9 Excellent
APY | Up to 3.80% |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
APY | Up to 3.80% |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
9 Excellent
APY | Up to 3.80% |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
APY | Up to 3.80% |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
9.2 Excellent
APY | 4.00% |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
APY | 4.00% |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
9.6 Excellent
Fee | $0 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
Fee | $0 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
9 Excellent
APY | Up to 1.80% |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $100 |
APY | Up to 1.80% |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $100 |
Fee | From $0 per month |
---|
Fee | From $0 per month |
---|
9 Excellent
Fee | $0 per year |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
Fee | $0 per year |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
9.6 Excellent
APY | Up to 3.50% |
---|---|
Fee | From $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
APY | Up to 3.50% |
---|---|
Fee | From $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
9.2 Excellent
APY | Up to 5.15% |
---|---|
Fee | From $0 |
APY | Up to 5.15% |
---|---|
Fee | From $0 |
Fee | $0. per month |
---|
Fee | $0. per month |
---|
A debit card is connected to your checking account. A virtual debit card is simply the storage of your debit card’s 16-digit card number, the CVV number and your expiration date in a virtual wallet, such as an Apple or Google Wallet. With that information loaded on your phone or browser in the digital wallet, you can charge your debit card without swiping or inserting your physical card.
There are also randomly generated virtual debit cards that are still tied to your checking account, but they have different details, which can allow for more privacy if you don’t want to share your actual debit card’s details with unfamiliar merchants or new sites. Some fintechs and banks allow you to create disposable virtual cards that expire after one purchase.
If you want to add your physical debit card to a digital wallet, learn more about digital wallets here. In most cases, you simply need to open your device’s digital wallet, take a picture of your card or manually enter the card’s details, and verify the card’s addition.
To get virtual cards that are separate from your physical debit card, follow these steps:
Using a virtual debit card has several advantages, including:
Keep in mind virtual debit cards may not suit everyone.
One of the biggest draws of virtual debit cards is their potential security benefits — especially with randomly generated virtual cards. Using a virtual card that’s tied to your checking account or credit card but has entirely different details means you’re not sharing your card details with unfamiliar people or merchants, giving an extra layer of security.
But for most virtual debit cards, you’ll need a US bank account because they’ll need to be funded. If your checking account isn’t compatible with popular digital wallets, or you just want a better debit card, compare the best checking accounts.
In many cases, virtual debit cards are free or low-cost. With Revolut and Privacy, there are no-fee account options available that allow you to create multiple virtual cards.
Yes, Skrill is a popular prepaid card option that offers virtual options. It doesn’t have any cash reload, inactivity or monthly fees. But to waive the $10 application fee, you’ll need to download the Skrill app and deposit some money into the Skrill account.
Some ATMs allow for contactless ATM withdrawals, often just called cardless or contactless ATMs. Just like with contactless registers and POS systems, you’ll see the same contactless symbol on ATMs that allow for cardless transactions.
The biggest benefit of BCU PowerPlus Checking is its high APY, which is applied to your first $15,000. See the other pros and cons here.
Premium checking accounts offer better perks than standard checking accounts, but they usually have harder requirements.
Banks that offer a metal debit card include Acorns, Step, Cash App, Revolut and Crypto.com. See the pros and cons of a metal debit card here.
SoFi wins the best checking account overall, with close runners-up: Chime, Upgrade, Chase, Bluevine, Step, Varo and Capital One.
Earn a little interest without limiting your transactions. But don’t expect it to replace your high-interest savings account.
Varo is one of the best cashback debit cards to maximize rewards without fees. Other top rewards checking accounts include Axos, Upgrade and One Cash.
BankMobile Vibe partners with universities and schools to make it easier to receive refunds and financial aid. See how to qualifiy here.
Chime’s checking account has almost no fees and comes with great modern banking features.
If you’ve fallen victim to debit card fraud, you may be eligible to receive a refund.