The best chequing accounts in Canada for 2024

Chequing accounts are essential to everyday banking. Canadians use them to complete many (if not most) of their day-to-day financial transactions, including bill payments, point-of-sale purchases, ATM withdrawals and money transfers. Although chequing accounts have a reputation for being, well, boring, the ones at the top of our list offer low or no fees, cool rewards, high interest rates, and plenty of other reasons to get excited.

---

Category	Chequing account
Best no-fee chequing account	Simplii Chequing Account Runner up: Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing
Best student chequing account	Scotiabank Student Banking Advantage Plan
Best premium bank account for bundling	Scotiabank Ultimate Package
Best rewards account	PC Money Account
Best online-only accounts	Motive Chequing Account Runner up: motusbank No-Fee Chequing Account
Best high-interest hybrid accounts	Wealthsimple Cash EQ Bank Personal Account
Best chequing account for newcomers	National Bank of Canada Chequing Account

---

Best no-fee chequing account

Simplii’s no-fee chequing account provides account holders with free unlimited transactions for everyday banking without having to keep a minimum balance. This includes bill payments, transfer, withdrawals and Interac e-transfers, and free personalized cheques.

Although Simplii is an online-only bank, it offers 24/7 web and mobile access and telephone banking so you never have to wait until a branch opens to get help. And since Simplii is associated with the CIBC, account holders have access to their money through CIBC’s network of more than 3,400 ATMs across Canada. Plus, the Simplii Financial bank card now comes with Mastercard Debit, so you can shop online or in person anywhere Mastercard is accepted, at no additional charge.

Pros:

• Simplii’s Global Money Transfer tool lets you send international money transfers for free and without deductions.
• The bank’s website and mobile app are easy to use and offer access to your money 24/7.
• You can use any CIBC ATM in the country for free.

Cons:

• If your account goes into overdraft, you’ll be charged $4.97 plus 19% interest on the amount you’ve gone over.
• You’ll earn low interest rates on the money in your account: 0.01% on up to $50,000 in the account, and 0.10% on any portion above $100,000).
• You’ll be charged up to $3 per transaction for using a non-CIBC ATM.

---

Runner up:

Tangerine offers a no-fee chequing account with the similar advantage of Visa Debit. That means you can use your debit card like you would with a credit card, to shop online, for instance. But the money comes directly from your chequing account, instead of paying a monthly bill.

You’ll also earn interest on every dollar in your account, up to 0.1%, which is calculated daily and paid out monthly. Withdrawing money is never an issue, since you’ll get free access to 3,500 Scotiabank ATMs nationwide and 44,000 ATMs worldwide through Scotiabank’s Global ATM Alliance. You can also use its customizable budgeting tool to help organize your spending and stay on track financially.

Pros:

• The Visa debit card is a useful perk, allowing you to use your debit card on Visa credit networks.
• Tangerine’s Left to Spend budgeting tool can help you create and stick to a budget.
• Unlike Simplii, Tangerine is available to account holders in Quebec.

Cons:

• While Simplii issues unlimited complimentary personalized cheques, Tangerine only offers the first 50 for free. You’ll pay $50 for each additional chequebook. 
• You’ll pay $45 in non-sufficient funds fees and $5 if you overdraw your account.
• While account holders have free access to Scotiabank ATMs, there’s a charge of between $1.50 and $3 to use other bank machines.

---

Best student bank account

A student chequing account has unique features that cater to a low balance, with minimal (or no) fees and, hopefully, some rewards, too.

The Scotiabank Student Banking Advantage Plan is an attractive no-fee account for students that sweetens the pot by earning you Scene+ points on your debit purchases: Get 1 Scene+ point per $5 spent on everyday purchases, and 1 point per $1 spent at Cineplex. While the earn rate isn’t as good as you’d get with a student credit card, it’s a nice extra to have, especially on a no-fee student account. The nuts and bolts of the plan will make many Canadian students happy: no monthly fee, unlimited debit transactions and Interac e-Transfers, overdraft protection, access to a massive network of over 4,000 ATMs.

Pros: 

• The ability to earn Scene+ points on debit transactions is a big advantage as these can be redeemed for groceries, entertainment, travel, and more.
• Account holders get free access to their TransUnion credit score, giving you the information you need to track and build your credit score.

