The best debit cards offer rewards or cash back on your purchases. Like Varo Bank Account (3% cashback or more on select brands)
Open an Account
no monthly service fee
None
$0
- Earn up to 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in purchases per month (See website for details)
- No monthly service fee
- Over 60,000 in-network ATMs
- Get paid early with direct deposit through Early Pay
- Enroll in free overdraft protection
- Debit card can only be used in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean
- Only 1 branch location
- Earn 1% cash back on up on up to $3,000 per month in eligible debit card purchases (See website for details)
- 100% US-based customer service available 24/7
- No opening deposit or minimum account balance
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Over 60,000 in-network ATMs
- FDIC insured
no monthly service fee
None
$0
- No minimum balance requirements
- No monthly service fees
- No overdraft fees
- Can earn 2% cashback on everyday expenses (up to $500 per year) and 1% on any other debit card charges
- No overdraft protection
Upgrade is a good option if you're looking for free checking, cash back on debit card purchases, and competitive high-yield savings account interest rates — but you'll have to meet certain requirements to get the best perks.
Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus- To maintain an active qualifying Rewards Checking Plus Account and obtain rewards like loan discounts, you must receive direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more each month
no monthly service fee
None
$50
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
- Earn up to 1.00% cash back on qualifying purchases
- Unlimited check writing
- Free overdraft protection is available
- $50 minimum opening deposit
- $25 overdraft fee
- Cashback limit of $2,000 per month
- Earn 1% cash back on qualifying debit purchases when you keep an average daily collected balance of $1,500 or more
- Earn 0.50% cash back on qualifying debit card purchases when you’re average daily collected balance is under $1,500
- Eligible for up to $2,000 in cash back per month
- Member FDIC
Discover Cashback Debit Account: Best Debit Card Overall
With the how credit cards work, since those are essentially short-term loans that come with costly interest payments if you don't pay your bill each month.
Benefits of a Cash-Back Debit Card
The best rewards debit cards can let you earn a bit of money off of purchases you would be making anyway, such as gas or grocery purchases. You'll generally earn a small percentage of your purchase back in rewards money.
Since debit cards with rewards use your own money, you aren't risking going into debt when you use a debit card like you do with a credit card. If you can't or don't want to open a cash-back credit card, a cash-back debit card can be a good option for you. Keep in mind that you might end up paying expensive monthly bank maintenance fees and other bank charges than you're earning from your purchases.
Cash-Back Debit Cards and FDIC Insurance
If you choose a cash-back debit card with a checking account, make sure that the account is either FDIC- or NCUA-insured before you open the account. FDIC insurance is offered for banks, while editorial standards page.
For our top picks, we looked at national, regional, and local banks that had bank accounts with cash-back debit cards.
We rate bank products on a scale from one to five stars, with one star being the lowest rating, three stars being an in-between rating, and five stars being the highest rating possible.
We use a weighted average to get our star rating, which means we weigh certain features, like interest rates and fees, at a higher weight percentage than others. We understand that these areas can more heavily impact a person's overall banking experience.
FAQs
Are cash-back debit cards safe?
Yes, cash-back debit cards are generally safe. They're usually linked to your checking accounts, which are federally insured bank accounts.
Can I build credit with a cash-back debit card?
No. Debit cards don't report to credit bureaus, so they won't impact your credit score directly. However, using debit cards instead of credit cards can help you avoid credit card debt, so using debit cards could help your credit score indirectly that way.
Which bank has the best cash-back debit card?
We chose Discover, LendingClub, and Varo Bank as some of the best banks for cash-back debit cards.
Are there cash-back debit cards for teens and students?
Yes, some banks offer checking accounts for teens that come with cash-back debit cards. These accounts can also be useful for people who want to get a cash-back debit card for students.
What are the downsides of cash-back debit cards?
Cash-back debit cards may come with fees and reward caps. They might offer lower rewards rates than cash-back credit cards.
