Independent educational resource. We are not a bank, broker, financial advisor, or affiliate of any issuer listed. APYs are sourced from each issuer's own published page on the date noted at the top of each rate table. Rates change frequently -- verify directly with the issuer before opening an account. FDIC insurance limits sourced from FDIC.gov. Nothing on this site is personalised financial advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making decisions about your savings strategy.

HYSAvsMMA
HYSAMMAFAQ
Rates verified May 1, 2026

HYSA vs Money Market in 2026: which one for your savings?

Top 20 high-yield savings accounts and top 20 money market accounts, with APYs verified directly from each issuer. Updated weekly. Last verified May 1, 2026.

Top HYSA
4.10%
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Top MMA
4.50%
Quontic Bank
FDIC
$250k
per depositor, per bank
Fed Funds
4.25-4.50%
current target range

Interest calculator: your balance at top rates

Compare top HYSA vs top MMA on your specific balance. Rates as of May 1, 2026.

Top HYSA
Marcus HYSA at 4.1% APY
+$410
interest earned in 1 year
Top MMA
Quontic MMA at 4.5% APY
+$450
interest earned in 1 year

Top MMA wins by $40 on $10,000 over 1 year -- but HYSA may suit if you don't need check access.

Simple interest. Verify rates before opening. Rates change frequently.

Quick decision filter

△
I want the maximum APY
Best HYSA rates -- top 20 ranked by APY
✉
I need check writing or a debit card
Best money market accounts -- with access feature notes
🏠
I am holding more than $250,000
FDIC limits, joint accounts, IntraFi network sweeps
🎯
I am saving for a specific goal
Emergency fund / house / retiree income / business / over $250k

Rate environment: Fed funds rate at 4.25-4.50%. Top HYSA and MMA APYs have drifted down 0.3-0.5% from early 2025 peaks as the Fed paused its hiking cycle. Rates remain historically high relative to the 2010-2022 period. FRED

Top rates: HYSA vs Money Market

Verified May 1, 2026 from issuer pages

Top 5 High-Yield Savings

See all 20 →
IssuerAPYMinTrend
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
4.10%
$0—
UFB Direct
4.01%
$0—
LendingClub
3.97%
$0▲
Synchrony
3.90%
$0—
BMO Alto
3.85%
$0—

Top 5 Money Market Accounts

See all 20 →
IssuerAPYChecksTrend
Quontic
4.50%
No—
Vio Bank
4.46%
Yes▲
UFB Direct
4.01%
Yes—
Sallie Mae
3.90%
Yes—
CIT Bank
3.85%
Yes—

HYSA vs Money Market: feature comparison

The key differences at a glance. Neither wins universally -- your access pattern decides it.

FeatureHigh-Yield Savings (HYSA)Money Market (MMA)
Typical 2026 APY range3.30% - 4.10%2.85% - 4.50%
Top APY in our table4.10% (Marcus)4.50% (Quontic)
FDIC insuredYes ($250k / depositor / bank)Yes ($250k / depositor / bank)
Check writingUsually noOften yes (varies by issuer)
Debit cardUsually noSometimes yes
ATM accessSometimesOften yes
Minimum to openUsually $0-$100Often $0-$2,500
Monthly feeAlmost always $0Sometimes $5-$25, usually waivable
Tiered APYRareCommon
Best fitEmergency fund, simple savings, max APYRetiree income, business reserve, check access

Which scenario matches yours?

Each of these sub-pages gives you named-issuer recommendations tailored to the use case.

🔒
Emergency Fund
HYSA usually wins

No minimums, no fees, higher APY. Transfer-only access is fine for most emergencies.

🏠
House Down Payment
Timeline-matched

6-12 months: HYSA wins. 12-24 months: HYSA or short CD ladder. 24-36 months: CD or T-bills.

☕
Retiree Income
MMA often wins

Check-writing for quarterly taxes, contractor payments, and medical bills without a 2-day wait.

💼
Business Savings
Depends on structure

LLC and sole proprietor reserve cash. FDIC posture, neobank sweep programs, EIN vs SSN 1099.

💰
Over $250,000
Multiple strategies

Joint accounts, multiple ownership categories, IntraFi network sweeps, multi-bank laddering.

