Savings
Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of March 2026
The difference between a traditional savings account at a big bank (0.01% APY) and a high-yield savings account at an online bank (4.00-4.75% APY) is staggering. On a $25,000 emergency fund, that is the difference between earning $2.50 per year and $1,100+ per year. For doing absolutely nothing differently except where your money sits. High-yield savings accounts are FDIC-insured, free to open, and take about 10 minutes to set up.
We track rates across 40+ online banks and credit unions monthly to find the highest-paying accounts with the best features. Here are our current top picks, ranked by a combination of APY, account features, and overall user experience.
Our methodology
We evaluated each account on APY competitiveness (40%), account features and flexibility (25%), fees and minimums (20%), and mobile app quality and customer satisfaction (15%). All accounts listed are FDIC or NCUA insured. APYs shown are current as of March 2026 and are variable -- they can change at any time based on Federal Reserve rate decisions.
Wealthfront Cash Account
APR
4.50% APY
- Consistently among the highest APYs available
- No minimum balance, no monthly fees
- FDIC insured up to $8 million through partner banks
- Unlimited free transfers
- Integrates with Wealthfront investment accounts for automated savings
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
APR
4.40% APY
- Backed by Goldman Sachs -- one of the largest financial institutions
- No minimum deposit, no monthly fees, no transaction fees
- Easy-to-use mobile app with goal-setting tools
- Up to 6 free withdrawals per month
- Highly rated customer service
Ally Online Savings
APR
4.20% APY
- Full-service online bank -- pair with Ally checking for a complete banking setup
- Buckets feature lets you organize savings goals within one account
- No minimum balance, no monthly fees
- 24/7 customer support by phone, chat, and email
- Consistently competitive rates for over a decade
Capital One 360 Performance Savings
APR
4.25% APY
- Access to Capital One Cafes and branch locations nationwide
- No minimum balance, no monthly fees
- Strong mobile app with easy transfers and budgeting tools
- Can be paired with Capital One 360 checking
- FDIC insured and backed by one of the top 10 U.S. banks
Discover Online Savings
APR
4.25% APY
- No minimum balance to open or earn the full APY
- No monthly fees of any kind
- 24/7 U.S.-based customer service
- FDIC insured up to $250,000
- Easy to pair with Discover checking (which earns 1% cash back on debit purchases)
The bottom line
For pure rate maximization, Wealthfront currently leads with 4.50% APY and the massive $8 million FDIC coverage through partner banks. If you prefer a familiar name, Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers nearly identical rates with an excellent user experience.
For people who want a complete online banking relationship (checking + savings), Ally is the best all-in-one option with its Buckets feature and full-service platform. And if occasional in-person service matters to you, Capital One 360 is the only high-yield account offering branch access. Any of these accounts will earn you hundreds of dollars more per year than a traditional bank savings account.