If you want to plan a budget and limit your spending, a prepaid debit card can help. Prepaid debit cards work similarly to regular debit cards, but they aren't linked to a checking account. Prepaid debit cards also let you teach children about finances and send money internationally.
We've researched specific features and fees so that you can evaluate the pros and cons of each card and determine the top options for you when planning how to budget. Our favorite prepaid debit cards have remained our top picks for the last few months because they continue to stand out for their notable features and perks.
no monthly service fee
None
$0
- No minimum opening deposit
- No monthly service fees
- No overdraft fees
- Get paid up to 2 days sooner with early direct deposit
- ATM fees are reimbursed every month that you receive $300 in direct deposits
- You can deposit cash
- Free customizable debit card
- Access discounts at stores in the app
- $2.50 ATM fee if you don’t receive $300 in monthly direct deposits
- $1 fee when you deposit cash at a participating retailer
The Cash App Banking Card has no fees or minimum balance requirements. You can also earn up to 4.50% on Cash App Savings if you meet certain requirements. Cash App is probably not the right choice if you want access to a full-service bank, though.
Cash App Mobile Banking- The Cash Card is a prepaid debit card issued by Sutton Bank; with a prepaid card, you load money onto it so you don’t need to link it to a bank account
- Deposit cash at a participating retailer, a check with the app, or link an external account to transfer funds
- If you have a Cash Card, your Cash App balance is FDIC-insured for up to $250,000 through partner banks (this does not apply to investments or bitcoin)
What is a Prepaid Debit Card?
With a prepaid debit card, you load money onto a card and use it to spend money. For example, if you put $1,000 on the card, you can spend up to $1,000 before your transaction is denied due to lack of funds. There are several ways to reload the card with more money. Most companies let you put cash on the card at places like Walmart, or you can deposit a check at an ATM and have the funds go onto the card. Just be careful about avoiding ATM fees or other reloading fees.
Best Prepaid Debit Cards
- Bluebird by American Express Prepaid Debit Card: Best for no monthly fees
- American Express® Serve® Free Reloads Prepaid Debit Card: Best for free reloads
- Famzoo Prepaid Debit Card: Best for kids
Compare the Best Prepaid Cards
No monthly service fees
None
None
- No monthly service fee
- No sign-up fee if you sign-up online
- Access to over 30,000 free ATMs
- Free early direct deposit
- Free cash reloads at select Walmart or MoneyCenter locations
- $2.50 out-of-network ATM fees
- Up to $3.95 cash reload fee
- Access to over 30,000 free ATMs in the MoneyPass ATM network
- Register your card online and open a BlueBird Account to be eligible for FDIC insurance through American Express National Bank (Member FDIC)
$6.99 monthly service fee (No fee for residents who live in NY, TX, or VT)
None
None
- No sign-up fee if you sign up online
- Free cash reloads at over 45,000 locations at select retailers
- Access to over 30,000 free ATMs
- $6.99 monthly service fee (No fee for residents who live in NY, TX, or VT)
- $2.50 out-of-network ATM fees
- Up to $3.95 cash reload fee at out-of-network retailers
- Free cash reloads at over 45,000 locations at select retailers
- Access to over 30,000 free ATMs in the MoneyPass ATM network
- Register your card online and open a Serve Account to be eligible for FDIC insurance through American Express National Bank (Member FDIC)
$5.99 monthly service fee, $25.99 for six months, $39.99 for 12 months or $59.99 for 24 months
None
None
- Can assign chores
- Can set up a weekly allowance
- Save for individual goals
- Parental monitoring features to limit spending
- Access to over 30,000 ATMs
- No ATMs fees
- Up to four free debit cards are included in the subscription
- May deposit cash at GreenDot locations
- Don't need a bank account to open a FamZoo card
- Monthly service fee depends on payment plan
- Up to $4.95 in cash reload fees at Green Dot locations
- Doesn't reimburse out-of-network ATM fees
- Access to surcharge-free ATMs through the MoneyPass network
- Minors of any age can get a debit card
- Multiple subscription plans: $5.99 monthly service fee, $25.99 for six months, $39.99 for 12 months OR $59.99 for 24 months
- Reload the prepaid debit card at retailers like Kmart, Rite Aid, 7-Eleven or Walgreens; May have to pay a $4.95 reload fee
- May load paychecks onto the debit card without paying a fee
- Funds secure in an FDIC-insured bank account
- Banking services issued by SouthState Bank (Member FDIC)
Compare Today's Banking Offers
Best Prepaid Debit Card Reviews
The best prepaid debit cards will be easy to use, come with perks, and have low monthly fees. You'll also be able to reload them for free at many locations. And you won't need a checking account in order to use them.
