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Prepaid debit cards can be a smart alternative to traditional bank accounts, giving you the ability to make purchases, pay bills, and even withdraw cash without worrying about overdraft fees. Whether you’re trying to stick to a budget, need a banking alternative, or just want a secure way to spend, a prepaid card can help.
However, fees, perks, and features vary widely from one card to another. Some offer rewards and free ATM access, while others charge for reloading or transactions. Choosing the right card depends on how you plan to use it.
9 Best Prepaid Debit Cards
To help you find the best option, we’ve reviewed the top prepaid debit cards available in 2025. Here’s what each one offers and what to consider before signing up.
The Walmart MoneyCard offers customers a rewarding way to manage money with its prepaid card. Accepted wherever Visa and Mastercard debit cards are accepted, you can use your MoneyCard to shop, pay bills, or withdraw cash from ATMs.
What sets the Walmart MoneyCard apart is its robust cashback program. Customers can earn 3% cashback at Walmart.com, 2% at Walmart fuel stations, and 1% cashback at Walmart stores, up to $75 cashback per year.
The Walmart MoneyCard doesn’t require a credit check, and there’s no bank account needed to sign up. There is a monthly service fee of $5, which can be waived if a minimum of $1,000 is deposited on the card in a calendar month.
Reloading the card is simple and convenient. Cardholders can set up direct deposit for paychecks and government benefits.
Cash reloads can be made at Walmart stores or other participating retailers. Mobile check deposit is another option for adding funds to the card, providing flexibility for the cardholder.
The Walmart MoneyCard also offers free access to your account information online and via a mobile app, which includes features such as the ability to check your balance, view transactions, and locate nearby ATMs.
For those who wish to manage and budget their money efficiently, the card allows the creation of money vaults for specific savings goals. Overall, the Walmart MoneyCard provides an appealing blend of convenience and rewards.
Bluebird prepaid cards allow you to shop anywhere American Express is accepted. Plus, you have access to over 24,000 fee-free ATMs throughout the country.
Even better is that there are very few fees associated with the Bluebird by American Express. For example, there is no activation fee or monthly fee.
There are also no foreign transaction fees, making this a better alternative to carrying cash when traveling abroad.
When you’re ready to reload, you have several options. First, you can enroll in direct deposit as you would with a traditional checking account so that your regular paychecks go straight onto your prepaid card.
Or you have the option to deposit cash at just about any Walmart checkout register. Debit card transfers and mobile check captures are also available when it comes time to reload your prepaid debit card.
Bluebird prepaid debit cards also offer various user-friendly features. It’s great for families because you can have up to four different cards, each with its own spending limit (making it great for allowances).
There’s also a personal finance management tool called Insights, which gives you just that — insights and advice on how you spend your money and how to stay on track with your budget.
The PayPal Prepaid MasterCard is accepted anywhere you can use a MasterCard, both online and in person.
You aren’t required to have a PayPal account to get a prepaid card from PayPal. However, it does allow you to access useful online functions like direct deposit that you otherwise wouldn’t have.
There’s no credit check performed when you sign up. However, PayPal charges a $4.95 monthly fee to use your prepaid card.
Depending on how you choose to reload, you might incur a reload fee ranging between $0 and $3.95. Unfortunately, PayPal also doesn’t have any free ATMs you can use, so you have to pay an ATM withdrawal fee whenever you need cash.
On the bright side, the PayPal Prepaid MasterCard offers cash back rewards and other special offers. You can also sign up for a high yield savings account to get up to 5.00% APY on your balance up to $1,000.
Another bonus is PayPal’s refer a friend program. Get a friend to sign up for a prepaid card and deposit at least $10, and you’ll both receive an extra $5 in your account.
American Express offers three different types of Serve prepaid cards. The regular Serve card is a basic account that provides free direct deposits, fee-free ATM withdrawals from any MoneyPass ATM in the country.
Additionally, it comes with free online bill pay, and you can sign up for multiple subaccounts.
The card is free if you get it online. Otherwise, it costs up to $3.95 if bought at a retail location. In addition, there is a $1 monthly fee, but you can get that waived if you make at least $500 in direct deposits each month.
