Best High-Yield Savings Account Rates Today, May 14, 2025: Up to 5.00%
KEY POINTS
- The best high-yield savings account rate today: 5.00% APY.
- High-yield savings accounts allow your money to grow, while ensuring you can still access it whenever necessary.
- Most HYSAs can be opened right from your mobile phone or computer.
The federal funds rate remains unchanged for now, which is good news if you've been meaning to take advantage of high interest rates on deposit accounts. The best high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) continue to pay APYs between 4.00% and 5.00% at this time.
The top HYSAs have low or no fees and account minimums, are FDIC insured, and remain a great option for anyone stashing extra cash for short-term goals or emergencies. However, if the Federal Reserve starts cutting rates later this year as expected, APYs of the current caliber could disappear.
Each day, we research the best high-yield savings rates available to help you find out where your money could be earning more interest.
Special pick: The Barclays Tiered Savings account stands out with a 4.00% 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. Open a Barclays Tiered Savings account today.
- Varo Savings -- up to 5.00% (Max APY on up to $5,000, 2.50% APY after)
- Axos ONE® -- up to 4.66% (Minimum balance: $1,500)
- Pibank Savings -- 4.60% (No minimum balance)
- Presidential Bank Advantage Savings -- up to 4.50% (Requires $5,000 to open and an Advantage Checking Account for top APY)
Data source: Issuing banks. Rates are accurate as of May 13, 2025.
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?
About this time last week, the Federal Reserve met and decided to keep the federal funds rate unchanged. That means it's still an excellent time to take advantage of high rates and boost your earnings. Right now, high-yield savings accounts are offering competitive rates up to 5.00%.
The chart below shows how quickly average deposit rates across U.S. banks rose the last time the Fed pivoted -- climbing from below 0.10% to nearly 0.50% in a little over a year. Rates could drop again just as quickly if cuts begin later this year as experts largely expect.
How to open a high-yield savings account
Getting started with a high-yield savings account is easy and usually takes just a few minutes:
- Compare accounts. Look for the best APY, but also consider fees, ease of access, and minimum balance rules. Check out our full list of the best high-yield savings accounts here.
- Apply online. Most accounts can be opened from your phone or computer -- no paperwork required.
- Fund your account. Link an existing checking or savings account and transfer your money.
- Set up recurring deposits (optional). Some accounts offer higher APYs when you make regular monthly contributions.
- Track your balance and earnings. Interest usually compounds daily and is paid monthly, helping your savings grow faster over time.
$10,000 in an HYSA could earn $410 in a year
Earnings with a high-yield savings account depend on your account balance and the account APY (annual percentage yield).
For example, a $10,000 account balance with a 4.10% APY would earn roughly $410 in a year -- without locking up your cash.
Compare that to a traditional savings account, where rates are often much lower. Opening a high-APY account, like Barclays Tiered Savings account, can help you maximize your returns before rates drop. Learn more about Barclays Tiered Savings account here and open an account before rates fall again.
Open a SoFi Checking and Savings account (Member FDIC) and get a $300 cash bonus¹
For those who plan to set up direct deposit with their new account, the SoFi Checking and Savings account is hard to beat. Not only does this savings account offer a strong APY of up to 3.80%, but the linked checking account earns an above-average rate, too -- a rare perk. Plus, there's the opportunity for a bonus of up to $300¹ and a long list of extra account features.
Frankly, it's the kind of combo that could make it worthwhile to switch banking relationships. Open a SoFi Checking and Savings account today and see how to qualify for the full $300¹ bonus.
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Sources
FAQs
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Right now, the best savings account rates are those between 4.00% 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 0.41%.
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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.
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It's possible savings account rates could increase in 2025. Rate hikes depend on the Federal Reserve's actions and economic shifts. If inflation rises, banks may boost rates to attract deposits. However, at this time, experts expect that rates will decrease before the end of the year.
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.
SoFi disclosure:
¹ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at sofi.com/banking#1.
² SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or 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 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. Only SoFi Plus members are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. 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. 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.