The 9 best prepaid debit cards for 2024

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If you don’t have a bank account or simply don’t like using your credit card for purchases, prepaid debit cards can be a flexible alternative. 

Prepaid debit cards eliminate the hassle of carrying cash. They can also be a reliable tool to keep your expenses in check since you can only spend what you load onto the card. 

Whether you want to build credit, stick to a budget, or simply avoid dealing with a bank, prepaid debit cards can be the solution. We'll explore the best prepaid debit cards on the market and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Best prepaid debit cards

• Best for low fees: Regions Now Card
• Best for no credit check: Bluebird by American Express 
• Best for free cash reloads: American Express Serve® FREE Reloads
• Best for families: Greenlight Debit Card for Kids
• Best for teaching kids about money: FamZoo Prepaid Debit Card
• Best for cash back rewards: Walmart MoneyCard
• Best for online shopping: PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®
• Best for paying as you go: ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card

Best for low fees: Regions Now Card

The Regions Now Card is a solid prepaid debit card that connects you to Region Bank, which has over 1,300 branches in 15 states across the Southern and Midwestern U.S.  

Fees

• Monthly fees: $5 (waived if you make seven purchases with your card during the statement period) 
• Overdraft fees: None 
• Card opening fee: $0, but must deposit at least $10
• Maximum balance: $7,500
• Cash reload fee: $0

Unlike some prepaid debit cards, you won’t have to pay to get one. However, Regions does offer the opportunity to customize it for $10. You’ll also need to load at least $10 onto the card. 

You can reload your card for free at a Regions Bank branch or online. If you opt for mobile deposit, you’ll have to pay between 1-4% of the check amount or a minimum fee of $5, whichever is higher. There are no withdrawal fees for in-network ATMs. But, withdrawals at out-of-network ATMs will incur a $2.50 fee. 

Additional perks include the opportunity to earn cash back through Regions Offers and coverage by Visa’s Zero Liability Policy. You'll also get access to MyGreenInsights, a tool to help you better understand your financial situation. 

Best for no credit check: Bluebird American Express Prepaid Debit Account

Fees

• Monthly fees: None
• Overdraft fees: None
• Card opening fee: Up to $5 in stores, $0 online
• Maximum balance: $100,000
• Cash reload fee: $3.95

American Express is bringing its financial clout to the prepaid debit card market. The Bluebird is a prepaid debit card that doesn't require a credit check. There are no monthly fees, and the lack of foreign transaction fees makes it one of the best prepaid travel cards.

This card offers features such as mobile check deposit, bill pay, fee cash pickups at Walmart, and fraud protection. 

You can also access many of the benefits of other American Express cards, such as roadside assistance, access to American Express Experiences, and purchase protection. 

You can load cash onto your card at a Family Dollar location and withdraw cash at a MoneyPass ATM.

The Bluebird by American Express is best suited for those who want a simple, no-frills prepaid debit card without a credit check. It's an excellent option for those who frequently shop at Walmart or use MoneyPass® ATMs.

Best for families: Greenlight Debit Card for Kids

Fees

• Monthly fees: $4.99 per family (up to five kids) 
• Overdraft fees: None
• Card opening fee: $0 
• Maximum balance: $7,500
• Cash reload fee: $0

Greenlight is a prepaid debit card designed specifically for families. It's part of Greenlight’s financial ecosystem, which aims to help build financial literacy for kids and teens through budgeting and investing tools. 

With customizable controls and real-time notifications, Greenlight allows parents to manage their children's spending habits. 

The Greenlight card's perks include parental controls and spending limits, real-time transaction notifications, savings goals and rewards, and educational resources for kids. For example, if your child plays on the hockey team, you can put restrictions so that a specific amount of money can only be used for equipment. 

Greenlight offers various membership plans, starting at $4.99 per month and going up to $14.98 per month. Higher-tier accounts allow you to earn cash back on your purchases.

One downside is that this card has a $500 month per family on ATM withdrawals. This is low, even for prepaid debit card standards. Plus, cash deposits are not allowed — you must make them digitally by linking a bank account or debit card to your Greenlight account. 

Best for teaching kids about money: FamZoo Prepaid Card 

Fees

• Monthly fees: $5.99 (or $2.50 if you prepay for 24 months in advance)
• Overdraft fees: None
• Card opening fee: $0 for the first four cards, then $3 
• Maximum balance: $5,000
• Cash reload fee: $4.95

FamZoo is another prepaid debit card designed for families. It offers a unique approach to teaching kids about money management. It comes with features like robust parental controls and other customizable features.

FamZoo charges a $5.99 monthly fee, which includes all of the cards in your family’s plan (up to 4). You can purchase additional cards for a one-time fee of $3.  

You can reload money for free via ACH or direct deposit. Or you can reload cash at a Green Dot or Mastercard rePower location for a $4.95 fee. Though FamZoo does not charge ATM fees, you might still face a fee from the ATM’s operator since there’s no ATM network.

Card benefits include customizable parental controls, real-time transaction notifications, chore and allowance management, and financial education resources. 

Best for cash back rewards: Walmart MoneyCard

Fees

• Monthly fees: $5.94 (waived $500 or more is loaded on your card in the previous monthly period)
• Overdraft fees: None
• Card opening fee: $1 
• Maximum balance: $10,000
• Cash reload fee: $0 at Walmart, up to $5.95 at other retailers

If you’re a frequent Walmart customer, the Walmart MoneyCard allows you to capitalize on your loyalty. You can earn 3% cash back at Walmart.com (and in the Walmart app), 2% at Walmart fuel stations, and 1% at Walmart stores, up to $75 in total cash back each year.

