Greenlight
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
Annual or monthly fee | $4.99 per month |
---|---|
ATM withdrawal | $0 |
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Updated
Use this table to compare prepaid cards by monthly fee and ATM withdrawals. Condense your search even further by filtering by rewards and physical or virtual cards.
The best prepaid debit cards help you to manage your money with ease — without charging hefty fees in the process. We researched over 30 prepaid cards and considered key factors such as monthly fees, availability, account features and how easy it is to access your money to bring you the best cards.
Greenlight
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
Monthly fee | $4.99 |
---|---|
ATM withdrawal | $0 |
Card replacement fee | $3.50 |
Card type | Debit |
Card network | Mastercard |
Special offer | For each successful referral you or your kid make, you’ll earn a cash bonus and so will your referral. |
Available to Temporary Residents | No |
Annual or monthly fee | $4.99 per month |
---|---|
ATM withdrawal | $0 |
Netspend All-Access Account
Monthly fee | $5 |
---|---|
Additional Card Fee | $3.95 |
ATM withdrawal | $0 |
Card replacement fee | $3.95 |
Card type | Prepaid |
Card network | Visa |
Annual or monthly fee | $5 per month |
---|---|
Additional Card Fee | $3.95 |
ATM withdrawal | $0 |
PayPal Prepaid Mastercard
Monthly fee | $4.95 |
---|---|
Additional Card Fee | $0 |
ATM withdrawal | $1.95 |
Card replacement fee | $5.95 |
Card type | Prepaid |
Card network | Mastercard |
Special offer | Order online and there's no purchase fee to get the card |
Available to Temporary Residents | No |
Annual or monthly fee | $4.95 per month |
---|---|
Additional Card Fee | $0 |
ATM withdrawal | $1.95 |
MOVO Digital Visa Prepaid Debit
Monthly fee | $0 |
---|---|
Additional Card Fee | $0 |
ATM withdrawal | $2 |
Card replacement fee | $7 |
Card type | Debit |
Card network | Visa |
Available to Temporary Residents | No |
Additional Card Fee | $0 |
---|---|
ATM withdrawal | $2 |
American Express Serve Cash Back
Monthly fee | $7.95 |
---|---|
Additional Card Fee | $3.95 |
ATM withdrawal | $0 |
Card replacement fee | $5 |
Card type | Debit |
Card network | American Express |
Annual or monthly fee | $7.95 per month |
---|---|
Additional Card Fee | $3.95 |
ATM withdrawal | $0 |
Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card
Monthly fee | $4 per month (or $0 with a $500+ direct deposit) |
---|---|
ATM withdrawal | $0 |
Card replacement fee | $0 |
Card fee | $0 |
Card type | Debit |
Card network | Mastercard |
Annual or monthly fee | $4 per month (or $0 with a $500+ direct deposit) |
---|---|
Card fee | $0 |
ATM withdrawal | $0 |
A prepaid debit card is a safe alternative to cash. You add money to the card beforehand, then use it to make purchases online and in-person — just as you would a debit or credit card.
View the similarities and differences between prepaid cards, debit cards and credit cards using this table.
Features | Prepaid debit card | Debit card | Credit card |
---|---|---|---|
Uses funds in real-time | |||
Can’t overdraft on account | |||
Accepts direct deposits | |||
Helps you build your credit | |||
Can open with no credit or bad credit | Sometimes — look at second-chance checking accounts | Sometimes — look at cards for bad credit or no credit |
Prepaid cards come in all shapes and sizes. Here’s an overview of common ones you may find:
Type of card | Best for | How to purchase | Issued by | Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prepaid debit card | Anyone who can’t get a bank account, needs help budgeting or has poor credit |
|
| Many — varies by provider |
Prepaid gift card | Anyone who wants an alternative way to gift cash |
|
| One-time purchase fee |
Prepaid travel card | Travelers |
|
| Many — varies by provider |
Prepaid business card | Small business owners who don’t qualify for a business credit card |
|
| Many — varies by provider |
Prepaid debit cards could be a good choice if you:
There’s a high probability that a second stimulus check is on its way. Having your payment direct deposited onto your prepaid card could help you get your money up to two days faster than with a traditional bank account.
From 2013 to 2017 prepaid card usage per household in the U.S. increased from 7.9% to 9.2%, according to a recent survey presented by the FDIC. Despite that increase, card usage differs greatly by banking status with 26.9% of unbanked households and 14.5% of underbanked households using prepaid cards, compared to only 6.7% of fully banked households.
The data shows that lower-income households have higher prepaid card usage when compared with higher-income households. Households making less than $15,000 make up 13% of prepaid card users. Compare this to households that make at least $75,000 annually and only represent 8% of prepaid card users.
