Today's Best High-Yield Savings Account Rates: August 23, 2025 -- Earn up to 5.00% APY

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. APY = Annual Percentage Yield.

Right now, savers are still in a good spot. Many high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are paying 4.00% APY or more -- far above the rates offered by most big banks.

An HYSA works like any regular savings account. Your money stays FDIC-insured, safe, and easy to reach whenever you need it. The difference is in the earnings. Even a small balance can grow much faster when you're earning several times the national average.

The Fed's next meeting is less than a month away, and the first rate cut of the year is largely expected. That means today's higher yields may not stick around, making it a good time to take advantage of higher rates while they last.

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 22, 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
up to 3.80%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. 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
4.31%
$1
3.50%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. 3.50% annual percentage yield as of August 23, 2025. Terms apply.
$0

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.

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Should you open a high-yield savings account now?

At the moment, top HYSAs are paying between 4.00% and 5.00% APY -- far above inflation and miles ahead of what most standard savings accounts offer.

They're safe, too. Your deposits (up to $250,000) are FDIC-insured, and you can move or withdraw your money whenever you need it. Link it to your checking account, and your cash is always within easy reach.

But these rates may not last. The Fed has kept interest rates steady so far this year, yet many experts expect a cut at the upcoming September meeting -- and some banks have already begun lowering APYs in anticipation. If you wait, you could miss out on today's top savings 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Apply online. Most banks let you open an account online. You'll just need a few basics, like your address and Social Security number.
  3. 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
Data source: Author's calculations.

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.

FAQs

  • 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.

  • Yes, high-yield savings accounts are safe as long as they're offered by an FDIC-insured bank or NCUA-insured credit union. Your deposits are protected up to $250,000 per person, per institution, in case the bank or credit union fails.

  • Right now, the best savings account rates are those between about 3.80% and 5.00%. You can earns hundreds more per year on your savings compared to keeping your money in an account with the national average savings APY of 0.38%.

Our Research Expert