Our Picks of the Best Savings Accounts for 2018

This review was updated April 2nd, 2018. Many of the offers appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here, including CIT Bank, Discover Savings, and Synchrony. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). These offers do not represent all financial offers available.

We've vetted some of the most popular high-yield online savings accounts to bring you our shortlist of the best high-yield online savings accounts for 2018. Check out the table below and read on for more detailed reviews of each savings account. For more information on how our best savings accounts picks were selected, click here.

MORE >> Compare hundreds of savings rates to find a high yield

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CIT Bank Premier High Yield Savings

Good for: Cash bonus and high APY.

Importantly, CIT Bank Premier High Yield Savings packs in a high APY that doesn't come at the expense of unnecessary fees. These best-in-classs benefits make it one of the best options we've come across.

Discover Savings

Good for: Low fees and cash bonus.

Discover's high-yield savings account gives includes many valuable perks. The bank's combination of a high APY, $200 cash bonus, no monthly maintenance fees, and ease of use are all factors we consider a must-have for online savings accounts. To secure the cash bonus, new accountholders simply need to use offer code FOOL318 when opening an account by 4/2/18 and when making a deposit of at least $25,000 by 4/16/18 (see below for terms).

WHAT TO DO: APPLY FOR YOUR FIRST DISCOVER ONLINE SAVINGS ACCOUNT BY 4/2/18, ONLINE OR BY PHONE. ENTER OFFER CODE FOOL318 WHEN APPLYING. DEPOSIT A TOTAL OF $25,000 TO EARN A $200 BONUS BY 4/16/18. MAXIMUM BONUS ELIGIBILITY IS $200.

WHAT TO KNOW: OFFER NOT VALID FOR EXISTING OR PRIOR DISCOVER SAVINGS CUSTOMERS OR EXISTING OR PRIOR CUSTOMERS WITH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS THAT ARE CO-BRANDED OR AFFINITY ACCOUNTS PROVIDED BY DISCOVER. ACCOUNT MUST BE OPEN WHEN BONUS IS CREDITED. BONUS WILL BE CREDITED TO THE ACCOUNT BY 4/30/18. BONUS IS CONSIDERED INTEREST AND WILL BE REPORTED ON IRS FORM 1099-INT. OFFER MAY BE MODIFIED/WITHDRAWN WITHOUT NOTICE.

Synchrony Bank High-Yield Savings

Good for: High APY and free ATMs.

We think Synchrony Bank High-Yield Savings is a top-tier option for people who want to tackle common fees head-on and earn one of the best interest rates we've seen. Parking your cash with Synchrony Bank can bring the cost of maintaining an account down to $0 for routine account needs and Synchrony's high yield rounds out the features we covet most when picking the best online savings accounts. 

*No fees for in-network ATMs bearing the Plus, NYCE, or STAR logos. Synchrony rebates $5 per month for out-of-network ATM fees.

American Express National Bank Savings

Good for: High APY and low fees.

American Express has a legion of die-hard credit card fans and we think American Express National Bank Savings will generate the same enthusiasm for savers who value a combination of low fees and and a high APY.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings

Good for: High APY and low fees.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs is a recent entrant in the online banking market, and the bank is garnering a lot of attention. That's because it has been going toe-to-toe with competitors by delivering a high interest rate with low fees.

Barclays Online Savings

Good for: High APY and low fees.

Barclays Online Savings checks many of our boxes for a top-notch savings account -- namely, low fees, convenience, and high yield. Its cut-rate fees are especially compelling, and its mobile app earns impressive user ratings.

Ally Online Savings

Good for: High APY and free ATMs.

Ally has been one of the most vocal and aggressive online banks when it comes to low fees and competitive yields across all of its banking products. Ally Online Savings is no exception, with its high yield, free ATMs, and slate of fee waivers. Similar to Discover, Ally may be worth considering for financial services beyond just a savings account, including the online bank's CDs and brokerage offerings.

Alliant High-Rate Savings

Good for: Credit union and free ATMs.

Alliant is a credit union that offers the convenience expected from a major national bank while also delivering the high APY and low fees common among credit unions. Alliant also stands out for its mobile-friendly experience. Many credit unions skimp on their mobile platforms, but Alliant members will find that's not the case when using the app for routine account-management needs.