Are you looking to get your tax refund or Direct Deposit early? Several newer banks and FinTech companies are now offering early paycheck and direct deposit services - where you can get your paycheck, government check (like a tax refund or stimulus check), or other ACH payments credited to your Account up to two days early.
For some people, this service can be a game-changer: letting you avoid costly paycheck advances or other services to get paid early. But remember - it's always "up-to-two days early" - which means it doesn't always work and it's based on the funding of the payer, as well as your banking history.
We've checked out countless banking services to find you the best ones that offer early direct deposit. Here's the best options for you.
The Best Accounts With Early Direct Deposit
Note: The checking offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The College Investor receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The College Investor does not include all banking companies or all checking offers available in the marketplace.
1. Current
Current is a leading mobile banking app that has been endorsed by a huge range of personalities, including YouTuber Mr. Beast. It makes banking convenient and easy - it's that simple.
Current offers both a free and premium version - but the free product is solid checking account that you should consider. It offers no minimum balance requirements, no overdraft fees, fee-free ATM withdrawals at over 40,000 ATMs, and 1x points for cash back!
And, of course, you can get your direct deposit up to two days early.
You can upgrade to premium if you want even more perks.
Check out our Current Review here.
Why I Like It: Free mobile banking.
Learn more about Current Free Checking here.
Current | |
|---|---|
Min Opening Deposit | $0 |
Min Balance Requirement | $0 |
Monthly Fee | $0 |
Earns Interest | 0.0% APY |
ATM Access | 40,000 Fee-Free ATMs |
Availability | Nationwide |
Promotions | None |
2. Chime
Chime was one of the original free mobile banking apps that revolutionized mobile banking. They started with a mobile-first mindset, and also wanted to keep fees as low as possible.
As such, they have a top notching free checking account if you're okay with a mobile only platform. Chime has no physical locations, and all of their banking is done online - in the app.
They have some amazing features, including being able to receieve qualifying direct deposits up to two days early!
Check out our Chime Review here.
Why I Like It: Free mobile banking with great features.
Learn more about Chime Free Checking here.
Chime | |
|---|---|
Min Opening Deposit | $0 |
Min Balance Requirement | $0 |
Monthly Fee | $0 |
Earns Interest | 0.50% APY¹ |
ATM Access | 38,000 ATMs Nationwide |
Availability | Nationwide |
Promotions | None |
3. GO2bank
GO2bank is a mobile bank that is working to take mobile banking to the next level. What we love about GO2bank is that they are really helping people access banking who may have never had a bank account before. GO2bank was created by Green Dot Corp, which many people may already be familiar with.
This account has a $5 monthly fee, but it's easily waived if you receive an eligible direct deposit payment during the previous monthly statement period.
Plus, the perks are amazing. You can currently earn 1.00% APY (Annual Percentage Yield) on up to $5,000 in your savings account, paid quarterly². You can also earn up to 7% cash back when you purchase eGift Cards from the nearly 100 popular merchants in the GO2bank mobile app as well as 3% cash back on Amazon eGift Cards bought in the app³.
Plus, they offer up to $200 in overdraft protection with opt-in and eligible direct deposit⁴.
Read our full GO2bank review here.
Why I Like It: A savings account that earns interest combined with a deposit account that has amazing overdraft protection.
Learn more about GO2bank here.
GO2bank | |
|---|---|
Min Opening Deposit | $0 |
Min Balance Requirement | $0 |
Monthly Fee | $5 (Waived with Qualifying Direct Deposit) |
Earns Interest | Up to 1.00% APY |
ATM Access | 19,000 Fee-Free ATMs |
Availability | Online Nationwide |
Promotions | None |
4. Varo
Varo is a modern app and online bank that is delivering awesome free checking with interest.
Varo has no minimum balance requirements, no monthly fees, and earns interest! And you can get your paycheck direct deposit up to two days early⁵.
It includes a debit card and a solid mobile app experience!
Read our full Varo review here.
