Is There a Reloadable Prepaid Debit Card With a Chip?

Reloadable prepaid debit cards are growing in popularity as a valuable tool for digitizing cash. As this technology reaches more consumers, there is more curiosity about how these cards work and how they're best used.  

Savvy consumers today are also regularly asking about prepaid cards with chips, as they are generally more secure than those without. But is there a reloadable prepaid debit card with a chip?

Luckily, the answer is "yes. " There are several options for getting prepaid debit cards with chips. Read on to learn what you need to know about these chip-enabled debit cards so you can confidently choose a suitable option for yourself or anyone else you may be getting a prepaid card for.

What exactly are reloadable prepaid debit cards?

Prepaid debit cards are payment cards that are not linked to a bank account. Instead, you load funds directly to the card (through online transfers, direct deposit, or cash deposits at participating service locations. The exact methods available depend on the card).

These cards are useful in several situations:

When households are unbanked or underbanked. Those who don't qualify for banking services or can't access banking services at a reasonable cost can load their income to prepaid debit cards to avoid carrying cash and to spend money more conveniently online and in shops that accept card payments. 
When families want to teach children about responsible spending. Parents and guardians often provide prepaid cards to teens (and even younger children in many cases) so they can practice spending without having access to a full bank account or line of credit. For example, you could load your teen's allowance to their card weekly and allow them to spend as they like without worrying about overdrafts or excessive expenditures. Some prepaid cards even come with parental controls.
When consumers want to fool-proof their budget. Some consumers prefer to load their expendable income to a prepaid card so they can shop without fear of spending more than they planned. 
When traveling. If you're unbanked or your bank card isn't international travel-friendly, you might choose a prepaid debit card to avoid using cash when traveling abroad. 
When you want to keep an emergency backup payment method. Have you ever had a card declined when trying to make a purchase? Or, realized at the cashier station that your main credit card isn't in your wallet? Keeping a prepaid debit card handy can give you a backup payment method for situations like this.    

Why are chips important in payment cards? 

Chips in cards are important because they improve security and convenience. Chipped cards are equipped with EMV technology. EMV stands for Europay, Mastercard, and Visa, and represents the global standard for chip card technology. 

Compared to the old magnetic stripe cards, EMV chipped cards offer several advantages, including:

Better protection against fraud. Chip cards are much harder to clone than old magnetic stripe cards. This is because magnetic stripe cards use static data that can be copied and reused, while the chip creates a unique transaction code every time you use it. So with chip cards, even if a hacker steals your card's current code, they can't reuse it.
More widely accepted. Chip cards are now the norm worldwide, so prepaid cards with chips are more likely to be compatible with payment systems at home and abroad.
Increased reliability. Magnetic stripe cards were susceptible to having their data scrambled or erased if they came into contact with certain magnets (like magnetic purse or wallet clasps or headphone magnets). There is no risk of this with chip cards. 
Tap-to-pay functionality. Chips also support NFC (near field communication), which allows cards to be tapped on the card reader instead of being swiped or inserted. This quick, contact-free payment method can only be accessed with chipped cards, but it is not available on all chipped cards. Look for the contactless symbol on your card (which looks like a Wi-Fi symbol lying on its side) if you want a tap-to-pay prepaid card.    

Why don't all reloadable cards have chips? 

Since chips are so important, why don't all prepaid cards have chips?

Older, unchipped cards are still in circulation. Some consumers are still using their old, chipless prepaid cards. It's also possible to still see unchipped prepaid debit cards in store locations because cards available for purchase in retail stores can potentially sit on the shelves for years.  
Cost-saving measures. Chip cards cost more to manufacture than magnetic stripe cards. For low-profit-margin cards, companies may skip the chip to minimize manufacturing costs.
Limited benefit for prepaid gift cards. Prepaid cards, especially gift cards that are meant to be used only once or twice, may not need a chip because the risk of fraud is much lower. 

Which reloadable prepaid debit cards come with chips? 

The following prepaid debit cards typically come with chips. However, since older inventory can be stocked in retail stores, it is generally better to order your card directly from the issuer's website. 

