Best Checking Accounts For Freelancers – USA

Best Checking Accounts For Freelancers

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USA – May 2025
  • 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 May 2025
  • No paperwork, FDIC insured banks
  • Low or no fees on all transactions
  • Perfect for small businesses

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Business Banks Pricing Card Regulation Main Advantages Score Open an Account
Free plan More info Found Debit Mastercard FDIC
  • Auto expense tracking for self-employed
  • Built-in tax calculator and tax-saving tools
  • No monthly fees, NSF, or min balances
9.8

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
Free plan More info Bluevine Debit Mastercard FDIC
  • Up to 4.0% APY and $3M in FDIC coverage
  • Business Loans are available up to $250K
  • Live support from dedicated professionals
9.5

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

Receive: 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 8,232 reviews
Free plan More info Relay Debit Visa FDIC
  • Get 1.03%-3.03% APY & up to $3M in FDIC coverage
  • Open multiple individual business accounts
9.1

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
  • 90,000+ Green Dot® Network partnering retailers

 

Withdrawals are fee-free on any ATM

Check

Receive: Check scanner
Send: Mailed 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
$0 – $15 More info Chase Debit Visa FDIC
  • Fee-free ATMs at 15,000 locations
  • Save time & manage cash flow effortlessly
8.8

Payments

Small Business Loans

$0 origination fee

Domestic Wire Transfers

Incoming: $15

Outgoing: $25/$35

Domestic ACH Transfers

Outgoing: $25 per payment

International Wire Transfers

Incoming: $15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outgoing: $40

Accounting Tools

  • green-check-mark Bill Pay
  • green-check-mark Payment processing

Security Features

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

Account Access

Based on 9,856 reviews
$10 Per month
$5k min. balance More info
Axos Debit Visa FDIC
  • Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
  • Eligible customers earn 1.01% APY up to $50k
8.5

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 1,350 ratings
Our Top Choice
1
  • Auto expense tracking for self-employed
More info + Free Plan
Best for employers
2
  • Up to 4.0% APY and $3M in FDIC coverage
  • Business Loans are available up to $250K
More info + Free Plan
3
  • Get 1-3.76% APY and up to $3M in FDIC coverage
More info + Free Plan
4
  • Fee-free ATMs at 15,000 locations
More info + $0 – $15
5
  • Domestic ATM fee reimbursements
  • Eligible customers earn 1.01% APY up to $50k
More info + $10/month

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.