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High-Yield Savings Account Tier List 2025 (BEST to WORST)


In the ever-changing world of personal finance, choosing the right high-yield savings account (HYSA) can make a significant difference in achieving your financial goals. With so many options available in 2025, we've ranked the top accounts from best to worst, evaluating factors like APY (Annual Percentage Yield), fees, account features, accessibility, and customer experience.

This tier list will help you decide where to park your hard-earned money for maximum growth, security, and convenience.

What Is a High-Yield Savings Account?

A high-yield savings account is a type of savings account that offers a much higher interest rate than traditional savings accounts. These accounts are typically offered by online banks, credit unions, and some fintech companies. Key benefits include:

  • Competitive APYs, often 5-10x higher than regular savings accounts.
  • Low or no monthly fees.
  • Easy access to funds via mobile banking.

However, not all HYSAs are created equal. Our tier list for 2025 will guide you to the best-performing accounts and warn you about the ones to avoid.

Tier List Rankings Criteria

Here’s what we considered for our rankings:

  1. Annual Percentage Yield (APY): The primary factor for most savers; higher APY means better returns.
  2. Fees: Monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, or hidden costs can erode your savings.
  3. Ease of Use: Mobile apps, online banking, and customer support quality.
  4. FDIC/NCUA Insurance: Ensures safety for up to $250,000 per depositor.
  5. Unique Features: Bonuses, cash-back offers, and integration with other financial tools.

Let’s break down the tier list:

S-Tier: The Best of the Best

Accounts in this tier offer outstanding APYs, minimal fees, and excellent features. They are the gold standard in 2025.

1. SoFi Checking & Savings

  • APY: 5.00% (on savings)
  • Pros:
    • No fees.
    • Early direct deposit.
    • Automatic savings tools.
    • Free overdraft coverage.
    • Robust app interface.
  • Cons:
    • Requires direct deposit to unlock the highest APY.
  • Why It’s S-Tier: SoFi consistently offers one of the highest APYs in the market, coupled with features like budgeting tools and no-fee banking. It’s perfect for tech-savvy savers.

2. CIT Bank Savings Connect

  • APY: 4.85%
  • Pros:
    • Competitive APY.
    • Low minimum deposit ($100).
    • No monthly fees.
  • Cons:
    • Limited brick-and-mortar presence.
  • Why It’s S-Tier: CIT Bank combines an excellent interest rate with ease of use and no hidden fees, making it a top choice for savers focused on simplicity.

3. Ally Bank Online Savings

  • APY: 4.75%
  • Pros:
    • No minimum balance requirements.
    • Savings buckets for goal setting.
    • Excellent customer support.
  • Cons:
    • No physical branches.
  • Why It’s S-Tier: Ally Bank's combination of a high APY, zero fees, and innovative features like "savings buckets" makes it a favorite for goal-oriented savers.

A-Tier: Excellent Choices

These accounts are just shy of S-Tier status, often due to slightly lower APYs or more stringent requirements.

1. Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings

  • APY: 4.60%
  • Pros:
    • No fees.
    • No minimum deposit required.
    • High reputation for security.
  • Cons:
    • No checking account option for integration.
  • Why It’s A-Tier: Marcus offers a competitive APY with zero fees, but the lack of a checking companion product holds it back slightly.

2. Discover Online Savings

  • APY: 4.50%
  • Pros:
    • No monthly fees.
    • Easy-to-use mobile app.
    • Cashback bonus for linked checking accounts.
  • Cons:
    • Limited physical access.
  • Why It’s A-Tier: Discover combines good APYs with a seamless banking experience, though its lack of physical branches might deter some users.

3. Vio Bank High Yield Online Savings

  • APY: 4.40%
  • Pros:
    • Highly competitive APY.
    • Straightforward account setup.
  • Cons:
    • Higher fees for wire transfers.
    • No checking account option.
  • Why It’s A-Tier: With an excellent APY and simple features, Vio Bank is ideal for those solely focused on growing their savings.

