11 Best Prepaid Cards (Feb. 2024)

Best Prepaid Cards

For some folks, the best prepaid cards represent a simpler, perhaps even a more affordable, way to keep on top of their money. Although it’s now easier than ever to open a new bank account, a traditional bank account and debit card may not be for everyone.

Others still may pair a prepaid debit card (or two) with a bank account to add an extra layer of organization to their budgets.

Whatever your reason for choosing a prepaid debit card for your purchases, finding the right debit card can be an important part of making the most of your money. Whether you prefer a specific network or want to minimize your fees, there’s likely a prepaid card that fits your needs.

Keep reading for our expert picks for some of the best prepaid cards out there today, including cards from well-known names like Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.

Mastercard | Visa | American Express
No Monthly Fees | No Transaction Fees
No ATM Fees | Alternatives

Best Mastercard Prepaid Debit Cards

Although many factors go into choosing the right prepaid card, which network logo it sports will determine where you can use the card. While many merchants accept all four major networks (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express), that’s not true of all merchants.

Mastercard cards are accepted by more than 40 million merchants nationwide. This gives users a lot of options, since Mastercard prepaid debit cards can be used to make purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

  • Move money from your PayPal account to fund your prepaid card account.
  • Earn cash back and personalized offers, just for using your card.
  • With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
  • Card issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
  • Click PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® for additional features & program details, and to request a Card.
★★★★★

4.6

Overall Rating

Application Length Interest Rate Reports Monthly Reputation Score
5 minutes N/A (Prepaid) No 9.5/10
The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard is our top-rated prepaid credit card. It’s a reloadable prepaid card that you can fund using your PayPal account, direct deposit, or at any of more than 130,000 Netspend Reload Network locations nationwide.

2. Mango Prepaid Mastercard®

The Mango Prepaid Mastercard® has one of the lowest monthly fees among the prepaid debit cards that come with fees. It also charges no transaction fees, though it has no option for fee-free ATM withdrawals.

Mango Prepaid Mastercard®

  • Reload for free with direct deposit, card-to-card online transfers, or bank-to-card transfers
  • Pay $0 for online and in-store transactions
  • Pay $3 monthly fee

Cardholders can add funds to their card in several ways, including through eligible retail locations, as well as MoneyGram, Western Union, and GreenDot Reload. Direct deposits, card-to-card transfers, and bank-to-card transfers can also be used and have no fee.

Best Visa Prepaid Debit Cards

International travelers have to be particularly aware of the network they use because some credit or debit cards aren’t widely accepted in some countries. Visa is the undeniable leader in global card payments because Visa cards are accepted in over 200 countries around the world.

Of course, acceptance isn’t guaranteed here in the U.S., either. For example, Visa is also the only card network accepted at Costco wholesale stores, which may make all the difference to cardholders who like to take advantage of Costco’s bulk buys.

  • With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
  • No late fees or interest charges because this is not a credit card.
  • Use the Netspend Mobile App to manage your Card Account on the go and enroll to get text messages or email alerts (Message & data rates may apply).
  • Card use is subject to activation and ID verification. Terms and Costs apply.
  • Card issued by Pathward N.A., Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Visa debit card is accepted.
  • See additional NetSpend® Prepaid Visa® details.
★★★★★

4.5

Overall Rating

Application Length Interest Rate Reports Monthly Reputation Score
5 minutes N/A (Prepaid) No 7.5/10
Our next-best card is a visa debit card issued by NetSpend. The Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card offers users their choice of purchase plan. For frequent users, the monthly plan unlocks unlimited transactions, while the pay-as-you-go plan charges per transaction for more conservative spenders.
Cardholders can reload their cards for free by setting up direct deposit or through an account-to-account transfer. Cards can also be reloaded through eligible retail locations, though some retailers may charge a fee for the service.

4. Unlimited by Green Dot

The Unlimited Cash Back Bank Account is a Visa debit card issued by Green Dot Bank that provides cash back rewards and exclusive access to a free high-yield savings account for new members.

