Best Business Checking Accounts of 2026

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on finding the best business checking accounts. Managing business finances efficiently is crucial for success, and a reliable business checking account forms the foundation of this process.

In this article, we’ll delve into the key factors to consider when choosing a business checking account and present you with a handpicked selection of top-tier options.

Whether you’re a small startup or an established enterprise, our goal is to help you make informed decisions and secure the perfect checking account for your business needs.

Our Top Picks for the Best Business Checking Accounts

Based on thorough research and analysis, we present our top picks for the best business checking accounts:

1. NorthOne: Best overall for 2026

Monthly fee:	$0
Minimum opening deposit requirement:	$0
APY:	3.00% APY
Transactions:	Unlimited fee-free transactions
Bonus:	None

NorthOne is an excellent choice for small businesses, freelancers, and startups because it is free yet still has powerful features. I love it since you can put your cash to work and earn up to 3.00% APY on your balance — nearly 38x the national average.

NorthOne offers two business checking options: NorthOne Standard, which is free, and NorthOne Plus, which costs $20 per month. NorthOne Standard provides great value with unlimited transactions, no monthly fee, and integration with over 60 business tools such as QuickBooks, PayPal, Square, Gusto, Shopify, and no hidden fees.

One of NorthOne’s standout features is its “Envelopes” system, allowing users to create sub-accounts for budgeting specific expenses like payroll, taxes, or rent, which is ideal for keeping business finances organized. Moreover, NorthOne supports mobile check deposits, ACH payments, and domestic wire transfers, making it highly flexible for a digital-first business.

Its user-friendly mobile app and integration options streamline financial management, offering a smooth experience for businesses that rely on online tools. While it doesn’t offer international wire transfers and has a small fee for domestic wires, the overall low-cost structure and ease of use make it one of the top choices for business banking in 2026.

2. Found: Best for integrated tax tools

Required monthly fees:	$0
Minimum opening deposit requirement:	$0
APY:	None
Transactions:	Unlimited
Bonus:	None

Found’s business banking is built for the self-employed. It stands out from the crowd thanks to smart tax and bookkeeping features. The Found business debit Mastercard automatically tracks and categorizes your expenses, helping you save on taxes. Found estimates your tax bill in real time—then automatically sets aside money so that you won’t be surprised come tax time.

Send custom invoices, save receipts, run reports, even pay your taxes right in the app**—all for free*. Link Found to your payment apps or other bank accounts for seamless money movement. Found’s features eliminate the need to toggle between platforms or pay for clunky financial tools. In all, Found offers reliable business banking and robust features, with no required monthly fees or minimums—saving you time and money.

3. Novo: Best for integrations

Monthly fee:	$0
Minimum opening deposit requirement:	$50
APY:	None
Transactions:	Unlimited
Bonus:	None

Novo is the powerfully simple small business checking platform that’s resetting expectations of small business finances. Instead of the standard business account offered by the big banks, Novo’s accounts are customized to their user’s needs. 

With integrations to tools small business owners are already using like Stripe, Shopify, Square, and Quickbooks Online and powerful features like Invoices and Reserves, Novo users can save time.  There are no hidden fees or minimums which also saves Novo users money. It’s one of the best free business checking accounts available.

4. Lili: Best for freelancers

Monthly fee:	$0
Minimum opening deposit requirement:	$0
APY:	None
Transactions:	Unlimited fee-free transactions
Bonus:	None

Lili is a bank for freelancers that opens its business checking services to anyone who wants to join. Lili offers banking, expense management and other tax-saving tools designed to save you time and money.

There are no monthly fees with a Lili account, minimum balance requirements, or a minimum opening deposit. You can withdraw your money for free with ATM access through the MoneyPass network.

When you’re paid via direct deposit, your money is available in your Lili account up to 2 days earlier than if you were banking with a traditional bank. And they have an app that makes it easy for you to check your balance and transfer funds from anywhere you are.

