Eric Bank is an M.B.A. who has covered financial and business topics since 1985, appearing regularly on Credible, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Zacks, Chron, BadCredit.org and dozens of other outlets. Eric specializes in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences, particularly in the world of personal finance. Eric holds a Master's in Business Administration from New York University and a Master's in Finance from DePaul University.
Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.
With more than 10 years of accounting experience, Danielle Marshall has a deep understanding of many financial disciplines, including personal and commercial lending, retirement annuities, financial forecasting, and general bookkeeping. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida's Fisher School of Accounting and currently manages all accounts receivable and payable for the parent company of CardRates.com. She works directly with credit card issuers and advertising partners to ensure our content meets compliance expectations and regulatory standards.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Prepaid debit cards offer you a convenient way to manage your finances without the need for a traditional bank account or credit score. Unlike bank debit cards, which draw funds directly from your checking account, you load prepaid cards with a predetermined amount of money. These cards help you control your spending more effectively, ensuring you only use the funds you have already deposited onto the card.
Netspend is a leader in the debit card market, offering both prepaid cards and online banking. We’ll take a deep dive into the NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card and compare it to three other prepaid cards. A prepaid card can be a versatile tool whether you want to add a dimension to your spending options, are unbanked, or have bad credit.
You load funds in advance: You actively load funds onto the card before using it, which enables you to control your budget and only spend what you have pre-deposited.
Wide acceptance: You can use the NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card almost anywhere that accepts major debit and credit cards, including online, in-app, and in-store.
No bank account or credit required: You don’t need a traditional bank account or credit history to use the card, making it easy to access.
Features and fees: The card comes with numerous features, including direct deposit, payback rewards, online bill pay, and mobile check load.
How to Qualify & Apply
To apply for a NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card, visit the Netspend official website and submit the application form with your personal details such as name, residential and email addresses, and direct deposit sources, if any. You can click on the APPLY NOW link below to get started:
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Netspend also allows you to apply through select retailers or by contacting their customer service directly (1-866-387-7363). The card does not require a credit check, minimum balance, or activation fee. Netspend will ship you your permanent card after it verifies your identity in compliance with federal law, which may include a check of your driver’s license or other suitable ID.
To start using the card, you must activate it online or by phone. You do so by providing the card number and the security code on the back of the card. You must also verify your address, Social Security Number, and date of birth.
To start using the card, deposit money into the card account, which you can do at any time.
Benefits & Drawbacks to Consider
Considering the benefits and drawbacks of the NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card before applying is crucial to ensure it aligns with your spending habits. Understanding the pros and cons lets you make an informed decision, avoid unexpected fees, and take full advantage of features that help you manage your money.
Benefits
Direct deposit advantages: You enjoy faster access to your paycheck or government benefits, often up to two days faster than a traditional bank account, by opting for direct deposit to your NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card.
High spending flexibility: You can use your NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card wherever merchants accept Visa® cards, giving you the freedom to shop online, pay bills, and make everyday purchases easily.
Customizable account alerts: You can set up customizable email or text alerts to stay informed in real time about your account activity, including transactions and balance changes.
No credit check required: The NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card doesn’t do a credit check, making it an accessible option regardless of your credit history.
Online account management tools: You can use the card’s online account center and mobile app to manage your finances, check your balance, and review your transaction history.
No bank account required: You can obtain a NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card without a bank account and avoid the accompanying fees.
No upfront payment needed: You needn’t make any upfront payment to acquire a NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card.
Drawbacks
Fees for assorted services: You will encounter fees to maintain and reload the account, which will impact your overall cost of using the card.
Reload locations may charge fees: You may have to pay additional fees if you reload your card at participating locations.
No interest earnings: Unlike some bank accounts, you do not earn interest on your card balance.
Spending limit constraints: You are subject to a maximum balance and daily spending limits.
