Prepaid cards with no activation fee can make online purchasing easier if you don’t have good enough credit to qualify for a credit card. They’re also a lot safer to carry around than cash.
A prepaid card requires a cash reload to fund it and can be used wherever a credit card or debit card can be used. Though sometimes referred to as a prepaid credit card, there is no line of credit associated with a prepaid card. It works more like a debit card by transferring cash from your card account to the merchant you’re paying, whether online or in person.
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Best Prepaid Cards With No Activation Fees
Companies that sell prepaid cards don’t make money by charging interest, as credit cards do, but through a variety of fees, including an activation fee. The fee often isn’t charged when you sign up for a prepaid card online, but buyers may face a small activation fee when purchasing them in a store.
Here are some of the best prepaid cards we recommend that don’t charge activation fees when you sign up for them online:
- Brink’s knows Security! 24/7 access to a suite of security benefits to help keep your account armored.
- Get access to over 100,000 Brink’s Money ATMs.
- Get paid faster than a paper check with direct deposit.
- Add funds to your Brink’s Armored Account and use Brinks Armored debit card anywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
- Account opening is subject to registration and ID verification. Terms & fees Apply. Deposit Account is established by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Variable Monthly Fees
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Not applicable
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The Brink’s Armored™ Account is one of our top prepaid cards for many reasons. The online application is easy to fill out, and the card can be funded with a direct deposit from your employer or through government benefits.
This reloadable prepaid card also offers Payback Points that are earned when you use the card for signature purchase transactions, which is when you select credit instead of debit at the checkout terminal. Points can be redeemed for credit to the Brinks card account.
- 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.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Variable Monthly Fee
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Not applicable
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If you don’t have a checking account, debit card, or credit card, the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® may be a good way to do some of your banking if you have a PayPal account.
You can connect your PayPal account to transfer money to the card account. You can also add cash to the account at nationwide reload locations.
- 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.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Variable Monthly Fee
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Not applicable
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You can load the NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card with cash in a few ways, including through a direct deposit of your employment or benefits checks, and get paid up to two days faster.
You can also perform mobile check deposits to your card account by taking a few photos with your phone through the Netspend mobile app.
- 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.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Up-to $9.95 monthly
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Not applicable
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The NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card offers Payback Rewards for purchases made with select merchants. It’s an optional program, and reward offers are based on individual shopping habits. Cash back rewards are credited to the card account and are not available in a check or other direct payment method.
- A reloadable prepaid debit account that can be used anywhere American Express® cards are accepted
- Get your paycheck up to 2 days faster with free direct deposit
- Shop with added confidence and Purchase Protection, which can help protect eligible purchases made with the card against accidental damage and theft for up to 120 days from the date of purchase
- Get free ATM access at over 37,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations. It’s free to add cash to your account at Family Dollar locations and free to transfer money to other Bluebird Accountholders.
- With Roadside Assistance, you can call us in case of emergency for coordination and assistance services to help you get on your way
- Pay no monthly fees or foreign transaction fees
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Not applicable
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The Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account charges the fewest fees among prepaid cards we’ve found. This American Express debit card doesn’t charge an activation fee when bought online. It also doesn’t charge a monthly fee or an ATM fee at MoneyPass ATMs.
Some prepaid cards charge a transaction fee each time you use the card to buy something, but this American Express prepaid card doesn’t.
- Mango is a safe and convenient way to manage and access your money when and where you need it
- The Mango Card is a prepaid card account and there are no hidden fees or interest charges. See your Cardholder Agreement for fees and details.
- You can use your Mango Card everywhere debit Mastercard is accepted
- Manage your account anywhere you are. Securely check your balance, transaction history, and send money to friends and family.
- Once you activate and load your Mango Card, you can open a Savings Account with as little as $25 and get up to 6.00% Annual Percentage Yield with up to 6 transfers out each month
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Not applicable
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The Mango Prepaid Mastercard® is one of the rare prepaid cards that connects users with an optional savings account. Once your Mango prepaid card is activated and loaded with money, you can open a savings account through Mango and get up to six transfers out of the account each month.
- Enjoy FREE withdrawals at over 37,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations nationwide.
- Get access to your money up to 2 days faster with early Direct Deposit
- No monthly fee when you direct deposit $500 or more within a statement period
- Use Online Bill Pay to help you save time and help you avoid late fees. Terms apply.
- Check your balance and recent transactions, pay bills on the go, get SMS text alerts, and send money to family or friends who have a Serve Account
- No credit check, no hidden fees
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Regular APR
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Not applicable
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A monthly fee is a common way for prepaid card companies to make money. The Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account lets users avoid paying a monthly fee when they initiate a direct deposit of $500 or more each statement period. This prepaid debit card can be used wherever American Express is accepted.
