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Credit-Land.com is an independent, advertising-supported web site. Credit-Land.com receives compensation from most credit card issuers whose offers appear on our site. Compensation from our advertising partners impacts how and where their products appear on our site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within review lists. Credit-Land.com has not reviewed all available credit card offers in the marketplace.
December 2021: Best Prepaid Debit Cards
Prepaid debit cards are becoming more and more popular, as everyone needs "plastic" these days, but not everyone can get one. Prepaid cards are essentially just cards you load up with cash and use on the go, when a card is required. They can be a lifesaver for people who can't get a regular credit card, or people without a checking account linked debit card.
- Top for December 2021
- Limited/No Credit
- Visa Prepaid Cards
- Mastercard Prepaid Cards
our choice
Activation Fee
$0
Maintenance Fee
Starting at just $7/month
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
Yes
Direct Deposit
Free
- Extra is the first debit card that builds credit and earns rewards points just like a credit card.
- Earn up to 1% in points for everyday purchases like rideshares, coffees and your phone bills.
- Extra is compatible with over 10,000+ banks across the United States—keep your money where you want, while spending smarter with Extra.
- No Credit Checks.
- No Deposit Required.
- No interest charges or surprises.
our choice
our choice
- No Monthly Fees
- Fee-free Overdraft up to $200 with SpotMe*
- Grow your savings automatically with our Savings Account
- Set up Direct Deposit and receive your paycheck up to 2 days earlier than some of your co-workers!
our choice
our choice
- Member funds are insured up to $250,000. Deposits are insured through Current's partner bank, Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC.
- Current offers accounts for everyone, including teens.
- Members receive instant spending notifications every time you swipe your card for added security.
- Members can instantly send money for free to friends and family with Current Pay.
- Current lets you add cash to your account at over 60,000 stores just by having a cashier scan a barcode.
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$10
Maintenance Fee
$5.99 (billed annually)
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- Earn $200 when you spend $1000 in the first 60 days of account opening
- Get up to 10% cash back on socially conscious spending
- Get up to 5.00% APY Interest on Save balance every month you spend $1,000 plus
- Always drive in carbon neutral, with carbon offsets on all travel
- $7.99 per month, or $5.99 per month with annual subscription1
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
See website for Details*
Maintenance Fee
See website for Details*
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- No-fee cash withdrawals at participating ACE Cash Express locations
- Get paid up to 2 days faster with Direct Deposit
- Unlock optional savings account
- Spend as usual! ACE Cash Express and Netspend donate to NBCF when you make purchases.
- Earn rewards when you activate special offers
our choice
our choice
- 1% cash back at Amazon, Uber, Uber Eats, Whole Foods, Netflix, Spotify, and More!
- No credit check or US credit history required
- No SSN required for non US citizens
- FDIC Insured account up to $250K
- Zero hidden fees – no annual fee or minimum deposit, no foreign transaction fees, no additional ATM fees, no overdraft fees, no card replacement fees.
- Cheapest international money transfer guarantee - Sable will cover the difference if you find a cheaper remittance option
- Open a restricted account before you even step foot in the U.S or have a U.S address
- Premium benefits like extended warranties and a satisfaction guarantee where Sable will cover most purchases, if you become dissatisfied with a new product within 60 days!
- Please see https://sablecard.com/tcs for terms and conditions
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$10
Maintenance Fee
See terms
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- Earn $150 when you spend $1000 in the first 60 days of account opening
- You pay what is fair, no hidden fees.
- 55,000+ Fee-free ATM Network
- Turn every transaction into a positive action
- Get up to 5% cash back on socially conscious spending at Conscience Coalition merchants [like TOMS, Warby Parker, and more]
- Reforest the planet with every purchase roundup
- See business People & Planet impact scores as you shop
- Get up to 3.00% APY Interest on Save balance every month you spend $1,000 plus1
our choice
our choice
- No account fees, no balance minimum
- Access to 55,000 ATMs nationwide, fee-free
- The coverage of VISA®, the security of FDIC
our choice
our choice
- Raise financially smart kids.
- Send money instantly to your kids' accounts anytime, anywhere.
- Real-time transaction notifications.
- Store-specific spend controls and ATM parental controls.
- Track all historic activity in your kids’ Spend, Save and Give accounts.
- Switch the card on/off from the app.
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$0
Maintenance Fee
No monthly fees with eligible direct deposit, otherwise $5 per month
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- Get your pay up to 2 days early with ASAP Direct Deposit™
- Overdraft protection up to $200 with opt-in and eligible direct deposit*
- No monthly fees with eligible direct deposit, otherwise $5 per month
- Earn up to 7% cash back when you buy eGift Cards in the app
- Earn over 10x the national savings rate average High-yield savings account, 1% APY paid quarterly on savings up to $5,000**
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$0
Maintenance Fee
Starting at just $7/month
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
Yes
Direct Deposit
Free
- Extra is the first debit card that builds credit and earns rewards points just like a credit card.
