Capital One vs. Ally: Which Bank Is Right for You?

Bottom line: Capital One and Ally might each satisfy online banking fans, but if you want the option to bank in person, Capital One might be better for you -- if not, consider Ally.

Here's a closer look at what accounts are available from Capital One and Ally, and how they compare.

Savings accounts

Capital One offers a nice option if you're looking for a good savings account. Its Capital One 360 Performance Savings pays a solid APY that's on par with some of the best high-yield savings accounts out there.

The Ally Savings account comes with a competitive APY as well. And you earn that APY with no special moves and no minimum balance. Plus, you get access to up to 30 "buckets" (sub-accounts) that make saving for different goals easier and more fun.

Checking accounts

Capital One has multiple personal checking accounts on offer. The Capital One 360 Checking account has no monthly fees and even earns APY, a less-common feature for a checking account. If you need an account for a young person, consider the Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account, which is also fee free and comes with parental monitoring features.

At Ally, it's not a checking account, it's an Ally Spending Account. You can earn interest on your money in it, and managing the account is easy using Ally's website or mobile app (more on that below). Remember, Ally doesn't have branches, so if you need to take cash out, you can lean on more 43,000 in-network ATMs (or take advantage of reimbursement of up to $10 per month in ATM fees).

CDs

Capital One CDs offer competitive APYs no matter what term you choose -- those terms come in the usual flavors (three months to five years). And you won't need to come up with a set minimum to open a CD, either.

Ally CDs also come in straightforward term lengths (three months to five years) and the APYs offered are pretty solid. As of this writing, you can get the best APY on a 1-year CD, and there's no minimum balance to open one here, either.

Capital One and Ally are pretty neck and neck when it comes to earning interest on your banked cash. As of this writing, their savings APYs are the same, and rates on CDs are also comparable (Capital One's are slightly higher for some terms). Those rates are pretty competitive among online banks, and definitely way higher than the national average. Plus, you can earn interest on your checking account with both banks.

Need to call Capital One? Representatives are standing by from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week. And if you have one in your area, you can visit a branch or Capital One Cafe to get your questions answered or help with your account.

Your contact with Ally will have to be 100% remote, since this online bank has no branches. But Ally offers 24/7 phone support, and you can even see how long the wait is to speak to someone -- how cool! You can also reach out via chat.

Capital One's mobile app gives you the chance to see all your accounts in one place, keep tabs on your credit, and pay your bills. It's got high ratings on both the App Store (4.8 out of 5) and Google Play (4.6 out of 5), so users are evidently enjoying their experiences with the Capital One app.

Ally's mobile app offers a range of tools and charts to help you keep track of your financial life and goals. You can also move money around as needed, between your accounts or otherwise. It's got a solid rating on the App Store (4.7 out of 5), but reviews are mixed for Google Play (2.8 out of 5) -- seemingly due to tech issues.

Ultimately, Capital One and Ally have a lot in common as far as high APYs, account types available, and other features are concerned. The biggest differentiator is the ability to seek out in-person help from Capital One if you live near a branch. Otherwise, it's a good idea to review our coverage of both banks and dig into the finer details to find the right fit for you and your money.

Our bank and credit union methodology

Our methodology for scoring banks and credit unions revolves around evaluating key aspects such as annual percentage yield (APY), brand reputation, fees and minimum requirements, and additional perks.

These criteria are weighted differently across various account types, ensuring a comprehensive assessment that reflects the competitive landscape and economic conditions.

We strictly feature products that offer federal insurance and high customer satisfaction, keeping our recommendations unbiased by advertiser influence. This robust evaluation process helps us generate balanced, reliable best-of lists that guide consumers to top financial products.

Learn more about how The Motley Fool Ascent rates bank accounts.