- Greenlight is a debit card for kids, managed by parents
- Parents set flexible controls and receive real-time alerts while kids monitor their balances, set goals, and learn how to manage money
- Feel secure knowing Greenlight blocks unsafe spending categories
- Receive Mastercard’s Zero Liability Protection
- Upload a photo of your choice to create a unique custom card
- Debit cards are FDIC-insured up to $250,000
- Easily turn your Greenlight card on or off and receive real-time spending notifications
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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See Pricing
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Not applicable
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The Greenlight – Debit Card For Kids is a debit card for children that’s managed by their parents. There is no activation fee, ATM withdrawal fee (whether in or out of its ATM network), or per-transaction fee, but it does charge a monthly fee. The only other fees we can find for this card are to customize or replace the card.
- Waive your monthly fee when you direct deposit $500+ in previous monthly period. Otherwise, $5.94 a month.*
- Earn 3% cash back at Walmart.com, 2% cash back at Walmart fuel stations, & 1% cash back at Walmart stores, up to $75 each year.*
- Earn 2% interest rate on up to $1,000 balance in your savings account. Plus, get chances to win cash prizes each month!*
- Get peace of mind with three coverage levels, up to $200, for purchase transactions with opt-in & eligible direct deposit.*
*Please see site for full terms and conditions.
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Additional Disclosure: Walmart MoneyCard® is a debit card offer.
The Walmart MoneyCard® offers cash back in a few ways, with the biggest payout for purchases made on the Walmart website. It also pays cash back at Walmart gas stations and in its stores.
It offers overdraft protection when you have a direct deposit set up to the account so you can avoid overdraft fees on the card. The monthly fee is waived when you have $500 or more deposited into the account each month.
- Get rewarded with unlimited 1% Cash Back when you spend money in stores or online. The funds are available to add to your account as soon as the transaction settles with us, so you don’t have to wait to enjoy the rewards.
- Get your tax refund and direct deposits up to 2 days faster than standard electronic deposits.
- You can withdraw your money without a fee at over 37,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations nationwide.
- Can’t find your Serve card? No need to worry – you can quickly freeze it while you look for it and unfreeze it when you find it. And for extra reassurance, know you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges.
- With Emergency Assistance, you can get select access to select emergency coordination and assistance services when you’re traveling more than 100 miles from home.
- Amex Offers provides a range of offers – shopping, dining, and more – from places you love. It’s easy and free.
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Not applicable
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This Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account is for people who want to earn cash back rewards with their prepaid card. The cash back is added to their account promptly after making a purchase online or in-store and is ready to spend on future purchases when they choose.
- Take your kid’s spending freedom to the next level with a BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Spend Debit Card. Now featuring ATM and Apple/Google Pay, the card eliminates concerns over having on-hand cash. It’s easy to use, secure, and it teaches your kids how to manage money they can’t see.
- Every family subscription comes with up to five cards (one per child).
- Cards are backed by the Visa® Zero liability policy and can be locked temporarily if misplaced.
- Given it’s backed by the trusted name of Visa®, the BusyKid Spend Card is widely accepted in stores and online
- BusyPay™ is an easy way for family or friends to instantly send money to a child’s BusyKid account
- Choose from a variety of card designs to find which fits your busy kid best
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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See Pricing
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None
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The BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Spend Debit Card is a Visa debit card meant to help children learn how to make in-store and online purchases and learn responsible spending habits. This Visa card charges an annual fee instead of a monthly fee. Parents can control how much of their kids’ allowance goes on the card and track their Visa debit transactions.
- Manage and control your money on one convenient reloadable prepaid card
- Get paid up to 2 days faster with direct deposit
- No-fee cash withdrawals of up to $100 at ACE with regular Direct Deposits
- When you use your card for everyday purchases, you can earn offers to redeem for cash back rewards at select retailers.
- Choose from 3 card designs
- As a cardholder, you can open a Tiered Optional Savings Account. Balances up to $1,000.00 currently earn up to 5.00% annual percentage yield. No minimum balance required.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Not applicable
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The ACE Elite™ Visa® Prepaid Debit Card allows no-fee cash withdrawals of up to $100 per day at participating ACE locations with qualifying direct deposit. It also has an optional savings account to earn interest on. This Visa debit card doesn’t charge a fee for opening a card online, but it does charge a fee if you buy one at a store.
- Use the Travelex Money Card Mastercard® wherever you are in the world for a safe and easy way to pay.
