A card for every merchant
Bank of America gives each card one token per wallet and phone. Halocard gives every subscription, store and ad account its own card, so one breach or one unwanted renewal never touches the rest.
Halocard vs Bank of America
Private virtual cards for every merchant you useFor Bank of America customers who pay with Apple Pay or Google PayHalocard is the better Bank of America virtual card alternative for anyone who wants a separate card for each merchant, with its own limit and billing address. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with no credit check, daily, weekly or monthly limits on each card, a billing address you choose, and Apple Pay and Google Pay on every card. Halocard has no free plan, but Essential+ is free with 3 referrals, and every friend you refer earns you $5 or more a month.
Bank of America ended ShopSafe, its virtual card number service, on September 20, 2019, and offers no virtual card numbers on personal accounts. What it offers instead are wallet tokens, created when you add a card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, and a Digital Card for Debit in its mobile app. They suit customers who already bank with it and pay where a wallet is accepted.
Halocard pros and cons
- Pros: A US-issued Visa credit card with no credit check
- Pros: A separate card for each merchant, with limits you control
- Pros: Any billing address you choose, on each card
- Pros: Apple Pay and Google Pay on every card
- Pros: Fund by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto
- Pros: US residents and residents of 120+ countries
- Cons: No free plan, though Essential+ is free with 3 referrals
- Cons: 1.5% on purchases in other currencies
- Cons: No card rewards
Bank of America pros and cons
- Pros: Apple Pay, Google Pay and Paze on its cards
- Pros: A Digital Card for Debit before the plastic card arrives
- Pros: $0 Liability Guarantee on wallet purchases
- Pros: Cash back and points on its credit cards
- Cons: No virtual card numbers on personal accounts
- Cons: Wallet tokens can't be typed into a checkout form
- Cons: No spending limits or merchant locks per card
- Cons: 3% fee on debit card purchases in foreign currencies
Halocard vs Bank of America compared
Bank of America protects card numbers with wallet tokens and a Digital Card for Debit, and keeps single-use virtual numbers for business clients. Halocard is a dedicated virtual card platform for subscriptions, online spending, advertising and AI tools, with US-issued Visa credit cards, stablecoin funding and custom billing addresses, for customers in the US and 120+ countries.
Eligibility
HalocardAdvantage: US residents and residents of 120+ countriesBank of AmericaBank of America card and account holders
| Existing account needed | HalocardNo | Bank of AmericaA Bank of America card or checking account |
|---|---|---|
| Credit check | HalocardNone | Bank of AmericaWhen you apply for a credit card |
| Cards that work in wallets | HalocardEvery card | Bank of AmericaConsumer credit and debit cards, not ATM-only cards |
| Cards issued in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands | HalocardNot applicable | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with no credit check. Outside the US? You don't need an SSN, a US address or a US bank account. Bank of America's wallet tokens and Digital Card for Debit come only with a Bank of America card or checking account, and its credit cards need a credit check. Cards issued in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands can't be added to Apple Pay. See supported countries
Card structure
HalocardAdvantage: Dedicated Visa credit cardsBank of AmericaWallet tokens and a Digital Card for Debit
| Virtual card numbers | Halocard3 to 50, by plan (up to 10 extra a month on annual plans) | Bank of AmericaOne token per card, wallet and device |
|---|---|---|
| A separate card for each merchant | HalocardYes | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
| Single-use cards | HalocardAnnual plans, from 2 a month | Bank of AmericaBusiness clients only |
| Number you can type into a checkout | HalocardEvery card | Bank of AmericaDigital Card for Debit only |
| Card rewards | HalocardNo cashback, but a monthly referral commission | Bank of AmericaYour credit card's rewards |
Bank of America's virtual card numbers are the tokens Apple Pay and Google Pay create when you add a card: unique to that wallet and device, and usable only through the wallet. The Digital Card for Debit is an in-app copy of your debit card, with a security code that changes each time you view it. Halocard is a dedicated card platform where each card is its own Visa credit card for a subscription, store or ad account. Halocard works like a debit card: you spend the balance you load, with no credit line and no credit check. Check merchant acceptance
Controls
HalocardAdvantage: Per-card limits, custom name and billing addressBank of AmericaLock a card, or its token in one wallet
| Per-card spending limits | HalocardDaily, weekly or monthly | Bank of AmericaUnknown |
|---|---|---|