- Earn up to 1% in points for everyday purchases like rideshares, coffees and your phone bills.
- Extra is compatible with over 10,000+ banks across the United States—keep your money where you want, while spending smarter with Extra.
- No Credit Checks.
- No Deposit Required.
- No interest charges or surprises.
our choice
our choice
- No Monthly Fees
- Fee-free Overdraft up to $200 with SpotMe*
- Grow your savings automatically with our Savings Account
- Set up Direct Deposit and receive your paycheck up to 2 days earlier than some of your co-workers!
our choice
our choice
- Member funds are insured up to $250,000. Deposits are insured through Current's partner bank, Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC.
- Current offers accounts for everyone, including teens.
- Members receive instant spending notifications every time you swipe your card for added security.
- Members can instantly send money for free to friends and family with Current Pay.
- Current lets you add cash to your account at over 60,000 stores just by having a cashier scan a barcode.
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$10
Maintenance Fee
$5.99 (billed annually)
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- Earn $200 when you spend $1000 in the first 60 days of account opening
- Get up to 10% cash back on socially conscious spending
- Get up to 5.00% APY Interest on Save balance every month you spend $1,000 plus
- Always drive in carbon neutral, with carbon offsets on all travel
- $7.99 per month, or $5.99 per month with annual subscription1
our choice
our choice
- 1% cash back at Amazon, Uber, Uber Eats, Whole Foods, Netflix, Spotify, and More!
- No credit check or US credit history required
- No SSN required for non US citizens
- FDIC Insured account up to $250K
- Zero hidden fees – no annual fee or minimum deposit, no foreign transaction fees, no additional ATM fees, no overdraft fees, no card replacement fees.
- Cheapest international money transfer guarantee - Sable will cover the difference if you find a cheaper remittance option
- Open a restricted account before you even step foot in the U.S or have a U.S address
- Premium benefits like extended warranties and a satisfaction guarantee where Sable will cover most purchases, if you become dissatisfied with a new product within 60 days!
- Please see https://sablecard.com/tcs for terms and conditions
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$10
Maintenance Fee
See terms
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- Earn $150 when you spend $1000 in the first 60 days of account opening
- You pay what is fair, no hidden fees.
- 55,000+ Fee-free ATM Network
- Turn every transaction into a positive action
- Get up to 5% cash back on socially conscious spending at Conscience Coalition merchants [like TOMS, Warby Parker, and more]
- Reforest the planet with every purchase roundup
- See business People & Planet impact scores as you shop
- Get up to 3.00% APY Interest on Save balance every month you spend $1,000 plus1
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$0
Maintenance Fee
No monthly fees with eligible direct deposit, otherwise $5 per month
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- Get your pay up to 2 days early with ASAP Direct Deposit™
- Overdraft protection up to $200 with opt-in and eligible direct deposit*
- No monthly fees with eligible direct deposit, otherwise $5 per month
- Earn up to 7% cash back when you buy eGift Cards in the app
- Earn over 10x the national savings rate average High-yield savings account, 1% APY paid quarterly on savings up to $5,000**
our choice
our choice
- No Monthly Fees
- Fee-free Overdraft up to $200 with SpotMe*
- Grow your savings automatically with our Savings Account
- Set up Direct Deposit and receive your paycheck up to 2 days earlier than some of your co-workers!
our choice
our choice
- Member funds are insured up to $250,000. Deposits are insured through Current's partner bank, Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC.
- Current offers accounts for everyone, including teens.
- Members receive instant spending notifications every time you swipe your card for added security.
- Members can instantly send money for free to friends and family with Current Pay.
- Current lets you add cash to your account at over 60,000 stores just by having a cashier scan a barcode.
our choice
our choice
- No account fees, no balance minimum
- Access to 55,000 ATMs nationwide, fee-free
- The coverage of VISA®, the security of FDIC
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
See website for Details*
Maintenance Fee
See website for Details*
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- No-fee cash withdrawals at participating ACE Cash Express locations
- Get paid up to 2 days faster with Direct Deposit
- Unlock optional savings account
- Spend as usual! ACE Cash Express and Netspend donate to NBCF when you make purchases.
- Earn rewards when you activate special offers
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$0
Maintenance Fee
No monthly fees with eligible direct deposit, otherwise $5 per month
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- Get your pay up to 2 days early with ASAP Direct Deposit™
- Overdraft protection up to $200 with opt-in and eligible direct deposit*
- No monthly fees with eligible direct deposit, otherwise $5 per month
- Earn up to 7% cash back when you buy eGift Cards in the app
- Earn over 10x the national savings rate average High-yield savings account, 1% APY paid quarterly on savings up to $5,000**
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$0
Maintenance Fee
Starting at just $7/month
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
Yes
Direct Deposit
Free
- Extra is the first debit card that builds credit and earns rewards points just like a credit card.
