SmartRatesUSA

Banking · Savings

Savings accounts compared

Quick answer: online banks led our check, with a median verified APY of 3.83%. On $10,000, the difference between 4.20% and 0.01% is about $419 a year.

Every figure checked on the bank’s or credit union’s own website on . By the SmartRates Editorial Team.

Accounts listed

25

23 with a readable APY

Highest verified APY

4.20%

Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub)

Median verified APY

3.75%

No-strings accounts

6

No fee, no promo, no conditions

All savings accounts, by APY

Sorted by the published top APY. Interest examples assume the APY holds for a full year, which variable rates rarely do. Use the compound interest calculator for your own balance.

  1. #1 · Online bank · FDIC

    Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub)

    LevelUp Savings

    APY
    4.20%Base 3.00%
    Rate as of
    Oct 31, 2026
    Monthly fee
    Not stated
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $420

    Conditions: 4.20% APY with $250+ in monthly deposits; standard rate 3.00% APY.

    lendingclub.com now redirects to happen.com; deposits are provided by Happen Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. Monthly fee not stated on the page we checked.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  2. #2 · Online bank · FDIC

    Bread Savings

    High-Yield Savings Account

    APY
    4.05%
    Rate as of
    Nov 1, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $100
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $405

    $100 minimum opening deposit; balances up to $1 million.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  3. #3 · Online bank · FDIC

    Axos Bank

    Summit Savings

    APY
    4.01%Promo
    Rate as of
    Nov 1, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $401

    Conditions: 'Up to' rate for up to 6 months includes a 0.26% new-customer boost.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  4. #4 · Online bank · FDIC

    UFB Direct

    Portfolio Savings

    APY
    4.01%Promo
    Rate as of
    Not shown
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $401

    Conditions: 'Up to' rate for up to 6 months with a promo code.

    Page did not show an as-of date for the rate.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  5. #5 · Online bank · FDIC

    Vio Bank

    Online Savings Account

    APY
    4.01%
    Rate as of
    Oct 23, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $100
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $401

    Conditions: Same APY on all balances.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  6. #6 · Online bank · FDIC

    Live Oak Bank

    Personal High Yield Savings

    APY
    4.00%
    Rate as of
    Oct 26, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $400

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  7. #7 · Online bank · FDIC

    Sallie Mae Bank

    High-Yield Savings

    APY
    4.00%
    Rate as of
    Nov 2, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    Not stated
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $400

    The bank's page stated its rate was accurate as of 11/02/2026 when we read it on 11/01/2026.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  8. #8 · Online bank · FDIC

    Popular Direct

    Exclusive Savings

    APY
    3.90%
    Rate as of
    Not shown
    Monthly fee
    Not stated
    Min. to open
    $100
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $390

    Read from the bank's homepage; the product page returned an error.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  9. #9 · Online bank · FDIC

    CIT Bank

    Platinum Savings

    APY
    3.75%Base 0.25%
    Rate as of
    Jul 1, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $100
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $375

    Conditions: 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000+; 0.25% APY below $5,000.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  10. #10 · App-based (fintech) · FDIC

    Varo Bank

    Savings Account

    APY
    3.75%Base 1.00%
    Rate as of
    Oct 5, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $375

    Conditions: 3.75% APY on up to $5,000 when monthly qualifications are met; otherwise 1.00% APY.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  11. #11 · Online bank · FDIC

    Synchrony Bank

    High Yield Savings

    APY
    3.75%
    Rate as of
    Nov 1, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $375

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  12. #12 · Online bank · FDIC

    E*TRADE (Morgan Stanley Private Bank)

    Premium Savings

    APY
    3.75%
    Rate as of
    Nov 1, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $375

    Conditions: Base APY. A separate limited-time promotion is advertised; see the bank's terms.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  13. #13 · Online bank · FDIC

    Barclays

    Tiered Savings

    APY
    3.65%
    Rate as of
    Oct 7, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $365

    Conditions: Top tier ('up to'); lower balances earn less.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  14. #14 · Online bank · FDIC

    Marcus by Goldman Sachs

    Online Savings Account

    APY
    3.50%
    Rate as of
    Nov 1, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $350

    Bank page says no fees and no minimum deposit; maximum balance limits apply. A referral rate boost is advertised separately and is not included here.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  15. #15 · Branch bank / credit union · FDIC

    U.S. Bank

    Bank Smartly Savings

    APY
    3.50%
    Rate as of
    Not shown
    Monthly fee
    $5
    Min. to open
    $25
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $350

    Conditions: 'Up to' rate requires qualifying relationship balances; standard rates are much lower.

    Page did not show an as-of date for the rate.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  16. #16 · Branch bank / credit union · FDIC

    Citibank

    Citi Savings

    APY
    3.50%Base 0.05%
    Rate as of
    Nov 1, 2026
    Monthly fee
    Not stated
    Min. to open
    Not stated
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $350

    Conditions: 3.50% 'Premium Boost' APY requires a Regular Checking account and Required Activities (e.g. $5,000 in direct deposits/qualifying transactions); standard APY 0.05%.

