Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2026: Top 10 Compared
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The average traditional savings account still pays around 0.42% APY in 2026, while the best high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) on this list pay 4.40% to 5.25%. On a $25,000 emergency fund, that gap is the difference between earning $105 and $1,313 per year — for the same FDIC protection and the same five minutes of setup time.
We reviewed 35+ online and brick-and-mortar HYSAs, weighted APY, fee structure, transfer speed, and customer experience, and built the ranking below. Every account here is FDIC- or NCUA-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, has no monthly maintenance fee, and accepts new customers nationwide.
How We Ranked These Accounts
Our scoring rubric awards points across four pillars: yield (40%), fees and minimums (25%), digital experience (20%), and account features such as ATM access, sub-accounts, and transfer limits (15%). We pulled APYs from issuer disclosure pages on May 1, 2026, opened test accounts where possible, and cross-referenced fee schedules. Promotional and tiered rates are noted explicitly so the headline APY isn’t misleading.
| Rank | Account | APY (2026) | Min. Deposit | Monthly Fee | FDIC/NCUA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UFB Direct Secure Savings | 5.25% | $0 | $0 | FDIC |
| 2 | Bask Bank Interest Savings | 5.10% | $0 | $0 | FDIC |
| 3 | BMO Alto Online Savings | 5.05% | $0 | $0 | FDIC |
| 4 | Western Alliance HYSA | 4.95% | $1 | $0 | FDIC |
| 5 | Bread Savings High-Yield | 4.90% | $100 | $0 | FDIC |
| 6 | LendingClub Bank LevelUp | 4.80% | $25 | $0 | FDIC |
| 7 | SoFi Savings | 4.60% | $0 | $0 | FDIC |
| 8 | Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 4.50% | $0 | $0 | FDIC |
| 9 | Ally Online Savings | 4.45% | $0 | $0 | FDIC |
| 10 | Discover Online Savings | 4.40% | $0 | $0 | FDIC |
Affiliate disclosure: Finacial Qurio may earn a commission when you apply through links in this article. This never affects our rankings — every account is reviewed on the same scoring rubric.
1. UFB Direct Secure Savings — 5.25% APY
UFB Direct, a division of Axos Bank, has consistently paid the most aggressive headline APY among national online banks for the past two years. There’s no minimum, no monthly fee, and the account includes a free ATM card.
Pros: Top-of-market APY, free ATM card, mobile check deposit. Cons: Rate tier names change frequently; you must verify your rate quarterly.
2. Bask Bank Interest Savings — 5.10% APY
Bask Bank, a brand of Texas Capital Bank, runs two parallel products: a cash savings account at 5.10% APY and a separate “Mileage Savings” that pays American Airlines miles instead of interest. We’re scoring the cash version here.
Pros: Strong APY, no fees, $0 minimum. Cons: No ATM access; transfers only via ACH.
3. BMO Alto Online Savings — 5.05% APY
BMO Alto is BMO’s online-only banking arm, launched to compete directly with Marcus and Ally. Same FDIC backing, sharper APY.
Pros: Backed by BMO Financial Group, strong rate, simple interface. Cons: No physical branches; no checking pairing yet.
4. Western Alliance HYSA — 4.95% APY
Available primarily through Raisin and SaveBetter aggregator platforms, Western Alliance’s HYSA delivers an institutional-grade rate to retail savers.
Pros: Excellent APY, low $1 minimum, easy aggregator setup. Cons: Must access via Raisin platform; transfer windows can be slower.
5. Bread Savings High-Yield — 4.90% APY
Bread Savings (formerly Comenity Direct) consistently sits in the top five for APY and pairs the savings account with strong CD options if you want to build a ladder.
Pros: High APY, CD product line for laddering, FDIC-insured. Cons: $100 opening deposit; no ATM card.
6. LendingClub Bank LevelUp Savings — 4.80% APY
LendingClub’s LevelUp pays a higher rate when you deposit at least $250 per month — perfect for steady savers.
Pros: Bonus APY for monthly deposits, free ATM access at 37,000+ machines. Cons: Base rate drops if you skip a month’s deposit.