Cash reload fees can also be to $3.95, depending on where you go to reload your card. If you use a non-MoneyPass ATM, there’s a $2.50 charge in addition to any charges from the ATM company.
There are no fees for mobile check deposit, in-network ATM withdrawals, or online bill pay.
Another option is the Serve Free Reloads Card. Along with the basic Serve card, this one offers free reloads at tons of national retailers, such as CVS, Walmart, Dollar General, and 7-Eleven.
The monthly fee is $4.95, but that may not be a lot to you if you frequently pay reload fees.
Your final option is the American Express Serve Cash Back Card. The monthly fee is $5.95, but you earn an unlimited 1% cashback on all purchases made on your card. So if you spend a lot of money with your prepaid debit card, you could quickly earn a nice bonus.
Netspend is one of the leaders in prepaid debit cards. Signing up is quick and easy since there is no required credit check and no activation fee. In addition, this prepaid debit card comes with a free mobile app so you can easily manage your money.
You’ll load money onto your card using the company’s mobile check deposit feature. And you can reload your account at any of Netspend’s 130,000 reload locations.
With the Netspend Visa Prepaid Card, you can get paid faster, up to two days earlier, if you use direct deposit.
When you sign up for the Netspend Visa Prepaid Card, you can choose between two different accounts. The Pay-As-You-Go is the company’s default account, and it comes with no monthly fee. However, you will pay $1.50 per transaction.
If you plan to make direct deposits of at least $500 or more, you might want to consider the Premier Plan. You’ll pay $5 per month, but the company claims you’ll save up to 50% on fees.
FamZoo offers prepaid debit cards and a financial education for kids and teens. It allows parents to set up a virtual family bank for their kids designed to teach them how to earn, save, spend, and give money wisely.
You can get up to four cards on the monthly plan for $5.99. There’s a one-time $3 fee per card for each additional family member. However, you can also pay for up to 24 months at a time, which would equal $2.50 per month for four cards.
Using the FamZoo website or app, you can send allowances, split payments, see balances and activity on all prepaid cards. You can also set up text and email alerts.
There are no costs to activate the FamZoo Prepaid Card, and no fees for purchases. However, the FamZoo prepaid debit card doesn’t have its own ATM network, so you will have to pay ATM fees.
You can reload the FamZoo debit card via direct deposit or bank transfer, or through Apple Pay, PayPal, Square Cash, or Venmo. You can also reload it at retailers like 7-Eleven and Walgreens.
The Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard makes it easy to use your card and quickly add money to your account. To add more money, you can sign up for direct deposit, transfer funds from another account, or visit one of the 130,000 reload locations.
This prepaid debit card comes with several helpful features, including a mobile app, cash back rewards on certain purchases, and more. And you can quickly transfer money to family and friends at no cost with the mobile app.
And by using your Brink’s card, you may even be able to receive your tax refund sooner. When you file your taxes, you can get them deposited to your Brink’s prepaid card. To achieve this, you’ll simply add the account number and routing number when you e-file.
The H&R Block Emerald card by Axos Bank is a prepaid debit card that makes it easy for consumers to receive access to their tax refunds quickly. However, you can use the card year-round.
It’s easy to apply for the Emerald card, and there is no setup fee or annual fee. In addition, you can add more money to your card anytime you want through direct deposit, reloading networks, or by transferring the funds from another account.
And you’ll manage your funds with the MyBlock mobile app. The app allows you to view your transactions, pay your bills, and more.
However, you do want to watch out for the inactivity fee the bank charges. If you go more than 60 days without completing a transaction, there will be a charge of $4.95.
The Western Union NetSpend card has several tiers of fees for its prepaid cards, so you can choose the one that best suits your spending style. The first option is the Pay-As-You-Go Plan.
There are no monthly service fees. Instead, you have to pay $1.00 for each signature purchase (when you run your card as a credit card) and $2 for each PIN purchase (when you run your card as a debit card). This can be an expensive option if you use your prepaid card for purchases regularly.