Income | % of households |
---|---|
All households | 9.2% |
Less than $15,000 | 13.0% |
$15,000 to $30,000 | 10.4% |
$30,000 to $50,000 | 9.1% |
$50,000 to $75,000 | 7.7% |
At least $75,000 | 8.0% |
When looking at the usage of prepaid cards by race, Black households are shown to have the highest prepaid card usage at 13.3%. This is compared to 8.5% of White households, 7.9% of Hispanic households and 7.2% of Asian households.
Race | % of households | |
---|---|---|
Black | 13.3% | |
Hispanic | 7.9% | |
Asian | 7.2% | |
White | 8.5% | |
Other | 15.9% |
In some ways, prepaid cards are safer than debit cards. Your bank account information isn’t tied to your prepaid card, so if it gets lost or stolen, you’re only out for the amount you had available on the card. But to make sure all your basis are covered, look for a prepaid card that has these two non-negotiables:
Prepaid cards offer several potential benefits for consumers, but there are also a few drawbacks:
You could spend hundreds of dollars each year in fees if you’re not careful about how you use your prepaid card. The most common fees include:
You can purchase most prepaid cards online or from major warehouse stores and drug stores like Walmart or CVS. There’s no application process, though you may be able to register your card online to get a card with your name on it and to receive additional features.
But choosing a card in-store at the register may not give you time to digest all the fine print. Shopping online for a prepaid card will give you a chance to check out the fees and terms of each card. While the terms may be confusing, it’s important to read through them so you understand what charges you’ll potentially face with the card and how you can avoid as many fees as possible.
According to the July 2019 Nilson Report, the largest issuers of debit cards in the U.S. based on the number of cards issued were:
After you purchase your card, make the most of it by following these steps:
A few select providers offer prepaid debit cards without a monthly fee:
Can I still use my prepaid credit card if the balance won’t cover my purchase amount?
Since there is no overdraft coverage with a prepaid card, you will have to do something known as “split tender.” You just need to tell the cashier how much you want to pay on the prepaid card, and pay the rest using another card or cash.
What happens if I want to return something I bought with my prepaid credit card?
You will have to bring your prepaid card with you and show it to the cashier. The refund will automatically be credited back to your card.
Back to topCassidy Horton is a freelance copywriter and journalist, specializing in personal finance. Her writing and analysis has been featured in Forbes Advisor, Money, The Balance, Money Under 30, Insure.com and other top digital publishers. She holds a BS in public relations and an MBA from Georgia Southern University.
The Figure Pay card is free and earns rewards, but it lacks several standard features.
The Netspend Liberty Tax Prepaid Mastercard lets you receive your refund without a bank account.
This bank account and prepaid card combo gives you and your honey a convenient way to manage finances together.
Dashers can get instant access to earnings, plus 2% cash back at gas stations with this prepaid card.
The first LGBTQ-focused digital banking platform launches with this prepaid card.
This eco-friendly debit card plants one tree for every $60 spent. Plus, 80% of its profits go to reforestation.
Use this $25 silicone bracelet to pay for purchases with the tap of the wrist wherever Mastercard is accepted.
A prepaid card that puts you in control of your money with early direct deposits and cashback rewards
A free debit card and bank account designed for the Black community and underserved individuals.
Choose from a generic design or customize with your favorite baseball team or WWE wrestler.
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I lost my card
Hi Kerry,
Thanks for getting in touch! Sorry to hear you lost your card, it would be best to contact your bank immediately to report this incident and request for a replacement card.
Hope this helped. Feel free to reach back out for further assistance.
Best,
Nikki
I already have a visa money network card from Bank of America through my employer. Can I have the loan put directly to my card I already have?
Hi James,
Thank you for reaching out.
There are some lenders who will allow you to receive your funds to a prepaid debit card while some don’t. In most cases, payday loans allows it.
You may need to check with the lender if they will allow to have the loan put directly to your Visa Money Network card.
Hope this helps! 😊
Kind Regards,
Mai
Can I get a cash advance on my prepaid Mastercard when I’m disabled and need to make a mortgage payment?
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
I’m afraid you can’t get a cash advance on your prepaid Mastercard since it is a prepaid card and not a credit card. If you need to make a cash advance, you would need a credit card. If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, it would be a good idea to speak to your lender to discuss your situation. They would be able to offer a repayment plan that could help.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
When I’m in Europe, which of the cards will work best.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for reaching out.
European sim cards work equally well as they have good cell service. You can opt to get a sim card that is prepaid (no ID’s required) and make sure your handset is unlocked to make sure the sim card works.
You can go to this page to see the line-up of Prepaid sim card providers in Europe.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Nikki
I was wondering if I could receieve some on my prepaid card?
Hi Jerquesia,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Your approval may vary depending on the lender. What you can do next is to review the offers under section “Comparison of prepaid card offers”. Then choose the lender that will best fit your personal requirements and send your application.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold