Independent, clearly explained guides to US personal finance
The Banking Desk
Everyday banking decisions — checking vs. savings, online vs. branch, and fees.
Compare accounts
Rates from online and traditional banks, side by side. Every account listed is from an FDIC-insured bank. Last reviewed October 22, 2026.
Advertiser disclosure. Some listings may include affiliate links. If you apply through one, TheMoneyCraze may be compensated at no extra cost to you. This never changes our editorial coverage. Terms change — always confirm current details with the provider. How we make money
14 accounts
Axos Bank, Member FDIC
Best for: Highest rate, if you bank there too
One of the highest savings rates available — but the top rate requires linking an Axos checking account and meeting monthly deposit requirements.
Up to 5.00% APY for 6 months with qualifying activity, then 4.21% on balances under $250,000.
APY
5.00%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC
Best for: Checking and savings in one app
A combined checking and savings account with no monthly fees. Setting up direct deposit unlocks the higher savings rate, and new members can earn a cash bonus.
Up to 4.40% APY with a 6-month boost; 3.30% standard with qualifying activity; 0.80% without. Checking earns 0.50% APY.
APY
4.40%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Peak Bank, Member FDIC
Best for: A high rate with no hoops
A straightforward online savings account with a high standard rate, no monthly fee and no minimum balance to earn it — just $100 to open.
APY
4.27%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Openbank by Santander, Member FDIC
Best for: Backing of a global banking group
A digital savings account from Santander's online bank, paying a competitive rate once you have $500 deposited.
APY
4.35%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
EverBank, Member FDIC
Best for: A strong rate on any balance
A high-yield savings account that pays the same competitive rate on every dollar, with no minimum balance to earn it.
APY
4.20%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub), Member FDIC
Best for: Savers who deposit every month
Pays a top-tier rate in any period where you deposit at least $250, and a lower standard rate otherwise. No monthly fee and no minimum balance.
4.20% APY with at least $250 in deposits during the evaluation period; 3.00% otherwise.
APY
4.20%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
CIT Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, Member FDIC
Best for: Balances of $5,000 or more
A tiered savings account that pays a high rate once your balance reaches $5,000, with a six-month promotional boost for new savers.
Up to 4.25% APY for 6 months on $5,000+, then 3.75%. $100 to open.
APY
4.25%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Member FDIC
Best for: Simple savings from a big name
A no-fee, no-minimum online savings account from Goldman Sachs with 24/7 customer support. There's no checking account, so pair it with checking elsewhere.
APY
3.50%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Synchrony Bank, Member FDIC
Best for: No-minimum savings and a broad CD menu
A high-yield savings account with no minimum deposit and no monthly fee, from a bank that also offers a wide range of CDs.
APY
3.55%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Capital One, N.A., Member FDIC
Best for: Online savings with branch access
A no-fee savings account from a major bank with a well-rated app, in-person access at Capital One branches and cafés, and a matching no-fee checking account.
APY
3.20%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Capital One, N.A., Member FDIC
Best for: Everyday checking with no fees
A no-fee, no-minimum checking account with access to 70,000+ fee-free ATMs, branches in some areas and a new-customer bonus with qualifying direct deposits.
New-customer bonus requires a promo code and qualifying direct deposits.
APY
0.10%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Barclays Bank Delaware, Member FDIC
Best for: Locking in a rate for a year
A one-year CD with no minimum deposit, letting you lock in a fixed rate even if savings rates fall.
APY
4.50%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Synchrony Bank, Member FDIC
Best for: A just-over-a-year CD with no minimum
A 13-month CD with no minimum deposit from a bank with one of the widest CD menus online.
APY
4.40%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
Sallie Mae Bank, Member FDIC
Best for: Larger deposits
A one-year CD with a competitive fixed rate and an automatic renewal option, for savers with at least $2,500 to deposit.
APY
4.50%
Official site · not a sponsored link
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026
APYs are variable (except CDs) and can change at any time. Rates shown were published by each bank on the review date. Promotional rates may require qualifying activity and expire after a set period. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category.
Our top picks
7 picks
The best high-yield savings accounts right now — compared on APY, minimums, fees and the fine print behind promotional rates.
3 picks
The best certificate of deposit rates right now, compared on APY, minimum deposit and term.
How we compare accounts
We review each provider's published terms and compare them on what matters most. Rankings are editorial: partners can't pay for a better position, and any sponsored link is labelled. Terms change, so every entry shows the date it was last reviewed.
The APY you can realistically earn — and what it takes to earn it.
Monthly fees, minimum deposits and the balance needed for the top rate.
Linked checking, ATM networks, branches and how easy it is to move money.
FDIC insurance and the clarity of promo terms and conditions.
The essentials
Checking and savings accounts are both deposit accounts, but they're built for different jobs: checking for frequent transactions, savings for holding money you'll touch less often and want to earn more interest on.
This section covers how to split money between the two, how online banks compare to traditional ones, and the common fees worth watching for.
Banking guides
In-depth explainers from our editors, newest first.
Both are insured places to keep cash and earn interest. The real differences are access, minimums, fees and how the rate is set. Here's how to choose.
TheMoneyCraze Editors
Both are safe, FDIC-insured places to earn interest. The difference is flexibility versus certainty — here's how to decide which one fits your money.
Checking is for moving money; savings is for keeping it. Here's how the two accounts differ, how much to keep in each, and a simple setup that runs itself.
Online banks often pay more interest and charge fewer fees. Here's what you give up, how to check they're actually insured, and who they suit best.
Quick answers
The questions readers ask us most about banking.
A common approach is keeping a modest buffer in checking — enough to comfortably cover near-term expenses — and moving the rest into savings, where it can typically earn meaningfully more interest, transferring back as needed.
A legitimate online bank is either directly FDIC-insured or partners with an FDIC-insured bank to hold deposits. It's worth confirming this directly on the bank's site before opening an account, the same way you would for a traditional bank.
Setting up low-balance alerts through your bank's app, and considering opting out of overdraft coverage so a transaction is simply declined rather than approved with a fee, are two of the most straightforward ways to avoid overdraft charges.
Related desks
A closer look at a few connected topics.