Looking to get an instant virtual debit card online for free? The great deal with instant virtual debit cards is, that they let you spend money instantly and securely online without borders.
Virtual debit cards just like virtual credit cards guarantee and assure the security of your financial activities online. Unlike physical cards, these virtual cards make it practically impossible for your money to get stolen by scam sites and thieves wherever you use them. These virtual cards act as buffers between your real or physical card and your funding source and hence, act as an additional layer of security.
Most instant virtual debit and credit card providers let you have full control over your virtual card letting you easily freeze, modify, and easily delete it when necessary and in case its information gets stolen.
Some amazing instant virtual debit cards even let you subscribe for free trials, setting spending limits to your cards and so, preventing the merchants from charging your card when your free trial period ends. For instance, a virtual card lets you control your free trial on Netflix and prevents them from charging your card when your free trial ends. We call these cards in this case instant virtual debit and credit cards for Netflix.
Talking of the ways to get these virtual debit cards instantly, we find many online banks that let you open an online bank account with an instant virtual debit card that is offered freely. These banks are known as the best banks with instant virtual debit cards.
However, if you are not interested in holding a bank account that will be linked to your instant virtual debit card, there are still some ways to get a free instant virtual debit card without a bank account. This can be the best way of controlling the way you spend online.
That said, this article combines the best ways that you can get an instant virtual debit card online for free. These instant virtual debit cards are also available in the USA and are the best way you can get US virtual debit cards so feel free to use them.
These virtual card providers have been tested and reviewed as the best you can use to get instant virtual debit cards online for free
What is a Virtual Debit Card and How Does it Work?
A virtual debit card is one kind that lets you spend online securely and effortlessly. It has a lot of similarities to a physical debit card, but it is just in digital form. So if you have experience with a physical debit card, then you won't have any complications with using a virtual one. You can use it for online purchases or add it to mobile wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay for secure, contactless in-store purchases.
A virtual debit card is a randomly generated number that is linked to an underlying debit account instead. Unlike credit cards that do not need a funding account source, debit cards do need one. When charges are made using the virtual debit card number, the purchases are routed to the linked account and are subtracted from the balance of the funding source linked to it.
How Do I Get an Instant Virtual Debit Card Online?
Many instant virtual debit card providers let you easily get a virtual debit card without going through some complicated steps. Providers such as Revolut, US Unlocked, N26, Privacy, Emburse, Netspend, ecoVirtualCard, Airtm, Bento, and many more let you get an instant virtual debit card online.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get an instant virtual debit card online:
1. Choose a Provider
Several options exist for obtaining an instant virtual debit card. Here are some popular choices:
- FinTech Platforms: Companies like Wise, Revolut, Privacy, and Skrill offer virtual cards alongside their online financial services.
- Neobanks: These online-only banks often provide virtual cards as part of their digital banking accounts. For example, Chime and Varo.
- Prepaid Card Providers: Specific prepaid card providers, like Skrill, offer instant virtual cards linked to your prepaid account balance.
2. Research and Compare
Once you've identified potential providers, research their features and fees. Here are some key aspects to consider:
*- Fees: Check for any issuance or transaction fees associated with virtual cards. Some platforms might offer free virtual cards, while others may charge a fee.
- Funding Methods: Understand how to add funds to your virtual card. This might involve linking your bank account, using a debit card, or utilizing other payment options like wire transfers.
- Card Limitations: Be aware of any spending limits or restrictions on specific types of online transactions associated with the virtual cards.
- Security Features: Look for providers that offer robust security features, such as multi-factor authentication and the ability to disable your virtual card in case of suspected compromise.
3. Sign Up and Complete Verification
Once you've chosen a provider, sign up for their service and complete the verification process. This usually involves providing your personal information and undergoing identity verification checks.
4. Create Your Virtual Card
After successful verification, navigate to the platform's interface and locate the option to create a virtual card. This process typically takes minutes and provides you with all the necessary card details, including the card number, expiration date, and CVV code.
5. Load Funds and Start Spending
Depending on the provider, you might need to add funds to your virtual card before making purchases. Use the platform's designated method (e.g., linking your bank account) to load funds and start using your virtual card for secure online shopping!
10 Best Instant Virtual Debit Card Providers
An instant virtual debit card that is considered best should be able to work effortlessly online on all merchants without being rejected. It must allow linkage to secure payment services such as PayPal to get accepted everywhere and these virtual debit cards should work perfectly within the United States and other top regions letting non-residents easily perform purchases from sites based in these territories.
That said, below are the best instant virtual debit cards that are gotten completely online of which some are issued for free:
1. Revolut
Revolut is a London-based digital banking and financial institution and that is without doubt the best instant debit card provider that is fully available online and lets you get an instant virtual debit card for free. Revolut extended their services and now became available for all US residents of the 50 States as of March 2020.
They offer all sorts of services and most services they exert cannot be done by some physical cards such as crypto to budgeting and analytics with personal and business options they have four different types of plans: Standard (free), Plus, Premium, and Metal. However, all activities you want to perform with them can be done from the Revolut mobile app.
