Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

Savings accounts vs. savings bonds: What to know

Use both of these financial tools to reach your savings goals.

Savings accounts and savings bonds are built for the same purpose — and it’s right in their names. Both allow you to save money, albeit not at the strongest rates. But you’ll find distinct differences between these two financial tools.

Savings accounts vs. savings bonds: What sets them apart?

Many banks offer accounts that can help you save money with few fees and easy access. But they don’t come with the nearly 80-year history of a US savings bond.

Still, their differences go beyond nostalgia to include how much you’re able to save, whether you’ll pay taxes on what you earn and more.

Savings accounts

  • Variable rates range from 0.01% to as high as 5%.
  • Some accounts require no minimum balance.
  • Deposit as much as you want.
  • Withdraw money any time.
  • Interest is fully taxable.

Savings bonds

  • Fixed interest rate of 0.10% over the life of your bond.
  • $25 minimum to buy a bond.
  • $10,000 annual purchase limit.
  • Must hold the bond at least one year before redeeming.
  • Interest is tax-free if redeemed toward educational expenses.
American Express® High Yield Savings Account
4.00% APY

Enjoy $0 monthly fees and a competitive APY with this online-only savings account. Accounts offered by American Express National Bank, Member FDIC.

Apply now
on American Express's secure site
APY 4.00%
Fee $0
Minimum deposit to open $0
New account fee $0
Minimum balance to earn interest $0
Interest compounding Daily

Compare the latest savings account rates

{"visibility":"visibilityTable","ctaLabel":"Calculate","tableCode":"savings_calculator_table","nicheCode":"USFSA","fields":[{"name":"PERIOD","value":"1","options":"","label":"Years to save","suffix":"","useSuffixAsPrefix":false,"useDropDownOption":false,"tooltip":""},{"name":"INITIAL_DEPOSIT","value":"1000","options":"","label":"Initial deposit","suffix":"$","useSuffixAsPrefix":true,"useDropDownOption":false,"tooltip":"Select Calculate to see your estimated total balance based on the current APY for each product below"}]}
1 - 6 of 27
Name Product USFSA Account type Annual Percentage Yield (APY) FDIC or NCUA insured amount Minimum balance to earn interest Minimum deposit to open Offer Estimated total balance
Uphold
Finder Score: 4.4 / 5: ★★★★★
Uphold
Savings app
Up to

4.90%

Up to $2.5 million
$1
$0
$1,049
SoFi Checking and Savings
Finder Score: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
SoFi Checking and Savings
Traditional savings,Checking
Up to

4.30%

Up to $250,000
$0
$0
Get up to $300 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until December 31, 2024.
$1,043
Axos ONE
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Axos ONE
Savings app
Up to

4.53%

Up to $250 million
$0
$0
$1,045.30
American Express® High Yield Savings Account
Finder Score: 4.9 / 5: ★★★★★
American Express® High Yield Savings Account
Traditional savings

4.00%

Up to $250,000
$0
$0
$1,040
Western Alliance HYSA through Raisin
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
Western Alliance HYSA through Raisin
Traditional savings

4.70%

Up to $250,000
$0
$1
$1,047
Barclays Tiered Savings
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Barclays Tiered Savings
Traditional savings
Up to

4.80%

Up to $250,000
$0
$0
$1,048
loading

Similarities

Savings accounts and savings bonds are similar when it comes to:

  • Safety. Both are backed by the US government, so you can’t lose money by buying a bond or depositing money into a savings account.
  • Predictable returns. You can calculate the interest you’ll earn on your deposit.
  • Medium-term savings. Both accounts are best for those who aren’t looking for access to their money in the next 12 or more months, though savings accounts provide a bit more flexibility for early withdrawals.

Types of US savings bonds

The two main types of savings bonds are EE Bonds and I Bonds. Both are solid ways to save money, but with important differences.

EE Bonds

  • Only available online.
  • Interest rate set when you buy the bond.
  • Available in amounts of $25 or more.

I Bonds

  • Available in paper or online.
  • Interest rate is a composite fixed amount plus an inflation adjustment.
  • Purchase paper bonds in $50 increments and online bonds in amounts of $25 or more.

Old savings bonds

Savings bonds have been around for a long time. The first savings bonds were sold after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation creating them in 1935. Ever since, they’ve been a popular way to save money for the future.
Savings bonds have undergone many changes in that time. Even the modern EE bond, the type that most Americans are familiar with, has changed over the years.

Prior to 1995, EE bonds earned a fixed rate of interest with a guarantee to double in value after a specific period of time. For example, a bond purchased for $25 in April 1995 earned 4% per year with a guaranteed value of $50 in April 2013.

Even after the value of the bond doubled, it continued to earn interest 30 years after the bond was issued.

If you have old savings bonds, they could be worth more than you think. The Department of Treasury’s savings bond calculator can help you find out how much your old bonds are worth.

How to buy or cash in

Everyday savings accounts offer an easy way to earn interest on your money with flexible deposits and withdrawals, while savings bonds lock up your money for a year before allowing you to withdraw your money.

Savings accounts

You can make deposits to your savings account online through mobile check deposits or transfers. Withdraw your money at a branch, an ATM or by transferring it into another account electronically.

Savings bonds

The easy way to buy a savings bond is online through the Department of Treasury’s site. With an electronic bond, you never have to handle physical bonds or worry about storing them. You can purchase either I bonds or EE bonds in any amount of at least $25.

To redeem an electronic bond, log in to the Department of Treasury’s site and select the bonds you want to redeem. You can then send the money to your bank electronically.

For paper bonds, you’re limited to I bonds only, and you can only purchase them using your tax refund. You can buy up to $5,000 in paper I bonds each year in increments of:

  • $50
  • $100
  • $200
  • $500
  • $1,000

Redeeming a paper bond involves converting it to an electronic bond and redeeming it online. You can also redeem it by visiting a local bank or mailing it to the Treasury.

Bottom line

Savings accounts and savings bonds share features, but they’re designed for slightly different goals.
Your everyday savings account offers a place to keep money that you might need quickly for, say a financial emergency. While savings bonds are better suited for a long-term investment of money you won’t need until later.

Frequently asked questions

Kelly Suzan Waggoner's headshot
Editor-in-chief

Kelly Suzan Waggoner is a Personal Finance Editor at AOL and the former US editor-in-chief at Finder, where she worked with a talented team of expert writers and editors focused on helping readers to save money, earn money and grow their wealth. She joined Finder in 2016 as an editor, germinating the site from money transfers to include the wide scope of personal finance. Kelly has worked with publishers, magazines and nonprofits throughout New York City to develop best practices around editorial, SEO, plain language and accessibility, including Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, HauteLife Press and Queerty. She is quoted on such sites as Lifehacker and CertifiKid, and ghostwrote Copyediting and Proofreading for Dummies, published by Wiley. Kelly earned a BA in English from Russell Sage College and a Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing from Poynter News University. She is trained in digital and website accessibility and plain language, and is a member of ACES: The Society for Editing and the Center for Plain Language. Between projects, she toys with words, flips through style guides and fantasizes about the serial comma’s world domination. See full bio

Kelly Suzan's expertise
Kelly Suzan has written 47 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Plain Language Consultant
  • Editorial SEO
  • Digital and website accessibility

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site