The 10 best bank accounts for freelancers: Quick overview

Managing money as a freelancer comes with unique challenges. Irregular income, tracking business expenses, and setting aside money for taxes can quickly become overwhelming without the right tools. The best bank accounts for freelancers offer low (or no) monthly fees, easy online access, and features designed to help you manage your self-employed finances.

Whether you work with local clients or receive payments from around the world, this guide covers the top bank account options for freelancers in 2026—including the best choices for international payments.

Learn more about the
Wise Business account >>

⭐️ Trustpilot: Excellent 4.3 out of 5 stars¹⁴
No minimum balance required

---

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Best Accounts for Freelancers

Account	Monthly Fee	Best For	Key Features
Wise Business	$0	International payments	Multi-currency accounts, mid-market exchange rate
Bluevine Business Checking	$0	Online banking	APY, invoicing
Relay	$0	Low wire fees	Free incoming wires, Shopify integration
Chase Business Complete	$15 (waivable)	Branch access	4,900+ branches nationwide
Axos Basic Business Checking	$0	Unlimited transactions	ATM fee refunds, welcome bonus

Keep reading for detailed reviews of each account, plus 5 more options. Or jump to our section on [managing international payments as a freelancer](#managing-international-payments-as-a-freelancer).

---

Best banking and business accounts for freelancers and self-employed

1. Wise Business – Best for International Payments

Wise is not a bank but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider. Wise Business is an excellent choice for freelancers who work with clients in multiple countries. With a Wise Business account, you can hold and manage over 40 currencies and receive payments using local account details in 10 currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and CAD.

Key features:

• No monthly fees and no minimum balance required
• Convert currencies at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• Send payments to 160+ countries
• Built-in invoicing and batch payment tools
• Integrates with major accounting software providers, such as QuickBooks and Xero

Fees:

• Account opening: Free for US business accounts
• Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.

Considerations: No cash deposits.

Open a Wise Business account

Or read the guide on how to open a Wise Business account

---

2. Bluevine Business Checking – Best for Online Banking

Bluevine consistently ranks among the best online business checking accounts, and it's easy to see why. The account offers a competitive APY on your balance, unlimited transactions, and useful business tools—all with no monthly fees.

Key features:

• No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit
• APY on balances up to $250,000
• Unlimited fee-free transactions with no overdraft fees
• Bill pay and invoicing with payment links
• Up to $3 million in FDIC insurance through Insured Cash Sweep

Considerations: No fee-free cash deposits, and out-of-network ATM fees apply.

---

3. Relay Business Checking – Best for Low Wire Transfer Fees

Relay offers a straightforward checking experience with features for freelancers who need to send or receive wire transfers regularly.

Key features:

• Starter subscription has no monthly fees
• Free incoming wires and low outgoing wire transfer fees
• No foreign transaction fees when using your Relay debit card abroad
• Up to 50 debit cards per account
• Xero and QuickBooks accounting integrations

Considerations: Certain features and discounts are only available on paid plans.

---

4. Chase Business Complete Banking – Best for Branch Access

If you prefer in-person banking or need to deposit cash regularly, Chase Business Complete Banking offers nationwide branch access alongside modern digital tools.

Key features:

• Access to approximately 4,900 branches and 15,400 ATMs
• Unlimited fee-free electronic and debit card transactions
• Integrated credit card processing
• $5,000 in fee-free cash deposits per month
• No overdraft fee unless overdrawn by more than $50

Fees: $15 monthly service fee, waivable with a $2,000 minimum daily balance.

Considerations: Monthly fee applies if minimum balance isn't maintained. Physical transaction limit of 20 per month before fees apply.

---

5. Axos Bank Basic Business Checking – Best for Unlimited Transactions

Axos Bank offers a robust free Axos Business checking account with unlimited transactions and automatic ATM fee refunds—ideal for freelancers with high transaction volumes.

Key features:

• No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit
• Unlimited fee-free transactions
• Free incoming domestic wires
• Automatic refunds on all domestic ATM fees
• $200 welcome bonus for new customers (terms apply)

Considerations: $25 fee for insufficient funds. No third-party app integrations.

---

6. Found – Best for Tax Planning

Found is specifically designed for self-employed individuals, with built-in tools that automatically set aside money for estimated taxes as you earn.

Key features:

• No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit
• APY on balances
• Automatic tax savings feature calculates and sets aside estimated taxes
• Built-in invoicing, bookkeeping, and expense tracking
• Integrates with Stripe, DoorDash, Uber, Etsy, and PayPal

Considerations: No fee-free cash deposits. Not available to partnerships or nonprofits.

7. Huntington

Huntington is a bank for freelancers and small businesses with a wide variety of account types depending on the scale of the business. Huntington bank accounts for freelancers include the Business Checking 100, with no monthly fees, features for lower monthly transactions, cash flow monitoring, and access to fraud tools for added protection.

8. PNC Bank

Other banks for freelancers also include options such as PNC Bank. PNC Bank has a range of convenient options for freelancers as part of their banking solutions.

The basic account for freelancers includes 150 fee-free transactions and easy cash depositing options. PNC Bank also has financial management tools for freelancers, including cash flow insight, spend analysis, and more.