B-Tier: Good, but Not Great

These accounts are reliable but come with a few drawbacks that may not work for everyone.

1. Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings

  • APY: 4.25%
  • Pros:
    • No monthly fees.
    • ATM card access for withdrawals.
  • Cons:
    • Clunky mobile app interface.
    • No checking account options.
  • Why It’s B-Tier: Synchrony’s unique feature of providing an ATM card for savings withdrawals is appealing, but its outdated app and lack of comprehensive banking services keep it in the B-Tier.

2. Capital One 360 Performance Savings

  • APY: 4.20%
  • Pros:
    • No minimum balance.
    • Great app and customer service.
    • Access to physical branches.
  • Cons:
    • Lower APY compared to competitors.
  • Why It’s B-Tier: While Capital One offers a great overall banking experience, its lower APY compared to others in this list drops it to B-Tier.

C-Tier: Decent, but Flawed

These accounts may work for specific needs but generally lack the features or APYs to compete with top-tier offerings.

1. Barclays Online Savings

  • APY: 4.00%
  • Pros:
    • No minimum deposit.
    • Easy online interface.
  • Cons:
    • No mobile app improvements in 2025.
    • No checking account options.
  • Why It’s C-Tier: Barclays offers a decent APY but lags behind in mobile banking features and additional product offerings.

2. HSBC Direct Savings

  • APY: 3.75%
  • Pros:
    • Established brand reputation.
    • No monthly maintenance fees.
  • Cons:
    • Inconsistent APY updates.
    • Limited online features.
  • Why It’s C-Tier: HSBC’s conservative approach to APY increases and dated tech make it a less attractive option in 2025.

D-Tier: Mediocre Options

These accounts have significant shortcomings and are generally not recommended unless no better option is available.

1. Bank of America Advantage Savings

  • APY: 0.01%-0.04% (tiered)
  • Pros:
    • Access to a wide branch network.
  • Cons:
    • Very low APY.
    • Monthly maintenance fees unless conditions are met.
  • Why It’s D-Tier: Bank of America’s savings product is heavily focused on traditional banking customers but fails to provide a meaningful APY for high-yield savers.

2. Wells Fargo Way2Save Savings

  • APY: 0.15% (variable)
  • Pros:
    • Convenient branch access.
    • Automatic savings transfer features.
  • Cons:
    • Extremely low APY.
    • Monthly fees unless balances are maintained.
  • Why It’s D-Tier: Wells Fargo’s Way2Save account is designed more for convenience than yield, making it a poor choice for maximizing savings.

F-Tier: Avoid These Accounts

These accounts offer little to no value for savers seeking high-yield options.

1. Chase Savings

  • APY: 0.01%
  • Pros:
    • Large branch network.
    • Reliable banking reputation.
  • Cons:
    • Insultingly low APY.
    • Monthly fees unless balance requirements are met.
  • Why It’s F-Tier: Chase’s APY is among the worst in 2025, and its reliance on fees makes it a poor option for savers looking to grow their funds.

2. Citibank Savings Plus

  • APY: 0.05%
  • Pros:
    • Established global banking presence.
  • Cons:
    • Very low APY.
    • High fees for low balances.
  • Why It’s F-Tier: Citibank’s Savings Plus account fails to compete in the high-yield category, offering minimal value.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, high-yield savings accounts remain a cornerstone for financial growth and security. Choosing the right account can mean the difference between maximizing your savings and losing out on potential earnings.

Top Recommendations:

  • Best Overall: SoFi Checking & Savings
  • Best for Simplicity: CIT Bank Savings Connect
  • Best for Goal-Oriented Savers: Ally Bank Online Savings

As you evaluate your options, consider your financial goals, preferred banking features, and the importance of APY in your decision. Always read the fine print and ensure that your chosen bank offers FDIC or NCUA insurance for your peace of mind.

If you’d like help opening a high-yield savings account or have questions about specific accounts, feel free to reach out in the comments!

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