1. Netspend® Prepaid Cards

Netspend^®'s Prepaid Visa^® and Mastercard cards¹ are popular choices for those seeking flexible reload options and impressive digital features. These chip-enabled cards offer direct deposit, and access to Savings Accounts (up to 5.00% APY)². Netspend chip card users can manage funds easily through a mobile app or reload at over 130,000 locations nationwide³. Netspend also offers Netspend Rewards⁴, helping you earn cash back on eligible purchases. Plus, you can choose a fee plan⁵ structure that works for you, either paying as you go for fees for the prepaid card alone or paying just $5 per month⁵ for fees with a debit account with a card.

2. The Green Dot PayAsYouGo Card

The Green Dot PayAsYouGo Visa^® Debit Card is a convenient, chip-enabled card that offers a pay-per-use structure. This makes it a practical option for those who want to avoid monthly fees and only pay for purchases and reloads. Reloads are possible through direct deposit, mobile check deposit, or cash at over 90,000 retail locations. With a pay-per-use structure, it's a practical option for those who want to avoid monthly fees and only pay when they spend.

3. The FamZoo Prepaid Card

Designed with families in mind, the FamZoo Prepaid Card is a reloadable debit card that comes with EMV chip security and powerful budgeting tools for kids and teens. Parents can create multiple subaccounts, automate allowances, and track spending through a central dashboard. FamZoo supports direct deposit, bank transfers, and cash reloads at participating retailers. Fees are per family, currently priced at $5.99 per month (or $59.90 when paying upfront for a full year).  

4. Walmart MoneyCard 

The Walmart MoneyCard is a chipped prepaid debit card tailored to frequent Walmart shoppers. The main perk of the Walmart MoneyCard is the cashback program, which offers 3% back on Walmart.com purchases, 2% back at Walmart refuel stations, and 1% back on Walmart store purchases, up to $75 per year. Reloading is easy via Walmart stores, direct deposit, bank transfers, or mobile check deposits. There is a $5.94 monthly fee, but this can be waived for any month by direct depositing at least $500 in the previous monthly period. 

5. Navy Federal Credit Union GO Prepaid Card

The Navy Federal Credit Union GO Prepaid Card is a secure, chip-enabled card reserved for Navy Federal Credit Union Members over 18. This card supports direct deposit, mobile check deposits, and cash reloads through partner locations. Users can track balances and transactions in real-time through the Navy Federal mobile app. This may be a good fit for credit union members who want to limit their spending, keep a backup payment method available, or travel with a prepaid card.

Tips for choosing a prepaid debit card with a chip

Here are five tips to help you choose the right chip-enabled prepaid debit card for you: 

Confirm that the card uses EMV chip technology. When ordering a card online, look for specific language like "EMV chip" or "chip-enabled." You can also review the images of the cards on the website to make sure they show a chip. When buying the card in-store, check the card itself for the presence of the chip. If you can't see the card through the packaging, review the packaging for reference to the chip.
Check for widespread acceptance. Make sure the card runs on a major network like Visa, Mastercard, or Discover so you can use it anywhere those cards are accepted, including online and in-store, all over the world.
Consider contactless payment capability. Some prepaid cards now offer tap-to-pay functionality in addition to a chip. Look for the contactlesssymbol (a sideways Wi-Fi symbol), which indicates that the card can be tapped on the card reader rather than inserted into it.  
Learn about the fee structure. Some prepaid cards charge monthly fees while others allow you to "pay as you go" by paying fees for each reload and/or purchase.
Pay attention to reload options. Look for a card that allows you to reload money in the ways that suit you best: direct deposit of wages or benefits, bank transfers, cash reload networks, and/or mobile apps.

Order your reloadable prepaid chip card today

Reloadable prepaid debit cards with EMV chips offer a secure, flexible way to manage money without a traditional bank account. 

Whether you're digitizing cash, helping teens build smart money habits, budgeting, or simply looking for a backup payment method, these cards can be a smart solution, especially when equipped with chip technology for additional fraud protection.

Start reviewing your options for reloadable prepaid debit cards with chips, focusing on features like fee structures, reload options, and tap-to-pay capability. Then, visit a retailer or order your new prepaid card online to begin using it this week!