$HYSA Compare

HYSA vs CD

18 accounts · Updated daily · Verified APYs

A high-yield savings account pays a variable rate and lets you withdraw at any time. A certificate of deposit locks your money up for a fixed term in exchange for a (usually) higher rate. In a falling-rate environment, locking in a CD can preserve yield; in a rising-rate environment, the flexibility of a HYSA wins.

In April 2026, the spread between top HYSAs and 12-month CDs has narrowed to less than 50 basis points, which makes the case for a HYSA stronger than it has been since 2022. The accounts below are the top picks if you want the HYSA route.

The ranking

  1. 01
    Varo Savings Account
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    5.00%
    Updated 1d ago
  2. 02
    BrioDirect High-Yield Savings
    FDIC · $5,000 min · $0.00/mo
    4.85%
    Updated 1d ago
  3. 03
    Bask Interest Savings
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    4.65%
    Updated 1d ago
  4. 04
    UFB Secure Savings
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    4.57%
    Updated 1d ago
  5. 05
    CIT Platinum Savings
    FDIC · $100 min · $0.00/mo
    4.55%
    Updated 1d ago
  6. 06
    Wealthfront Cash Account
    FDIC · $1 min · $0.00/mo
    4.50%
    Updated 1d ago
  7. 07
    LendingClub LevelUp Savings
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    4.50%
    Updated 1d ago
  8. 08
    Bread Savings High-Yield Savings
    FDIC · $100 min · $0.00/mo
    4.40%
    Updated 1d ago
  9. 09
    Synchrony High Yield Savings
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    4.35%
    Updated 1d ago
  10. 10
    Barclays Online Savings
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    4.35%
    Updated 1d ago
  11. 11
    Fidelity Cash Management Account
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    4.05%
    Updated 1d ago
  12. 12
    SoFi Checking and Savings
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    4.00%
    Live
  13. 13
    Discover Online Savings Account
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    4.00%
    Updated 1d ago
  14. 14
    Marcus Online Savings Account
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    3.65%
    Live
  15. 15
    Ally Online Savings Account
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    3.20%
    Live
  16. 16
    American Express High Yield Savings
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    3.20%
    Live
  17. 17
    Capital One 360 Performance Savings
    FDIC · $0 min · $0.00/mo
    3.20%
    Live
  18. 18
    Alliant High-Rate Savings
    NCUA · $5 min · $0.00/mo
    3.10%
    Updated 1d ago

Frequently asked

Can I withdraw from a CD early?

Usually yes, but you will pay an early withdrawal penalty — typically 3 to 12 months of interest depending on the term length. Some "no-penalty" CDs exist but pay lower rates.

Is a CD safer than a HYSA?

Both are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor. The "safety" difference is purely about rate certainty: a CD locks in the rate, a HYSA can change at any time.

What is a CD ladder?

A CD ladder is the strategy of splitting your savings across CDs with staggered maturity dates (e.g. 3, 6, 9, 12 months) so you always have a portion maturing soon. It's a way to capture some of the rate benefit of CDs while preserving partial liquidity.