5. Axos Basic Business Banking: Best for simplified banking

Monthly fee:	$0
Minimum opening deposit requirement:	$1,000
APY:	None
Transactions:	– Up to 200 fee-free items per month, 30 cents per item after – Up to 60 fee-free remote deposits per month, 30 cents per deposit after
Bonus:	$400 welcome bonus

Axos Bank has a Basic Business Checking account designed for small businesses and freelancers with moderate account activity. The Axos Basic Business Banking account has no monthly maintenance fees and a low minimum deposit requirement of $1,000 to open an account.

If you want to have interest checking you can upgrade to Business Interest Checking (0.81%). Small business owners can also benefit from small business savings accounts with APY’s starting at 0.20%. Axos has one of the best business bank accounts overall. For a limited time, get a $400 bonus with promo code NEW400 through this link.

Understanding the Importance of a Business Checking Account

A business checking account is essential for several reasons. It helps keep personal and business finances separate, simplifies accounting, and enhances financial visibility.

Moreover, it allows businesses to accept payments, manage expenses, and build credibility with clients and partners. Choosing the right business checking account is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor; it depends on various factors unique to your business.

Key Features to Look for in a Business Checking Account

When searching for the best business checking account, consider the following features:

1. Low Fees and Minimum Balance Requirements

Opt for an account that offers low or no monthly fees, as well as a reasonable minimum balance requirement. This ensures that you don’t incur unnecessary charges while still enjoying essential services.

2. Transaction Limits and Charges

Check the transaction limits and any additional charges associated with exceeding them. Find an account that aligns with your business’s transaction volume to avoid unexpected fees.

3. Online and Mobile Banking

In the digital age, seamless online and mobile banking capabilities are a must. Look for an account that provides a user-friendly digital platform, enabling you to manage your finances on the go.

4. ATM Access and Fee Reimbursement

Having widespread ATM access without incurring fees can save your business money. Some accounts even offer fee reimbursements for using out-of-network ATMs.

5. Interest Rates and Overdraft Protection

Although business checking accounts typically offer lower interest rates than savings accounts, consider an account with competitive rates. Additionally, inquire about overdraft protection options to avoid costly penalties.

Why Should I Open a Business Account?

There are many benefits to having a specific account just for your small business. Here are a small handful of those:

• Having all your withdrawals together can make it tough to determine whether all bills have been paid in either circumstance. 

• Whether you are the sole member on staff or have employees, it can be difficult to determine exactly how much money you have available for business expenses when the two are mixed. 

• There are tax advantages for small businesses you can take advantage of with a business account. 

• If nothing else, a dedicated small business bank account will lend your business an air of professionalism. 

Perhaps you have not started your own account because you are not sure what to look for in a business bank account. It can certainly be intimidating, but not to worry – we will help you narrow down your options by looking at account features you can find in the best small business banks. 

Primarily, there are two major account options when determining what to look for when opening a business bank account: checkings and savings.

You’re probably asking yourself, “What bank account should I have?” In short, your first option should be a small business checking account because you will be using that account to keep track of your small business transactions. 

A checking account will allow you to pay your business expenses and deposit your company profits, which makes it easier to keep your books accurate and is invaluable for making sure your business is profitable.  It will also make it easier to file your business taxes! 

That being said, having a business savings account is also a great idea, and you can set one up at the same time as your checking account. There are plenty of benefits to having one as well, since you can earn interest on your money and it can actually help you boost your company’s credit.

Conclusion

Remember that in this situation, you are the customer and they are the business – a bank that does not seem interested in your business is a red flag. Your business bank should want to work with you and should make it feel as easy as possible to become a member of their institution. 

Remember that finding the best small business bank means finding one that meets your needs and being confident that it will be able to handle and support your growing business. And don’t be afraid to call the bank and hear them out in regards to pitching you their services. 

Once you have a dedicated bank account for your small business, you will enjoy how much easier it is to handle your business without having to wade through your personal finances at the same time.