| Lock or cancel a card | HalocardInstant | Bank of AmericaLock the card, or one wallet's token |
| Custom billing address | HalocardYes, on each card | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
| Custom cardholder name | HalocardYes | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
| Cards locked to one merchant | HalocardA separate card per merchant | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
Bank of America lets you lock a card, or the token in one wallet, from its app, and locking the plastic card doesn't lock the wallet tokens. It doesn't confirm a spending limit you can set on a card or token, and every token carries your account's billing address. Halocard lets you set daily, weekly or monthly limits on each card, lock or cancel any card instantly, and choose the billing address and cardholder name on each card. See card spending limits
Funding
HalocardAdvantage: Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank Transfer, Stablecoins & CryptoBank of AmericaYour checking balance or credit line
| Bank transfer | HalocardUSD, CAD, EUR or GBP | Bank of AmericaInto checking, in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Debit or credit card | HalocardVisa, Mastercard | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
| Stablecoins | HalocardUSDC, USDT | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
| Crypto | HalocardBTC, ETH, SOL | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
| Credit line | HalocardNone | Bank of AmericaOn credit cards, repaid monthly |
Bank of America's debit card and Digital Card for Debit spend your checking balance, and its credit cards spend a credit line repaid on your statement. Halocard keeps one balance you top up by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto, with no bank-issued credit behind it. See how to deposit
US bank account
HalocardAdvantage: Your own US account and routing numberBank of AmericaYes, with a checking account
| Your own account and routing number | HalocardYes | Bank of AmericaWith a checking account |
|---|---|---|
| Receive ACH transfers | Halocard1 to 3 business days | Bank of AmericaYes |
| Receive same-day ACH | HalocardYes | Bank of AmericaUnknown |
| Receive domestic wires | HalocardThe same day | Bank of AmericaYes; $15 each |
| Send ACH & wire transfers | HalocardComing soon | Bank of AmericaYes; domestic wires $30 |
| Send stablecoins | HalocardUSDC, coming soon | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
Halocard includes a US bank account with its own account and routing numbers, so you can receive salary, transfers from friends and family, and any other payment you'd send to a US checking account. ACH transfers arrive in 1 to 3 business days and domestic wires the same day, straight into your Halocard balance and ready to spend. Bank of America is a full US bank: its checking accounts receive ACH transfers and direct deposits, charge $15 for an incoming domestic wire and $30 to send one, and carry a monthly fee of $4.95 to $25 unless you meet a waiver. Send and receive USD payments
In-person payments
HalocardAdvantage: Physical card, plus Apple Pay and Google PayBank of AmericaPhysical cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay
| Physical card | HalocardFree with any annual plan or $100 on a monthly plan | Bank of AmericaYes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Pay and Google Pay | HalocardEvery card | Bank of AmericaEligible consumer cards |
| Tap to pay in stores | HalocardYes | Bank of AmericaYes |
Every Halocard can go in Apple Pay and Google Pay for tap-to-pay anywhere Visa is accepted, and you can add a physical card, free with any annual plan or $100 on a monthly plan. Bank of America's cards work in stores as plastic cards or through Apple Pay and Google Pay, and a debit card in a wallet also works at its cardless ATMs. Set up Apple Pay and Google Pay
Fees
HalocardAdvantage: No fee in USD; 1.5% in other currenciesBank of America3% in foreign currencies on the debit card
| Purchases in USD | HalocardNo fee | Bank of AmericaNo fee |
|---|---|---|
| Purchases in other currencies | Halocard1.5% | Bank of America3% on the debit card; none on its travel credit cards |
| Interest | HalocardNone, no credit line | Bank of AmericaOn credit card balances not paid in full |
Bank of America charges 3% of the US dollar amount on debit card purchases in a foreign currency. Its travel credit cards, such as Travel Rewards, charge no foreign transaction fee, and its credit cards charge interest on balances you don't pay in full. Halocard charges nothing on US-dollar purchases and 1.5% on others, and with no credit line there is no interest. See all Halocard fees
Pricing
HalocardAdvantage: From $15 a month, or free with 3 referralsBank of AmericaFree with an account or card
| Virtual cards | Halocard$15, $20 and $75 a month | Bank of AmericaWallet tokens are free |
|---|---|---|
| Checking monthly fee | HalocardNo checking account needed | Bank of America$4.95 to $25, waivable |
| Credit card annual fee | HalocardNo card needed | Bank of America$0 to $550 |
| Referrals pay for your plan | Halocard3 referrals cover Essential+ | Bank of AmericaNot supported |
