You can buy prepaid cards at most major retailers, banks, and online platforms

Prepaid cards are sold at drugstores, supermarkets, big-box retailers, banks, and online. The card itself usually costs between $0 and $10, though some specialty cards cost more. You load money onto it before you use it — the card holds only what you put in, so you cannot spend more than your balance.

Where you buy matters because different sellers offer different card brands, fees, and reload options. A card sold at Walmart may have different monthly costs than the same brand sold at a bank. Some cards let you reload at the register; others require online reloads or bank transfers. Knowing what you need before you walk in saves time and money.

Key Takeaways

  • Prepaid cards are sold at retail chains, pharmacies, banks, and online, with prices ranging from free to $10 for the card itself.
  • Monthly maintenance fees, reload fees, and ATM withdrawal fees vary by card brand and where you buy it, so compare before purchasing.
  • Retail locations let you load money immediately at the register, while online purchases usually require a separate bank transfer or debit card load.
  • Some cards charge nothing if you meet conditions like direct deposit or monthly spending minimums; others charge a flat fee every month regardless.
  • Your bank or credit union may offer prepaid cards with lower fees than retail brands, so check there first if you have an account.

Retail stores and pharmacies: fastest for immediate use

Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and most grocery chains stock prepaid cards near the checkout or in the financial services section. You buy the card, go to customer service or the register, and load cash onto it on the spot. The card is ready to use within minutes. This is the fastest option if you need to spend money today.

The downside is that retail prepaid cards often charge monthly fees — typically $5 to $10 per month — even if you do not use the card. Some waive the fee if you load a certain amount each month or set up direct deposit. Read the fee schedule on the back of the package before you buy, because the card itself may be cheap but the monthly cost adds up fast.

Common retail brands include Green Dot, NetSpend, and Vanilla. Each has different fee structures and reload options. Walmart's MoneyCard, for example, has no monthly fee if you load money at Walmart at least once every 30 days. A CVS or Walgreens card may have a different rule.

Banks and credit unions: often lower fees

If you have a checking or savings account, ask your bank or credit union whether they offer prepaid cards. Many do, and they often charge lower monthly fees — or no monthly fee at all — than retail brands. Your bank already knows your identity and address, so the setup is simpler.

Bank-issued prepaid cards sometimes come with perks that retail cards do not: no ATM fees at your bank's machines, the ability to reload at any branch, or fee waivers if you maintain a minimum balance. Some credit unions offer prepaid cards to members who do not may have access to for a traditional checking account, making them a real alternative rather than just another product.

The trade-off is that you cannot buy a bank prepaid card at the register. You have to visit a branch or apply online, and loading money usually takes a day or two. If you need cash today, a retail card is faster. If you can wait and want lower long-term costs, a bank card often wins.

Online platforms and fintech apps

Companies like Chime, Square Cash, PayPal, and Wise sell prepaid cards online. You download an app or visit their website, create an account, and order a card that arrives by mail — usually within 5 to 10 business days. Some let you use a temporary digital card while you wait for the physical one.

Online cards often have no monthly fee and no ATM fees at certain networks. Some offer cash back at stores, interest on your balance, or other features you would not find on a retail card. The catch is that you cannot load money immediately; you have to link a bank account or debit card and transfer funds, which may take a day.

These platforms work best if you already have a bank account to link and can wait for the card to arrive. They are not an option if you need cash today or do not have a way to transfer money electronically.

What to compare before you buy

Do not just grab the first card you see. The cheapest card at the register may be the most expensive over time. Compare these costs across the cards available to you:

  • Monthly maintenance fee: Does the card charge every month, or only if you use it? Can you waive it by meeting a condition like a direct deposit or monthly purchase?
  • Reload fee: Does it cost money to add more cash to the card? Some cards charge $2 to $5 per reload; others let you reload free at certain locations.
  • ATM withdrawal fee: How much does it cost to take cash out? This matters if you use ATMs often.
  • Inactivity fee: If you do not use the card for several months, does the company charge you? Some do.
  • Foreign transaction fee: If you travel or buy from overseas, some cards charge a percentage on top of the purchase.

A card with a $10 initial cost but no monthly fee may be cheaper than a free card with a $5 monthly fee, depending on how long you keep it. Use the fee schedule on the card's website or the back of the package to do the math for your situation.

How to load money onto a prepaid card

The method depends on where you bought the card and what the card allows. At a retail store, you can load cash at the register or customer service desk immediately. Online and at banks, you typically link a bank account and transfer money, which takes 1 to 3 business days. Some cards let you reload at ATMs, by phone, or through their app.

A few cards let you receive direct deposit — your employer or a government benefit sends money straight to the card. This is often the cheapest way to use a prepaid card because many waive monthly fees for customers who get direct deposits.

Check the card's website or app to see all the reload methods available. Some cards charge a fee for certain methods (like reloading at an ATM) but not others (like reloading online). If you reload often, pick a method that is free or cheap for you.

Prepaid cards versus other options

A prepaid card is not the only way to manage money without a traditional bank account. A basic checking account at a bank or credit union, if you can open one, usually has lower fees and more features. A savings account at a credit union may have no monthly fee at all.

If you need to send money to someone else, a money order or wire transfer may be cheaper than loading a prepaid card and using it to pay. If you need to build credit, a prepaid card does not help — a secured credit card or credit-builder loan does.

Prepaid cards work best for people who want to control spending, do not have a bank account, or need a card that does not require a credit check. For other goals, another tool might fit better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a prepaid card to withdraw cash from an ATM?

Yes, but it usually costs money. Most prepaid cards charge $2 to $3 per ATM withdrawal, though some waive the fee if you use ATMs in their network. Bank-issued prepaid cards often have free withdrawals at the bank's own ATMs. Check the fee schedule before you buy.

Do prepaid cards report to credit bureaus?

No. Prepaid cards are not credit products — you spend only money you have already loaded. They do not build credit history and do not appear on your credit report. If you want to build credit, you need a credit card or credit-builder loan instead.

What happens if I lose a prepaid card?

Contact the card issuer immediately to freeze or cancel it. Most prepaid cards let you report loss online or by phone. If the card has not been used since you lost it, you can usually get a replacement card with the remaining balance. If someone else used it, dispute the charges with the issuer.

Can I reload a prepaid card at any store?

No. You can reload only at locations the card issuer allows. Some cards let you reload at any Walmart or CVS; others only at the bank that issued them. Check the card's website or app to find reload locations near you.

Is there a prepaid card with no fees at all?

Some cards have no monthly fee if you meet a condition like direct deposit or a monthly spending minimum. A few have no fees under any circumstance, but they are rare. Compare the fee schedules of cards available to you to find the lowest-cost option for how you plan to use it.