Cons:

• This account is only available to full-time students. Account holders have to verify their status every year. Without it, you’ll be automatically upgraded to a paid account.

---

Best premium bank account for bundles

If you’re looking to bundle up on services to get a better deal, check out the Scotiabank Ultimate Package. Like many premium accounts, it offers perks like unlimited transactions, unlimited Interac e-Transfers and free cheques, but the Ultimate goes a couple of steps further.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of this account is that you can receive an annual fee waiver of up to $150 on select credit cards from Scotiabank, like the Scotiabank Gold American Express or Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite. The Scene+ points you earn on everyday expenses and purchases at Cineplex are good, too. Or, you might like the unlimited free global non-Scotiabank ABM withdrawals, the free safety deposit box, the 10 free equity trades at Scotia iTrade in your first year or the interest rate boost on your Momentum Plus Savings Account. You get the idea: This is a valuable bundle with perks that easily pay off the fees of $30.95 per month. And, if you don’t like the rate, simply waive it by keeping a minimum of $5,000 in the account. 

Pros

• If you can maintain $5,000 in your account, you’ll get a premium account with perks for free.
• The account includes 10 free Scotia iTrade transactions in the first year.

Cons

• The $5,000 threshold for an account waiver is a lot to hold in a low-interest chequing account, and the regular account fee is significant.
• There are charges for some services, such as $2.25 per paper statement.
• Out-of-network ATM use will incur charges.

---

Best rewards chequing account

The PC Money Account offers a solid slate of services like free, unlimited monthly transactions. However, there are no actual chequebooks with this account. Instead of writing a cheque, you’ll have to e-transfer the money instead. The headline feature, though, is that rewards are applied to your everyday spending. When you use your PC Money Account card, a prepaid card that effectively works like a debit card, you’ll earn valuable (and easy-to-redeem) PC Optimum points. 

Use the PC Money Account bank card at Shoppers Drug Mart and get 25 Optimum points per $1 spent (equivalent to 2.5% in rewards). You’ll earn 10 points per $1 (1%) at Loblaw grocery stores, and 5 points per $1 everywhere else. These points can be used to buy grocery, drug store and gas at Loblaw banner stores and partners, like Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills and the Real Canadian Superstore. Simply redeem at checkout.

Optimum points are redeemable starting at 10,000 points. That’s worth $10—a threshold you’ll quickly hit with the PC Money Account. You don’t have to worry about accessibility, either. The PC Money card is accepted everywhere that takes Mastercard, making this a terrific alternative to a credit card for everyday spending with rewards. There are no monthly fees, charges or limits for transactions or Interac e-Transfers. There are some service charges, such as $20 for inactivity, but that is easily remedied by using the account at least once a year. 

Pros

• This account lets you earn flexible and valuable points that you can redeem for groceries, clothing, drugstore items and more.
• Your debit card is accepted anywhere that accepts Mastercard. 

Cons

• Unlike the other accounts on this list, you can’t use an ATM to deposit cheques or cash. All deposits are made electronically.
• There’s no option to order paper cheques. 
• If you don’t use the account for a year, you’ll be charged a $20 account inactivity fee.
• There’s a $1.50 fee per withdrawal at a non-PC ATM.

---

Best account from an online-only bank

This online-only bank touts itself for its simple but effective suite of products. The Motive Chequing Account grabs accolades in this category for its free, unlimited transactions and no daily banking fees, an interest rate of 0.15%, and access to more than 3,600 ATMs on the Exchange Network—all accessible with a physical debit card with no monthly fee. Sending Interac e-Transfers will set you back $1 each, although receiving them is free.

Pros

• The 0.15% interest rate is higher than that of most other banks on this list, and you don’t need a minimum balance to receive it.

Cons

• There’s a $1 fee to send Interac e-transfers.
• There’s a fee for inactivity of $20 for two years. 
• Not available to residents of Quebec.

Runner-up:

Owned and operated by Meridian Credit Union, motusbank doesn’t have any brick-and-mortar locations, which means you need to be comfortable with doing all your banking on your electronic devices.

