High-yield savings in the US
A high-yield savings account pays a variable APY on money you can withdraw any time. It is the usual home for an emergency fund. FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category.
Comparison
| Product | Rate / return | Cost | Conditions | Promo end | Protection | Risk | Verified | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs – Online Savings | 3.50% APY (variable, as of Oct 16, 2026) | No fees (per official page) | No minimum deposit; maximum balance limits apply. Referral boost offers excluded. | pending verification | FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category | low FDIC-insured bank | ✅ official source for Marcus by Goldman Sachs – Online Savings | |
| Ally Bank – Savings Account | 3.10% APY (variable, as of Oct 15, 2026) | No monthly maintenance fee (per official page) | Same APY across balance tiers. | pending verification | FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category | low FDIC-insured bank | ✅ official source for Ally Bank – Savings Account | |
| Wealthfront – Cash Account | 3.55% base APY (variable; page rates as of Sep 18, 2026) | pending verification | New clients: +0.65% APY boost for 3 months on up to $150,000. Cash swept to partner program banks. | Boost: 3 months | FDIC via program banks (Wealthfront is not a bank) | low Insured at partner program banks | ✅ official source for Wealthfront – Cash Account | |
| Betterment – Cash Reserve | pending verification | pending verification | Page shows several promotional APYs (new-customer offer, referral boost); base APY could not be isolated. | pending verification | FDIC via program banks (Betterment is not a bank) | low Insured at partner program banks | ⏳ pending verification official source for Betterment – Cash Reserve |
Order: as collected, not a sponsored ranking. "Pending verification" values could not be confirmed on the official website and must not be used to decide. Sources: "official source" link in each row · how we read protection.
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Frequently asked questions
Which savings account pays the most?
It changes weekly. Each rate in the table links to the official page and the date we checked it. "Up to" or promotional boosts are listed separately.
Is a cash management account the same as a savings account?
No. Robo-advisor cash accounts (e.g. Wealthfront, Betterment) sweep money to partner program banks; FDIC coverage applies at those banks, not at the robo-advisor itself.
What is APY?
Annual Percentage Yield: the yearly return including compounding. Compare accounts by APY.