Best Prepaid Cards

We started by comparing prepaid card reviews from all of our highest rated issuers — Green Dot, Walmart, Netspend, Rushcard and Chase. To select our favorites, we gave preference to cards with low fees, multiple reload options, special perks and widespread availability. All of our top picks are authorized by ConsumerAffairs.

Netspend Premier prepaid debit card

Company name Contact Authorized Partner

Logo Summary Perks Free unlimited transactions Up to $10 purchase protection Custom card designs Downsides Fee to close account

Premier is an upgrade from Netspend’s starter prepaid debit card. Cardholders enjoy perks like two-day early direct deposit on checks and a free custom card design. It includes purchase protection, which is a rare feature on prepaid cards. We also like that there’s no enrollment or activation fee.

• Card purchase costs: $0
• Monthly fee: $5
• Per purchase fee: $0
• Cash reload fee: Free for direct deposit. In-store reloading fees are up to $3.95
• ATM withdrawal: Netspend waives the first ATM withdrawal fee per calendar month, but cardholders pay $2.50 per withdrawal after that, plus any additional ATM operator fees
• Other fees: Netspend charges a $5.95 servicing fee to cancel an accoun, an inactivity fee of $5.95 per month after 90 days without use and a $1 fee for declined ATM transactions

You can reload the card at more than 130,000 Netspend reload network locations. Funds from direct deposit, bank transfers, PayPal, tax refunds and government benefits can also be applied to the card. You can also deposit funds through the Netspend app, which has check capture capabilities.

Walmart Money Card

Company name Contact

Logo Summary Perks Cash back rewards Easy bill and rent payment Free add-on accounts for family members Downsides Limited rewards

Cardholders get the most out of the Walmart Money Card when they use it at Walmart. Cardholders earn 3% back when they shop at Walmart.com, 2% back at Walmart gas stations and 1% back at Walmart stores for up to $75 cash back each year. Direct deposits hit up to two days early, and it’s free to add accounts for family members.

• Card purchase costs: $1
• Monthly fee: $5.94, but Walmart waives the fee if cardholders deposit $1,000 or more each month
• Per purchase fee: $0
• Cash reload fee: Up to $5.95
• ATM withdrawal: $2.50, but cardholders can withdraw cash for free at Walmart stores
• Other fees: There’s no inactivity fee, but cardholders are responsible for a 50-cent ATM balance inquiry fee. Paper checks cost $5.95 for a set of 12

Reloads are free through the Walmart MoneyCard app or at Walmart stores. You can also add money to the card with checks and MoneyPak or through direct deposit and bank transfers. With Walmart Rapid Reload, funds are typically available within 10 minutes.

Green Dot Load & Go prepaid debit card

Company name Contact

Logo Summary Perks No monthly fee Works instantly Easy online bill pay Downsides Only sold in stores No rewards

Green Dot Load & Go is ideal for someone who doesn't rely on their card for everyday purchases. There’s no monthly fee, but cardholders pay $1.50 per purchase. Since it’s a Visa, the card is widely accepted. Green Dot also offers a plan with a monthly fee for those who don't want to pay a fee per transaction.

• Card purchase costs: $3.95
• Monthly fee: $0
• Per purchase fee: $1.00
• Cash reload fee: Up to $5.95
• ATM withdrawal: $2.50
• Other fees: Inactivity fee is $1.95 per month after 12 months without spending or loading. ATM and teller cash withdrawal fees are $2.50. There’s also a 50-cent fee for ATM balance inquiries. Paper checks cost $5.95 per set of 12

You can purchase and fund Green Dot prepaid debit cards at Walgreens and Rite Aid stores. Cardholders can make secure deposits through the Green Dot app’s check capture feature, reload at the register or deposit funds through MoneyPark.

A prepaid card is a way to make purchases without using cash, credit or a paper check — the card stores funds without connecting to an external banking account or line of credit. Prepaid cards, also called stored-value cards, include gift cards and reloadable debit cards. The more significant difference between a prepaid or reloadable debit card and a credit card is that prepaid cards only give the cardholder access to their balance of preloaded funds.

• Prepaid card vs. gift card: Gift cards are closed-loop prepaid cards issued by merchants. Gift cards have a fixed amount of funds that can be spent within that merchant’s network. Semi-closed system prepaid cards are issued by a third party and can be used at multiple locations. Neither prepaid cards nor gift cards require a checking account.
• Prepaid card vs. debit card: Prepaid cards and debit cards are similar in that you can only spend the money you already have. Unlike prepaid cards, a debit card is linked to a checking account. Cardholders don’t need a bank account to get a prepaid card. Unlike bank debit cards, prepaid cards usually have an inactivity fee if you don’t complete a transaction within a certain period of time.
• Prepaid card vs. credit card: Even though they look similar, prepaid cards and credit cards are very different. Credit cards build credit and come with many features and rewards that aren’t available with prepaid cards. A prepaid card only lets you spend funds that you’ve loaded onto the card. Unlike credit cards, prepaid cards don’t incur interest charges.

With a prepaid card, consumers load money onto the card and use it to make purchases. A prepaid card works like a debit card, but a prepaid card isn’t connected to a checking or savings account. Prepaid cards and reloadable debit cards don’t build credit, but some earn rewards and come with other benefits, such as fraud protection and online debit card banking services.

