Compare free savings accounts

When you’re saving up for a goal, you don’t want to end up losing any money to fees. Most banks offer free savings accounts — but you have to know how to find them. Here’s what to look for when shopping around for and how to compare free savings account.

How to compare free savings accounts

When weighing the benefits of a free savings account, look at such factors beyond the monthly fee:

• Interest rates. If you want the highest APY, consider online banks. They have lower overhead than traditional banks, so they tend to offer the highest interest rates with little to no fees.
• Signup bonuses. Some banks offer introductory bonus rates, extra features, free gifts or other rewards for opening a free savings account with them. Carefully read the conditions of the perk so that you don’t miss out.
• Account access. Free savings accounts — especially those from online banks — may not come with an ATM card or easy account access. Consider whether your bank offers a mobile app or an extensive network of ATMs and branches for easy access to your money.
• Miscellaneous fees. Many savings accounts are considered “free” as long as they don’t have a monthly fee. But that doesn’t mean you won’t pay fees for excessive withdrawals, ATMs or transfers. Read the account’s fine print to see what you could be on the hook for.

Compare free savings accounts

Take a quick look at these four free savings accounts or use the table below for a deeper dive. You can compare free savings accounts by sorting the table by APY and minimum deposit. View your favorites side-by-side by clicking the “Compare” box next to each one.

American Express® High Yield Savings

★★★★★

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CIT Bank Savings Builder High Yield Savings Account

★★★★★

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UFB Direct High Yield Savings

★★★★★

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Betterment Everyday Cash Reserve

★★★★★

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Name	Product	Interest rates (APY)	Fee	Minimum deposit to open	Interest earned
American Express® High Yield Savings		0.60%	$0	$0		Enjoy no monthly fees and a competitive APY with this online-only savings account. Accounts offered by American Express National Bank, Member FDIC.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CIT Bank Savings Builder High Yield Savings Account		0.50% on $25,000+ or set up a direct deposit of $100+ each month 0.30% on $0 to $24,999	$0	$100		No account opening or maintenance fees. Daily compounding interest. Earn one of the nation's top rates	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
UFB Direct High Yield Savings		0.40%	$0	$100		Earn an APY when your balance is higher than $10,000 with this no-monthly-fee savings account.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Betterment Everyday Cash Reserve		0.40%	$0	$10		This savings account has no account and overdraft fees, plus it requires no minimum balance.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Synchrony High Yield Savings		0.65%	$0	$0		Earn one of the highest interest rates without the fees.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Radius Bank High-Yield Savings		0.25% on $25,000+ 0.15% on $2,500 to $24,999.99 0.05% on $10 to $2,499.99	$0	$100		A free high-interest savings account with a $100 minimum deposit to open	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Where should I open a free savings account?

Free savings accounts can be found at two types of financial institutions:

• Online banks. Online banks — and online divisions of traditional banks — slash their overhead costs and pass these savings onto you in the form of high APYs and low fees. You’ll typically find the highest rates at online institutions, but you won’t be able to withdraw cash in-person and your account may not come with an ATM card.
• Brick-and-mortar banks. Free savings accounts from physical banks usually have the lowest APYs. You won’t earn much on your money, but you may be able to withdraw cash at a local branch or using an ATM card.

What other fees do I need to look out for?

Savings accounts are designed to help you save money, but you won’t be able to avoid all fees. Depending on your bank, you could face:

• Transfer fees. Your bank may charge you to transfer money to an account at another bank.
• Overdraft fees. If a transaction drops your balance below $0, you could be charged a fee.
• Paper statement fees. Unless you sign up for digital statements, your bank may charge a small fee to mail them.
• Transaction penalties. Federal law limits the activity you can have in your savings account to six transactions per month. If you exceed that limit, you face fees and even the closing of your account.

Potential fees with linked checking

Your bank may require you to link your free savings account to a checking account, which could have monthly fees. When comparing savings accounts, make sure you understand the fees that may come with the checking account you link it to:

• Monthly service fees. Fees can be as $25 per month, but some accounts waive it if you deposit a specific amount of money into your account monthly. Make sure you can realistically meet any conditions before signing on.
• Local ATM fees. If you make frequent withdraws, you’ll want to choose an account with a large ATM network. Many big-name banks like Citi and Capital One don’t charge ATM fees.
• Overseas ATM fees. If you travel a lot for business or pleasure, learn how much you might pay at international ATMs. Some banks, like Bank of America, have large global ATM networks that can help you save.
• International transaction fees. Charges could be as high as 5% of each transaction you use your card for overseas. Look for a linked checking account that charges low or no international transaction fees.

How is interest taxed on a free savings account?

Interest counts as taxable income, which means you’ll need to file a 1099-INT with your annual tax returns. You won’t pay tax on the balance in your account — only on the interest you earned in that year. For example, if your income is taxed at 25% and you earn $200 in interest, you’ll pay $50 in taxes.

Learn more about income tax and savings accounts.

Bottom line

Free savings accounts are a solid option for growing your money. You’ll likely find the highest rates and lowest fees at online banks — but that doesn’t mean you should avoid brick-and-mortar institutions. They may have the accessibility you’re looking for. As always, compare savings accounts until you find one that has features you need to keep on saving.

Frequently asked questions

• How does a bank make money if it doesn't charge fees on a savings account?

  Banks are a business. When you deposit your money into a free savings account, you’re effectively lending money to the bank. Your bank pools your money with other members’ and lends it out to borrowers, charging them interest. The interest they earn from lending out your money is likely a benefit they’re willing to waive fees for.

• Are online savings accounts a good idea?

  Yes, if you’re comfortable online and value high interest. Many high-yield savings accounts are offered by digital banks that don’t support a network of local branches. These banks pay less in overhead fees for branches and employees, passing the savings along to you in the form of high interest rates.

• Do free savings accounts come with ATM cards?

  It depends on the bank and account. Some banks offer free ATM cards with your account, whereas others require you to link your account to a checking account to gain access to its ATM network.

• Are free savings accounts protected by the FDIC?

  Yes. Your balance is protected by the federal government for up to $250,000 across all accounts at one bank or other financial institution.

• Should I avoid a high-interest savings account with a fee?

  Not necessarily. If the high-yield account you’re interested in has a fee, read the fine print to see if there’s a way for you to avoid it. Many banks and credit unions waive fees if, say, you maintain a specific minimum balance each month. Even if the fees are unavoidable, you might find that features or interest rates outweigh the extra cost.