Prepaid debit cards are an alternative way to access and spend money by using a physical card, mobile app, website or electronic payment. Check out some of the best prepaid debit cards available — some of which offer features that are comparable to a full-service checking account.

                By                    Cynthia Bowman
  • Best Overall
  • Cash Rewards
  • Spending Cushion
  • ATM Withdrawal
  • Kids

What Are the Best Prepaid Debit Cards?

There are many types of prepaid debit cards, all with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Here are the 5 best prepaid debit cards of 2022:

  • Best overall: Bluebird American Express Prepaid Debit account
  • Best for cash rewards: Netspend Visa Prepaid card
  • Best for a spending cushion: Brink’s Money Prepaid Mastercard
  • Best for ATM withdrawals: Card.com Prepaid Visa
  • Best for kids: FamZoo Prepaid card

Keep reading to find out more details on each.

Best Overall: Bluebird American Express Prepaid Debit Account

What makes this prepaid card the best overall winner is that it includes high-quality features similar to what a traditional checking account offers. Cardholders can even write paper checks and have access to a linked savings account — all for free.

Advantages:

  • Virtually all features are free.
  • The card offers features that make it the closest prepaid debit card to an actual checking account, including online bill pay.
  • It’s fully integrated with Walmart MoneyCenter.

Disadvantages: American Express® cards aren’t accepted everywhere.

Best for Cash Rewards: Netspend Visa Prepaid Card

Most people have heard of cash-back credit cards, but did you know that some of the best prepaid debit cards offer cash rewards as well? When it comes to cash rewards, the Netspend Visa Prepaid card is the best.

Advantages: 

  • There are a good variety of reload options.
  • It gives cardholders easy access to their money through the website or smartphone app.
  • It offers an optional high-yield savings account and budgeting tools.
  • You earn a $20 bonus for every friend you refer to Netspend once they’ve added $40 to their card.

Disadvantages: Fees add up. Customers need to read the cardholder agreement for important cost details.

Best for Spending Cushion: Brink’s Money Prepaid Mastercard

Brink’s Money is the best option for cardholders who tend to overdraw a checking account. At Brink’s discretion, established cardholders are allowed to spend up to $10 more than their available balance under certain circumstances. 

  • Brink’s Money comes with a state-of-the-art mobile app that enables quick mobile check funding.
  • It features a robust, customizable rewards program that includes generous cash back.
  • You get a $10 spending cushion and a discount on your monthly plan once you’ve received $500 in direct deposits.
  • Brink’s offers an optional high-yield savings account.

Disadvantages: You’ll pay a monthly subscription plan of $5 (discounted) or $9.95 per month or pay $1.50 for each card transaction. Another fee to keep in mind is if you lose your card, Brink’s will charge $9.95 to replace it.

Best for ATM Withdrawals: Card.com Prepaid Visa Card

Having access to a large selection of conveniently located ATMs without having to pay fees is a huge benefit. The Card.com Prepaid Visa gives nationwide ATM access through the extensive MoneyPass network of ATMs.

  • Useful online banking tools make it simple to check your balance, transfer money and find local ATMs.
  • By enrolling in direct deposit, you’ll have quick access to your paycheck.
  • No lost or stolen card replacement fee with standard delivery.
  • Live customer support is available.

Disadvantages: Excess fees can really add up. For instance, a $9.95 maintenance fee applies if you don’t deposit $1,000 or more per month. Plus, you can incur a cash reload fee of up to $5.95. Setting up direct deposit can help lower some of these costs.

Best for Kids: FamZoo Prepaid Card

You can teach kids about money and budgeting by loading their allowance onto their own kid-friendly FamZoo prepaid debit card.

Advantages:

  • You can manage multiple cards with the well-designed app or website.
  • Parents can check card balances, get text and email alerts about spending activity, send each child an allowance and even pay them interest.
  • Kids learn more about financial literacy by viewing helpful infographics that let them set and track their savings goals.
  • A free trial lets your family try the platform before you pay a fee.

Disadvantages: After the first four cards, additional cards are $3 each; expensive cash reloads.

Daria Uhlig and Cynthia Measom contributed to the reporting for this article.

Takeaway

Prepaid debit cards can be a viable alternative to a basic checking account, but they also have other uses. Give them to kids to carry instead of cash or set them up to save for special spending. The important part is to read the fine print; even the best prepaid cards come with several fees you should look out for. As long as you are aware of the costs and know when and how to avoid the extra charges, a prepaid debit card could have a place in your wallet.

  • What is a prepaid debit card?

  • Prepaid debit cards are not bank accounts, although they can provide many of the same functions. They are issued by financial institutions like American Express, Mastercard and Visa, and they provide cardholders with essential banking services.

  • How is a prepaid debit card different from a regular debit card?

  • Unlike a debit card issued by your bank, a prepaid debit card is not linked to a checking or savings account. Prepaid debit cards are not necessarily associated with your primary bank at all. Instead, you load funds onto the card and use it the same way you would use any credit card.

  • Where do I get a prepaid debit card?

  • Prepaid debit cards can be obtained online directly from the institutions that issue them. They can also be purchased at participating retailers, such as Walmart and Target.

  • What should I look for in a prepaid debit card?

  • If you are considering a prepaid debit card, look for one that offers widespread acceptance. Check to be sure that it’s easy to load and reload with funds. Compare fees for such services as direct deposit, mobile check deposit and ATM use. Be sure to read a card’s terms of service agreement before applying.

  • Prepaid debit cards are not bank accounts, although they can provide many of the same functions. They are issued by financial institutions like American Express, Mastercard and Visa, and they provide cardholders with essential banking services.

  • Unlike a debit card issued by your bank, a prepaid debit card is not linked to a checking or savings account. Prepaid debit cards are not necessarily associated with your primary bank at all. Instead, you load funds onto the card and use it the same way you would use any credit card.

  • Prepaid debit cards can be obtained online directly from the institutions that issue them. They can also be purchased at participating retailers, such as Walmart and Target.

  • If you are considering a prepaid debit card, look for one that offers widespread acceptance. Check to be sure that it’s easy to load and reload with funds. Compare fees for such services as direct deposit, mobile check deposit and ATM use. Be sure to read a card’s terms of service agreement before applying.

Information is accurate as of Dec. 4, 2022.

This article has been updated with additional reporting since its original publication.