With no overdraft fees and free cash reloads at Walmart stores, this card is a convenient option for those who regularly shop at the retail giant.

You can also enjoy perks such as overdraft protection up to $200 — a rarity in the prepaid debit card world — and the early direct deposit feature, which lets you receive your paycheck two days earlier.

The card’s fee is $5.94 per month, which can be waived if you receive $500 or more in direct deposits in the previous month.

The Walmart MoneyCard is an excellent choice for frequent Walmart shoppers who want to earn cash back rewards on their purchases. It's also a good option for those who can meet the direct deposit requirement to waive the monthly fee.

Best for online shopping: PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®

Fees 

• Monthly fees: $4.95
• Overdraft fees: $0 online, up to $4.95 in stores
• Card opening fee: $1 
• Maximum balance: $15,000
• Cash reload fee: Up to $3.95

The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® is a convenient option for those who regularly shop online or use PayPal for transactions. There's no credit check required and this card seamlessly integrates with your PayPal account.

This card has a monthly fee of $4.95 but comes with no overdraft fees and free ATM withdrawals at MoneyPass® ATMs nationwide. Other perks include instant transfers from your PayPal account. 

The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® is best for frequent PayPal users who want a card that easily integrates with their online transactions. 

Best for paying as you go: ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card

Fees

• Monthly fees: $0 for pay-as-you-go plan, $9.95 for monthly plan 
• Overdraft fees: None 
• Card opening fee: $0
• Maximum balance: $15,000 
• Cash reload fee: Up to $3.95

Are you looking for a prepaid debit card to use sporadically? The ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card might have the flexibility you want. This card’s Pay-As-You-Go plan has no monthly fee, but you must pay $1.50 per purchase.

If you plan on using your card more often, you can opt into the $9.95 monthly plan. You can reduce that monthly fee by receiving $500 or more in a calendar month through direct deposit.

This card has a 4% foreign transaction fee and a $2.95 ATM withdrawal fee. Reloading money through ACH is free, but cash reloads at a Netspend Reload Network location — some of which are 7-Eleven, Walmart, and CVS — can cost up to $3.95.

You can also earn rewards through the Payback Rewards program, which suggests specific offers based on your spending patterns. 

How do prepaid debit cards work? 

Prepaid debit cards function like traditional debit cards, allowing you to purchase and withdraw cash from ATMs. The key difference is that you load money onto the card in advance, and your spending is limited to the amount you have loaded. This makes prepaid debit cards an excellent tool for budgeting and managing expenses.

Some scenarios where prepaid debit cards can be particularly useful include:

• Budgeting: By loading a specific amount onto your prepaid card each month, you can ensure you stick to your budget and avoid overspending.
• Travel: Prepaid debit cards can be a safer alternative to carrying cash when traveling. They offer fraud protection and can be easily replaced if lost or stolen.
• Gifting: Prepaid debit cards make great gifts, allowing the recipient to use the funds as they choose without needing a bank account.

Prepaid debit cards are accessible to everyone, even those who may not qualify for traditional bank accounts. Think of them as debit cards with no credit check.

Prepaid debit card vs. regular debit card

While prepaid debit cards and regular debit cards may seem similar, there are some key differences to know:

• Account requirements: Regular debit cards are linked to a checking account at a bank or credit union, while prepaid debit cards do not require a bank account.
• Credit checks: Most prepaid debit cards do not require a credit check, making them accessible to a wider range of users.
• Fees: Prepaid debit cards often come with various fees, such as monthly maintenance fees, ATM withdrawal fees, and reload fees. Regular debit cards may have fewer associated fees.

What to look for in a prepaid debit card 

When choosing a prepaid debit card, there are several essential features to consider:

• Fees: Look for a card with low or no monthly fees, ATM withdrawal, and reload fees.
• Reload options: Consider how easy it is to reload money onto the card. This includes direct deposit, mobile check deposit, or cash reloads at participating retailers.
• Additional perks: Some prepaid debit cards offer extra benefits like cash back rewards, mobile app access, or fraud protection.

For example, the Bluebird by American Express and the Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account offer free ATM withdrawals at MoneyPass® ATMs nationwide. The Walmart MoneyCard provides cash back rewards on Walmart purchases.

Low-fee alternatives to prepaid debit cards

While prepaid debit cards can be convenient, they may not be the best choice for everyone. Some low-fee alternatives to consider include:

• Online checking accounts: Many online banks offer checking accounts with no monthly fees and free ATM access.
• Credit unions: Credit unions often have lower fees and more personalized service than traditional banks.
• Secured credit cards: For those looking to build credit, a secured credit card may be a better option than a prepaid card, as it can help establish a positive credit history.

How to use a prepaid debit card responsibly

Once you get a card, create a budget and load only the amount you’ve allotted to each spending category. This will help you prevent overspending.

Next, track your expenses. Understanding your spending patterns will be very valuable later, especially if you want to open a credit card.

Also, even though many prepaid debit cards don’t allow overdrafts, those that do may charge hefty fees. To avoid these — or the inconvenience of having your card declined — monitor your balance and ensure there’s enough money in the card when making a purchase.

Last but not least, check the fine print. Getting the most out of a prepaid debit card requires a thorough understanding of its cost and what you get in return.

Frequently asked questions about prepaid debit cards

The bottom line

Prepaid debit cards offer a secure way to manage your money. Whether you're looking for a card with low fees, cash back rewards, or family-friendly features, there's a prepaid debit card that can fit your needs.

When choosing a prepaid debit card, be sure to consider factors like fees, reload options, and additional perks to find the best fit. 

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.