Today's Best High-Yield Savings Account Rates: August 18, 2025 -- Earn up to 5.00% APY
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Savers still have an edge this summer. Many high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are offering 4.00% APY or more, thanks to the Fed keeping rates steady throughout 2025 so far.
An HYSA works much like a regular savings account -- your money is FDIC-insured, easy to access, and safe. The only real difference is the return, and that difference can add up quickly. Even a modest balance can grow faster than you'd expect.
Rates could slip later this year, so locking in a top APY now makes sense. If you haven't opened one yet, it's not too late to join those already taking advantage.
Here are today's best high-yield savings account rates.
- Varo Savings -- up to 5.00% APY (Max APY on up to $5,000, 2.50% APY after)
- Pibank Savings -- 4.60% APY (No min. balance)
- Elevault -- 4.60% APY (No min. balance. Balances over $250,000 do not earn interest)
- Presidential Bank Advantage Savings -- 4.50% APY ($5,000 min. to open, terms apply)
- Axos ONE® -- up to 4.46% APY (Min. balance: $1,500)
Data source: Issuing banks. Rates are accurate as of August 17, 2025.
A top pick: The Barclays Tiered Savings account stands out with a 3.90% APY and no minimum balance required to earn interest. It's one of the few top-tier rates still widely available -- and with no account fees, it's a smart move while rates remain high. Read our full Barclays Tiered Savings review to learn more and open an account today.
Our Picks for the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2025
| Product | APY | Min. to Earn | |
SoFi Checking and Savings
Member FDIC.
APY
up to 3.80%
Rate info
Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account and enroll in SoFi Plus by 9/3/25. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation
Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated
interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates
are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see
3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi
Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.
Min. to earn
$0
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website. |
up to 3.80%
Rate info
Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account and enroll in SoFi Plus by 9/3/25. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation
Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated
interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates
are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see
3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi
Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.
|
$0
|
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website. |
American Express® High Yield Savings Account
Member FDIC.
APY
3.50%
Rate info
3.50% annual percentage yield as of August 18, 2025. Terms apply.
Min. to earn
$0
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings Account
On American Express's Secure Website. |
3.50%
Rate info
3.50% annual percentage yield as of August 18, 2025. Terms apply.
|
$0
|
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings Account
On American Express's Secure Website. |
CIT Platinum Savings
Member FDIC.
APY
4.00% APY for balances of $5,000 or more
Rate info
4.00% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APY
Min. to earn
$100 to open account, $5,000+ for max APY
Open Account for CIT Platinum Savings
On CIT's Secure Website. |
4.00% APY for balances of $5,000 or more
Rate info
4.00% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APY
|
$100 to open account, $5,000+ for max APY
|
Open Account for CIT Platinum Savings
On CIT's Secure Website. |
At Motley Fool Money, we rate savings accounts on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). We evaluate all savings accounts across four main criteria: annual percentage yield (APY), brand and reputation, fees and minimum requirements, and perks that really make a difference -- think ATM access, linked checking accounts, or even branch access.
Our scores are weighted as:
- APY: 50%
- Brand and reputation: 20%
- Fees and minimums: 15%
- Other perks: 15%
Our aim is to maintain a balanced list featuring top-scoring products from reputable brands offering competitive APYs and standout features. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates bank accounts.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate savings accounts on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). We evaluate all savings accounts across four main criteria: annual percentage yield (APY), brand and reputation, fees and minimum requirements, and perks that really make a difference -- think ATM access, linked checking accounts, or even branch access.
Our scores are weighted as:
- APY: 50%
- Brand and reputation: 20%
- Fees and minimums: 15%
- Other perks: 15%
Our aim is to maintain a balanced list featuring top-scoring products from reputable brands offering competitive APYs and standout features. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates bank accounts.
Should you open a high-yield savings account now?
At the moment, top HYSAs are paying between 4.00% and 5.00% APY -- far better than inflation and miles ahead of what most traditional savings accounts offer.
They're safe, too. Your deposits (up to $250,000) are FDIC-insured, and you can transfer or withdraw money whenever you need it. Link it to your checking account, and your cash is always just a few clicks away.
An HYSA is usually a smart place to keep savings, but right now could be one of the best times to act. The Fed left rates unchanged at its last meeting, but many experts believe cuts are coming before the end of the year -- and some banks have already started lowering APYs. If you wait, you might miss out on today's higher rates.
Open an HYSA in just 3 easy steps
You can open a high-yield savings account in just a few minutes. Here's how:
- Pick the right high-yield savings account. Search for one with a strong APY, no monthly fees, and requirements you can easily meet. If possible, choose a bank that also offers a checking account so you can link the two for quick transfers.
- Apply online. Most banks let you open an account online. You'll just need a few basics, like your address and Social Security number.
- Move your money. Log in to your new account and transfer funds from your old savings or checking account. Transfers between banks usually take a few business days.
That's all it takes to open an HYSA and start earning a high APY. Note: You may also need to redirect any automatic deposits or withdrawals to your new account.
How much money can a high-yield savings account earn?
Here's how much interest you'd earn over time with an HYSA paying 4.00% APY, depending on your starting balance.
| Starting Balance | 1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | 20 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $204 | $1,104 | $2,457 | $5,622 |
| $10,000 | $408 | $2,208 | $4,914 | $11,244 |
| $20,000 | $816 | $4,416 | $9,828 | $22,488 |
Even a smaller balance can earn thousands of dollars in interest over time -- and that's if you never add a cent more of your own money.
So don't wait. Open a high-yield savings account today to start earning 10 times more interest than the average saver.
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Sources
FAQs
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Right now, many HYSAs are paying between 4.00% and 5.00% APY -- enough to help your savings grow faster than inflation. Rates could drop later this year, so locking in a top rate now could mean more earnings.
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You might, but it's risky. Some banks have already started lowering APYs, and rates could fall further if the Fed cuts interest rates.
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The biggest downside of a high-yield savings account is that interest rates can fluctuate. Unlike the fixed rates of CDs, the interest rate on savings accounts can change based on market conditions, potentially reducing your earnings over time. This variability means your returns might not be as predictable as with other fixed-rate investments.
Our Research Expert
Jake is a full-time Editorial Strategist for Motley Fool Money. He specializes in product ratings and all things credit cards, and wants to make sure each person has the best card for them.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page. APYs are subject to change at any time without notice.