Tools

  • close-mark-black Accounting integration
  • green-check-mark Bill Pay
  • green-check-mark Payment processing
  • close-mark-black Invoicing

Security Features

  • Deposits up to $250k are insured by Chase Bank; Member FDIC

Account Access

Based on 1,474 reviews
chase.com
$10 Per month
$5k min. balance More info 		Axos Debit Visa
Axos card
FDIC
  • Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
  • Eligible customers earn 1.01% APY up to $50k
 8.5
Visit Site
Axos Bank Review

Payments

Cash Deposits
  • N/A
Minimum opening deposit
  • $100
Domestic Transfers
  • Free ACH transfers
  • $15 for outgoing wire transfers
International Transfers
  • $50 for outgoing international wire transfer

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Savings tools
  • green-check-mark Bill pay
  • close-mark-black Expense Management
  • close-mark-black Invoicing
  • green-check-mark QuickBooks integration

Security Features

  • Deposits up to $250k are insured by Axos Bank; Member FDIC

Account Access

Based on 119 reviews
axosbank.com
Maintain a min daily average balance of $50k and get up to $400 with promo code NEW400
Score 9.8
Found Review
Regulation FDIC
Pricing Free Plan
Accounts

USD

Based on 265 reviews
Main Advantages
  • No credit check needed
  • No NSF or minimum balance
  • Free ACH transfers
  • Unlimited transactions
  • Incoming Wire available domestically
  • Automatic expense tracking
  • Built-in tax calculator and tax-saving tools
  • Unlimited customizable invoices
  • Cash deposit and withdrawal available at 79,000 locations
  • Integrates with multiple apps including: Stripe, Square, Paypal, Venmo, Cash App, and more.
  • Deposits up to $250k are insured by Piermont Bank; Member FDIC
Visit Site
Our Top Choice
1
9.8
Visit Site
  • Automatic expense tracking for self-employed
  • Built-in tax calculator and tax-saving tools
More info + Free Plan
Score 9.5
Bluevine Review
Regulation FDIC
Pricing Free Plan
Accounts
  • USD
Based on 7,503 reviews
Main Advantages
  • Business loans are available up to $250K
  • Up to 5 sub-accounts with unique account no.
  • Dedicated secure access for team members
  • Automated payment for vendors
  • Wire transfers to 26 countries outside of the U.S
  • Paper checkbooks available
  • Unlimited transactions
  • Checkbooks, cash deposit & no-fee ATMs in 37,000 locations
Visit Site
Best for employers
2
9.5
Visit Site
  • 2.0% APY interest on eligible users’ balance
  • Quick & easy migration of existing bank accounts
More info + Free Plan
Score 9.1
Relay Review
Regulation FDIC
Pricing Free Plan
Accounts
  • USD
Based on 1,204 reviews
Main Advantages
  • Free cash deposit & withrawal at Allpoint ATMs
  • 20 free checking accounts 
  • 50 debit cards
  • No overdraft fees
  • No minimum balance
  • Secure banking access for financial advisors & team members
  • Integrates with multiple apps including: Plaid, QuickBooks Online, Xero, Gusto, Yodlee, and more
  • Pro feature including: auto bill payment system, same day ACH, free outgoing wires, and more
Visit Site
3
9.1
Visit Site
  • Open multiple individual business accounts
  • Best-in-class accounting integrations
More info + Free Plan
Score 8.8
Chase Review
Regulation FDIC
Pricing $15 / $30 / $95
According to plan
Accounts
  • USD
Based on 1,474 reviews
Main Advantages
  • Accept card payments anytime in the US
  • User-friendly & secure app
  • QuickDeposit: check scanner tool for additional $25/month
  • Fee-free Chase ATMs at 15,000 locations
  • $3 fee for out-of-network ATM
  • $5 International out-of-network ATM fees
  • 0.01% APY interest
Visit Site
4
8.8
Visit Site
  • Fee-free Chase ATMs at 15,000 locations
  • Same-day cash deposits at no additional cost
More info + $15/$30/$95 month
Score 8.5
Axos Bank Review
Regulation FDIC
Pricing $10/month
$5K min. balance
Accounts
  • USD
Axos card
Based on 119 reviews
Main Advantages
  • Waive monthly fee with minimum average daily balance of at least $5k
  • Cash deposits via MoneyPass and AllPoint networks
  • $100 minimum opening deposit
  • First set of 50 checks free
  • QuickBooks integration
Maintain a min daily average balance of $50k and get up to $400 with promo code NEW400
Visit Site
5
8.5
Visit Site
  • Domestic ATM fee reimbursements
  • Eligible customers earn 1.01% APY up to $50k
More info + $10/month
Maintain a min daily average balance of $50k and get up to $400 with promo code NEW400

Why is it Important to Open a Business Bank Account?

