Savings accounts in the US are tracked across high-street banks, building societies and digital challengers, with all eligible deposits FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor per institution. Compare introductory bonus rate expiry dates carefully — many top-rate accounts revert to a lower standard rate after 12 months, and the switch requires action to retain the rate.
45 live savings accounts offers tracked across 21 US providers. Data current as of 23 October 2026 and updated daily from the Giraffy database.
45 live offers compared from 21 providers, from 0.01% AER. Updated daily.
$0
One of the highest savings APYs. No minimum balance. FDIC insured.
$0
Top-tier HYSA with no minimum balance. Powered by Axos Bank.
$0
Top APY with qualifying direct deposit. Bundled with free checking account.
$0
Competitive high-yield savings from Goldman Sachs. No minimum deposit.
$0
Established online bank. Strong APY with no monthly fees or minimums.
$0
Competitive HYSA with 24/7 US-based customer service. No minimum deposit.
$0
HYSA from American Express. No minimum deposit. No monthly fee.
$0
Competitive APY from Capital One. No minimum balance and no monthly fee.
$0
Competitive HYSA from Barclays US. Online-only bank with no fees.
$0
High-yield savings from Popular Direct. Minimum $100 to open.
0.01% AER
0.45% AER
$3 /month
$3.75 /month
4.20% AER
4.25% AER
4.25% AER
4.25% AER
4.25% AER
4.35% AER
4.40% AER
4.60% AER
4.65% AER
4.65% AER
4.70% AER
4.75% AER
4.75% AER
4.99% AER
$5 /month
5% AER
$5 /month
$5 /month
$5 /month
$5 /month
$5 /month
$5.10 /month
5.10% AER
$5.10 /month
5.25% AER
5.30% AER
$8 /month
$15 /month
$25 /month
$250 /month
$250 /month
A savings account is a deposit account that pays interest while keeping your money liquid and safe. In the United States the biggest divide is between traditional brick-and-mortar bank accounts, which often pay tiny rates, and high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) from online banks that can pay many times more. Interest is quoted as an annual percentage yield (APY), which includes compounding. Savings accounts are ideal for emergency funds and short-term goals where you cannot risk market losses.
Rates on savings accounts track the Federal Reserve's benchmark, so they rise and fall with Fed policy. Online-only banks pass on higher rates because they have no branch overhead, while large national banks compete on convenience and branch access rather than yield. Federal Regulation D historically limited certain withdrawals to six per month, though that cap was relaxed in 2020 and many banks no longer enforce it. Interest earned is taxable as ordinary income and reported on Form 1099-INT.
High-yield APY — Online HYSAs pay far more than the national average, meaningfully growing an emergency fund.
Full liquidity — Funds stay accessible for transfers and withdrawals, unlike CDs that lock your money.
FDIC safety — Deposits are federally insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank.
Low or no fees — Many online savings accounts charge no monthly fee and require no minimum balance.
Compare the APY first, but read whether it is a promotional teaser rate or an ongoing rate, and check for balance tiers. Look at minimum-balance and monthly-fee rules, transfer speed to and from your checking account, and whether the bank offers a linked ATM or debit access. Ensure the institution is FDIC-insured (or NCUA-insured if it is a credit union). If you value branch access alongside yield, weigh that against the higher rates from online-only banks.
Online specialists UFB Direct, Synchrony Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Ally Bank and Discover Bank consistently offer among the highest APYs with no monthly fees. SoFi pairs a competitive savings rate with checking and direct-deposit perks. Capital One's 360 Performance Savings blends online rates with some branch and café access, while Chase represents the large traditional banks that emphasize convenience and bundled relationships over top-tier yield.
The best online savings accounts charge no monthly fee, though rates span a wide range—from about 0.01% APY at some big traditional banks to well over 4% at leading online banks in higher-rate environments. Watch for potential fees such as excess-withdrawal charges, outgoing wire fees, or paper-statement fees, but the headline high-yield accounts are generally free to open and maintain.
Bank savings accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category; credit-union accounts carry equivalent NCUA insurance. Banks are supervised by federal and state regulators, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) enforces disclosure rules requiring clear APY and fee statements under the Truth in Savings Act.
Are online banks safe? Yes, as long as they are FDIC-insured—the same $250,000 protection applies. Can my APY change? Yes, variable rates move with the Fed, so today's rate is not guaranteed. How do I exceed $250,000 in coverage? Spread deposits across multiple banks or ownership categories, or use a sweep network that distributes funds.
Giraffy tracks 45 savings accounts across 21 providers in United States. Sort by highest rate and filter by account type (easy access vs. fixed) to find the best deal for your timeline.
Yes — the FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank. Always confirm your institution is FDIC-insured before depositing. If your balance exceeds the protection limit, spread funds across multiple separately-licensed banks.
APY (Annual Percentage Yield) is the standardised rate that accounts for how often interest is compounded over a year. It's the fairest number to compare across accounts — always compare like-for-like using APY rather than the gross or monthly rate.
Easy access accounts let you withdraw your money at any time — rates are variable and may change. Fixed-rate bonds or term deposits lock your money away for a set period (usually 1–5 years) at a guaranteed rate, which is typically higher. Choose fixed if you don't need the funds before the term ends.
Tax on savings interest varies by country and income level. Check your country's tax authority guidance or speak to a financial adviser if your interest income is significant.
Yes — and it can be a smart strategy. Spreading savings across banks maximises your deposit protection ($250,000 under the FDIC per institution) and lets you earn the best rate at each bank. Just keep track of all accounts to avoid losing money to dormancy fees.
Most easy access accounts transfer funds to a linked checking account within one working day, and many process withdrawals the same day. Some accounts restrict the number of free withdrawals per month — check the terms before you open one if flexibility matters to you.