5 Best Prepaid Debit Cards
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A prepaid debit card can serve as a budgeting tool or an all-out replacement for a bank account. No prepaid card is completely fee-free, but the best prepaid cards offer convenience while charging few fees.
Best Prepaid Debit Cards
Dozens of prepaid debit cards are available, but not all are worth using. We’ve rounded up the best ones, none of which charge a fee for customer support phone calls (which some other cards do).
Why trust NerdWallet
Here are our top prepaid debit cards based on fees and features.
Best Prepaid Debit Cards | |
Bluebird by American Express
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Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account
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 | FamZoo
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 | Greenlight
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 | Walmart MoneyCard
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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. These accounts provide another shot at mainstream banking and its perks.
Bluebird by American Express
Bluebird, issued by American Express, offers more than the average prepaid debit card, and you can load and spend money without paying fees.
But Bluebird is slightly more limited when it comes to the number of places it’s accepted, and it doesn’t allow cash back at retailers.
Vast network for no-fee ATM withdrawals.
Free cash reloads at Family Dollar.
Many methods available for reloads.
No cash back at retailers.
Cash reloads at retailers other than Family Dollar may cost up to $3.95.
Card is issued by American Express, which isn’t accepted everywhere that Visa and Mastercard are.
» Learn more about how prepaid debit cards work
Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account
The Serve Prepaid Debit card, issued by American Express, offers a vast ATM network with no-fee withdrawals and an extensive, no-fee cash reload network.
As an American Express® card, Serve has limits when it comes to the number of places it’s accepted, and it doesn’t allow cash back at retailers.
Vast network for no-fee ATM withdrawals.
Many methods available for reloads.
No-fee cash loading at more than 45,000 retail locations.
Purchase protection, emergency assistance and subaccounts available.
$6.95 monthly fee in most states.
Cash reloads at some retailers may charge up to $3.95.
No cash back at retailers.
Card is issued by American Express, which isn’t accepted everywhere that Visa and Mastercard are.
FamZoo Prepaid Card
FamZoo is a family-friendly prepaid Mastercard that provides a way for parents to give their kids a debit card that the parents can control. Even children younger than 13 can get a card to use. Four cards are free on the monthly plan, but more can be added for a one-time $3 fee per card. From the website or app, you can send allowances, split payments, see balances and activity across all cards, and set up text and email alerts.
Monthly fee discounted if you prepay.
Multiple accounts under one plan.
Free and instant FamZoo card-to-card transfers.
Option to reload by P2P app transfer.
Ability to lock (to prevent spending and card-to-card transfers) and unlock FamZoo cards.
Budgeting tools.
No free ATM network.
Maximum monthly fee is higher than average for cards that don’t charge a per-purchase fee.
No mobile check deposit feature.
Fee for cash reloads at retailers.
» Want a traditional spending account? Check out NerdWallet’s best free checking accounts
Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard
Greenlight stands out for a feature that other prepaid cards lack: store-specific spending controls. Parents can preapprove where their kids spend money, so $300 earmarked for school supplies can only be spent at a campus bookstore, for example. The prepaid card also offers real-time activity alerts, free card-to-card transfers for allowances and the ability to remotely lock lost cards.
A Greenlight account can have up to five subaccounts, so it works for a family. It’s best as a family budgeting tool instead of a bank account replacement.
No international ATM withdrawal fee.
Up to five subaccounts.
Real-time activity alerts.
Store-specific spending controls.
Ability to remotely lock lost cards.
No free ATM network.
No checks or cash can be deposited.
Daily ATM withdrawal limit is $100.
Low purchase limits.
Walmart MoneyCard
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. The app, which gets middling ratings, is required to get fee-free cash reloads at Walmart stores. Walmart MoneyCenters and Customer Service desks offer fee-free cash withdrawals with the app. Among the best prepaid debit cards on this list that charge a monthly fee, only the Walmart MoneyCard offers the option to have the fee completely waived.
This prepaid, reloadable card is family-friendly. You can order an account for free for up to four additional people who are at least 13 years old. The Walmart MoneyCard offers a free “Vault” savings feature. On the card enrollment anniversary, savings will earn 2% APY (compounded annually) on up to $1,000.
Because it’s not part of an ATM network, you’ll pay $2.50 for ATM withdrawals in addition to any operator fees.
Can add funds (cash or deposited checks) at Walmart stores.
Monthly fee waived by meeting a monthly direct deposit minimum.
Fee-free cash withdrawals at Walmart MoneyCenters and Customer Service desks.
Up to four free additional accounts.
Ability to lock and unlock card in case you lose or misplace it.
Text and email alerts.
Savings feature with 2% APY for first $1,000.
Cash-back rewards for purchases made at Walmart.com and in the Walmart app, at Walmart fuel stations and at Walmart stores.
No free ATM network; $2.50 fee for ATM withdrawals plus operator fees.
Limited methods for reloading funds.
Must have the app to get fee-free cash reloads at Walmart stores.
» Want to build your savings faster? See our list of the best savings accounts
Our Nerds say:
"Using a prepaid debit card can help you stick to a budget. Some companies charge more fees than others, though, so be sure to read the fine print to understand potential charges and costs."
Member FDIC
SoFi Checking and Savings
4.00%
$0
Deposits are FDIC Insured
BMO Alto Online Savings Account
4.30%
$0
Member FDIC
Barclays Tiered Savings Account
4.35%
$0
U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings
N/A
$0
Low-fee alternatives to prepaid cards
The difference between prepaid debit cards and checking accounts is starting to blur, as many have similar features and services.