  • Earn unlimited 2% cash back on online and mobile purchases
  • Earn 2% annual interest on savings account deposits of up to $10,000
  • Free cash deposits using the app and free in-network ATMs

While the cash back is nice, there’s a $7.95 monthly charge that will eat into those rewards earned. However, the fee is waived when you use the card to spend $1,000 or more in the previous month.

Best American Express Prepaid Debit Cards

American Express is one of two processing networks that also issues many of its own payment cards. It also ranks highest in customer satisfaction among national issuers.

While American Express doesn’t have as high a rate of merchant acceptance as Visa or Mastercard, most domestic merchants that accept the other networks will also be likely to accept American Express cards, though the international acceptance rate can be much lower.

5. Bluebird® by American Express

The Bluebird® by American Express is one of the more affordable prepaid debit cards you can obtain. It charges no monthly fees, no transaction fees, and no ATM fees for ATM withdrawals made at MoneyPass® ATMs.

Bluebird® by American Express

  • Add funds for free through direct deposit, mobile check capture, debit card transfer, or at Walmart
  • $0 activation fee & $0 card fee when you buy online
  • $0 Monthly Fee

Reloading this card is also free when you do so via direct deposit, through mobile check deposit, or by using cash or a debit card to reload at a Walmart store.

6. American Express Serve®

The American Express Serve® isn’t quite as fee-free as its other prepaid Amex sibling. But that may be worthwhile for users who want to take advantage of the card’s additional reloading options, including more retail locations and the ability to reload online.

American Express Serve®

  • Reload for free at over 45,000 locations including CVS/pharmacy®, Dollar General®, Walmart® and more
  • Pay $0 activation fee & $0 card fee when you buy online
  • Pay $4.95 monthly fee

While this card has a monthly fee, it still offers free transactions, free ATM withdrawals at MoneyPass® ATMs, and, of course, free reloads through direct deposit or with cash at thousands of retail locations.

Best Prepaid Debit Cards with No Monthly Fees

One reason many people turn to prepaid debit cards for their money management is to avoid the big account fees charged by many banks these days. But paying big monthly maintenance fees for a prepaid card kind of defeats the purpose.

And it makes even less sense to pay big fees when you’re using prepaid cards as an organizational tool to augment your existing bank accounts. These cards offer the option to avoid monthly fees entirely, making them a viable option for either type of prepaid card user.

  • With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
  • No late fees or interest charges because this is not a credit card.
  • Use the Netspend Mobile App to manage your Card Account on the go and enroll to get text messages or email alerts (Message & data rates may apply).
  • Card use is subject to activation and ID verification. Terms and Costs apply.
  • Card issued by Pathward N.A., Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Visa debit card is accepted.
  • See additional NetSpend® Prepaid Visa® details.
★★★★★

4.5

Overall Rating

Application Length Interest Rate Reports Monthly Reputation Score
5 minutes N/A (Prepaid) No 7.5/10

The NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card doesn’t charge monthly fees when you opt for the Pay-As-You-Go Plan, which instead charges a small fee for each transaction you make using the card. This is a decent option if you don’t intend to use the card often and want to avoid being charged a fee for the card when it’s not being used.

8. Bluebird® by American Express

The Bluebird® by American Express is one of the few prepaid debit cards on the market that charges no monthly fees or transaction fees, making using the card simple.

Bluebird® by American Express

  • Add funds for free through direct deposit, mobile check capture, debit card transfer, or at Walmart
  • $0 activation fee & $0 card fee when you buy online
  • $0 Monthly Fee

This card can also work for users who prefer to withdraw their money, rather than use their prepaid card to make purchases, as it charges no ATM fees at thousands of MoneyPass® ATMs around the country.

Best Prepaid Debit Cards with No Transaction Fees

When used simply as a tool to help organize your budget, prepaid debit cards likely see only a couple of transactions each month. When used as your daily debit card, however, that’s a different story — and, if you’re charged per transaction, it can be a very expensive story.

These cards offer monthly purchase plans that come with unlimited transactions, both PIN and signature, so you can make as many purchases as you like, both in-store and online. Keep in mind that most prepaid cards treat ATM withdrawals differently from transactions and may require an ATM fee.

  • Move money from your PayPal account to fund your prepaid card account.
  • Earn cash back and personalized offers, just for using your card.
  • With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
  • Card issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
  • Click PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® for additional features & program details, and to request a Card.
★★★★★

4.6

Overall Rating

Application Length Interest Rate Reports Monthly Reputation Score
5 minutes N/A (Prepaid) No 9.5/10

The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® charges no transaction fees for purchases. It instead charges one low monthly fee that is assessed on the date you initially funded the card and monthly thereafter the account anniversary. Foreign transactions, ATM withdrawals, and certain account transfers also come with fees.

10. American Express Serve®

The American Express Serve® offers free in-store and online transactions anywhere American Express is accepted. Users can also enjoy fee-free ATM withdrawals at eligible MoneyPass® locations.

American Express Serve®

  • Reload for free at over 45,000 locations including CVS/pharmacy®, Dollar General®, Walmart® and more
  • Pay $0 activation fee & $0 card fee when you buy online
  • Pay $4.95 monthly fee

Adding funds to the card is also free through a variety of methods, including direct deposit, or by using cash at any of the thousands of participating retailers, including popular stores like Walmart and Dollar General.

Best Prepaid Debit Cards with No ATM Fees

Although each prepaid debit card has its own fee table, ATM fees seem to be a common occurrence on nearly every card’s list of fees. ATM fees typically come in at around $2.50, which can turn the convenience of a prepaid debit card into a huge expense if you simply need $20 for the day.

With some cards, simply checking your balance at an ATM can mean paying a fee. Happily, a number of prepaid cards offer the option to access fee-free ATM withdrawals and balance inquiries, often through large networks of ATMs, which helps ensure you’re never far from a fee-free option.

11. Bluebird® by American Express

Bluebird® by American Express cardholders have access to the MoneyPass® ATM network, so they can make free withdrawals at over 30,000 ATMs across the country. Plus, the free MoneyPass® mobile app can help users find the nearest ATM in minutes.

Bluebird® by American Express

  • Add funds for free through direct deposit, mobile check capture, debit card transfer, or at Walmart
  • $0 activation fee & $0 card fee when you buy online
  • $0 Monthly Fee

In addition to free ATM withdrawals, reloading is also free when users add funds through direct deposit, mobile check capture, or by using cash or a debit card at Walmart.

Best Alternatives to Prepaid Debit Cards for Bad Credit

Although people have many reasons for using prepaid debit cards, these cards are not ideal for every situation. One particularly important thing to understand is that prepaid debit cards can’t help you establish your credit, nor can they help you build credit or improve your credit score.

That’s because prepaid cards aren’t associated with a credit line at all. If credit building is your goal, a better alternative to a prepaid debit card may be a secured credit card. Similar to a prepaid card, you can set your secured card’s credit limit by making a cash deposit.

Where secured cards differ is that the money you deposit won’t actually go toward your purchases. Instead, that money acts as collateral for a credit line that you pay off each month as you use it. Those payments are reported to the credit bureaus, allowing you to build credit with responsible use.

  • 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
  • Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • ¹ Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
★★★★★

4.5

Overall Rating

Application Length Interest Rate Reports Monthly Reputation Score
8 minutes 15.24% (V) Yes 7.5/10

While this card does charge an annual fee, it offers a grace period to help users avoid interest on new purchases. Plus, the low APR can be a boon for any emergencies that require you to carry a balance beyond the grace period. A minimum deposit of $200 is required, though you can put down up to $5,000 for a larger credit limit.

  • Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • ¹ Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
★★★★

3.5

Overall Rating

Application Length Interest Rate Reports Monthly Reputation Score
9 minutes 25.24% (V) Yes 7.5/10

This card’s annual fee is relatively low — working out to less than half the typical monthly fee for a prepaid card — and the grace period to avoid interest on new purchases covers a standard 25 days. Approved cardholders will need to make a minimum $200 deposit with a maximum deposit (and, thus, credit line) of up to $2,000.

What is a Prepaid Card?

A prepaid card, although sometimes called a prepaid credit card, is a type of debit card, a handy piece of plastic that allows you to spend money that you’ve previously deposited into the card’s account.

Notice how this differs from a standard debit card, which allows you to spend funds from a bank or credit union checking account. Indeed, unbanked consumers make up a significant portion of the prepaid card market.

Prepaid cards look just like debit cards, right down to the Visa, Mastercard, or American Express logo denoting which payment network processes the card’s transactions. The logo is important because not all merchants work with all the payment networks. In other words, you won’t be able to use, say, an American Express prepaid card at merchants that don’t accept American Express debit cards.

A prepaid card is similar to a gift card, except that prepaid cards are reloadable, whereas gift cards generally are not. Also, you cannot transfer money from a gift card to another account.

You do not need a good (or for that matter, any) credit rating to obtain prepaid cards, making them an obvious choice for consumers with bad credit. In this way, the best prepaid cards extend the convenience of in-person and online shopping to many consumers who, for whatever reasons, do not use regular debit and credit cards.

How Do I Get a Prepaid Card?

First, read the card reviews in this article to find out which card is best for you. After making your selection, click on the handy link to the card’s web page, where you can learn about the various ways to purchase the card, including online, by phone, at retail locations (e.g., grocery stores, pharmacies, newsstands, etc.), and some financial institutions.

However you buy the card, you’ll have to load an initial sum of money into the card account. The card may impose certain conditions, such as a minimum purchase amount and/or card fees (including a new card fee or initial activation fee). Under certain circumstances, you may be able to avoid some fees — for example, if you buy the card online.

Buying the card online is certainly convenient, but you may not want to wait for your new card to be delivered before you can use it. Thankfully, several card issuers will immediately create a virtual card number for you that you can use for online and other card-not-present (CNP) transactions.

Frequently, you may be asked to register your new card, which typically requires the following types of information:

  • Full name
  • Residential address
  • Date of birth
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Social Security number

Registration, when required, may unlock certain card features, such as reloading or online use. Moreover, registration may be required to activate protection against card theft or loss, as well as deposit insurance.

What is the Best Reloadable Prepaid Card?

One size definitely does not fit all, so let’s stipulate that the best reloadable prepaid card is the one that best matches your needs for the least cost. However, if I had to choose only one card, I’d pick the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®. It’s the natural choice if you’re a PayPal user because you can transfer money from your account to fund the card.

  • Move money from your PayPal account to fund your prepaid card account.
  • Earn cash back and personalized offers, just for using your card.
  • With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
  • Card issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
  • Click PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® for additional features & program details, and to request a Card.
★★★★★

4.6

Overall Rating

Application Length Interest Rate Reports Monthly Reputation Score
5 minutes N/A (Prepaid) No 9.5/10

The card offers cash back rewards from selected merchants, charges no transaction fees, and allows you to get paid faster via direct deposit. In addition, a handy mobile app lets you review your transactions, balance, and more. There are more than 130,000 reload locations nationwide and you can link the card to an interest-bearing savings account.

If you don’t have a PayPal account, you may prefer the Bluebird® by American Express card. The card charges no monthly, activation, online purchase, or transaction fees, and ATM withdrawals are free at MoneyPass ATM locations. The large MoneyPass ATM network is accessible nationwide. Moreover, reloading is free via direct deposit, mobile check capture, and Walmart cash/debit reloads.

You can use the Bluebird card to pay your online bills for free. If you need to send money to someone, you can send it to the recipient’s nearest Walmart for pickup. Subaccounts let you share your card with another person subject to any spending limits you set.

