Best High-Yield Savings Accounts

A high-yield savings account pays many times the national-average savings rate, is FDIC-insured, and lets you withdraw when you need to — the ideal home for an emergency fund or short-term savings. The table below compares 14 accounts on APY, minimums, and fees. APYs are variable and change often — the figures here are re-checked regularly, but confirm the current rate on the provider's official page. Nothing here is financial advice.

How to choose a high-yield savings account

• Just want the top rate? Sort the table by APY — online-only banks like Bread Savings, Openbank, and CIT Bank usually lead (some top rates carry conditions).
• Want a big trusted name? Marcus (Goldman Sachs), American Express, and Capital One 360 are dependable.
• Want savings tools and a checking account too? Ally (buckets) and SoFi pair savings with full banking.
• Have a large cash balance? Wealthfront Cash offers extended FDIC coverage through partner banks.
• Keep a bigger balance? CIT's top tiered rate rewards $5,000+.

Looking for a banking app rather than just a rate? See our neobanks & banking apps comparison. Ready to invest longer-term money instead? Compare online brokers and robo-advisors, and size your emergency fund with the free emergency-fund calculator.

Popular comparisons

Deciding between two specific accounts? These head-to-head breakdowns go deeper:

Two traps to watch for

Two pitfalls quietly undercut returns more than picking the "wrong" bank ever does:

1. The direct-deposit-gated teaser rate. Some accounts advertise an eye-catching APY that applies only if you route a qualifying direct deposit to them every month. Miss the condition and the rate can fall to a fraction of the headline number. Before chasing the biggest advertised figure, check whether it is conditional and whether you can realistically meet that condition every single month.
2. Rate-chasing. Because HYSA rates move constantly, there is always a bank paying slightly more than yours. Moving accounts for an extra 0.1% rarely survives the paperwork, the transfer delays, and the fine print on sign-up bonuses. Pick a competitive, no-fee, reputable account and leave it alone; revisit only when the gap becomes large and persistent.

One more thing worth knowing: a HYSA is the right home for an emergency fund, but not for money you will not touch for years. Over long horizons a savings rate barely outruns inflation. Compare CDs and Treasury bills for money you can lock up, or see high-yield savings vs money market if you want check-writing access.

Frequently asked questions

Do high-yield savings accounts guarantee the advertised APY?
No. A HYSA rate is variable, not fixed. Banks publish a current APY and can change it at any time, and in practice most move within weeks of a Federal Reserve rate change. Confirm the live rate on the provider’s own page before you open the account, and expect it to drift over time. If you want a rate locked for a set term, a CD is the product for that, not a savings account.

Is an online-only bank safe?
Yes, provided it is FDIC-insured (or NCUA-insured at a credit union). Deposit insurance covers at least $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category, and it works the same whether the bank has branches or not. Some accounts in the table are brokerage cash accounts that sweep deposits to partner banks instead, so check each provider’s disclosure for how coverage is delivered.

How often does a high-yield savings account pay interest?
Monthly is the norm. Interest is typically compounded daily and credited to the account once a month, which is what turns the nominal rate into the slightly higher APY you see advertised. The APY figure already accounts for compounding, so it is the number to compare between accounts.

Do I need a large balance to earn the top rate?
Usually not. Most online banks pay their headline APY from the first dollar with no minimum balance. A minority use tiers that require a threshold such as $5,000, and a few gate the top rate behind a qualifying monthly direct deposit. The comparison table above lists the minimum to open and the minimum to earn the top rate for each account.

Is high-yield savings interest taxable?
Yes. Interest is taxed as ordinary income at your federal rate, and in most states at the state rate too. Your bank sends a Form 1099-INT if it pays you $10 or more in a year. This is one place Treasury bills differ: T-bill interest is exempt from state and local income tax, which can matter in a high-tax state.

How we compare

We track each account's current APY, minimum to open, minimum balance to earn the top rate, monthly fee, and FDIC status, and summarize the experience rather than reprinting marketing copy. APYs are variable and change with the rate cycle; figures are re-checked regularly against each provider's official page. Some are brokerage cash accounts insured through partner banks rather than traditional bank savings — check each provider's disclosures. Some links may be affiliate links; that never changes which accounts we include or how we rank them. Nothing here is financial advice.