If you want the convenience of plastic (or digital) payment methods without the complications of a traditional bank account or credit card, a prepaid debit card might be a good fit for you.
Prepaid cards are similar to use as debit cards and credit cards. Simply order and activate the card, then use it as your payment method in stores and online. Many prepaid cards can even be added to your digital wallet, allowing you to pay using your phone.
Prepaid cards offer a straightforward alternative to traditional debit cards because you don’t have to open a bank account or risk overdrafts. Unlike credit cards, they typically don’t require a credit check or charge interest on purchases.
More Americans are turning to prepaid debit cards, either as a substitute for traditional banking or as a supplement that allows them to access digitized cash without risking their full bank account balance. Since you can only spend the amount you load to your prepaid card, these cards are a great budgeting tool, preventing overspending. They’re also ideal for parents or employers who want their kids or employees to be able to spend a limited amount of money without the risk of carrying cash.
But with so many different prepaid debit cards available, some are naturally easier to use than others. Read on to learn more about convenient prepaid debit cards to use, including details on what makes them so convenient.
What makes a prepaid debit card convenient to use?
A prepaid card should be:
- Easy to purchase. You should be able to buy the card online or pick one up at a retail shop for a reasonable fee.
- Affordable. The cards on this list all carry reasonable monthly fees. Some even offer a pay-as-you-go option that allows you to pay per transaction instead of paying a monthly fee.
- Accepted by a wide range of merchants and service providers. The prepaid debit cards to use are Visa, Mastercard, and American Express (Amex), which are the most widely accepted card networks in the country.
- Convenient to reload. Every card on this list offers multiple reloading methods, including direct deposit, cash reloads, bank transfers, and peer-to-peer transfers.
- Easy to monitor. Prepaid cards with apps allow you to watch your balance, track your spending, and reload funds hassle-free.
Prepaid debit cards to use
Here are the prepaid debit cards to use based on the convenience, simplicity, and access they offer.
Netspend® Prepaid Card
The Netspend® Prepaid Card1 stands out because of its flexibility, access, and widespread acceptance. You can order one online or buy one at thousands of retail locations2 nationwide (including pharmacies, grocery stores, and convenience stores).
Netspend offers both a pay-as-you-go option3 and a monthly plan3, so you can choose whichever fits your budget and usage.
Reloading is simple with options like direct deposit, bank transfers4, peer-to-peer transfers4, PayPal transfers4, and even mobile check deposits5. Plus, with cash deposits accepted at over 130,000 locations2, Netspend is one of the most convenient cards for cash reloads2. Netspend also offers strong mobile and online account management tools, including alerts and budgeting features, so you can track your balance and spending in real time.
With the option to choose a Visa or Mastercard, the Netspend card is accepted in most stores and on most websites.
- Cost to purchase the card: $0 when ordered online, up to $9.95 when purchased in-store
- Activation fee: $0
- Monthly fee3: $0 for the pay-as-you-go plan, $9.95 for the monthly plan (reduced to $5 when you have at least $500 loaded to the card through direct deposit during the previous month)
- Purchase transaction fee: $0 with the monthly plan, $1.95 with the pay-as-you-go plan
- ATM withdrawal fee: $2.00
- Cash reload fee2: Up to $3.95 at 130,000+ reload locations on the Netspend® Reload Network
Fees as of July 5, 2025, according to Netspend®’s Prepaid Account Agreement.
Green Dot Prepaid Debit Card
The Green Dot Prepaid Debit Card is another widely accepted and prepaid card option. You can purchase it online or at retailers like Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens for under $2.
Green Dot’s monthly maintenance fee is competitive, and it can be waived if you direct deposit $1,000 or more per month.
Reloading is convenient, with direct deposit, bank transfers, mobile check deposit, and cash reloads at 90,000+ participating stores. Green Dot also features a user-friendly mobile app that lets you check balances, set alerts, pay bills, and send money to other Green Dot users.
As a Visa card, it works at nearly all merchants that accept debit cards.
- Cost to purchase the card: Up to $1.95, whether purchased online or in-store
- Activation fee: $0
- Monthly fee: $7.95 (waived when you load $1,000 or more to your card during the previous month)
- Purchase transaction fee: $0
- ATM withdrawal fee: $3
- Cash reload fee: Up to $5.95 at over 90,000 locations across the U.S. using the Green Dot network
Fees as of July 5, 2025, according to Green Dot’s Cardholder Agreement.
