Prepaid & Debit Cards
Prepaid cards help consumers control their spending by allowing you to spend only the amount you have already deposited into your account. Our objective opinion is included on each card.
1. AccountNow® Prepaid Visa®
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | n/app* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Introductory Rate Available |
| Grace Period: | n/app |
| Credit Limit: | up to $10,000 |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: Pre-paid card that does not require a banking account, but does require advance payments. The processing fee is $19.95. The monthly fee is $4.95 ($59.40 per year). $.50 transaction fee for each purchase with the card. However, there is a free bill pay service for the first 7 transactions each month. $2 U.S. ATM transaction fee (1 free cash withdrawal per month). One of the best features is access to a free credit builder service; this reports bill payment info to a national credit reporting agency, which can help build your credit score.
2. Wired Plastic™ Prepaid Visa® Card
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | n/app* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Introductory Rate Available |
| Grace Period: | n/app |
| Credit Limit: | n/a |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: Pre-paid card with no annual fee. Applicaion fee is $9.95; monthly fee is $3.95 (fees total $57.35 in 1st year). Minimum load is $10. Card offers direct deposit and a rewards program. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on purchases. Earn unlimited points; points do not expire. Points earned may be used for music downloads, ring tones, calling cards and prepaid wireless service. Employment verification and credit checks are not required for this card.
3. BuyRIGHT Pre-Paid MasterCard®
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | n/app* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Introductory Rate Available |
| Grace Period: | n/app |
| Credit Limit: | up to $2,500 |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: Requires first load of $20. There is no fee to load the card with direct depost. You will pay a fee with other types of funding. Fees include: $29.95 set-up fee, choose betwee a $7.95 monthly fee or $1 per transaction fee (choose the monthly fee if you make over 8 transactions each month). They also offer a free BuyRight Membership. This gives you access to a pre-approved $5,000 line of credit that you can only use on purchases at the BuyRIGHT Marketplace; this is not connected to the BuyRIGHT prepaid card. The BuyRIGHT awards program offers 1 point per $1 on purchases. Earn unlimited points; points do not expire.
4. READYdebit® Card
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | n/app* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Introductory Rate Available |
| Grace Period: | n/app |
| Credit Limit: | up to $10,000 |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: The READYdebit® Card from MetaBank™ is the perfect way for people who don’t have a checking account to obtain and use a debit card for all of their purchases - whether plastic is required or not. With this prepaid card, cardholders simply load the READYdebit® Card with cash and use it anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Paychecks can even be directly deposited into a READYdebit® card account to get easy access to funds without waiting in line at the bank and to avoid paying high check cashing fees. The READYdebit® Card offers two options, depending on the cardholder's needs. The Basic plan is $4.95 a month, while the Select plan is $8.95 a month and comes with lots of extras like free online bill pay*. Select plan cardholders are also cut a break on other fees such as ATM withdrawal fees, balance inquiry fees, and fees for PIN transactions. The best thing about the READYdebit® Card is the freebies. Unlike other prepaid cards, cardholders are not charged card loading fees or negative balance fees - something banks would charge a pretty penny for. The READYdebit® Card can be used to book hotel or car reservations or to make purchases online. Plus, your funds on the READYdebit® Card are protected by Visa Zero Liability™ policy, which protects cardholders from unauthorized transactions. Funds can be loaded onto the READYdebit® via direct deposit, or at participating retail stores including Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, RadioShack, and wherever the Visa ReadLink symbol is displayed.
5. Vision Premier® Prepaid Visa® Card
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | n/app* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Introductory Rate Available |
| Grace Period: | n/app |
| Credit Limit: | n/a |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: If you want Direct Deposit, the Vision Premier® Prepaid Visa® Card is for you. Say goodbye to check-cashing fees, and get your paycheck or benefits check faster on payday. Never wait in line again to cash your check and stop paying check-cashing fees. Enjoy no credit check, no debt, no interest, and no overdraft fees. This card offers free Direct Deposit, so you can get paychecks, benefits and tax refunds faster. Other benefits include free customer service and free unlimited purchases ? signature and PIN.
6. AccountNow® Prepaid MasterCard®
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | n/app* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Introductory Rate Available |
| Grace Period: | n/app |
| Credit Limit: | up to $10,000 |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: The AccountNow® Prepaid MasterCard®, issued by MetaBank, is a stored value card designed for those who may have difficulty in obtaining a standard unsecured credit card. Although the card does not require a banking account to be opened, it does require payments in advance, which are then used to offset future purchases made with the card. Advance payments can be funded directly from the cardholder's paycheck and automatically loaded to the card every pay period. The card can also be loaded by wiring money from an established bank account or through MoneyGram® ExpressPayment®. It is important to note that there are some fees associated with this card that include an account set up fee of $9.95 (waived with direct deposit loads) and a monthly participation fee of $9.95, which amounts to $119.40 annually. There is no additional charge for U.S. purchases. So, in the first year alone, a cardholder can expect to pay a minimum total of $129.35 in fees. It is common for stored value cards to lack benefits; however, this card does offer a free bill pay service (for the first seven transactions each month) and access to a free credit builder service, which reports bill payment information to a national credit reporting agency. Therefore, those who are looking for a stored value card with flexibility to pay in advance for purchases, do not mind paying upfront fees, and would like the opportunity to participate in the credit builder service will find the AccountNow® Prepaid MasterCard®, to be a beneficial option. This card offers cardholders their choice of two unique plans, which differ in terms of the fees and the services that are offered, so cardholders should review the terms and conditions before applying to see which plan will fit their needs the most (the current card review reflects the premium plan). AccountNow Prepaid MasterCard is issued by MetaBank pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. iAdvance is an open end line of credit offered by MetaBank, a federally chartered savings association located in Sioux Falls, S.D. certain fees and eligibility requirements apply. Consult the iAdvance Terms and Conditions for further details. *Subject to ID verification. Cardholders must complete a separate application for iAdvance Line of Credit. Certain fees and eligibility requirements apply.
