CDs vs. Savings Accounts: Which Is Right for You?
Updated
If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.
CDs and savings accounts both earn you interest on your deposits, but one is not like the other. A CD locks up your money for six months to five years but can typically earn you better returns than a savings account can.
Here's the quick way to choose between CDs vs. savings accounts: Open a CD to earn interest on money you'll leave untouched until the full CD term is up. Open a savings account to earn interest on money you may need anytime.
Still on the fence? Read on. Below, we'll compare the features of CDs vs. savings accounts so you can choose with confidence which deposit account is right for you.
A savings account is an interest-bearing deposit account that typically pairs with a checking account. You can deposit money anytime. You may withdraw or transfer money six times or more monthly (per Regulation D), depending upon your bank or credit union.
Make sure you're getting the best account for you by comparing savings rates and promotions. Here are some of our favorite high-yield savings accounts to consider.
| Account | APY | Promotion | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings Account
On American Express's Secure Website.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
3.60%
Rate info
3.60% annual percentage yield as of June 5, 2025. Terms apply.
Min. to earn: $0
|
N/A
|
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings Account
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
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
|
New customers can earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits!
|
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website. |
Open Account for Barclays Tiered Savings
On Barclays' Secure Website.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
4.00%
Rate info
Balances less than $250,000 earn 4.00%, and balances greater than $250,000 earn 4.20%.
Min. to earn: $0
|
N/A
|
Open Account for Barclays Tiered Savings
On Barclays' Secure Website. |
A CD, or certificate of deposit, is a "fixed" type of interest-bearing bank account that locks up your money for an agreed-upon length of time. You give up access to your funds for a specified period. In return, you receive a higher interest rate than you would through a typical savings account.
CDs and savings accounts both earn you interest on your deposits.
CDs earn you the highest possible interest rates, but savings accounts let you make some monthly withdrawals for free. It's a tradeoff: profitability versus flexibility.
Compare CDs vs. savings account features below.
| Feature | CD | Savings Account |
|---|---|---|
| High initial deposit | Yes | No |
| Easy withdrawal | No | Yes |
| ATM access | No | No |
| Check-writing | No | No |
| Monthly fees | No | Varies |
| High interest rates | Yes | Yes |
| Early withdrawal fees | Yes | No |
You should open a savings account when you want to earn money on deposits you may need to withdraw whenever. Savings accounts help you save for uncertain times.
For example, say you want to protect yourself in case you lose your job. You don't know when that may happen -- it could be tomorrow, two years from now, or never. You can put money in a savings account and call it your emergency fund. You'll earn passive interest income, and should you suddenly lose your job, you can withdraw money immediately to pay rent.
A savings account offers better rates than CDs do for unspecific terms (lengths of time). You can withdraw money earlier than expected without paying fees -- meaning more money in your pocket.
Many people are missing out on guaranteed returns as their money languishes in a big bank savings account earning next to no interest. Motley Fool Money's top savings account picks can earn you more than 10x the national average savings account rate.
You should open a CD when you want to earn money on deposits over specific time periods. CDs help you save for specific goals. CDs are inflexible, and you can use that to your advantage.
For example, say you want to purchase a used car in two years. You can put money in a 2-year CD and call it "car money." The threat of withdrawal penalties will discourage you from spending that money before two years is up. When the term ends, you'll have the initial deposit to spend toward purchasing a used car, plus interest.
A CD offers better rates than a savings account for specific terms (lengths of time). Withdrawal penalties encourage you to keep your money deposited, reducing temptation to spend.
We've scanned the most popular banks to find CDs with high interest rates to make your money work harder for you. Get started by clicking below.
Ready to move on to opening an account? You can do so easily. Below is a checklist of steps you can follow to quickly open a bank account online:
How to open a CD or savings account online:
Opening an account in person is even simpler (you'll have to travel, though). Just gather your personal details and head to the nearest bank branch. A representative will guide you through the process of opening an account. You may have to wait in line to speak to a representative.
Yes, the best CD rates are typically better than the best savings account rates. That's because CDs give banks confidence you'll leave deposits alone. But some high-yield savings accounts offer rates compatible with average CDs. Shop around to get the best deals.
No, CDs are not safer than savings accounts. FDIC-insured banks protect both savings accounts and CDs from bankruptcy. And bank-level encryption protects both account types.
CDs lock up your money for six months to five years. You must pay penalties to withdraw early, and you must withdraw your entire deposit. But savings accounts often pay you lower returns.
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.