Walmart MoneyCard
The Walmart MoneyCard offers affordability, and added benefits for Walmart shoppers. You can buy it in-store or online for just $1, and the $5.94 monthly fee is waived with monthly direct deposits of $500 or more.
Reloading funds is flexible. Use direct deposit, bank transfers, mobile check deposit, or add cash at Walmart locations for free when you use the app to create a scannable code for the cashier (without the app-generated code, the cost is $3 at Walmart locations). The Walmart app lets you manage your card, track transactions, receive alerts, and even access a savings vault that rewards you for saving. The card also offers 3% cash back at Walmart.com, 2% back at Walmart fuel stations, and 1% back at Walmart stores, up to $75 per year
The MoneyCard can be used everywhere Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard are accepted.
- Cost to purchase the card: $1.00, whether purchased online or in-store
- Activation fee: $0
- Monthly fee: $5.94 (waived when you have at least $500 loaded to the card through direct deposit during the previous month)
- Purchase transaction fee: $0
- ATM withdrawal fee: $0 at Walmart ATMs, $2.50 at non-Walmart ATMs
- Cash reload fee: $3.00 at Walmart registers (free when using the app to create a scannable code for the Walmart cashier) and up to $5.95 at other locations
Fees as of July 5, 2025, according to Walmart’s Fee Plan.
Bluebird Prepaid Debit Card
The Bluebird Prepaid Debit Card, issued by American Express, is another prepaid debit card available. It has no monthly fees, no purchase transaction fees, and no ATM fees for ATMs on the MoneyPass network. You can pick one up at Walmart for $5 or order it for free through the Bluebird website.
Reloading funds is convenient, with options like direct deposit, bank transfers, mobile check deposits, and free cash reloads at Family Dollar. The Bluebird mobile app is intuitive and packed with features. Check balances, set up subaccounts for family members, pay bills, or send money to others from your phone.
You can use this card anywhere Amex is accepted, which, while smaller than the Visa or Mastercard networks, includes millions of retailers across the country.
- Cost to purchase the card: $0 online or $5 at Walmart
- Activation fee: $0
- Monthly fee: $0
- Purchase transaction fee: $0
- ATM withdrawal fee: $0 for ATMs in the MoneyPass network, $2.50 for out-of-network ATMs
- Cash reload fee: $0 at 7,500 Family Dollar stores, up to $3.95 at other locations
Fees as of July 5, 2025, according to the Bluebird Agreement.
Serve Free Reloads Card
The Serve Free Reloads Card is one of the best reloadable debit cards for those who regularly add cash to their card because it offers unlimited free cash reloads at over 45,000 retailers on the Serve Free Reload network. You can get the card for free from the Serve site or buy it at major retailers like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens for $2.
While it carries a small monthly fee, that fee may be offset by the free reloads feature. In addition to cash reloads, you can add funds via direct deposit, bank transfer, or mobile check deposit. The Serve mobile app makes it easy to check your balance, track spending, pay bills, and transfer funds to other Serve users.
The card is accepted anywhere Visa is.
- Cost to purchase the card: $0 when purchased online, up to $2 when purchased in-store
- Activation fee: $0
- Monthly fee: $9.95
- Purchase transaction fee: $0
- ATM withdrawal fee: $0 for ATMs in the MoneyPass network, $2.50 for out-of-network ATMs
- Cash reload fee: $0 at participating retailers, up to $3.95 at other locations
Fees as of July 5, 2025, according to Serve’s Fees Page.
How to pick a convenient prepaid debit card for you
Prepaid debit cards aren’t one-size-fits-all. With different pay structures and features, the card that best suits you, might be different from the card that best suits someone else.
To pick the prepaid debit card for you, consider how you’ll use it. How often will you make purchases? How often will you reload funds? What’s the easiest reload method for you? Can some of the cost be offset by monthly direct deposits or by loading cash strategically?
For users looking for a card that’s easy to set up, simple to use, and packed with features, Netspend is a reliable and convenient option.
For those who want a simple, cost-effective prepaid card, Bluebird is an excellent choice with its near-zero fees.
For regular Walmart customers, the Walmart MoneyCard comes with loyalty perks like free in-store reloads via the app, free withdrawals from Walmart ATMs, and a modest cash-back program.
Choosing the prepaid debit card for effortless everyday spending
The prepaid cards to use are affordable, widely accepted, and convenient to reload. Whether you're shopping online, paying bills, or budgeting, a prepaid card can help simplify your finances.
Each card on this list offers its own advantages. By considering your spending habits and reloading needs, you can choose a prepaid debit card that’s easy to use, cost-effective, and tailored to your lifestyle.