Another contender for best prepaid card is the Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card, where you can earn cash back rewards, This prepaid Visa debit card lets you choose between a monthly maintenance fee or pay-as-you-go plan to pay for transactions, and it has no activation fee. You can reload your prepaid Visa debit card for free by using direct deposit or account-to-account transfer.

Some retailers will reload the Netspend prepaid Visa card for free, but others charge a fee. You can manage your card using a mobile app with your Netspend prepaid Visa card and you can load checks from your phone. For the security-minded, the card comes with $0 liability protection, FDIC insurance, and available virtual account numbers.

Which Prepaid Card Has No Monthly Fee?

If you prefer pay-as-you-go rather than a monthly maintenance fee, the Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card and the Bluebird® by American Express card fit the bill.

The Bluebird card does not charge monthly fees or purchase transaction fees. This begs the question: How exactly does American Express make money on this card? The answer is that it depends on a few cardholder fees to keep the ship afloat:

  • Cash withdrawal fees at non-Walmart retail locations.
  • Check capture fees for Money in Minutes by Ingo Money®. (No charge for Money in 10 Days check capture).
  • Out of network ATM fees (such as a Wells Fargo ATM).
  • Purchase fees at retail locations.
  • Ria® cash pickup fees.

Notice that you can use this and most other prepaid cards without a bank account, another potential money saver.

The Netspend Prepaid Visa card gives you the choice of a monthly or pay-as-you-go plan. The monthly plan imposes a fixed fee each month, whereas the pay-as-you-go plan charges a fee for each purchase.

You’ll save money on the per-purchase plan if you use the card no more than eight purchases per month. Other fees you may encounter with the prepaid Netspend Visa card include:

  • Account-to-account transfer fee via customer service agent
  • ATM balance inquiry fee
  • ATM transaction decline fee
  • ATM withdrawal fee
  • Card expedited delivery fee
  • Cash reload fee
  • Check request fee
  • Custom card fee
  • Foreign transaction surcharge
  • Inactivity fee (when dormant for 90 days)
  • Me-to-Me outbound transfer fee
  • Mobile check expedited load fee
  • Over-the-counter withdrawal fee
  • Replacement card fee
  • Western Union Money Transfer® fee

The list of possible Netspend fees looks daunting but most of them are avoidable.

Can I Add Money to a Prepaid Card Online?

There’s no shortage of methods to add money to your prepaid card. Those looking to do so online have a few options:

  • Direct deposit: You can use this method for certain types of deposits, including paychecks, tax refunds, and government benefits.
  • Electronic funds transfer: You may be able to link a financial account or debit card to your reloadable card and then electronically transfer funds either way. The financial account may reside at a bank or credit union or may be provided by the card issuer (for example, transfers between a PayPal Account and the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®).
  • Mobile check capture: Many prepaid cards work with a mobile app, and the app may feature mobile check capture, in which you scan and deposit a check.

If you prefer the hands-on approach, you can add money to a prepaid reloadable card at retail locations, via reload packs, from Western Union or MoneyGram, with a bank teller, and more.

Are Prepaid Cards a Bad Idea?

Prepaid cards make good sense in many contexts. They do some things very well but come up short in some other respects.

On the plus side, prepaid cards are a good way to manage your money without opening a bank account. This can save you money on any fees associated with bank checking and savings accounts. Many prepaid cards come with some kind of insurance, including that from the FDIC, and provide $0 liability for lost or stolen cards.

Other positives for prepaid cards are that they provide statements that make it easier to track spending relative to cash, allow you to send and receive money through a mobile app, and facilitate card-not-present transactions, such as online shopping. Prepaid cards can be a good credit card alternative for folks who do not like to incur debt.

However, prepaid cards are useless when it comes to establishing or rebuilding your credit. Unlike credit cards, prepaid card transactions are not reported to the credit bureaus, so there is no way to benefit (or suffer) from your card activity.

Additionally, prepaid cards seldom pay you interest on your cash balances, although some allow you to transfer money between the prepaid card account and an interest-bearing account (as is the case for the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®).