📋
Access Feature Matrix
Full issuer comparison

All 40 accounts cross-tabulated: check writing, debit, ATM, minimums, monthly fees.

MMA vs Money Market Fund: not the same thing

A money market account (MMA) is an FDIC-insured deposit account at a bank. A money market fund (MMF) is an investment product at a brokerage, protected by SIPC -- not FDIC -- and can, in rare cases, lose value. Most searches for "money market" want the bank account. If you want the fund, we explain both.

MMA vs money market fund: full comparison →

FDIC coverage explained

Both HYSA and MMA accounts at FDIC-member banks are insured $250,000 per depositor per institution per ownership category. A married couple at one bank can insure up to $1.5M+ across individual, joint, and trust categories. Over $250k? There are four legal strategies.

Over $250,000 FDIC walkthrough →

Frequently asked questions

Eight most-searched questions. Full FAQ with 30+ questions →

Which is better, a money market account or a high-yield savings account?⌄
It depends on your use case. A high-yield savings account (HYSA) typically offers a slightly higher APY and no minimums, making it ideal for emergency funds and long-term savings where you only need ACH transfers. A money market account (MMA) often offers check-writing and debit card access, making it better for retirees or anyone who needs to pay bills directly from savings. In May 2026, the top MMA rate (Quontic at 4.50% APY) is higher than the top HYSA rate (Marcus at 4.10% APY).
Are money market accounts FDIC insured?⌄
Yes -- money market accounts at FDIC-member banks are insured up to $250,000 per depositor per institution per ownership category, the same as regular savings accounts. This is different from money market funds (held at brokerages), which are not FDIC insured -- they are SIPC protected and can, in rare cases, lose value. See our /mma-vs-mmf/ page for the full distinction.
What is the highest paying money market account right now?⌄
As of May 2026, the highest MMA rate in our verified table is Quontic at 4.50% APY, followed by Vio Bank Cornerstone at 4.46% APY and UFB Direct Portfolio MMA at 4.01% APY. Rates are verified directly from each issuer's published page and change frequently -- verify before opening.
Can I write a check from my high-yield savings account?⌄
Usually no. Most HYSAs, including Marcus, Ally, Synchrony, and BMO Alto, are transfer-only accounts. Funds move via ACH to your linked checking account, which typically takes 1-2 business days. If you need check-writing directly from savings, you need a money market account. Exceptions: UFB Direct Portfolio Savings offers a debit card but not checks. See our /access-features/ page for the full matrix.
How much will $50,000 earn in a high-yield savings account?⌄
At the current top HYSA rate of 4.10% APY (Marcus, May 2026), $50,000 earns approximately $2,050 per year in simple interest, or about $171 per month. At the top MMA rate (Quontic at 4.50% APY), $50,000 earns approximately $2,250 per year. Use the calculator on our homepage to model your specific balance.
What is the FDIC limit on a money market account?⌄
The standard FDIC limit is $250,000 per depositor per institution per ownership category. A joint account with two co-owners gives $500,000 in coverage at one bank. Multiple ownership categories (single, joint, trust, retirement) can extend coverage further. See our /over-250k/ page for the full walkthrough on legitimately exceeding $250,000 in coverage at a single bank.
Is HYSA interest taxable?⌄
Yes. Interest earned on HYSAs and money market accounts is taxable as ordinary income at your federal marginal rate, plus state income tax (except in the 9 no-income-tax states). Your bank will send a 1099-INT if you earn more than $10 in interest during the year. There is no special capital gains treatment -- it is ordinary income. See our /tax-implications/ page for federal vs state detail and the Treasury MMF state-exemption nuance.
Should I put my emergency fund in a money market or HYSA?⌄
For most emergency funds, a high-yield savings account wins on simplicity and rate. HYSAs like Marcus (4.10% APY) have no minimums, no fees, and full FDIC coverage. A money market account makes sense if you specifically need check-writing for emergency payments (contractor, medical bill) without a 2-day ACH wait. See our /emergency-fund/ page for our recommended picks for both scenarios.

All APYs verified directly from each issuer's own published page on May 1, 2026. Federal funds rate from FRED. FDIC data from FDIC.gov. Full bibliography →