The no-fee account includes unlimited transactions and Interac e-Transfers, 25 free cheques, and an interest rate of 0.15%. With motusbank, you’ll get only 25 free cheques, but sending money by Interac e-Transfer is free, so how you prefer to pay will factor into your choice (for example, some people prefer to use cheques because you’re able to stop payment if necessary and use the digital cheque images for record-keeping). For those who want to do their day-to-day banking through a credit union, the motusbank No-Fee Chequing Account is an excellent choice.

Pros

• Offers the same 0.15% high interest rate as Motive.

Cons

• You only receive 25 free paper cheques. The next book of 25 costs $40.56 plus tax.
• There’s a $30 inactive account fee.

---

Best high-interest hybrid accounts

At a glance: The Wealthsimple Cash account gives you the best of both worlds: zero fees (including no overdraft penalties and no foreign transaction fees) and the highest regular interest rate of any chequing account in Canada. Plus, this hybrid account is made with investors in mind, returning 1% back in cash, stock or crypto every time you spend with your Cash card. (Read our review of Wealthsimple Cash.)

Pros

• Earn at least 4% interest on all deposits in your account. “Premium” clients (those with $100,000 or more in assets with Wealthsimple) and “Generation” clients (those with $500,000 or more) get a respective 4.5% and 5% interest on their deposits, plus additional benefits.
  Receive up to $500,000 in Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage, which is five-times the amount of coverage offered by most financial institutions.
• Earn an additional 0.5% interest (to a maximum of 5%) when you direct deposit more than $2,000 during a 30-day period.
• You won’t be charged foreign transaction fees on international purchases when using your Wealthsimple Cash card. Typically, forex fees add 2.5% to every purchase made in a foreign currency.

Cons

• The very best interest rates are reserved for customers who already hold a lot of assets with Wealthsimple. And although Wealthsimple’s high rates aren’t promotional or tied to opening additional accounts, they are subject to change based on fluctuations in the Bank of Canada’s benchmark interest rate.

At a glance: The EQ Bank Personal Account combines high interest with unlimited transactions and no monthly fees, making it a strong choice for those who want to maximize convenience, keep costs low, and earn cash back. Considered a hybrid chequing/savings account, the Personal Account comes with a Mastercard debit card you can use at any ATM in Canada and anywhere that accepts Mastercard—for free.

Pros

• Get up to 4% interest on your deposits, without having to maintain a minimum balance. You’ll earn 2.5% as an everyday rate, plus 1.50% bonus interest for 12 months when you direct deposit your pay.
• Unlike accounts tied to a bank or network, the Personal Account eliminates all ATM fees. No matter which machine you use, EQ will reimburse you the charges.
• When you use the debit card to make purchases, you earn 0.5% cash back.
• There are no foreign exchange fees when you use the bank card. 

Cons

• This account is not available to citizens in Quebec.

---

Best chequing account for newcomers

The newcomers package by the National Bank of Canada is designed to help those who just moved to Canada set themselves up financially, while also offering broader support services. The offer is available to newcomers for up to five years after their arrival, and it includes zero account fees for up to three years.

The account comes with unlimited Interac e-Transfer and digital transactions. With this package, newcomers can apply for a National Bank Mastercard without having a Canadian credit history, so they can start building their credit score right away. And, account holders get one year of free access to National Bank’s Assistance for Newcomers support telephone line, so they can get answers to questions related to immigration, housing, finances, legal issues and other aspects related to life in Canada.

Pros

• The Assistance to Newcomers Line provides information on broad topics including housing and legal issues.
• The ability to apply for a National Bank Mastercard without a credit check helps newcomers overcome the challenge of having no local credit history.

Cons

• Account holders have to sign up for a credit card, online bank statements, and payroll deposit in the second year in order to keep receiving the account free. Without signing up, you will receive a discount on the monthly fee. 
• In-person assistance costs extra.
• International money transfers are $5.95 each.

How to use a chequing account

Most Canadians open up a savings account when they’re young, to stash away allowances and birthday money. As they get older, however, banking needs change and they require something that allows them to move money in and out of their account easily. Often savings accounts will have higher interest rates and fewer free transactions while chequing accounts accrue less interest but have more free transactions, allowing them to use their chequing account as the main hub of activity for finances.