7. Ultra VX Visa® Card
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | 18.9%* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Introductory Rate Available |
| Grace Period: | 25 Days (Min.) |
| Credit Limit: | up to $25,000 |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: The Ultra VX Visa® Card, issued by New Millennium Bank, is a stored value card designed for those who are looking for an above average secured card that also offers a reward program. Most often, secured credit cards do not have any additional perks or benefits; however, this card does provide a rewards program. With Clear Rewards, cardholders receive one point per dollar spent on purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel rewards with Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, and more. Although there is no annual fee, there is an account set up fee of $29.95. There is also a monthly participation fee of $6.95 that amounts to $83.40 annually. In total, cardholders can expect to pay $113.35 in fees during their first year. This card also offers instant approval (no credit check, no minimum income, no bank account required), and reports to the major credit bureaus. The most unique feature of the card is the Credit-On-Demand™ option. Credit-On-Demand™ allows cardholders to increase their credit limit up to $25,000. Through the Credit-On-Demand™ feature cardholders are able to determine their credit limit by the amount of funds that are deposited into the cash balance of the account. Funds deposited into the cash balance of the cardholder account can be moved to the secured balance by making a purchase or moving the money to the secured balance. Advance payments can also be funded directly from the cardholder's paycheck or cardholders can load the card in person at 100,000 retail transfers. Therefore, those who are looking for an above average secured card that also offers a reward program and would like a card with limited fees may find the Ultra VX Visa® Card to be a beneficial option.
8. Vision Silver(SM) Prepaid MasterCard®
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | n/app* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Introductory Rate Available |
| Grace Period: | n/app |
| Credit Limit: | up to $1,000 |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: The Vision Silver(SM) Prepaid MasterCard®, issued by MetaBank, is ideal for people who are finding it difficult to obtain either a secured or an unsecured credit card. Applicants will not have to go through a credit check because approval is guaranteed. With this prepaid card, cardholders fund their own credit lines, which eliminates the risk of owing creditors. As with most prepaid cards, this card has several fees associated with usage*. To start, cardholders will be charged an activation fee of $9.95. Every month thereafter, they will be charged $3.95 monthly. For the first year, cardholders can expect to pay $57.35 for these two fees combined. There is also a $25 shortage fee, which cardholders are charged whenever their accounts go into negative territory. Additional fees apply with ATM usage, PIN transactions, and cash advances. Please review the issuer's website for further details on all fees. While this card may come with many fees, it also has a number of free features available to all cardholders. These free features include unlimited signature transactions, online access to statements, e-mail and text message alerts, and automated customer service. The Vision Silver(SM) Prepaid MasterCard® is a good option for people who want to make electronic transactions but who don't want, or can't get, a traditional credit card. *See terms and conditions for complete details.
9. Current by Discover - Teen Prepaid Debit Card
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | n/app* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Inductory Rate Available* |
| Grace Period: | n/app |
| Credit Limit: | n/app |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: The Current by Discover - Debit Card for Teens is a prepaid debit card developed especially for teens, but with their parents in mind. This card helps parents and teens work together to set spending limits and establish responsible spending habits. Current by Discover is the only prepaid card that helps parents monitor their teens' spending. Parents can set up spending limits and restrict shopping categories. This gives teens freedom while helping their parents maintain control. Current by Discover offers free direct deposit for parents and teens, as well as free deposits from any credit card or bank account. Once money is added, teens can use the card to make purchases online, over the phone and in stores. The card can even be used at the ATM for cash withdrawals. Because money can be added quickly and easily, this is the ideal for use in emergencies. Plus, this card's $0 fraud liability guarantee makes it a safe way to keep and spend money. This card has a participation fee of $5 per month. Other fees, which are minimal, include $.50 per ATM withdraw (after the first four, which are free), $3 to replace a lost or stolen card, and $5 to receive a card statement by mail. Free card statements can be viewed online any time. There is no inactivity fee. Parents who are looking for a better way to control their teen's spending will appreciate the controls offered by Current by Discover, while teens will appreciate its flexibility and ease of use.
10. Platinum Zero™ Secured Visa® Credit Card from Applied Bank®
Apply Now
See Details
| Interest Rate: | 0%* |
|---|---|
| Intro Rate: | No Introductory Rate Available |
| Grace Period: | None |
| Credit Limit: | n/app |
| Annual Fee: | None |
Our Opinion: The Platinum Zero™ Secured Visa® Credit Card from Applied Bank® is a secured card. This card is designed for those with limited or poor credit history. The major benefit of this card is that there is a 0% APR on purchases. Also, unlike most secured credit cards, this card provides additional services and benefits, including online account access and various fraud protection services. A downside is that this card does not pay interest to the deposit amount, which sets it apart from other secured cards that do. Those who do not mind accumulating finance charges once a transaction is posted will benefit most from the very low rate that the Platinum Zero™ Secured Visa® Credit Card from Applied Bank® has to offer.
