Finder's best savings accounts for April 2026
- Best bonus savings account rate: ING Savings Maximiser
- Best intro rate savings account: Ubank Save Account
- Best no conditions savings account: Macquarie Savings Account
- Best savings account for large balances: Suncorp Bank Growth Saver Account
- Best Big Four bank savings account: Westpac Life (18-34 year olds only)
- Best kids savings account: Great Southern Bank Youth eSaver Account (0-17 year olds only)
How we choose our top savings account picks
Each month we assess 150+ savings accounts in our databse and assign each a Finder Score out of 10. Our data-driven Finder Score ranks savings accounts based on rates, fees, account conditions and restrictions. Put simply, the savings accounts with the highest Finder Scores allow you to earn the most amount of interest on your money, for the least amount of effort.
Once we get the accounts with the highest scores (8+), we then look at these to select the account that we feel best suits each of the different savings account categories featured above.
In sereral categories the account was chosen as it was a winner in the latest Finder Awards.
How to pick the best savings account
These are the 4 main things to look for when you're choosing a savings account:
1. A high interest rate
The higher the rate, the more interest you can earn. The best savings rates at the moment all start with a 5.
Check if the high interest rate on offer is an ongoing rate available each month, or if it's an intro rate only on offer for a few months. If it's the latter, set yourself a reminder to consider switching accounts after the intro period is over when the rate drops down to the lower, standard rate.
2. Conditions you can easily meet
Most of the best savings rates will require you to deposit a set amount each month (anywhere from $20-$2000) and perhaps also limit withdrawals or make a number of purchases.
Make sure you can comfortably meet the monthly conditions before opening the account. If you can't, you'll only earn the variable base rate which is often very low.
Want a no-hoops savings account?
Compare more savings accounts that have no conditions.
3. Balance limits that suit your savings
Some savings accounts only offer the maximum interest rate on smaller balances up to $10,000, while others are up to $5 million. Depending on the size of your savings balance, make sure that the account you choose pays interest on your entire balance (or at least most of it).
4. A low-fee, linked transaction account
If you're planning to open a transaction account along with your savings account with the same bank (a lot of these are opened as a pair automatically), don't forget to check out the fees and charges for that account too. Because savings accounts don't charge fees, but some transaction accounts do.
"Of course the interest rate is important when choosing a savings account, but I always tell people that the account conditions are just as - if not more - important. There's no point choosing the account with the highest rate if you're going to be pushed to your limit meeting the deposit conditions each month.
Savings account rates change quite frequently - what's best one month might not be best the next. So you're better off choosing a good account with conditions you can easily meet and other features that suit you. Because if you opt for the account with the highest rate but then you can't meet the conditions, you'll likely earn no interest at all.
You still want to make sure you have an account with one of the best rates in the market as this will make a huge difference to the amount of interest you can earn - it just doesn't have the be the absolute highest rate available."
The best savings rate vs an average savings rate
How much difference does the interest rate on your savings account make, really? It's actually more than you might think!
Let's assume you have a savings balance of $40,000 and you're able to deposit $1,000 per month. Here's how much interest you'll earn over 1, 3 and 5 years if your savings account has a below-average rate (2.00% p.a.), an above-average rate (3.50% p.a.) or a market-leading rate (5.50% p.a.).
| Bonus interest rate | Interest after 1 year | Interest after 3 years | Interest after 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00% p.a. | $938 | 3,603 | $7,356 |
| 3.5% p.a. | $1,653 | $6,432 | $13,295 |
| 5.50% p.a. | $2,620 | $10,380 | $21,825 |
As you can see, you could earn quite a lot more money by simply switching to one of the best savings account rates in the market.
FAQs on best savings accounts
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what are the best investment options for kids below 1yr?
thank you
Hi Vas,
You can see our guide on children’s savings accounts here which may be of interest.
For other investment options, we suggest you speak with a financial adviser who can offer you personal advice based on your situation.
Thanks,
Alison
Hi Alison
I am interested in placing funds into the MyStateBank but the reviews on that bank are appalling. What is your experience or knowledge of this bank’s customer service reputation?
Many thanks
Michael
Hi Michael,
I haven’t used this bank personally so I’m unable to comment on its customer service, and we don’t have any customer reviews of the bank yet, unfortunately.
Thanks,
Alison
Looking to park an amount of over $250000 in an interest bearing account without locking into a fixed term. The funds belong to a SMSF. Can you advise the institutions that accept funds from s super fund and where the best interest rates will come from
Hi Giuseppe,
You can view a range of SMSF bank accounts that pay interest here.
Thanks,
Alison
Hi
the app is not for Aust is there an Aust app? for Virgin Savings
Hi Clive,
Virgin Money Australia has a mobile app where you can link and access your Virgin Money savings account. You can download it on their website or via the App Store or Google Play store.
Best,
Alison
i would appreciate more information on your top picks for larger balances (over $250,000)
with tha
Hi Elaine,
Of the accounts featured in our comparison table, usually for balances over $250,000 you’ll earn the standard variable rate. There are a few accounts that offer the total variable rate on large balances. Some examples include:
– Citibank Online Saver pays 1.1% p.a. on balances up to $500,000 for 4 months
– Macquarie Bank Savings Account pays 0.70% p.a. on balances over $250,000
– ING Savings Accelerator Account pays 0.65% p.a. on balances over $100,000
– Suncorp Growth Saver Account pays 0.45% p.a. on the entire balance
These are just a few examples, and might not be right for you. Don’t forget to check the product’s terms and conditions and eligibility requirements to make sure that it would suit your needs.
I hope this helps!
Alison