- Earn up to 1% in points for everyday purchases like rideshares, coffees and your phone bills.
- Extra is compatible with over 10,000+ banks across the United States—keep your money where you want, while spending smarter with Extra.
- No Credit Checks.
- No Deposit Required.
- No interest charges or surprises.
our choice
our choice
- 1% cash back at Amazon, Uber, Uber Eats, Whole Foods, Netflix, Spotify, and More!
- No credit check or US credit history required
- No SSN required for non US citizens
- FDIC Insured account up to $250K
- Zero hidden fees – no annual fee or minimum deposit, no foreign transaction fees, no additional ATM fees, no overdraft fees, no card replacement fees.
- Cheapest international money transfer guarantee - Sable will cover the difference if you find a cheaper remittance option
- Open a restricted account before you even step foot in the U.S or have a U.S address
- Premium benefits like extended warranties and a satisfaction guarantee where Sable will cover most purchases, if you become dissatisfied with a new product within 60 days!
- Please see https://sablecard.com/tcs for terms and conditions
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$10
Maintenance Fee
$5.99 (billed annually)
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- Earn $200 when you spend $1000 in the first 60 days of account opening
- Get up to 10% cash back on socially conscious spending
- Get up to 5.00% APY Interest on Save balance every month you spend $1,000 plus
- Always drive in carbon neutral, with carbon offsets on all travel
- $7.99 per month, or $5.99 per month with annual subscription1
our choice
our choice
- Raise financially smart kids.
- Send money instantly to your kids' accounts anytime, anywhere.
- Real-time transaction notifications.
- Store-specific spend controls and ATM parental controls.
- Track all historic activity in your kids’ Spend, Save and Give accounts.
- Switch the card on/off from the app.
our choice
our choice
Activation Fee
$10
Maintenance Fee
See terms
Credit Check
No
Overdraft Available
No
Direct Deposit
Free
- Earn $150 when you spend $1000 in the first 60 days of account opening
- You pay what is fair, no hidden fees.
- 55,000+ Fee-free ATM Network
- Turn every transaction into a positive action
- Get up to 5% cash back on socially conscious spending at Conscience Coalition merchants [like TOMS, Warby Parker, and more]
- Reforest the planet with every purchase roundup
- See business People & Planet impact scores as you shop
- Get up to 3.00% APY Interest on Save balance every month you spend $1,000 plus1
our choice
manage money WITH PREPAID
DEBIT CARDS
While prepaid cards can be very useful, you should beware of built-in fees for everything from opening the account to loading money on the card and to making transactions. But at the same time, these cards charge no interest like credit cards do. Also, they don't report to credit bureaus and require no credit checks or background checks, and as such, you won't ruin your credit history by using them. But they also will not help you build your credit history.
Prepaid cards are the easiest cards to manage - just load and use. Reloadable prepaid cards can be loaded and used over and over again, plus they can be used at any ATM when you need to withdraw cash.
A prepaid card can be a lifesaver for those susceptible to overspending and impulse buys. If you're working with a budget you can put the amount you want to spend on your card and be reassured that you won't go over budget.
A prepaid debit card is a good option for people who want to control payments on auto-renew. If you have automatic billing set up with a prepaid card, you will not have overdraft problems if the card runs out of money. The card will simply decline the automatic bill payment if it doesn't have any money left on it.
A prepaid card can be used as allowance: for children and young adults, this card is perfect for allowances and pocket money given by parents. Not only will your kids stop bugging you for cash, they will also learn independence, good money management skills, and discipline that will benefit them later in life, when they are full-fledged consumers.
questionsABOUT
BEST PREPAID CARDS
I am thinking of getting a prepaid card for my son who is away to college, he has a job but every now and then I wanted to be able to give him some extra spending money. I am considering the Arvest gift card, any advice?
Pre-paid card can be great for this sort of thing. Be aware of what fees are associated with the card. Some cards charge maintenance or other fees. All pre-paid cards are not created equal and some are better than...
Read moreHow old do you need to be to get a credit card? My daughter is starting high school and I'd like for her to have her own card, in case of emergencies.
It's smart to make sure your daughter is covered in case she gets into a tight financial spot, now that she's a teenager and likely to be away from you more often. However, don't be too eager to give her a credit card....
Read moreWhat are Prepaid Credit cards?
For consumers who would like to own a credit card yet want take complete control of their financial expenses can opt for a Prepaid Credit card. Here one can have the place in the account and then use it when required,...
Read more
commentsABOUT
BEST PREPAID DEBIT CARDS
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