Here are the best prepaid debit cards as picked by Business Insider editors in 2025.
Bluebird by American Express Prepaid Debit Card
There's no fee to open a American Express Bluebird by American Express Prepaid Debit Card, and there are no monthly bank maintenance fees. You may have to pay up to $3.95 to reload your card at certain retailers, but you can reload for free at Walmart. You can also use over 30,000 MoneyPass ATMs for free around the US.
If you set up early direct deposit, your paycheck could appear on your card up to two days early. The Bluebird card also gives you access to roadside assistance.
If you deposit a check with your mobile app, it takes 10 days to process. To deposit the check immediately, you'll pay 1% on a government check or paycheck and 5% on other checks, with a $5 minimum fee.
American Express® Serve® Free Reloads Prepaid Debit Card
You can reload your American Express® Serve® Free Reloads Prepaid Debit Card for free at over 45,000 places nationwide, including businesses like CVS, Walmart, and Dollar General. It's also free to add money from a bank account or via direct deposit.
This card charges a $6.95 monthly service fee, and there's no way to waive it. (Fees are not charged for residents of New York, Texas, or Vermont, though.) Before choosing Amex Serve FREE Reloads over another prepaid debit card, check whether you'd actually be saving money by avoiding reload fees but paying a monthly fee.
Famzoo Prepaid Debit Card
The FamZoo Famzoo Prepaid Debit Card is a good option if you want to help manage your kids' money without adding them to your bank account, and it made Insider's list of the best kids' debit cards. Assign each kid a card and put money for allowance, birthday gifts, or money for other purposes onto their cards. You can also check your debit card's balance and purchases from your app, as well as lock cards.
The family plan is $5.99 per month, or $2.50 per month if you pay upfront.
You can lower your overall costs by paying in advance rather than monthly, but you can't waive the fee altogether.
Are These Companies Trustworthy?
Normally, we compare companies' Better Business Bureau trustworthiness grades. But not all of our favorite prepaid debit card companies have been graded by the BBB, so we aren't factoring scores into our trustworthiness review.
None of these companies have any recent scandals, so you may decide you feel comfortable using them. But to figure out whether you'll have a smooth relationship with a company, you may want to ask family or friends about their experiences or read online reviews.
Advantages of Using Prepaid Debit Cards
Control Overspending with Prepaid Debit Cards
Prepaid debit cards help you limit how much you spend by giving you limited access to your funds. If your 50/30/20 rule budget leaves you with $1,000 for shopping in a month, for instance, you can load only $1,000 onto your prepaid debit card and not have to worry about accidentally going over that threshold.
This also helps avoid temptation; if you have a regular debit card and know you're over budget but see something you really want, you might be tempted to dip into your emergency fund to get it. But with a prepaid debit card, you can't do that without several extra steps, giving you more time to think about whether you really want it or not.
No Credit Check Required for Prepaid Debit Cards
Most bank accounts require some sort of credit check, although there are second chance bank accounts that don't. Prepaid debit cards don't either, so if your credit score is low enough that you're struggling to open a bank account, a prepaid debit card might work for you.
Easy Debit Card Reloading Options
Depending on the card, prepaid debit cards can come with a lot of different ways to reload them. Using ATMs, reloading in stores like Walmart, or depositing a check through a mobile banking app are all ways you can reload your prepaid debit card, among others. Some prepaid debit cards also let you direct deposit money into them.
Keep in mind, however, that each of these reloading options can come with their own fees.
Criteria for Selecting Prepaid Debit Cards
Prepaid Debit Card Fee Structure and Transparency
Most prepaid debit cards come with some sort of fee, but the best ones don't have many and are open about the ones they do have. To avoid bank fees, Look for low-fee prepaid debit card options, such as cards with low or no monthly fees, cards with low or no fees for reload methods you're most likely to use, and cards with a clear fee structure so you know exactly when you'll be charged for what.
Ease of Use and Accessibility of Prepaid Cards
The best cards offer several ways to reload them at many different locations. For example, a card that has a large ATM network and also lets you reload for free at Walmart will be easier to reload than a card that only lets you reload for free at a specific local bank's branches.