Will I Be Issued a PIN with a Prepaid Card?

Most prepaid cards that allow you to register also give you the capability for assigning a PIN (i.e., personal identification number). The card must have a chip for storing the PIN — a three- or four-digit number that acts as a secret access code for the card when performing a transaction.

A PIN allows you to use your prepaid card at a register without signing. Typically, a register that accepts prepaid cards will ask you whether to treat your card as a debit or credit card. You then either your PIN for a debit PIN transaction or sign your name for a credit transaction.

Don’t be confused, your prepaid card is always a debit card — the PIN distinction affects the fee for the transaction.

How to Use a Prepaid Card

Check your card’s fee schedule to see the effect (if any) of using PIN mode vs signature mode. The mode may also impact the fee a merchant must pay when accepting payment via a prepaid card.

PINs are required when you want to use your prepaid card at an ATM. That’s a good security feature because it will screen against stolen cards where the user doesn’t know the PIN.

Can I Do Money Transfers with a Prepaid Card?

Many prepaid cards offer the ability to transfer money to other accounts or people. Typically, you can perform transfers on the card’s webpage or its app.

You may also be able to transfer money at the websites for your financial accounts, or you can use a third-party service like MoneyGram, Western Union, or Ria.

A couple of different types of transfers are available:

  • Between prepaid card and financial accounts: Most cards allow you to transfer money between your prepaid card and one or more of your financial accounts, including accounts with banks, credit unions, PayPal, etc.
  • Between prepaid card and individuals: In some cases, you can exchange money with other prepaid cardholders. For example, you can send money from a Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card via its FlashPay feature to others with a Netspend, ACE Elite, Control, or Purpose card.

The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® allows you to transfer money to anyone with an email address or mobile number, regardless of whether the recipient has a PayPal account. You start the process by transferring money from your card account to your PayPal account, and then use the PayPal account to send money to any eligible recipient.

The Bluebird® by American Express card uses Ria Money Transfer to let you send money from the card account to a Walmart store where the recipient can pick up the money order.

Are Prepaid Cards Safe?

Some prepaid cards are safer than others. In general, you should choose a card that provides $0 liability protection for lost or stolen cards. You also benefit from a card that holds your cash balance in an FDIC-insured account (preferably one that pays interest).

In 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau introduced prepaid card protections that include the following:

  • If your card is used fraudulently or without your authorization, your liability will not exceed $50 as long as you report the issue within two days after you become aware of it.
  • The issuer must transparently disclose all fees.
  • The issuer must disclose whether the card is covered by FDIC insurance.
  • You can always get information about your card account for free.
  • If you choose to include overdraft protection, first-year fees are capped at 25% of the credit limit.

We recommend you limit your choice to the best prepaid cards reviewed above. These cards are issued by trustworthy companies with well-known track records.

The Best Prepaid Cards Are Just One Tool in the Box

In today’s consumer finance world, people have more options than ever for ways to manage and spend their money. From online-only banks to mobile wallets to budget tracking apps, few people rely solely on that old checking account anymore.

For some consumers, prepaid debit cards are an easy, convenient way to add to their money management strategies or even replace a fee-heavy checking or savings account. But making the most of a prepaid card comes down to finding the right card, with the right fee structure to suit your spending habits and needs.

Advertiser Disclosure

BadCredit.org is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free for users, we receive advertising compensation from the financial products listed on this page. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear on the page (including, for example, the order in which they appear). BadCredit.org does not include listings for all financial products.

Our Editorial Review Policy

Our site is committed to publishing independent, accurate content guided by strict editorial guidelines. Before articles and reviews are published on our site, they undergo a thorough review process performed by a team of independent editors and subject-matter experts to ensure the content’s accuracy, timeliness, and impartiality. Our editorial team is separate and independent of our site’s advertisers, and the opinions they express on our site are their own. To read more about our team members and their editorial backgrounds, please visit our site’s About page.