A personal bank account is not intended to confer the same benefits as a business bank account. As a freelancer, sole trader, partnership, or corporation, it’s important to establish a separate identity for your business. Personal accounts are not geared towards business activity. For privacy reasons, your personal account should not be mixed with your business activity.

Debtors, creditors and their banking institutions are much more comfortable dealing with business to business accounts for transactions processing purposes, taxes and invoices. A business bank account establishes credibility, professionalism, and trust. When payroll is needed, a business bank account is a must-have. Separation of personal and business finances is always recommended, especially when business debit cards and/or credit cards are issued to company personnel.

Tax reporting is significantly easier to manage with a business bank account. When a personal account is used for business activity, co-mingling of income and expenses takes place. This complicates matters. Besides, business bank accounts make it much easier for you to effectively control incomes and expenses with your business.

Why is it Important to Open a Business Bank Account?

A personal bank account is not intended to confer the same benefits as a business bank account. As a freelancer, sole trader, partnership, or corporation, it’s important to establish a separate identity for your business. Personal accounts are not geared towards business activity. For privacy reasons, your personal account should not be mixed with your business activity.

Debtors, creditors and their banking institutions are much more comfortable dealing with business to business accounts for transactions processing purposes, taxes and invoices. A business bank account establishes credibility, professionalism, and trust. When payroll is needed, a business bank account is a must-have. Separation of personal and business finances is always recommended, especially when business debit cards and/or credit cards are issued to company personnel.

Tax reporting is significantly easier to manage with a business bank account. When a personal account is used for business activity, co-mingling of income and expenses takes place. This complicates matters. Besides, business bank accounts make it much easier for you to effectively control incomes and expenses with your business.

How Do I Compare & Choose the Best Bank account for My Business?

Features Icon
Banking Features
At the core, check for payment options, local and international money transfer services, corporate cards, account types and currencies available as well as invoicing and bookkeeping tools.
Fees Icon
Fees
Look for accounts offering simple & clear-cut plans, minimal or no fees on transfers & payments and free withdrawal options. Note that fees may vary depending on the plan you choose (free plans will often incur higher fees than premium plans).
Corporate card
All business accounts include corporate cards for you & your employees – either through MasterCard or Visa. Check how many cards are included for free in your chosen plan & how much each additional card will cost if required.
Security Icon
Security
The banks we compare & review on Top10BusinessBanks.com are regulated by local authorities. Check for regulations such as FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) or the FCS (Financial Compensation Scheme) in the UK & FIN-FSA, BaFin, DNB, ECB & ACPR in Europe.
Accounting Icon
Accounting tools
Look for built in expense reporting, scheduled/recurring payments & direct debits. Most banks also offer seamless integration with bookkeeping & accounting tools. For example, Qonto integrates with Sage and QuickBooks.
Access Icon
Account Access
Today, some banks offer account access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While the majority of providers offer access via both mobile and desktop/web apps, some business banks only offer one or the other so check you have the access you need when selecting your preferred bank.

How Do I Compare & Choose the Best Bank account for My Business?

Features Icon
Banking Features
Accordeon button
At the core, check for payment options, local and international money transfer services, corporate cards, account types and currencies available as well as invoicing and bookkeeping tools.
Fees Icon
Fees
Accordeon button
Look for accounts offering simple & clear-cut plans, minimal or no fees on transfers & payments and free withdrawal options. Note that fees may vary depending on the plan you choose (free plans will often incur higher fees than premium plans).
Corporate card
Accordeon button
All business accounts include corporate cards for you & your employees – either through MasterCard or Visa. Check how many cards are included for free in your chosen plan & how much each additional card will cost if required.
Security Icon
Security
Accordeon button
The banks we compare & review on Top10BusinessBanks.com are regulated by local authorities. Check for regulations such as FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) or the FCS (Financial Compensation Scheme) in the UK & FIN-FSA, BaFin, DNB, ECB & ACPR in Europe.
Accounting Icon
Accounting tools
Accordeon button
Look for built in expense reporting, scheduled/recurring payments & direct debits. Most banks also offer seamless integration with bookkeeping & accounting tools. For example, Qonto integrates with Sage and QuickBooks.
Access Icon
Account Access
Accordeon button
Today, some banks offer account access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While the majority of providers offer access via both mobile and desktop/web apps, some business banks only offer one or the other so check you have the access you need when selecting your preferred bank.