5 Best Business Checking Accounts for LLCs in the USA (No Fees)

Starting an LLC is a milestone. It’s the moment your side hustle or startup becomes a legitimate entity. But nothing kills that momentum faster than seeing your hard-earned capital eaten away by “monthly maintenance fees” or “minimum balance penalties.”

In the financial landscape of late 2025, you do not need to pay a bank to hold your money.

With the Federal Reserve’s recent adjustments to interest rates, the competition for your business deposits is fierce. Fintechs and forward-thinking banks are fighting for your attention, offering not just zero fees, but high-yield interest rates that rival some investment vehicles.

Whether you are a consultant looking for business insurance write-offs, a retailer needing merchant services, or a tech startup seeking a business loan, the foundation of your financial house is your checking account.

Here is your live, deep-dive guide to the 5 best business checking accounts for LLCs in the USA that genuinely charge no monthly fees.

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Why “No-Fee” Matters More in 2025

Before we look at the specific banks, understand why this choice is critical. It isn’t just about saving $15 a month. It’s about agility.

• Cash Flow Management: When you apply for a business line of credit or invoice factoring, lenders look at your average daily balance. Fees reduce that balance.
• Tax Preparedness: A dedicated, fee-free account simplifies your life when it’s time to pay your CPA for small business taxes.
• Asset Protection: Commingling funds pierces the corporate veil. A free, separate account is the cheapest insurance policy for your personal assets.

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1. Bluevine Business Checking: The High-Yield Powerhouse

Best For: LLCs that want their operating cash to earn passive income.

Bluevine has consistently remained a leader in the fintech space, and in late 2025, they continue to dominate by treating your checking account like a high-yield savings account.

The “Live” Breakdown:

• APY (Annual Percentage Yield): As of November 2025, Bluevine offers 2.0% APY on balances up to $250,000 for their Plus plan, and qualified Standard accounts can still earn a competitive 1.3% APY. (Note: Elite tiers may see rates as high as 3.25%).
• Monthly Fees: $0 for the Standard plan.
• Transactions: Unlimited.

Why It Wins:

Most traditional banks offer 0.01% interest. Bluevine’s structure allows your idle cash—money sitting there for payroll services or next month’s inventory—to actually grow.

Key Features:

• Sub-accounts: You can open up to 5 sub-accounts with dedicated account numbers. This is incredible for budgeting (e.g., one sub-account for taxes, one for business insurance premiums).
• Bill Pay: Integrated dashboard to pay vendors via ACH, wire, or check.
• Lending Access: Bluevine is also known for its fast business loans and lines of credit. Having a checking account with them can streamline the application process if you need capital later.

The Catch:

Cash deposits must be made at Green Dot locations, which incur a small fee ($4.95). If you are a cash-heavy business (like a laundromat or food truck), this might eat into your yield.

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2. Relay: The “Profit First” Specialist

Best For: LLCs with multiple partners or those who follow the “Profit First” accounting method.

Relay is not just a bank account; it is a financial control center. If your LLC has multiple co-founders or employees who need spending cards, Relay is unmatched.

The “Live” Breakdown:

• Monthly Fees: $0 for the Standard account.
• Minimum Balance: $0.
• Wire Fees: Free incoming wires (a huge perk for e-commerce businesses receiving payouts). Outgoing domestic wires are just $5.

Why It Wins:

Relay allows you to open up to 20 individual checking accounts under one login. You can segregate funds with surgical precision:

• Account A: Revenue
• Account B: Payroll Service funds
• Account C: Taxes
• Account D: Operating Expenses

Key Features:

• Team Permissions: You can give your bookkeeper read-only access or issue debit cards to employees with strict daily limits.
• Integration: deeply integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero, making end-of-year reporting seamless.
• Savings Tiers: Their savings accounts currently offer competitive tiered interest rates, encouraging you to park excess profit safely.

The Catch:

Relay is purely digital. You cannot walk into a branch to resolve an issue. However, their customer support is highly rated for responsiveness.

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3. Novo: The Freelancer & E-commerce Favorite

Best For: Solopreneurs, freelancers, and digital nomads using tools like Stripe, Shopify, or Etsy.

Novo has positioned itself as the “platform-agnostic” banking solution. It doesn’t try to be a traditional bank; it tries to be the glue between your online business degree knowledge and your actual revenue.

The “Live” Breakdown:

• Monthly Fees: $0.
• ATM Access: They reimburse all ATM fees globally (up to $7/month), which is great for travel.
• Invoicing: Built-in free invoicing tool.

Why It Wins:

Novo’s “Reserves” feature is a standout. It allows you to automatically set aside a percentage of every deposit. For example, you can tell Novo to “Put 15% of every deposit into the Tax Reserve.” You never have to think about saving for the IRS again.

Key Features:

• Novo Boost: If you use Stripe, Novo can get you access to your funds hours (or days) faster than traditional banks.
• Perks: Their dashboard is full of discounts for essential business tools, including CRM software, web hosting, and Google Ads credits.
• No Hidden Fees: They are transparent. No NSF fees, no incoming wire fees.