Why I Like It: A free checking account that can be combined that earns interest.
Learn more about Varo.
Varo | |
|---|---|
Min Opening Deposit | $0 |
Min Balance Requirement | $0 |
Monthly Fee | $0 |
Earns Interest | Up To 3.00% APY |
ATM Access | 55,000 Fee-Free ATMs |
Availability | Nationwide |
Promotions | None |
5. LendingClub Rewards Checking
LendingClub Bank offers the Rewards Checking Account. This is one of the few checking accounts that earns a solid interest rate on your money in the account.
It currently pays 0.10% APY on balances between $2,500 and $99,999, and 0.15% APY on balances over $100,000. You must maintain a $2,500 minimum average balance in the account OR $2,500 in direct deposits per month to earn interest.
They also offer unlimited 1% back on debit card purchases, and, of course, getting your direct deposit early⁶.
They are very mobile friendly, with unlimited ATM reimbursements, and mobile check deposits.
Read our full LendingClub Bank review here.
Why I Like It: Interest-bearing checking with cash back debit.
Open a LendingClub Rewards Checking account here.
LendingClub Rewards Checking | |
|---|---|
Min Opening Deposit | $100 |
Min Balance Requirement | $0 |
Monthly Fee | $0 |
Earns Interest | Up To 0.15% APY |
ATM Access | ATM Reimbursement |
Availability | Nationwide |
Promotions | None |
6. Empower
Empower is a mobile banking app that has a comprehensive set of personal finance features and is perfect for people who want only one app to manage their finances. It offers spending, saving, budgeting, cash advance, and more.
Empower is free for the first 14 days. After 14 days, Empower charges $8 per month for continued access to its full suite of money management tools.
With Empower, you can get your paycheck up to two days early⁷.They also offer cashback of up to 10% on places and things you spend money on already⁸.
Read our full Empower review here.
Why I Like It: Early paycheck, cash advance, and more.
Learn more about Empower here.
Empower | |
|---|---|
Min Opening Deposit | $0 |
Min Balance Requirement | $0 |
Monthly Fee | $8/mo |
Earns Interest | 0.01% APY⁹ |
ATM Access | 37,000 Fee-Free ATMs |
Availability | Online Nationwide |
Promotions | None |
7. Oxygen
Oxygen is one of the few business banking options that allow you to get your direct deposit and other qualifying ACH payments up to two days early. They offer both personal and business accounts, and are designed for the freelancer or self-employed entrepreneur.
This account has no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimum balance requirements.
Right now, this account earns 0.25% APY on deposits up to $20,000.
It also offers 2.00% cash back with certain merchants.
Read our full Oxygen Banking review here.
Why I Like It: Free checking for freelancers and soloprenuers.
Learn more about Oxygen here.
Oxygen | |
|---|---|
Min Opening Deposit | $0 |
Min Balance Requirement | $0 |
Monthly Fee | $0 |
Earns Interest | Up To 0.25% APY |
ATM Access | 55,000 Fee-Free ATMs |
Availability | Online Nationwide |
Promotions | None |
8. Copper
Copper is a banking app that helps teach teens about financial literacy. Many banks don’t have accounts oriented towards teens. With parental oversight, Copper lets teens spend via an included Mastercard debit card. And parents are able to track and monitor their teens’ spending.
Copper offers all of the mobile banking features you’ve come to expect from modern financial institutions. It's app-based, has a debit card, and connects to Apple Pay, Venmo, and more.
It has no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft or non-sufficient fund fees, and you can get your direct deposit early!
Read our full Copper review here.
Why I Like It: Free teen checking with early direct deposit.
Learn more about Copper here.
Copper | |
|---|---|
Min Opening Deposit | $0 |
Min Balance Requirement | $0 |
Monthly Fee | $0 |
Earns Interest | 0.001% APY |
ATM Access | 50,000 Fee-Free ATMs |
Availability | Online Nationwide |
Promotions | None |
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