Other Cards Worth a Look
The following three alternatives are a mix of prepaid and bank debit cards. The prepaid cards are easier to get, but the bank debit cards include additional features and lower fees.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Cashback – Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases
each month
No. Fees. Period. That means you won’t be charged an account fee on our
Cashback Debit account.
Early Pay – Get your paycheck up to two days early with no charge
No Credit Impact - You can apply without affecting your credit score.
Fraud Protection - You’re never responsible for unauthorized debit card
purchases. If you suspect someone else has used your debit card without
your permission, let us know.
Member FDIC
Fee-free overdraft protection
No minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance
Add cash into your account at Walmart stores nationwide
The NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card and the Discover® Cashback Debit cater to people with different financial needs and preferences. The card links to an online checking account, offers cash back on purchases, and doesn’t require a credit check or fees.
The card caps the amount of cash back you can earn each month, which it deposits into your Discover® checking or savings account. After you activate the card, you can establish a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for in-store purchases without a signature.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
The Brink’s Armored™ Account is a member of the Netspend Money Program, so the two cards are very similar. It is a Mastercard® rather than a Visa®, and it waives the monthly fee if you deposit at least $500 each month. It pays cash back rewards on signature purchase transactions.
The card offers optional overdraft protection and other security benefits that befit its Brinks heritage. These features include ID theft expense reimbursement, purchase assurance on damaged or stolen items, and an optional $10 purchase cushion for qualifying cardholders.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
The GO2bank prepaid debit card offers a cash back rate higher than Netspend’s and waives monthly fees if you receive the required direct deposits. It establishes its unique identity by providing a high-yield savings account and optional overdraft protection.
The card provides instant lock and unlock, account alerts, and the Visa® card $0 liability protection. If you’re interested in building credit, you can also get the GO2bank Secured Visa® Credit Card with no annual fee or credit check.
Cardholder Reviews Around Reddit
We like to source cardholders to give us their first-person accounts of using the card and dealing with customer service. Here are two we found on Reddit:
This Reddit contributor gives the NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card respectable marks:
“I don’t think Netspend is a scam at all. I’ll admit it seemed scammy when I thought I was activating an actual Visa Gift card. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary for a prepaid debit card. In fact, the hold times were minimal, and all else being equal, the quality of customer service was acceptable.”
ArtificialNebulae warns that the card is expensive and possibly redundant:
“There’s almost no benefit to having a Netspend card if you already have a checking account, and there are plenty of drawbacks to having the card. One of the most alarming problems with the card is the level and number of fees: $2.50 to withdraw money from an ATM (on top of what the ATM charges), $1-$2 per transaction [on the Pay As You Go Plan], and $5.95 per month if your account is “inactive,” among other fees.”
Granted, if ArtificialNebulae had read the terms and conditions before opening the card, they may have had a better experience. And that is why we always implore our readers to thoroughly read the cardholder agreement before applying.
FAQs: How Do I Add Money to the Card?
You can add money to your NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card in several ways. One of the most straightforward is through direct deposit, which allows you to have your paycheck, government benefits, or other income directly loaded onto your card, with faster access than a check deposited to a traditional bank account.
Another option is to reload your card at one of the 130,000 Netspend Reload Network locations nationwide, which includes various retailers. This method may incur a fee.
You can transfer funds from a bank account to your NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card. There is a transaction fee for this service if you want an instant bank transfer; otherwise, bank transfers are free.
You can also transfer money from another Netspend cardholder through a card-to-card transfer.
Cardholders can transfer money to other cardholders online.
This method makes it easy to share funds with family and friends who are Netspend cardholders. Using this method online or via text message is free, but there’s a fee if you involve a customer service agent.
Lastly, Netspend lets you deposit checks to your card account through its mobile app for free. You photograph the front and back of the check and then transmit the images to Netspend. This method lets you add money without visiting a reload location.
Netspend designed each of these methods to make adding money to your card as seamless and convenient as possible.
In What Ways Can I Use the Card?