This is especially true for mobile-optimized banking accounts: Like most prepaid debit cards, many require no credit check. There are also some that don't check your bank account history; unlike prepaid cards, mobile-optimized banking accounts come with some extra perks, such as advanced savings features, bigger ATM networks and check-writing privileges.
Chime®, for example, offers a free spending account in the Visa payment network, free access to a large ATM network and a number of ways to add cash to the account, including at retailers such as 7-Eleven and Walmart (the retailer may charge a fee) or at Walgreens for free.
If you’re considering a prepaid debit card because you have a less-than-great bank account history, consider a second chance checking account. These give you an opportunity to have a bank account, even if you’ve been rejected by banks because of past issues such as having an account closed due to unpaid overdraft fees or other problems.
» Blocked from getting a bank account? Here’s what you need to know about ChexSystems
Chime says: "Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC."
Prepaid-like options from fintechs: Apple Cash and Cash App
Here are a couple more prepaid debit card options, from financial technology companies.
Apple Cash: digital card
Apple offers Apple Cash, a digital card used to send and receive money from others in the Messages app, or to fund other Apple Pay transactions at stores and online. Apple Cash might be referred to as the “Apple debit card” because the Apple Cash balance is a prepaid balance that works like a debit card. Funds can be added to your Apple Cash balance using a debit or prepaid card, or with money sent to you via Messages.
Apple now provides Apple Cash virtual card numbers. A virtual card number allows consumers to use their Apple Cash like a prepaid debit card to pay for things online when Apple Pay isn’t an option.
» MORE: Learn more about Apple Cash and Apple Pay
Cash App debit card
Cash App offers its users a free debit card called a Cash App Card. The card allows a user to spend their Cash App balance, using the Cash App Card the same way you’d use a prepaid debit card. While traditionally debit cards only link to a bank account balance, Cash App’s card balance is funded by an external funding source (usually a bank account or debit card, but you can also use a credit card or prepaid card).
» MORE: Check out top peer-to-peer payment apps: pros, cons and how to use them
Best prepaid debit cards: Summary of fees and ATMs
Account/card | Monthly fee and number of free ATMs |
|---|---|
Bluebird by American Express |
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FamZoo Prepaid Card |
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Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard |
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Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account |
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Walmart MoneyCard |
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What are prepaid debit cards?
Prepaid cards are a tool you can use to help you stay within budget or even as an alternative to a bank account. Unlike with credit cards, you load funds onto prepaid cards before use.
Prepaid cards are easy to get. They’re sold at retail stores (usually for a fee) and some can be ordered online. There’s no credit check, and they’re often available even if you can’t get a bank account because of a bad banking history.
Some companies also offer mobile-optimized banking accounts that don’t require a squeaky-clean banking or credit history — and they often cost less than prepaid cards.
» Learn more about how prepaid debit cards work
Prepaid debit cards vs. regular debit cards
You don’t need a bank account to get a prepaid debit card, but it’s a requirement for a regular debit card, which is linked to a checking account. When you get a prepaid debit card, you load the card with money, then use it to make purchases. With regular debit cards, the funds for your payments are taken directly from your checking account as you make purchases.
» More from NerdWallet: What is a debit card?
Frequently asked questions about prepaid cards
Here are answers to common questions about prepaid debit cards.
What is a prepaid debit card?
A prepaid debit card can serve as a budgeting tool or be a replacement for a bank account. The best prepaid cards offer convenience and don’t charge many fees.
There’s no credit check required to get prepaid cards, and they’re often available even if you can’t get a bank account because of a bad banking history. You load funds onto prepaid cards before using them for purchases. Generally, you can also use a prepaid debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs.
What is a prepaid credit card?
A prepaid card is a card that’s pre-loaded with funds that you can spend. A prepaid card (aka prepaid debit card) is different from a secured credit card (what some people might refer to as “prepaid credit card”). Learn about the differences between prepaid debit cards and secured credit cards.
Where can you get a prepaid card?
Prepaid cards are sold at retail stores (usually for a fee) and some can be ordered online.
How do you add money to a prepaid card?
The methods for adding money to a prepaid card vary from card to card. But generally, the options include adding cash at a retail register (often for a fee), adding funds using an app to make a mobile check deposit, and by direct deposit, card-to-card transfer or bank transfer.
Which prepaid card is best?
The best prepaid debit card for you depends on your needs. If you’re a frequent Walmart shopper, the Walmart MoneyCard might be most useful to you, for example. Or if you’re a parent managing your kids’ allowances, you might prefer the FamZoo Prepaid Card. Whatever prepaid debit card you choose, look for low fees and features such as the ability to withdraw or add funds using methods that are convenient to you.
Is there a prepaid card with no fees?
No prepaid card is completely fee-free, but the best prepaid cards charge few fees. Be sure to read the terms and conditions and fine print when choosing a prepaid card so you aren’t surprised by any fees.
METHODOLOGY: Best Prepaid Debit Cards
We looked at 33 reloadable prepaid debit cards offered by some of the biggest banks, credit unions and prepaid debit card issuers. Where multiple card plans existed, only the basic monthly fee plan was considered.
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. The cards that made this list had the best combination of these categories. Some cards in this roundup have nonbank program managers that partner with banks. Regardless, all the cards’ issuers are banks that insure consumers’ money through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. No cards above have overdraft fees.
Prepaid debit cards that we considered included: ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card, American Express Serve, Bluebird by American Express, Green Dot Prepaid Visa Card, Netspend Prepaid Card, PayPal Prepaid Mastercard.