For your chequing account, you may choose to have one that allows recurring payments, such as phone and utility bills, to come out of your account. You may also want to have repeat deposits, such as payroll and GST rebates, set up to go into your account. When you look at your monthly cash withdrawals from ATMs, Interac e-Transfers and cheque deposits, the transactions can really add up, hence why having a large number of free transactions (or unlimited transactions) can be advantageous. Most people have at least two accounts (say, a savings and a chequing account), so they can reap the rewards of high interest as well as flexibility with multiple transactions.

How to choose the right chequing account

Given that nearly Canadian needs a chequing account, regardless of income level and financial goals, financial institutions offer a huge range of options. Different people use their accounts in different ways, so it’s important to consider what your individual needs are. If you will never write cheques, for example, then you shouldn’t pay monthly service fees on an account that includes them. We’ve broken down the various aspects you should consider before signing up for an account.

Fees

• Banks have traditionally charged monthly service fees for chequing accounts. Higher fee accounts generally include more features, while lower-fee accounts offer those same services on a pay-per-use basis. With the advent of online-only banking services that don’t have to cover the costs of operating physical branches, some banks pass on those savings by offering no-fee chequing accounts. Many of these no-fee accounts even come with great features like unlimited transactions. If you don’t need to do your banking in person, these options are worth looking into. 

Features

• Interac e-Transfers allow you to send money easily to anyone with an email address or cell number. Some chequing accounts provide these transfers for free; others allow you to receive them for free, but charge a fee to send them.
• Transactions generally include debit purchases, deposits, withdrawals, bill payments and transfers. You’ll want to consider whether there are charges for transactions after you’ve made a certain number per month.
• Some banks may offer loyalty debit cards that accrue rewards for programs like Scene+, Air Miles or PC Optimum.

Accessibility

• Banks with more ATMs will provide easier access to cash withdrawals or ATM transactions. Note that using ATMs outside your own bank’s network usually results in additional fees.
• Branch access may be important for people who prefer to conduct banking in person or need assistance with transactions.
• Access to foreign currency may be important to newcomers, frequent travellers or those who do business abroad. Some banks also provide foreign currency or borderless accounts, which offer favourable exchange rates.

Promotions

• Student accounts are usually no-fee accounts with no transaction limits.
• Seniors can often qualify for discounts on existing accounts or low-fee senior accounts.
• Small-business owners can find business accounts that cater to their needs.
• Banks are always looking to lure new customers. Look for cash signing bonuses or giveaways such as TVs or iPads.

Video: How to open a bank account

Types of chequing accounts 

There’s a wide range of chequing accounts, each with their own features. Here we look at some of the most common ones.

How to close a chequing account 

Closing a chequing account is simple. But before you do that, it’s best practice to open a new chequing account. First, transfer any funds in your old chequing account, or set up an online link between the accounts. You can also get your old bank to transfer your balance to another institution but they may charge a fee. 

Next, set up all your pre-authorized deposits and withdrawals, including government benefits, employment paycheques or mortgage payments. The last thing you want is to be dinged with an exorbitant non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee or miss out on wages.

Finally, contact your bank, either by phone or in-person at a local branch, and inform them that you want to close the account. It should only take a few minutes to do.

Chequing vs. savings vs. hybrid accounts

A chequing account is meant for transactions, while a savings account is meant for accumulating funds. With a chequing account you can pay bills, accept deposits, withdraw cash or make purchases with your debit card. You rarely earn interest with a chequing account. 

In contrast, a savings account is meant for stashing away money to pay for short or long-term goals, such as a car, vacation or a down payment. You always earn interest in a savings account—though the interest rate can be modest, depending on the account. 

Some newer Canadian financial institutions now offer a hybrid account, which give you both the transactional features of a chequing account with the high interest of a savings account. 

Chequing	Savings	Hybrid
May charge a monthly fee	Often free	Often free
Rarely pays interest	Pays interest	Pays interest
Multiple features available like bill payments, automated transfers, e-Transfers, deposits and withdrawals, debit card purchases, cash withdrawals	Limited features, usually just transfers to and from a chequing account, debit card purchases and cash withdrawal	Features of a chequing account and savings account
Designed for daily transactions	Designed to accumulate funds	Designed for both transactions and accumulation

Frequently asked questions

Read more about banking:

• The best high-interest savings accounts in Canada
• The best savings accounts in Canada
• Is your chequing account working hard enough?
• Video: Why open a high-interest savings account?