● Checked Oct 25, 2026Plain rates vs catchesNo sponsored rankings
SAVINGS / CHECKED OCT 25, 2026
The best savings rates with no strings.
The average US savings account pays 0.38%. The best plain account we checked pays 4.40%, with no promo clock, no membership, and no direct deposit. On $10,000 that is $440 a year instead of $38.
THE GAP
Same FDIC insurance, about 12× the interest.
The FDIC puts the national average savings rate at 0.38% (as of Oct 19, 2026). That is an average across all banks, so a given bank may pay more or less. Big branch banks sit near the bottom: Wells Fargo Way2Save Savings pays 0.01%.
| Balance | Top plain | US average | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000Pibank 4.40% vs 0.38% average | $440/yr | $38/yr | +$402 |
| $50,000Pibank 4.40% vs 0.38% average | $2,200/yr | $190/yr | +$2,010 |
One year of interest at today’s APY. Rates are variable and can change any time.
NO STRINGS
4 accounts pay 4.20% or more just for holding cash.
No referral, no subscription, no direct deposit, no promo that expires. Open, fund, earn.
| Account · what to know | APY |
|---|---|
| PibankPibank Savings · Standard rateNo minimum opening balance, monthly fees, or qualifying direct-deposit requirement.FDIC · Intercredit Bank, N.A. | 4.40% |
| ElevaultElevault Portfolio · Standard rateNo minimum deposit or fees. Interest is paid daily on balances up to $500,000; linked-account funding is capped at $2,500 a day.FDIC · Southern Bancorp Bank | 4.34% |
| Peak BankEnvision High Yield Savings · New accounts · below $500k$100 to open. New-account APY is 4.27% below $500,000; published tiers at $500,000+ earn 3.40%.FDIC · Idaho First Bank | 4.27% |
| EverBankPerformance Savings · New accounts$0 to open. New-account APY of 4.20% on all balances; no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance.FDIC · EverBank, N.A. | 4.20% |
The names you know pay less: Synchrony 3.55%, Ally 3.10%, Capital One 3.10%, American Express 3.10%, Citizens Access 2.80%, Wells Fargo 0.01%. Newtek Bank publishes 4.20% but is not taking new applications, so it is left out.
HEADLINE RATES, WITH CATCHES
Rates above 4.40% exist, but each one wants something from you.
A paycheck, a referral, a monthly fee, or a promo clock. Worth it if you already meet the condition. Not worth it if you have to change your life for it.
| Account · the catch | Up to |
|---|---|
| X MoneyStored Value Account · Conditional6.00% with Premium+ or $1,000+ direct deposit (ACH payroll or X creator payouts) in the last 34 days; 4.00% otherwise.What it is worth: Free if your paycheck already lands there. Paying about $395/yr for Premium+ just for the rate only beats Pibank’s plain 4.40% above roughly $24,700. No interest at all for New York residents.FDIC · Conditional | 6.00%base 4.00% |
| Axos BankAxos ONE Savings · 6-cycle promo · first $50kNew Axos/UFB customers: open October 1–31. Up to 5.00% on first $49,999.99 for six statement cycles; qualifying checking activity required.What it is worth: Temporary. After the boost it drops toward 1.00%, or 4.21% if you keep qualifying, under the plain 4.40%.FDIC · Bank deposit | 5.00%base 1.00% |
| SoFiSavings · SoFi Plus · Plus · first $20,000SoFi Plus costs $10/month. 4.70% applies to the first $20,000 in one eligible savings account; excess earns 3.30%.What it is worth: The membership costs $120/yr. On $20,000 that nets about 4.10%, below the plain 4.40%.FDIC · Bank deposit | 4.70%base 0.80% |
| WealthfrontCash Account · Referral + recurring boost4.55% on up to $150,000 for 3 months: qualifying referral, funded investing account, and recurring deposits.What it is worth: Temporary. After the boost it drops toward 3.55% (a bit more if you keep the recurring deposits), under the plain 4.40%.FDIC · Conditional | 4.55%base 3.55% |
| MarcusOnline Savings Account · 3-month referral boostRefer a new customer, or open through a qualifying referral link. +1.00 percentage point for 3 months.What it is worth: Temporary. After the boost it drops toward 3.50%, under the plain 4.40%.FDIC · Bank deposit | 4.50%base 3.50% |
HOW TO PICK
Most people need one boring account at the top of the plain list.
- Want zero homework: take the top plain rate. Rates are variable, so check again in a few months.
- Already have direct deposit you can point anywhere: a conditional rate can be free money. Check the catches table above first.
- Big balance: Elevault and Peak Bank change terms at $500,000 (see each row). Above $250,000, spread money across banks to stay inside FDIC limits.
MORE
Every rate here was checked by hand against the bank’s own page; data last checked Oct 25, 2026. Confirm on the provider’s site before you move money.
See the full Rates table → · How this site makes money. No links on this page pay us, and rankings are by rate, never by payout.