Bank of America's wallet tokens and Digital Card for Debit cost nothing beyond the account behind them: checking carries a monthly fee of $4.95 to $25 unless you meet a waiver, and its credit cards have annual fees of $0 to $550. Halocard plans are $15, $20 and $75 a month, and Essential+ is free with 3 referrals. Compare Halocard plans
Rewards
HalocardNo cashback, but a monthly referral commissionBank of AmericaAdvantage: Cash back and points on its credit cards
| Cash back or points | HalocardNot supported | Bank of AmericaOn its credit cards |
|---|---|---|
| Referral commission | Halocard$5 to $25 a month per friend, for up to 12 months | Bank of America$100 per friend approved for a card, up to $500 a year |
Bank of America's credit cards earn cash back or points: Customized Cash Rewards pays extra cash back in a category you choose, and Travel Rewards earns points on every purchase. Its Refer-a-Friend program pays $100 in bonus rewards for each friend approved for a card, up to $500 a year. Halocard pays no cashback on purchases. What it pays is a referral commission: $5 to $25 a month for every friend you refer, for up to 12 months, and Essential+ is free with 3 referrals. See how referrals work
Support
HalocardAdvantage: Chat, email, and phone on every planBank of AmericaPhone, plus chat when agents are available
| Chat | HalocardYes | Bank of AmericaErica, with live chat for some topics |
|---|---|---|
| HalocardYes | Bank of AmericaSome topics, in Online Banking | |
| Phone | HalocardYes | Bank of AmericaYes |
Halocard answers by chat, email, and phone on every plan. Bank of America's assistant Erica can start a live chat with a specialist, and online chat opens when agents are available; email works only for some topics, so most issues go to the phone line or a financial center. Visit the help centre
Trust and transparency
HalocardAdvantage: A regulated US company and card issuerBank of AmericaAdvantage: A large public US bank
| Company and country | HalocardHalocard LLC, USA | Bank of AmericaBank of America, N.A., USA (public parent) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration or licence | HalocardFintech, not a bank. Registered MSB with FinCEN, BSA ID 31000317046430 | Bank of AmericaNational bank (OCC); FDIC member |
| Card issuer | HalocardThird National | Bank of AmericaBank of America, N.A. |
| Account held at | HalocardSSB, Member FDIC | Bank of AmericaBank of America, N.A., Member FDIC |
| Founders named | HalocardEdward Taylor | Bank of AmericaA.P. Giannini |
| Founded | Halocard2024 | Bank of America1904, as the Bank of Italy |
| Trustpilot | Halocard4.2/5 (11 reviews) | Bank of America1.4/5 (3,750 reviews) |
Bank of America is one of the largest US banks, but its 1.4/5 from 3,750 reviews centres on reaching a person, reversed refunds and held cards. Halocard names its company, card issuer, account bank and founder. About Halocard
Why Halocard is the better alternative to Bank of America
Works in any checkout
A Bank of America wallet token only works where a merchant offers that wallet. Every Halocard has its own number, expiration date and security code to type into any checkout form.
Controls on every card
Halocard lets you set daily, weekly or monthly limits on each card, lock or cancel any card instantly, and choose the billing address and cardholder name on each card, and every card goes in Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Easier to get
Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with no credit check and no Bank of America account needed.
More flexible funding
Bank of America's cards spend a checking balance or a credit line. Halocard takes debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto.
Key drawbacks of Bank of America
No virtual card numbers on personal accounts
ShopSafe ended on September 20, 2019, and nothing has replaced it for personal customers; single-use numbers are for business clients only.
Wallet tokens only work in the wallet
A token created in Apple Pay or Google Pay can't be typed into a checkout form, so a site that only takes card details gets your real card number.
No limits or merchant locks per card
Bank of America doesn't confirm a spending limit you can set on a card or token, and no token can be locked to one store.
Foreign currency fees on the debit card
Debit card purchases in a foreign currency cost 3% of the US dollar amount.
About Halocard
Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with a separate virtual card for each merchant you pay. Halocard works like a debit card: you spend the balance you load, with no credit line and no credit check. It is built for online spending: subscriptions, AI tools, cloud services, Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, and X Ads, and recurring bills.
Create cards in seconds from a web browser, set daily, weekly or monthly limits on each card, lock or cancel any card instantly, and choose the billing address and cardholder name on each card. Fund your balance by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto. Outside the US? You don't need an SSN, a US address or a US bank account.