Additional Benefits and Rewards of Prepaid Cards
Some cards come with bonuses, such as cash-back debit cards, cards that let you get early deposit, or cards with perks focused on helping kids learn how to use them. If those interest you, keep an eye out for prepaid debit cards that come with these rewards — but make sure that the bonuses aren't hiding higher fees than other cards might require.
How to Choose the Right Prepaid Debit Card
Matching the Card to Your Spending Habits
Consider how you're planning on using the card. For example, if you want a prepaid debit card for kids to use to help them learn how to manage their finances, there are several cards made for that exact purpose. If you know you'll use the card for online shopping, look into the best prepaid cards for online shopping. And if you know you're not going to use your card very often, prioritize a prepaid debit card with no monthly fees.
Considering Reload Methods and Convenience
You'll want to compare reloadable prepaid card features to choose a card with the reloadable options you plan on doing the most. Do you know you'll want to use direct deposit to reload your card? Look for prepaid cards with direct deposit benefits. Conversely, if you know you almost never travel, a card that's low-fee other than charging for using ATMs outside your local area might still be a good pick for you.
Convenience is a factor here; if you can reload your card for free, but only at an ATM that's several cities away, there's a good chance you'll end up using a more costly reloading method anyway.
Best Prepaid Debit Cards FAQs
Prepaid debit cards work by letting you load them with money ahead of time, which means you don't have to connect them to a checking account. The exact loading method will depend on the specific prepaid debit card.
Yes, prepaid debit cards can be used for online purchases. They are usually accepted at the same places as regular debit cards.
Prepaid debit cards do sometimes come with activation fees, reloading fees, ATM withdrawal fees, and monthly maintenance fees. Look into the prepaid debit card you're interested in to see what fees it comes with.
Some let you set up direct deposit, deposit cash at retail locations, transfer money from a bank, or make mobile check deposits.
We chose the FamZoo prepaid debit card and two prepaid debit cards by American Express as our top picks for the best prepaid debit cards to use.
Why You Should Trust Us: Experts' Advice on the Best Prepaid Debit Cards
We consulted banking and financial planning experts to inform these picks and provide their advice on finding the best prepaid debit cards for your needs.
- Sophia Acevedo, banking editor, Business Insider
- Mykail James, MBA, certified financial education instructor, BoujieBudgets.com
Here's what they had to say about kids' debit cards. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)
What should I look for in a prepaid debit card?
Mykail James, MBA, certified financial education instructor, BoujieBudgets.com:
"If I want to buy or put some money on a prepaid debit card, I always like to look for a Visa card. its the most accepted across the board and internationally."
Sophia Acevedo, banking editor, Business Insider:
"I would look for a versatility. Some cards may let you use a certain ATM network for free. You also might be able to set up direct deposits so you can easily add money to your card."
Is a kids' debit card worth it?
Mykail James, MBA, CFEI:
"I think that these are great options to get children to start being a little bit more financially focused. It's a wonderful way to help them understand how to stick within a budget. That's actually how my mother taught me how to budget. She would give us a prepaid debit card for Christmas."
Sophia Acevedo, Business Insider:
"Kids' debit cards can be useful to teach kids about spending. It's a simple way of teaching them to make financial decisions while still being able to monitor and control their usage. A lot of kids' debit cards have tools or features that let you set limits or alerts for parents."
What should I look for in a kids' debit card?
Mykail James, MBA, CFEI:
"I like the ones that have an app where you can see how much money is in the account."
Sophia Acevedo, Business Insider:
"I would look at any fees needed to maintain the account. You might have to pay a fee for each time you load money into a card or a monthly service fee. Some debit cards also may also have age requirements."
Methodology: How We Chose the Best Prepaid Debit Cards
We looked at a dozen prepaid debit cards before selecting our favorites. We chose prepaid cards that are relatively easy to use. You should be able to use a card at ATMs and have several convenient options for reloading money onto the card. If a prepaid debit card had a special perk like cash back or a budgeting feature, we took that into consideration, too.
Finally, we picked cards that are relatively affordable. Almost every prepaid card comes with some fees, but we chose ones that are pretty manageable. We looked at monthly service fees and charges for signing up for a card, reloading money, and using an ATM. Check out our bank account rating methodology to see how we generally factor these features into our ratings.