Most prepaid debit card issuers allow funds to be loaded and reloaded by direct deposit, cash or bank transfer. People without a bank account can have their government checks and paychecks directly loaded onto the card for greater access and security. Cardholders can load cash onto a prepaid card at retail stores for a fee. Many prepaid debit cards waive reload fees if the cardholder opts into direct payroll check deposits.

Prepaid cards are typically associated with a national card network, such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. You can use the card wherever its network is accepted. Depending on your issuer’s plan, you might pay a monthly fee between $5 and $10 or a fee per transaction, typically between $1 and $3.

How to get a prepaid card

A prepaid card is relatively easy to get — there is no credit check or minimum balance requirement. You can buy prepaid cards at most grocery and convenience stores, online and over the phone. Some banks and local credit unions also sell prepaid cards. If you buy the card online, you may be issued a virtual card or receive a physical card in the mail at a later time.

Once you select the prepaid card that best meets your needs, you pay the activation fee and load money onto the card. Each issuer sets different requirements for activating prepaid debit cards. Some require photo identification and charge an activation fee up to $10 for loading the initial funds onto the card. Once you pay the card’s purchase price, you have options for funding the initial amount, including:

• Electronic transfer
• Retail store cash deposit
• Employer direct deposit
• Reload card (MoneyPak)

Cardholders must register their prepaid cards after purchase if the FDIC or NCUA insures it, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). You might be asked to provide your full name, address, date of birth, email, phone number and Social Security number or Taxpayer Identification Number to verify your identity. Some issuers provide access to instant debit cards online that use virtual card numbers.

How to use a prepaid card

You use a prepaid card to make purchases in stores, shop online and pay bills. Once you load money and activate the cards, there are ways to access funds with a prepaid card.

• ATM withdrawal: Prepaid debit cards let you withdraw cash at an ATM. ATM operator fees for withdrawals vary based upon the provider and your card policy.
• Point-of-sale transaction: Simply swipe or insert the card into a retailer’s reader or type in the number to complete an online transaction. Stores that accept debit transactions often allow shoppers to receive cash back on a purchase. This may let you withdraw money without paying the fees associated with an ATM withdrawal. There may be a cash back withdrawal limit from the retailer.
• Electronic transfer: It’s easy to transfer funds between accounts if you link your prepaid account with another bank account. In some cases, it may be possible to send money without linking it. Some cards also allow transfers to a Cash App, Venmo or PayPal account, for example.

Prepaid cards make a lot of sense for some people, especially for those who live in underbanked communities. Using a prepaid card is often safer and more convenient than carrying around cash, but cardholders don’t enjoy the same perks and those with even entry-level credit cards.

Prepaid card advantages

Prepaid debit cards let you enjoy the convenience of paying by card without a line of credit or a bank account. Carrying the plastic card is also safer than having cash in your pocket. Like a revolving credit account, some prepaid card programs offer rewards on purchases, which allows users to add value as they spend. Additional prepaid card benefits include:

• Easy to get: Prepaid cards are easy to get even if you don’t have a credit or a bank account. Loading funds onto a card is usually a simple process with several available options. You can directly deposit a payment onto the card, load funds at a brick-and-mortar retailer or transfer money from a checking or savings account.
• Better budgeting: Some consumers use prepaid debit cards as a money management tool. Parents can easily give their children spending money for college or a high school allowance. The prepaid card may be an educational money management tool for families.
• Safer online shopping: Prepaid cards can be used anonymously to minimize the risks associated with online shopping. Since the prepaid card is not a credit card, users with poor credit can secure a prepaid debit card to shop online.
• Asset protection: There are times when legal and financial issues affect your ability to access your funds. A prepaid debit card gives you access to funds for bills and other expenses during negotiations. Seek legal and financial advice before using a prepaid debit card during an audit, bankruptcy, divorce or other legal proceedings.
• Travel spending: One of the major benefits of credit and debit cards is the ability to purchase anything, anywhere, without worrying about currency exchanges. Like traveler's checks, international prepaid debit cards have protections against unauthorized transactions. This means you may be able to recover funds if you have a problem overseas.

Prepaid card disadvantages

As you consider a prepaid debit card, it’s crucial to be aware of their drawbacks. Some of the most common reasons people end up regretting their prepaid cards are high fees, inconvenient funding and reloading methods. Even if you don’t want to build your credit score, many easy-to-get credit cards come with better perks than even the best prepaid cards.

• No credit: You can’t use a prepaid card to access a line of credit or improve your credit score. Since there’s no credit limit involved, you only have access to the funds in your account.
• Inconvenient funding: Reloading locations and in-network ATMs could be scarce in your area. This can be a hassle, especially if you only have cash to deposit and live in a rural area. If possible, look for a card that lets you transfer funds through a free app.
• Few perks: Prepaid cardholders enjoy fewer perks and protections than those with credit cards and bank debit cards.
• Spending limits: Even though all the funds in your account are your own, some issuers put caps on how much you can withdraw or spend in a 24-hour period. Spending limits on prepaid cards can be as low as a few hundred dollars or as much as several thousand. Depending on your spending habits, this could present another inconvenience.
• Miscellaneous fees: Some prepaid debit card issuers have high fees just to open and maintain an account. Before you sign up for a prepaid card, be sure to read the cardholder agreement closely. Many issuers charge fees to check your balance, if your ATM transaction is declined or if you don’t use the card for a few months. These fees add up quickly and feel like a huge waste of your hard-earned money.