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the largest US banks, offering checking and savings accounts, credit cards, loans and, through Merrill, investing. Its consumer bank is Bank of America, N.A., a national bank and FDIC member, owned by Bank of America Corporation of Charlotte, North Carolina. It traces its roots to the Bank of Italy, which A.P. Giannini opened in San Francisco in 1904.
Bank of America retired ShopSafe, which generated virtual credit card numbers for shopping online, on September 20, 2019. Personal customers now get a virtual card number only inside a digital wallet: adding a card to Apple Pay or Google Pay creates a token unique to that wallet and device. Checking customers can also use a Digital Card for Debit in the mobile app, whose security code changes each time it is viewed. Single-use virtual account numbers are for business clients, through Virtual Travel Cards and Virtual Payables.
Halocard vs Bank of America FAQ
What is the best Bank of America virtual card alternative?
Halocard. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with a separate card for each merchant, daily, weekly or monthly limits on each card, Apple Pay and Google Pay on every card, and funding by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto.
Can I use Halocard alongside my Bank of America account?
Yes. Keep Bank of America for everyday banking, fund Halocard from your checking account by bank transfer or with your Bank of America card, and give each merchant its own Halocard. Its purchases show on your Halocard account, not your Bank of America statement.
Is Halocard better than Bank of America's wallet cards for online shopping?
For shopping online, yes: a wallet token only works where a merchant offers Apple Pay or Google Pay, while every Halocard has its own card number to type into any checkout, with its own limit and billing address. For tapping in stores, both work in Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Which is better for subscriptions, Halocard or Bank of America?
Halocard, for most people: a separate card for each subscription, daily, weekly or monthly limits, and instant lock or cancel. With Bank of America, stopping one subscription means locking the card every other merchant also uses.
Does Halocard require a credit check?
No. Halocard never runs a soft or hard credit pull. Halocard never reports to credit bureaus. Halocard works like a debit card: you spend the balance you load, with no credit line and no credit check.
Can people outside the US use Halocard instead of Bank of America?
Yes. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries. Outside the US? You don't need an SSN, a US address or a US bank account.
Does Halocard support stablecoin funding?
Yes. Halocard accepts stablecoins (USDC, USDT) and crypto (BTC, ETH, SOL), alongside card, phone wallet and bank transfer. Bank of America offers no way to fund a card with either.
Sources
- Bank of America, digital wallets: promotions.bankofamerica.com/digitalbanking/mobilebanking/digitalwallets
- Bank of America, Apple Pay FAQs: bankofamerica.com/online-banking/apple-pay-faqs
- Bank of America, debit card and Digital Card for Debit: bankofamerica.com/deposits/checking/debit-card
- Bank of America, Personal Schedule of Fees: bankofamerica.com/salesservices/deposits/resources/personal-schedule-fees
- Bank of America, credit cards with no foreign transaction fees: bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-cards
- Bank of America, Customized Cash Rewards: bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/cash-back-credit-card
- Bank of America, Refer-a-Friend announcement (June 2026): newsroom.bankofamerica.com/content/newsroom/press-releases/2026/06/bank-of-america-introduces-new-ways-to-reward-clients--manage-pa
- Bank of America, how to contact us: bankofamerica.com/deposits/contact-bank-of-america-faqs
- Bank of America, Erica: info.bankofamerica.com/en/digital-banking/erica
- Bank of America, Virtual Travel Cards: business.bofa.com/en-us/content/virtual-travel-cards.html
- Bank of America, Virtual Payables buyer FAQs: business.bofa.com/content/dam/boamlimages/documents/PDFs/virtual_payables_buyer_faqs.pdf
- Doctor of Credit, Bank of America discontinues ShopSafe: doctorofcredit.com/bank-of-america-discontinues-shopsafe-virtual-credit-card-numbers
- OCC, Bank of America: the humble beginnings of a large bank: occ.gov/about/who-we-are/history/history-of-the-occ/1866-1913/1866-1913-bank-of-america.html
- Reuters, banks plan a joint dollar stablecoin (September 2026): reuters.com/business/finance/goldman-sachs-bofa-others-plan-issue-dollar-stablecoin-together-2027-2026-09-01
- Trustpilot, Bank of America reviews: trustpilot.com/review/www.bankofamerica.com
Disclaimer
Based on public information as of November 2026 (see Sources above); Bank of America's products, fees and terms may change, so check before you decide. Halocard publishes this page and makes one of the products compared, so verdicts and ticks are our opinion. Bank of America, its product names and its logos are trademarks of their respective owners. Their use here does not imply any affiliation with, sponsorship by or endorsement from Bank of America. Not financial, legal or tax advice.