Your next choice is the Monthly Plan. Instead of paying for each transaction, you instead have a flat monthly fee of $9.95.
The final option is the Premier Plan, where you pay a monthly fee of just $5. To qualify, you must have at least $500 in monthly direct deposits.
It’s also worth noting a few additional fees you might incur with all of these plans. There is an account inactivity fee of $5.95 a month, plus a $0.50 balance inquiry fee over the phone or at an ATM (*text inquiries are free).
Finally, you’ll incur a $2.50 fee for ATM withdrawals from an ATM, plus whatever fees the ATM owner charges.
Before deciding which Western Union prepaid debit card is right for you, think about how and where you spend money and what kind of direct deposits you might be able to use. It’s better to think about these things in advance because small fees can quickly add up.
The Chime Visa® Debit Card is not a prepaid card, but it can save you more money than some prepaid cards on this list. With Chime, there are no monthly fees, and that is also true of the debit card.
To get started, you will have to open a Chime Checking account. Then, you can manage your account with the bank’s mobile app. There’s no minimum balance you have to maintain and no monthly fees.
One of the advantages of using the Chime Visa® Debit Card is that it can help you save money over the long run. This is because every time you swipe your card, Chime rounds up your transaction to the nearest dollar.
The bank will then transfer these savings into your savings account. It’s an easy way to save money without even having to think about it.
Chime allows you to get paid up to two days early2 with direct deposit. You’ll also get over fee-free1 ATM withdrawals at over 60,000 stores like Walgreens, CVS, and 7-Eleven.
Chime also just launched a brand new secured credit card that can help you build your credit.
How We Chose the Best Prepaid Debit Cards
We analyzed over 40 prepaid debit cards from banks, credit unions, and financial companies to find the best options. Our rankings focused on key factors like fees, ease of use, reloading options, and extra perks such as rewards or free ATM access.
We also looked at customer experience, mobile app functionality, and overall value. The cards on this list offer a mix of affordability, convenience, and benefits that make them stand out from the rest.
How to Pick the Right Prepaid Debit Card
The right prepaid debit card depends on how you plan to use it. Some have lower fees, while others offer rewards or better ATM access. Here’s what to look for when choosing one.
1. Compare Fees
Prepaid cards come with different costs, so check for:
Monthly fees – Some charge a maintenance fee unless you meet a deposit requirement.
Reload fees – Adding cash may cost extra, depending on where you do it.
ATM withdrawal fees – Look for free in-network ATM access to avoid extra charges.
Transaction fees – Some cards charge per purchase instead of a monthly fee.
2. Look at Reload Options
Make sure the card offers a way to add money that fits your needs:
Direct deposit – Often the easiest and cheapest way to reload.
Cash reloads – Available at retailers but may come with a fee.
Mobile check deposit – Some apps let you deposit checks by snapping a picture.
3. Check for Extra Perks
Some prepaid cards offer benefits like:
Cash-back rewards – Earn money back on purchases.
Savings features – Some let you set aside money and earn interest.
Budgeting tools – Track spending and manage funds through an app.
4. Consider Where You’ll Use It
Most prepaid cards work anywhere Visa, Mastercard, or American Express is accepted. If you travel internationally or shop online, make sure the card allows those transactions.
5. Read the Fine Print
Look for hidden fees, spending limits, and expiration policies before signing up. The best prepaid debit card is the one that meets your needs without unnecessary costs.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a prepaid debit card comes down to how you plan to use it. If keeping fees low is your priority, look for a card with no monthly charges and free reload options. If you rely on cash withdrawals, find one with free in-network ATM access. And if you want extra perks, consider a card with cash-back rewards or savings features.
Think about your spending habits and financial goals before making a decision. If you’re using a prepaid card as an alternative to a bank account, pick one that offers direct deposit and online bill pay. If it’s for budgeting, go for a card with spending controls and tracking tools.
No single prepaid debit card is perfect for everyone, but the right one can make managing money easier without the hassle of overdraft fees or credit checks. The key is finding a card that fits your lifestyle while avoiding unnecessary costs.
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