10 Best Rewards Checking Accounts for April 2025

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Want your checking account to do more than just hold your money? If you regularly swipe your debit card or keep a decent balance, a rewards checking account can help you earn extra perks — like cashback, attractive interest rates or special discounts. Imagine getting rewarded just for everyday spending!

But choosing the best checking account with benefits isn’t always easy.

To help simplify your search, we’ve rounded up the 10 best rewards checking accounts available right now so you can easily compare and find the perfect match for your financial style.

What Exactly Is a Rewards Checking Account?

A rewards checking account gives you special benefits simply for doing your usual banking activities.

Unlike regular checking accounts, you’ll typically earn perks like cashback on debit purchases, better interest rates and other useful incentives, making them a great way to maximize your money.

Key Perks of Rewards Checking Accounts:

• Cashback when you use your debit card
• Interest rates better than standard checking
• No-fee ATMs and reimbursements
• Extra bonuses like travel discounts or early direct deposits

10 Best Rewards Checking Accounts to Consider

Why Choose a Rewards Checking Account?

Easy Cashback on Regular Spending

Everyday debit purchases can earn you cashback rewards. Accounts like Discover Cashback Debit let you earn money effortlessly just for shopping normally.

Attractive Interest Rates

Compared to traditional checking accounts, banks like Axos and SoFi offer significantly higher interest rates, helping your money grow faster without extra effort.

Extra Perks and Benefits

Some banks, like Capital One and Chase, throw in additional goodies like early paycheck deposits, travel perks or exclusive discounts, giving you extra value beyond simple banking.

Encourages Smart Financial Habits

Many rewards checking accounts reward good financial behaviors, like setting up automatic deposits or maintaining a minimum balance, helping you stay financially disciplined.

Requirements and Fees Explained

Rewards checking accounts typically have criteria you need to meet:

• Regular direct deposits
• Minimum number of debit transactions each month
• Keeping a certain account balance

Here’s how you can avoid unnecessary fees:

• Fulfill monthly activity requirements
• Keep your account balances above the minimum thresholds
• Select accounts that don’t charge monthly fees, like Ally or Fidelity

Key Features to Look For

When deciding on the right rewards checking account, consider:

• Reward Flexibility: Choose perks that fit your spending habits.
• Easy-to-Waive Fees: Pick accounts with simple conditions to avoid fees.
• Convenience: Good ATM access and mobile banking tools.
• Competitive Interest Rates: Go for accounts with higher APYs to grow your money faster.

Comparing the Best Rewards Checking Accounts

• Top Cashback: Discover Cashback Debit — straightforward cash rewards.
• Best Interest Rates: Axos Bank and SoFi Checking — high-interest rates.
• Most Convenient: Ally and Fidelity — excellent ATM access, no hidden fees.

Who Can Benefit from a Rewards Checking Account?

These accounts are especially beneficial if you:

• Regularly make debit card purchases
• Maintain larger checking account balances
• Prefer rewards without opening a new credit card

How to Open a Rewards Checking Account

Getting started with a rewards checking account is simple:

1. Compare Accounts: Check rewards, fees, and benefits carefully.
2. Gather Your Documents: You’ll typically need ID, proof of address and your social security number.
3. Apply Easily: Many banks let you open accounts online or at branches.

Always keep an eye out for new account promotions or signup bonuses; these can make your rewards even more attractive.

Final Thoughts to GO: Picking the Best Rewards Checking Account

The right rewards checking account can seriously boost your banking experience, giving you extra perks for everyday financial activities.

Consider your spending habits and choose an account designed to reward you in ways that matter most to you.

Methodology

To determine rankings for the best rewards checking accounts, GOBankingRates looked at the following factors:

1. Total assets as sourced from the FDIC
2. Account opening or sign-up bonuses
3. Rewards on debit card purchases and transactions
4. Minimum deposit to open an account
5. A minimum monthly or total direct deposit during the qualification period
6. What minimum daily balance is required to get rewards or higher APYs
7. Monthly service or maintenance fee ratio (the minimum to avoid fee compared to the monthly fee itself)
8. Annual percentage yield on the checking account
9. Associated and advertised benefits/perks from these premium products
10. Additional perks and rewards

Best of Checking Accounts

• Best Checking Accounts
• Free Checking Accounts With No Minimum Deposit
• Best Free Checking Accounts With No Minimum Balance
• Best Online Checking Accounts
• Best Student Checking Accounts
• Best Checking Accounts for Seniors

All data is up to date as of April 10. 2025. Rates and fees are subject to change.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

All information about Discover® Cashback Debit has been collected independently by GoBankingRates. Discover® Cashback Debit is no longer available through GoBankingRates.

All information about American Express® Rewards Checking has been collected independently by GOBankingRates and has not been reviewed or approved by American Express. American Express® Rewards Checking is not available through GOBankingRates.

GOBankingRates is a personal finance and consumer interest rate website and an online marketing company serving top-tier banks, credit unions and other financial services organizations. Some companies mentioned in this article might be clients of GOBankingRates, which serves more than 100 national, local and online financial institutions. Rankings and roundups are completely objective, and no institution, client or otherwise, paid for inclusion or specific placement. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the companies included in the article. All fees and rates are subject to change at the issuers’ discretion. Some interest rates might be short-term or promotional offers only, and it is possible additional terms and conditions must be met to obtain the interest rates listed. Rates and availability might vary by region. Verify terms and conditions before opening an account.

GOBankingRates bases its assessment of “best” and “top” products on the above-stated parameters to create a baseline for comparison. This assessment is an approximation of “best” and “top” designed to help consumers find products that might be appropriate for them. There could be other options available as well. Consumers should consider various options appropriate for their circumstances.

New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

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