Revolut Features
- Two types of virtual cards on business accounts:
- Personal virtual card
- Subscriptions virtual cards for paid plans
- No monthly charges are required to pay
- Up to 20 personal virtual cards
- Up to 200 subscription virtual cards under a paid plan
- Revolut pricing plans range from free up to $16.99/month
CHECK ALSO: How to Get a Skrill Virtual Mastercard/Visa Card
2. N26 Mastercard Debit Card
N26 is a Berlin, German-based digital banking institution that has been providing banking solutions to a wide population worldwide. Their services are available in European countries and can be used in the Single Euro Area Payment Zone (SEPA).
N26 provides a premium bank account that comes with a Mastercard debit card that comes in a choice of colors. No qualms upon signup, get an instant virtual debit card online for free with N26.
N26 is recommended by many thanks to its achievements over the past years and is one of the best online banks that offer instant zero balance accounts with instant virtual debit cards.
CHECK ALSO: Best Virtual Credit Card Generator With Money
Features of N26 Mastercard Debit Card
- Accepted Worldwide and charges zero fees for foreign transactions
- No extra fees to be paid
- Can be easily added to mobile wallets (Google Pay, Apple Pay)
- Zero fee charges on ATM withdrawals in any currency included with N26 You and Metal account
3. Privacy.com
Privacy.com is another great virtual card provider. Offers instant virtual debit cards online for free to residents of the United States. And so, they are the best instant virtual debit cards USA. In addition, Privacy.com also offers instant virtual credit cards for free for those interested in getting this kind of virtual card.
The name Privacy.com just defines what they do best. They assure the security and privacy of all their customers by letting them feel free when spending online with their virtual cards.
Features of Privacy.com
- Instant free virtual cards if you use a bank account as a funding source
- Chrome/Firefox extension to instantly change who can charge your card, how much, how often, and to close the card
- Ability to set max charge limits on each card, or lock to a merchant
- Your personal information is 100% private at all times
- They have three pricing tiers: Personal (free), Pro ($10 a month), and Teams ($25 a month)
4. US Unlocked
If you have been searching for the best instant virtual credit/debit cards across the web, then you might have probably fallen on the name "US Unlocked". US Unlock provides instant virtual visa debit cards and virtual prepaid cards that you can use on many online merchants.
They give you access to main US brands as they are recommended by many top companies in the world.
US Unlocked lets you create a virtual card for every purpose you might want. For instance, you can create a virtual card that is dedicated to Netflix, another one that is dedicated to Amazon, another for Spotify, Hulu, Walmart, HBO, etc.
US Unlocked Features
- Order products and services attached to your billing address
- Offers locking to a single merchant with a specific Payment Card
- Generate an instant free new virtual card number after every online purchase
- Fees: $15 when signing up, plus a monthly fee of $3.5, plus top-up charge, load, and transaction fees.
5. Emburse
Embourse is another amazing virtual card provider that offers instant virtual debit/credit cards through their cloud-based solution. They offer a considerable number of additional expenses and purchasing automation solutions. They are equally very well secured so your funds are safe with them.
Their cards can be easily linked to mobile wallets such as Google Pay and Apple Pay for safer transactions online.
Features of Emburse
- Set budget, time, and category restrictions
- Apple Pay and Android Pay ready
- Assign each virtual card to a different merchant
- Instantly transfer funds
- Assign virtual cards to remote employees or contractors
- Create an unlimited number of virtual cards
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6. Bento
Bento is another fintech financial institution that offers instant virtual debit cards through their business spending management platform.
As their name "Bento for Business" might suggest, they literally target businesses to help them easily manage their finances it is easy to set up and you will be required to sign up and provide some information concerning your business before the card can be issued to you.
Features of Bento
- They have a mobile app where your virtual cards can be directly managed.
- Set a spending limit for your virtual debit card
- Single purchase or recurring purchases
- Restrict merchant categories, international or other transactions
- For business owners more security, speed, and scalability
- Bento virtual debit card fees are already covered by the monthly pricing plan (first 2 months free)
7. Airtm
Airtm is another revolutionary financial institution in the market that offers instant virtual visa debit cards in USD as a local currency. However, you can send you can send any local currency for any other but the rates will have a base value in USD.
As a virtual debit card, they are even exclusive and work as Escrow. Airtm and another instant virtual debit card on this list work effortlessly with Netflix, Spotify, PayPal, and Venmo, and can be used for bitcoin purchases.
Features of Airtm
- Make online purchases in any currency
- Send and receive money
- Some people use it for bitcoin and other cryptocurrency payments: you can buy crypto, change crypto to USD, and USD to any local currency
- No local restrictions
- No minimum balances or monthly fees
8. Netspend
Netspend is another virtual card provider we must mention that provides free virtual prepaid card numbers that can be added to your existing prepaid card.
Netspend lets you generate up to 6 instant virtual debit cards for a single account which can be great for organizing and managing your funds and spending online. In addition, their virtual cards can be used internationally without any qualms.
Features of Netspend
- Generate up to 6 free virtual debit cards
- Must link prepaid card to a virtual card
- Must verify identity to be approved
- Can be used internationally
- Fees vary. They offer a monthly plan and a pay-as-you-go plan for flexibility. You can check the details here.