7. SoFi Savings — 4.60% APY
SoFi pairs checking and savings into one app and gives you the higher rate when you set up direct deposit.
Pros: Up to $2M FDIC coverage via sweep program, savings sub-accounts (“Vaults”). Cons: Best rate requires direct deposit; otherwise drops to ~1.20%.
➡️ Open at SoFi
8. Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 4.50% APY
The benchmark online savings account for almost a decade — known for transparent rates, rock-solid app, and Goldman’s brand.
Pros: No fees ever, same-day transfers to linked accounts, AutoSave tool. Cons: No ATM card or check writing.
9. Ally Online Savings — 4.45% APY
Ally is the all-rounder: solid rate, excellent app, savings buckets, and a strong checking pair.
Pros: Buckets feature, 24/7 phone support, full ecosystem. Cons: Slightly below top APY; no physical branches.
➡️ Open at Ally
10. Discover Online Savings — 4.40% APY
Discover’s HYSA rounds out our list with no fees of any kind — including no fees for outgoing wires, which is rare.
Pros: No fees of any kind, strong customer service, easy linkage to Discover credit card. Cons: Lowest APY in our top 10.
What $25,000 Earns at Each Rate (Annual)
| Account | APY | Year-1 Interest | 5-Year Compounded |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFB Direct | 5.25% | $1,313 | $7,288 |
| Bask Bank | 5.10% | $1,275 | $7,062 |
| BMO Alto | 5.05% | $1,263 | $6,987 |
| Marcus | 4.50% | $1,125 | $6,154 |
| Discover | 4.40% | $1,100 | $6,005 |
| National avg. | 0.42% | $105 | $530 |
How to Choose the Right HYSA
- Confirm the APY is the standard rate, not a 90-day promo — read the disclosure.
- Verify FDIC or NCUA insurance directly at fdic.gov or ncua.gov.
- Check transfer limits — most cap external transfers at $250K per month.
- Test the mobile app before funding heavily; UI matters when you’re moving cash.
- Link a checking account at the same bank if you want instant transfers.
Recommended Offers
💡 Editor’s pick: UFB Direct Secure Savings — 5.25% APY, $0 minimum, free ATM card. Best raw yield on the list.
💡 Editor’s pick: Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 4.50% APY with the most polished app and Goldman’s balance sheet behind it.
💡 Editor’s pick: SoFi Savings — 4.60% APY plus checking, sub-accounts, and up to $2M sweep insurance for serious emergency funds.
FAQ — High-Yield Savings Accounts
Q: Are HYSAs safe? A: Yes. Every account on this list is FDIC- or NCUA-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution.
Q: Can the APY change? A: Yes. HYSAs are variable-rate, so the APY moves with the federal funds rate. Lock in fixed rates with a CD if you need predictability.
Q: How often is interest paid? A: All 10 accounts compound daily and credit interest monthly.
Q: Is HYSA interest taxable? A: Yes — it’s taxed as ordinary income at your marginal federal and state rate.
Q: Can I have multiple HYSAs? A: Absolutely. Many savers split funds across two banks for redundancy and to stay under the $250K FDIC limit.
Q: How fast can I withdraw? A: ACH transfers typically settle in 1–3 business days; same-bank transfers are instant.
Related Reading on Finacial Qurio
- Best Online Savings Accounts of 2026
- Best CD Rates of 2026
- Money Market vs Savings Account
- How to Build an Emergency Fund
- Savings Account Interest Calculator
Final Verdict
If you want the absolute highest yield with no strings, UFB Direct or Bask Bank deliver 5%+ APY and zero monthly fees. If you prefer a polished app and full ecosystem, Marcus and Ally remain the best all-around picks. Either way, moving idle cash from a 0.42% legacy savings account is one of the highest-ROI five-minute decisions you can make in 2026.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. APYs, terms, and account features are accurate as of publication and subject to change. Finacial Qurio may receive compensation for some placements; rankings are independent.
By Finacial Qurio Editorial · Updated May 9, 2026
- savings
- high-yield savings
- 2026
- high yield savings