    Monthly fee depends on relationship tier; not captured.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  17. #17 · App-based (fintech) · FDIC

    Upgrade

    Premier Savings

    APY
    3.30%
    Rate as of
    Sep 18, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    Not stated
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $330

    Conditions: APY applies to balances of $1,000+.

    Upgrade is not a bank; deposits are held at partner banks.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  18. #18 · App-based (fintech) · FDIC

    SoFi Bank

    Savings (with Checking)

    APY
    3.30%
    Rate as of
    Oct 20, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $330

    Conditions: Requires eligible direct deposit or qualifying deposits; limited-time boosts may be advertised separately.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  19. #19 · Online bank · FDIC

    American Express National Bank

    High Yield Savings Account

    APY
    3.20%
    Rate as of
    Nov 1, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    Not stated
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $320

    No minimum balance; minimum opening deposit not stated as a dollar figure on the page we checked.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  20. #20 · Online bank · FDIC

    FNBO Direct

    Online Savings

    APY
    3.00%
    Rate as of
    Not shown
    Monthly fee
    Not stated
    Min. to open
    Not stated
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $300

    Conditions: Same rate regardless of balance.

    Read from the bank's homepage; the product page returned an error.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  21. #21 · Online bank · FDIC

    Citizens Access

    Savings

    APY
    2.80%
    Rate as of
    Jul 17, 2026
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    Not stated
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $280

    Conditions: Same APY on all balance tiers.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  22. #22 · Branch bank / credit union · NCUA

    Navy Federal Credit Union

    Basic Savings

    APY
    0.25%
    Rate as of
    Nov 1, 2026
    Monthly fee
    Not stated
    Min. to open
    Not stated
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $25

    Credit union membership required. Fee and opening deposit not captured.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  23. #23 · Branch bank / credit union · FDIC

    Wells Fargo

    Way2Save Savings

    APY
    0.01%
    Rate as of
    Not shown
    Monthly fee
    $5
    Min. to open
    $25
    1 yr on $10,000
    ≈ $1

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

Accounts where we could not read the rate

Listed for fees and minimums. Check the bank’s page for the live APY.

  1. Online bank · FDIC

    Ally Bank

    Online Savings Account

    APY
    Not shown
    Rate as of
    Not shown
    Monthly fee
    $0
    Min. to open
    $0

    APY is loaded dynamically and could not be read; check Ally's page for the current rate.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

  2. Branch bank / credit union · FDIC

    Chase

    Chase Savings

    APY
    Not shown
    Rate as of
    Not shown
    Monthly fee
    $5
    Min. to open
    Not stated

    APY depends on ZIP code and was not shown; check Chase's page.

    Verified Nov 1, 2026Source (official page, opens in a new tab)

How to pick a savings account

Compare the rate you will actually earn

If a headline rate needs $250 a month in deposits, a $5,000 balance or a linked checking account, work out whether you will meet that every month. If not, compare the base rate instead. Promotional rates that expire after a few months are worth less than a slightly lower rate with no end date.

Check fees and minimums

A $5 monthly fee costs $60 a year, which wipes out the interest on a $2,000 balance at 3%. Most online savings accounts in our table charge no monthly fee; some branch-bank accounts do unless you meet a waiver.

Make sure the money is insured

Banks should be FDIC members and credit unions NCUA-insured. Coverage is $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category. App-based services that are not banks hold deposits at partner banks, and coverage depends on those arrangements.

Think about access

Online savings usually links to an outside checking account by ACH transfer, which can take a few business days. Keep a small cushion in checking so you are never waiting on a transfer to pay a bill.

Related

Frequently asked questions

What is a good savings account APY right now?

Compare against two benchmarks: the FDIC national average savings rate on our rates page, and the top rates in the table above. An account paying several times the national average with no fee and no conditions is competitive; a rate near the national average usually is not.

What does APY mean?

Annual percentage yield is the interest you would earn over a year including compounding, expressed as a percentage of your balance. Because it already includes compounding, you can compare APYs directly across banks.

Why do some accounts show two rates?

Some banks pay a higher top rate only when you meet conditions such as monthly deposits, a minimum balance or a linked checking account, and a lower base rate otherwise. We show both when the bank published both.

Are savings account rates fixed?

No. Savings APYs are variable, so the bank can raise or lower them at any time. If you want to lock a rate, compare certificates of deposit (CDs), which pay a fixed rate for a set term.

How many withdrawals can I make from savings?

Federal Regulation D no longer requires a six-per-month limit, but many banks still set their own limits or fees on transfers out of savings. Check the account agreement.

Why are some APYs “Not shown”?

Some banks load rates with scripts, show rates only after you enter a ZIP code, or returned errors when we checked. We list the account so you can compare fees and minimums, but we will not guess its rate.

Official sources