9. ecoVirtualcard
ecoVirtualcard is a card offered by ecoPayz to their customers which is generally accepted online by many merchants. This virtual prepaid ecoVirtualcard is basically a virtual debit card and can be accepted globally on any site or online store.
However, the instant virtual debit card you get from them can be used just once, and afterward, the card will no longer be valid.
CHECK ALSO: Get Virtual Credit Card Without Bank Account
Features of ecoVirtualcard
- Used for one single transaction
- You must be entitled to an ecoAccount at the Silver level or above
- No minimum spend and no pre-set amount
- Open three cards at once and pay in USD, EUR and GBP as well
- ecoVirtualcard Fees:
- Activation fee of either £1.50, €1.80 or $2.30
- Variable transaction and conversion fees depending on your account
10. American Express Go
American Express offers virtual cards through their Amex Go mobile app. If you are a business owner, you can create Amex Go virtual cards for your employees to control spending and simplify reconciliation.
Features of American Express Go
- Can be used anywhere American Express is accepted, including outside the U.S.
- Use online immediately or add to a mobile wallet for on-the-go use
- Keep track of transactions from all users with one consolidated bill
- Virtual cards are reusable
- Fees: a one-time fee of $2 per user profile for virtual-only purchases
What to Consider When Choosing an Instant Virtual Debit Card
There are many things to consider before going in for a virtual debit card provider. We have highlighted some of the things to consider below:
Check if the Virtual Card is Issued Instantly
If you are going in for an instant virtual debit card, obviously, you will want to be sure that the provider issues the virtual debit card instantly. To be sure of that, check the terms and conditions section of the virtual card provider and see if the card will be issued instantly.
Also, consider checking out the paperwork required to be eligible for an instant virtual debit card.
Check if the Virtual Debit Card can be linked to Mobile Wallets and Accepted by merchants
A good virtual debit card can be easily linked to mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, and Google Pay and can be linked to payment gateways such as PayPal for more secure payments. If that is the case, then it can be the best option. Providers such as N26 provide a virtual Mastercard debit card that lets you do all of this.
Check Virtual Debit Card available countries and if it can work on US sites
You will want to make sure that the virtual debit card is available for your country and that it can let you make seamless payments within the US. This is important for non-US residents seeking to get a virtual US debit card for nonresidents as they will want to use it on US sites. Instant virtual debit cards in the USA let you become eligible for certain offers.
Check the Fees (Monthly and Transaction Fees)
You will want to make sure that the fees of the virtual debit card provider are arranged for you before going in for their services. Some virtual debit card providers charge some hidden fees but some do not so be very wise with your choice.
Benefits of Using Virtual Debit Cards
Security and Privacy
Both virtual debit cards and virtual credit cards are used to prevent fraud; since they are throwaway numbers, they are useless to thieves. They act as a layer of protection (buffer) between your funding source and your merchant.
Some virtual debit card providers such as Privacy.com take your security and privacy to another level. Your information is not shared for every transaction made.
More Control Over Funds and Spending
Virtual debit card providers give you more control over your card; for instance, they let you set a spending limit for your virtual card and even let you freeze and delete the card in case its information gets disclosed or stolen.
Save Costs as a Business
As a business, you can save processing costs and improve internal controls. Virtual cards are cheaper to produce and mail than checks. You will eliminate paper-based payments with a faster and more efficient payment solution, which can’t be broken into.
Virtual cards and digital wallets can be used to save time for every transaction you would have made with checks. Now, virtual debit cards and credit cards are used on all merchants that accept debit and credit cards as payment methods.
Virtual US Debit Card for Non-Residents
You can consult these instant virtual US debit card providers to see if they offer a virtual US debit card for non-residents. However, though it might seem somehow complicated, it wouldn't be that hard to get these virtual cards without being a resident of the United States. On the other hand, VPN services can help you get a virtual US debit card as a resident.
Here are the best VPN services and how they work.
How to Get US Debit Card Outside US
Living outside the US is not a limitation to getting a debit card from the country. You can apply for a virtual US debit card from US Unlocked. However, you will be required to fill an application form online to apply for your US debit card.
Virtual Debit Card vs Physical Debit Card
These two are both similar and the main difference that exists between them is; that one is virtual and the other one is physical. However, virtual cards are more secure than physical cards as they let you get more control over your card.
Final Thoughts on Best Instant Virtual Debit Card Online Free
We have talked about the best ways to get an instant virtual debit card which we mentioned as the first alternative to use online bank accounts with an instant virtual debit card. With this, you should be sure to get not only an instant virtual debit card but also a virtual bank account that is generally free. Some paper-works might be involved.
We also saw the best virtual instant virtual debit card providers that offer instant virtual debit cards online for free that you can you can link to mobile wallets, and even to PayPal for secure payments. Airtm lets you get your free trial on Netflix, and Spotify, and just like the others on the list, they are practically accepted globally.
Before going in for a virtual debit card, check the issuer's terms of service to see if the virtual card will be issued instantly. Also, check out the paperwork required before being eligible to get a free instant virtual debit card with them.