The Catch:

You cannot deposit cash easily (only via money order). Also, there is no outgoing wire capability on the free tier without a workaround, though they push ACH transfers heavily.

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4. American Express Business Checking: The Rewards King

Best For: LLCs that already use Amex credit cards and want to earn travel points on debit spend.

American Express entered the checking game aggressively. They brought their reputation for premium service to a no-fee product.

The “Live” Breakdown:

• APY: Earn 1.30% APY on balances up to $500,000.
• Monthly Fees: $0.
• Welcome Bonus: They frequently offer 30,000+ Membership Rewards points if you meet deposit criteria (check current offers).

Why It Wins:

It is one of the only business debit cards that earns Membership Rewards® points (1 point for every $2 of eligible spend). If you are paying for digital marketing services or cloud hosting via debit, you might as well get a flight out of it.

Key Features:

• Trust: You are banking with American Express National Bank. The customer service is 24/7 and top-tier.
• Integration: Seamlessly view your Amex business credit cards and checking account in one “Blueprint” dashboard.
• ATM Access: Fee-free access to the MoneyPass® network (37,000+ ATMs).

The Catch:

It is a strictly digital account. No physical branches. If you need to speak to a teller face-to-face, this isn’t for you.

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5. U.S. Bank Business Essentials: The Hybrid Solution

Best For: LLCs that need a physical branch but refuse to pay monthly fees.

Usually, big banks are the enemies of “no-fee” banking. U.S. Bank is the exception with their “Business Essentials” (formerly Silver) package.

The “Live” Breakdown:

• Monthly Fees: $0.
• Transaction Limit: 125 free transactions per month (then $0.50 each).
• Branch Access: Full access to thousands of physical branches.

Why It Wins:

Sometimes, you just need to walk into a bank. Maybe you need a notary, a cashier’s check immediately, or to deposit a large stack of cash from a weekend sale. U.S. Bank gives you that “Big Bank” infrastructure without the $15-$30 monthly drain.

Key Features:

• Cash Deposits: You can deposit up to 25 units of cash/paper transactions for free.
• Mobile App: A robust app that rivals the fintechs (deposits, bill pay, Zelle for business).
• Growth Path: As your business grows, you can easily access their other products, such as commercial real estate loans or equipment financing.

The Catch:

The 125 transaction limit. If you are a coffee shop swiping cards 500 times a day, you will get hit with fees. This is best for consultants, contractors, or low-volume transaction businesses.

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Comparison Table: At a Glance

Bank	Monthly Fee	APY (Interest)	Best Feature	Ideal For
Bluevine	$0	Up to 2.0%	High Interest	Cash-rich LLCs
Relay	$0	Tiered Savings	20 Separate Accounts	Teams & Profit First
Novo	$0	N/A	Auto-Budgeting (Reserves)	Freelancers/Digital
Amex	$0	1.30%	Earn Points on Debit	Amex Users/Travelers
U.S. Bank	$0	N/A	Physical Branches	Local Service Needs

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Live Daily Financial Insight: The 2025 Landscape

As of late November 2025, the financial sector is pivoting. The Federal Reserve has signaled a stabilizing rate environment. What does this mean for your LLC?

1. Lock in Rates Now: The high APYs offered by Bluevine and Relay are variable. If rates dip in 2026, these yield payments will decrease. Capitalize on the 2.0%+ returns while they exist to offset inflation.
2. Credit Tightening: While checking accounts are easy to open, approval for unsecured business loans is tightening. Establishing a relationship with a bank (like Bluevine or U.S. Bank) now via a checking account can improve your odds of approval for credit lines later.
3. Digital Security: With the rise of AI-driven fraud, banks like Relay and Amex are investing heavily in two-factor authentication and card controls. Ensure you utilize these features.

Pro-Tips: Optimizing Your LLC’s Financial Stack

Opening the account is just step one. To truly maximize your business’s financial health and prepare for growth, consider these additional layers:

• Integrate Merchant Services: Don’t just use the default processor. Compare rates for credit card processing. A 0.5% difference in fees can equal thousands of dollars a year in lost revenue.
• Explore Invoice Factoring: If you choose a bank like Bluevine, look into their factoring options. If you have outstanding B2B invoices, you can get paid instantly rather than waiting 60 days. This is a lifeline for cash flow.
• Secure Business Insurance: Many of these banking dashboards now partner with insurance providers (like NEXT or Hiscox). You can often get a quote for general liability insurance directly through your banking app, ensuring you are compliant with client contracts.
• Future-Proof with a CRM: As you grow, your bank statements will become a list of client transactions. innovative businesses link their banking data to CRM software like Salesforce or HubSpot to track customer lifetime value (LTV) automatically.

Final Thoughts

The days of paying a bank for the privilege of holding your money are over. In 2025, your LLC’s checking account should be an asset, not a liability.

If you want high interest, go Bluevine.

If you want budgeting structure, go Relay.

If you want rewards, go Amex.

If you want a branch, go U.S. Bank.

Your Next Step:

Do not wait until tax season. Choose one of these providers today, apply online (it takes roughly 10 minutes), and fund the account with your first $100. Your future self and your accountant will thank you.