- Top up your card with your choice of 10 available currencies: British pounds, US dollars, euros, Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Canadian dollars, South African rand, Turkish lira, Swiss franc and UAE dirham
- A great alternative to cash and traveler’s checks, prepaid travel cards let you lock in rates before you travel internationally
- If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, we offer 24/7 global assistance to replace it or provide you with emergency cash
- With your Mastercard Prepaid Travel Card, you can check your balance, account information, and transaction history online or by phone from anywhere in the world
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Intro (Purchases)
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Regular APR
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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See Pricing
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Not applicable
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The Travelex Money Card provides another way — other than cash or traveler’s checks — to pay for hotels, restaurants, and other needs when traveling abroad. After you register this debit Mastercard, it protects against unauthorized transactions if the card is lost or stolen.
What Is a Prepaid Card With No Activation Fee?
A prepaid card looks like a credit or debit card but works like a debit card connected to a bank account. You add money to the card through a variety of ways, but it does not have a line of credit like a credit card, nor does it pull money directly out of a checking account, like a debit card.
A prepaid card often doesn’t require an activation fee when opening the account online. However, a prepaid debit card bought in a physical store will usually require you to pay an activation fee.
Prepaid cards carry Visa, Mastercard, and American Express logos. You can use prepaid cards at most of the same places you can use credit cards.
A prepaid card works like a gift card in one respect. A Visa gift card, for example, must first be loaded with funds by the person giving the gift card. The person receiving it can then use the card anywhere Visa is accepted.
How Do I Get a Prepaid Card?
The easiest way to get a prepaid card is online, including through the links in the 13 card reviews above. Prepaid card issuers usually have requirements that are easy to meet, such as being at least 18, providing a Social Security number to verify your identity, and having a valid email address. Other identifying information may be required.
You may be required to register the card online after you receive it in the mail, which helps protect against the card’s loss or theft.
You can fund a prepaid card in a few ways. Since you may not have a checking or other bank account, you can add cash to the card through a PayPal account for the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® or arrange a direct deposit of your paycheck or government benefits.
You can add money to the Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account at any Walmart checkout register without paying fees.
Some prepaid cards have mobile apps to scan a check and deposit it to the card. Some banks offer prepaid cards, which you can load with cash by walking into a branch and giving the teller money.
When shopping for a prepaid card, read the cardholder agreement for ways it accepts reloads and what the fees are for each method.
What Are the Advantages of Using a Prepaid Card?
The biggest advantage of prepaid cards for the unbanked, who number more than 6% of U.S. households, is that they allow people to have a prepaid card that they can use like a credit card or debit card without a bank account.
It also prevents them from having to carry around cash or deal with expensive money orders or other costly ways to manage their finances.
Most prepaid cards allow you to withdraw cash from an ATM, though an ATM withdrawal fee may be charged.
Prepaid cards often allow direct deposit, and many say they can shave two days off the time it takes to receive your money from a physical check.
Some prepaid cards offer savings accounts, cash back rewards, and apps to help you manage your money. Some don’t charge a foreign transaction fee, which is good to avoid when using the card in another country.
A reloadable prepaid card can also help you better track your spending than you could by paying with cash. The cards make it easier to shop online and can help teach you to live without debt because you can only use them when you have an available balance.
Is a Prepaid Card Free to Use?
No — all prepaid cards charge fees of some kind because prepaid card issuers don’t make money on interest as issuers of credit cards do. Instead, prepaid cards charge fees either for every transaction or a flat monthly fee.
Some charge an annual fee that lowers the monthly cost. You’ll be charged a purchase fee if you buy a card at a physical store, though it’s often free when you sign up for a card on the card provider’s website.
You may be charged a fee if you spend more than your available balance, but some cards provide a purchase cushion to help prevent this fee. Card issuers may waive the reload fee if you have direct deposit set up. Other common fees include an ATM fee, an inactivity fee, and a purchase fee.
Do Prepaid Cards Help Build Credit?
No, prepaid cards don’t help build your credit score, nor do they hurt it.
A check of your credit history isn’t required to get a prepaid card. The issuers of prepaid cards don’t report your account activity to the major credit bureaus because you’re not using credit with a prepaid card.
Instead, you’re using your cash through a prepaid debit card. You’re incurring no debt with the card.
Best Choices For Prepaid Cards With No Activation Fee
Prepaid cards with no activation fee provide a way for the unbanked and underbanked to safely access their money without requiring a checking account or a credit card. Prepaid cards can be used wherever credit and debit cards are accepted, including online, but without extending credit like a credit card or being linked to a bank account.
An activation fee is common when opening a prepaid debit card account, though it can usually be avoided by opening an account online. The cards won’t help improve your credit score — check out a secured credit card to help with that — but they should at least make it easier to pay bills and buy things without having to go through a bank.
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Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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