9. PayPal Business

Digital solutions such as PayPal also offer business accounts for freelancers, with features such as accepting both international and domestic payments and invoice management. Using PayPal for Business, freelancers can manage their cash flow and receive payments. PayPal has set fees for sending and receiving business via a PayPal business account, and also has its own payment solutions, Zettle that comes with a card machine for ease.

10. US Bank

US Bank has options for bank accounts for freelancers, including business checking accounts. US Bank offers simple basic business banking that is tailor-made for new and small businesses.

The Silver Business Checking Account Package has no monthly maintenance fee, with up to 125 transactions for free. The Silver Business Checking Account also offers online banking options for freelancers looking for convenient financial management. The Silver Business Checking Account Package also comes with additional features such as card payment processing so freelancers can be paid via credit or debit cards.

US Bank also provides access to financial management tools such as cash flow management so that freelancers can have more oversight into where their money is going.

Why Freelancers Need a Separate Business Bank Account

While sole proprietors aren't legally required to open a business bank account, doing so offers several important benefits:

• Easier tax preparation: Keeping business income separate from personal funds simplifies tracking deductible expenses and calculating quarterly estimated taxes.
• Professional credibility: Clients and payment platforms often prefer paying to a business account, which can make you appear more established.
• Legal protection: If you operate as an LLC, mixing business and personal funds could compromise your liability protection.
• Access to business tools: Many business accounts include invoicing, expense tracking, and integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero.

If you earn more than $400 from freelancing in a year, you'll owe self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare combined). A separate business account makes it easier to set aside money for these payments throughout the year. It also seperates business finances from personal ones.

This is general information only. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

---

Managing International Payments as a Freelancer

If you work with clients in multiple countries, managing international payments can be one of your biggest financial headaches. Traditional banks often charge high fees for international wire transfers and apply unfavorable exchange rates, eating into your earnings.

Common pain points for international freelancers:

• Wire transfer fees of $25-50 per transaction
• Hidden markups on currency exchange (often 3-5% above the mid-market rate)
• Slow payment processing (3-5 business days or more)
• Clients reluctant to pay high international transfer fees

How Wise Business can help:

With Wise Business, you can get local account details in multiple currencies. This means your UK client can pay you in GBP to British account details, your European client can send EUR to European account details, and so on—without either of you paying international wire fees.

When you're ready to convert your earnings to USD, you'll get the mid-market exchange rate (the same rate you see on Google or Reuters) with a small, transparent fee. You can also hold balances in over 40 currencies and convert when exchange rates are most favorable.

Example: A US-based graphic designer with clients in the UK and Germany can:

1. Provide British account details to their UK client
2. Receive GBP payments without international wire fees
3. Hold the GBP balance or convert to USD at the mid-market rate
4. Repeat with EUR for German clients

This approach can save freelancers significant money compared to traditional international wire transfers.

Learn more about Wise Business

---

Tips for Choosing the Best Bank Account for Freelancers

When comparing your options, consider these key factors:

• Fees: Prioritize accounts with no monthly fees, or fees that are easily waived with a low minimum balance.
• Transaction limits: Make sure the account offers unlimited transactions or a limit that fits your activity level.
• Cash deposits: If you receive cash payments, choose a bank that supports fee-free cash deposits—many online banks don't.
• Integrations: Check whether the account connects with your accounting software, invoicing tools, or e-commerce platforms.
• International capabilities: If you have global clients, look for multi-currency features and low foreign exchange fees.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bank account is best for freelancers?

The best bank account for freelancers depends on your specific needs. For those working with international clients, Wise Business offers multi-currency accounts and competitive exchange rates. For domestic freelancers wanting a full-featured free account, Bluevine provides a strong APY and built-in invoicing. If you need branch access, Chase Business Complete Banking offers nationwide coverage.

Which bank account is best for self-employed?

Self-employed individuals benefit from accounts that separate business and personal finances while keeping fees low. Novo and Relay provide free checking with useful integrations for invoicing and expense tracking. For those who need help with tax planning, Found automatically sets aside estimated taxes from your earnings.

Do freelancers need a separate business bank account?

While not legally required for sole proprietors, a separate business account simplifies tax preparation, looks more professional to clients, and provides access to business-specific tools like invoicing, expense tracking, and accounting integrations.

---

Conclusion: What Is the Best Bank Account for Freelancers?

Choosing the right bank account can make managing your freelance finances significantly easier. Consider your specific needs—whether that's earning interest on your balance, accessing branches, or handling international payments—and select an account that fits how you work.

For freelancers who work with clients around the world, Wise Business offers a powerful solution with multi-currency accounts, transparent fees, and the mid-market exchange rate for conversions.

Open a Wise Business account today

	Editor & Business Expert:
	Panna is an expert in US business finance, covering topics from invoicing to international expansion. She creates guides and reviews to help businesses save time and make informed decisions. You can read more useful business articles on her author profile.

---

Sources:

1. Bluevine
2. Business Checking | Chase for Business
3. Relay
4. Basic Small Business Checking | Apply Online | Axos Bank
5. PNC
6. Fees | Merchant and Business | PayPal US
7. Business Checking Accounts | Small Business Banking | U.S. Bank
8. Trustpilot - Wise