Best High-Yield Savings Accounts 2026
Our top picks for high-yield savings accounts this year. We prioritize direct banks (no middleware risk), competitive rates, and features that actually matter.
APY rates change frequently. We update this page monthly, but always verify current rates before opening an account.
🏆 Our Top Picks at a Glance
How We Chose These Accounts
Unlike other comparison sites, we don't just rank by APY. After the Synapse collapse froze $265 million belonging to 100,000+ Americans, we prioritize safety and stability alongside rates.
Our criteria:
- Direct FDIC insurance — No middleware, no BaaS providers between you and your bank
- Competitive APY — Top-tier rates without gimmicks or temporary promos
- No hidden requirements — Rates shouldn't require jumping through hoops
- Institutional stability — Established banks with track records
- User experience — Good apps, responsive support, easy transfers
We've intentionally excluded several high-APY fintechs that rely on middleware providers. The extra 0.1-0.2% isn't worth the risk of having your funds frozen in a bankruptcy.
SoFi Checking & Savings
FDIC Certificate #92168
- ✓ Highest APY among direct banks
- ✓ Own bank charter (no middleware)
- ✓ Up to $300 bonus with qualifying deposits
- ✓ Combined checking + savings
- ✓ No minimum balance
- − Full rate requires direct deposit
- − Base rate (no DD) is lower: 3.50%
- − Newer bank (charter since 2022)
Our take: SoFi obtained its own bank charter in 2022, eliminating the middleware risk that plagues other fintechs. With the highest APY among direct banks (with direct deposit), plus checking, investing, and loans in one app, it's our top pick for 2026.
Ally Bank
FDIC Certificate #57803
- ✓ Savings "buckets" for goal tracking
- ✓ Interest-paying checking (0.10% APY)
- ✓ 43,000+ fee-free ATMs
- ✓ 24/7 customer support
- ✓ Full product suite (CDs, investing, loans)
- − No sign-up bonus
- − Standard 1-3 day transfers
- − APY slightly below top competitors
Our take: If you want one bank for everything—checking, savings, CDs, investing—Ally is the answer. The savings buckets feature is genuinely useful for organizing goals. A rock-solid choice.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
FDIC Certificate #33124
- ✓ Same-day ACH transfers
- ✓ No-penalty CDs available
- ✓ Goldman Sachs backing (155 years)
- ✓ Clean, simple interface
- ✓ No minimum balance
- − No checking account
- − No ATM access
- − Limited product offerings
Our take: Marcus does one thing exceptionally well: high-yield savings. Same-day transfers make it ideal for emergency funds. Backed by one of Wall Street's most storied institutions.
Wealthfront Cash Account
Deposits held at partner banks
- ✓ Up to $8 million FDIC coverage
- ✓ Highest APY on this list
- ✓ Autopilot investing integration
- ✓ Debit card with ATM rebates
- − Not a direct bank (uses partner banks)
- − Primarily an investment platform
- − No physical branches or ATM network
Our take: Wealthfront spreads deposits across multiple partner banks, providing up to $8M FDIC coverage—perfect for high-net-worth savers. The 4% APY is top-tier. Note: it's a brokerage, not a bank.
American Express High Yield Savings
FDIC Certificate #27471
- ✓ Amex brand recognition (since 1850)
- ✓ No minimum balance
- ✓ No monthly fees
- ✓ Links with Amex cards
- − No checking account
- − No ATM access
- − Limited features
Our take: If you already have Amex cards, this is a natural fit. The 175-year-old company isn't going anywhere. Solid rates, zero gimmicks.
Also Excellent: #6-10
Accounts We Don't Recommend (Yet)
Several fintechs offer higher APYs but rely on middleware providers or partner bank arrangements that add risk:
- Yotta, Juno, Copper — Former Synapse partners. Some still operating, but the middleware model carries inherent risk.
- Ultra-high APY fintechs (5%+) — If the rate seems too good to be true, investigate the banking structure carefully.
We're not saying these are scams—many are legitimate. But after 100,000+ people lost access to their savings in the Synapse collapse, we think the extra 0.2-0.5% APY isn't worth the additional risk.
What About Credit Unions?
Credit unions can offer excellent rates and are protected by NCUA insurance (similar to FDIC). However, they're outside the scope of this ranking. If you're interested in credit unions, we recommend checking rates at:
- Alliant Credit Union
- Navy Federal Credit Union (military families)
- PenFed Credit Union
How to Choose
Here's our decision framework:
- Want the highest APY with a bank charter? → SoFi (with direct deposit)
- Want full-service banking in one place? → Ally
- Need fast access to emergency funds? → Marcus (same-day transfers)
- Have $250K+ to protect? → Wealthfront ($8M FDIC coverage)
- Want maximum brand trust/stability? → American Express or Marcus
The Bottom Line
All ten accounts on this list are solid choices. The rate differences between them—usually 0.1-0.3%—won't significantly impact your wealth over time.
What matters more:
- Safety — Is your money at a direct bank with its own FDIC certificate?
- Features — Does the account fit how you actually use your money?
- Consistency — Will you actually use it? The best account is one you'll contribute to regularly.
Pick one, open an account, set up automatic transfers, and let compound interest do its work. That's how you build wealth—not by chasing the absolute highest APY.
Compare All Savings Accounts
See side-by-side comparisons with current rates and features.
Open Full Comparison Tool →Our Methodology
We evaluate high-yield savings accounts based on: APY (25%), safety/FDIC structure (25%), features (20%), user experience (15%), and institutional stability (15%). We prioritize direct banks over fintechs using middleware providers due to risks exposed by the Synapse collapse.
We do not accept payment for placement. Some links may be affiliate links, but rankings are based solely on our editorial judgment. Read more about how we make money.