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Rates and fees on deposit accounts, cards and loans change frequently. We show a number only after our editors have confirmed it on the provider’s own disclosure page, together with the date it was checked. Where no figure is shown, follow the link for the provider’s current terms.
At a glance
Summary of best high-yield savings accounts: how to compare top online options
We list providers in alphabetical order rather than ranking them, because the right choice depends on your situation. To be included, each product must be widely available to U.S. consumers and publish its terms online. We compared them on the following criteria:
Deposit insurance. Every account listed is held at an FDIC-insured bank.
APY and rate consistency. We look at whether a bank’s savings rate has stayed competitive over time, not just at a single promotional number. Current APYs are shown only when verified.
Fees and minimums. Monthly fees and balance requirements that could reduce earnings.
Access. Transfer speed, ATM access and whether a checking account is available at the same bank.
Tools and support. Goal-tracking features, app quality and customer service availability.
Most high-yield savings accounts look similar at first glance. The differences that matter are how consistently the bank keeps its rate competitive, how easily you can move money, and whether the account fits the rest of your banking.
Want everything in one place? Choose a bank that also offers checking, so transfers are instant.
Need ATM access to savings? Few online savings accounts offer it; look for an optional ATM card.
Saving for several goals? Buckets or vaults inside one account keep goals organized.
Qualifying activity required? Some accounts pay their top rate only with direct deposit or other conditions — read the rules.
Before you open an account
Confirm the bank’s FDIC status on the FDIC’s BankFind tool.
Check today’s APY on the bank’s own site and read the rate conditions.
Link your checking account and set up an automatic transfer.
The best account is one with a consistently competitive APY, no monthly fees, federal deposit insurance and the access features you need. If you want ATM access or a checking account at the same bank, that narrows the field.
How often do high-yield savings rates change?
Rates are variable and can change at any time, often following changes in the broader interest rate environment. Some banks adjust quickly; others more slowly.
Should I split savings between several banks?
If your deposits at one bank would exceed FDIC coverage limits, spreading money across banks or ownership categories keeps it fully insured. Otherwise, one good account is often enough.
How much emergency savings you need, how to calculate your target, where to keep it and a step-by-step plan to build an emergency fund — even on a tight budget.
What a high-yield savings account is, how its rates work, how it compares with regular savings, money market accounts and CDs, and what to check first.
What APY means, how annual percentage yield is calculated, how it differs from APR and interest rate, and how to use APY to compare savings accounts and CDs.
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