Best High-Yield Savings Account Rates Today, May 23, 2025: Up to 5.00%
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KEY POINTS
- The best high-yield savings account rate now: 5.00% APY.
- Earn a top interest rate while keeping your cash accessible and secure.
- Open and manage your account right from your mobile phone or laptop computer.
The Fed held rates steady in May, and that's kept high-yield savings account interest rates near their peak. But with inflation cooling and rate cuts back on the table later this year, these elevated APYs may not stick around.
If your money is still sitting in a savings account earning less than 1%, you're missing out on free interest. The good news is it takes just minutes to open a new account and start earning up to 10 times the average national rate on your savings.
We've rounded up the best savings rates available today -- updated daily so you don't miss a better deal.
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 22, 2025.
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
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
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
3.60%
Rate info
3.60% annual percentage yield as of May 23, 2025. Terms apply.
Min. to earn
$0
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings Account
On American Express's Secure Website. |
3.60%
Rate info
3.60% annual percentage yield as of May 23, 2025. Terms apply.
|
$0
|
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings Account
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
Member FDIC.
APY
4.30%
Rate info
The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of May 2, 2025 and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Refer to product’s website for latest APY rate. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY.
Min. to earn
$500 to open, $0.01 for max APY
Open Account for Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
On Western Alliance Bank's Secure Website. |
4.30%
Rate info
The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of May 2, 2025 and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Refer to product’s website for latest APY rate. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY.
|
$500 to open, $0.01 for max APY
|
Open Account for Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
On Western Alliance Bank'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?
With interest rates holding steady for now, it's a smart time to take advantage of high-yield savings accounts. Some of the best options are offering APYs as high as 5.00%, giving your money a chance to grow more than it would in a regular savings account. If you're looking for a safe, flexible place to stash your cash, an HYSA is worth considering.
The chart below shows the rapid increase in average deposit rates at U.S. banks during the Fed's last pivot. Rates jumped from below 0.10% to nearly 0.50% in just over a year. Rates could drop again quickly if cuts start later this year.
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 rates from various banks and credit unions. Shop around to find the best APY, low or no fees, and features like easy transfers and mobile access. Online banks often offer the most competitive rates.
- Gather your information. You'll need basic personal details like your name, address, Social Security number, and a form of ID to apply.
- Complete the application. Most applications can be done online in just a few minutes. Follow the prompts to enter your information and set up your account.
- Fund your new account. Link an existing bank account to transfer money in. Some banks require a minimum deposit to open the account, so be sure to read the fine print.
- Set up online and mobile access. Once your account is active, download the bank's app or log in online so you can track your balance, transfer funds, and manage your savings easily.
A $10,000 HYSA deposit could earn $400 in a year
High-yield savings account earnings depend on your account balance and the account APY (annual percentage yield).
For example, a $10,000 account balance with a 4.00% APY would earn roughly $400 in a year -- without locking up your cash.
Compare that to a traditional savings account, where rates are often much lower. Opening an account with a top-tier APY, like Barclays Tiered Savings, can help you maximize your returns before rates drop. Open a Barclays Tiered Savings account here before rates fall again.
Open a SoFi Checking and Savings account (Member FDIC) and get a cash bonus
For those who plan to set up direct deposit with their new account, the SoFi Checking and Savings account (Member FDIC) 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. Even better: New customers can earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits!
Frankly, it's the kind of combo that could make it worthwhile to switch banking relationships. Open a SoFi Checking and Savings account (Member FDIC) today and see how to qualify for the full bonus.
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Sources
FAQs
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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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Yes, high-yield savings accounts are safe as long as they're offered by an FDIC-insured bank or NCUA-insured credit union. Your money is protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, in case the bank fails.
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Yes, the interest rate on a high-yield savings account is variable, which means it can go up or down at any time. Rates often follow changes in the federal funds rate, so they may increase during rising rate environments and decrease when rates fall.
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.