The card offers a versatile and convenient way to manage your daily financial transactions without the need to open a bank account or apply for a credit card. The card supports several activities, including making purchases, paying bills, and managing your money more effectively.
Here’s how you can use your NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card:
Make purchases wherever merchants accept Visa®: Use your NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card for online, in-app, and in-store purchases up to your card balance.
Bill Payments: Easily pay your utility, rent, or other bills online or over the phone without a checking account.
Direct Deposit: Load your paycheck, tax returns, or government benefits directly onto your NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card. You may access your money up to two days faster than from a traditional bank account.
Withdraw cash: Access your money by withdrawing cash at ATMs or getting cash back at retail checkout registers, often without charge.
Transfer money: Exchange funds with friends or family members who also have a NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card.
Budgeting: Stay on top of your finances by leveraging Netspend’s online account tools and mobile app to track your spending, set up budgeting goals, and monitor your account balance.
By offering these flexible options, the card facilitates your everyday transactions. It helps you manage your money, making it a useful tool for unbanked and underbanked consumers.
What Are the Card’s Fees?
The NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card is free if you sign up online. Getting a card at a retailer, such as Walmart, can cost $5 or more. The card has no card activation fee, minimum balance requirement, or late payment fee.
Other fees apply for certain other types of activities. Check the online card agreement for the latest information.
Does the Card Help Me Build Credit?
Generally, prepaid debit cards, including the NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card, don’t impact your credit in any way. That’s because they neither extend credit nor report your account to the major credit bureaus.
If building credit is your goal, you will have to assume some debt through a credit card or loan. For your credit to improve, the creditor must report your payments to at least one credit bureau, and you must pay your bills on time. Late payments will only hurt your credit.
A bank debit card may indirectly impact your financial rating if you bounce checks or overdraw the associated checking account. Some debit cards offer optional overdraft protection, but failure to repay an overdrawn amount or the associated fees can be reported to the credit reporting bureaus and hurt your credit.
Is the NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card Legit?
Yes, the card is a legitimate financial product from Netspend. This well-established company specializes in providing prepaid debit cards and financial services. Netspend has been in operation since 1999 and is a subsidiary of Global Payments Inc., a reputable global provider of payment technology and software solutions. Visa® U.S.A. Inc. authorizes the card, ensuring merchants will accept it at millions of locations worldwide.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) does not accredit the NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card. It assigns it a rating of “D+,” largely because the company has not resolved 21 customer complaints. The BBB customer rating for the card is 1.08 out of 5.00. Netspend closed 2,236 complaints in the last three years and 631 in the previous 12 months.
In contrast, Trustpilot gives netspend.com a “Great” rating of 4.2 out of 5.0, with 68% of reviews garnering five stars.
As you should for any financial product, carefully review the card’s terms and conditions, including fees and features, to ensure it meets your requirements. Reading reviews and feedback from current and past users helps you assess the card’s real-world performance.
This Card May Be For You If…
You seek flexibility in managing your finances without a traditional bank account. The NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card offers an accessible alternative to conventional banking, enabling you to load, spend, and organize your money with ease.
You want to receive your paycheck or benefits faster. This card provides earlier access to your funds compared to traditional bank accounts if you’re interested in getting your paycheck, tax returns, or government benefits faster through direct deposit.
You have a poor credit history or no credit: The card does not perform a credit check, making it a viable option if you have poor credit or are looking to avoid inquiries that could impact your credit score.
Exploring alternatives before applying for the NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card is wise, as it ensures that you select a product that best matches your specific needs and financial preferences. Comparing features, fees, and user experiences across different cards can help you save money and enhance your money management strategy.
About the Author
Eric Bank
Finance Expert
Eric Bank is an M.B.A. who has covered financial and business topics since 1985, appearing regularly on Credible, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Zacks, Chron, BadCredit.org and dozens of other outlets. Eric specializes in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences, particularly in the world of personal finance. Eric holds a Master's in Business Administration from New York University and a Master's in Finance from DePaul University.
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