8 Best Credit Union Savings Accounts of 2026

This list is for savers who want to keep their savings at a credit union rather than a bank, and want a competitive rate. It compares eight credit union savings accounts, including national credit unions open to almost anyone and large regional ones with membership limits. We compared documented rates, fees, minimums and membership rules from each credit union's own pages in November 2026; we did not open the accounts. Rankozo weights value at 40%, features at 35% and ease of use at 25%. Here value reflects the APY on a typical balance and fees, features reflect rate tiers, goal tools and related accounts, and ease of use reflects how hard it is to join and to earn the advertised rate.

1. 01Top value

   

   Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Savings

   9.0/10

   Online credit union savings account from Alliant Credit Union that pays one rate on every balance of $100 or more.

   Price

   Freemonthly fee

   No monthly fees; $100 average daily balance to earn dividends

   “no monthly fees or other sneaky ways to chip away at your earnings” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.2

   Features (35%)

   8.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.0

   Best forsavers who want the highest flat credit union rate open to anyone

   Alliant ranks first because it pays the best flat rate among the credit unions we compared and lets almost anyone in. Its High-Rate Savings account paid 3.01% APY as of the 10/08/2026 dividend declaration date, on the whole balance, as long as the average daily balance stays at $100 or more. There is no direct deposit, debit card or transaction condition to meet. Alliant says it charges no monthly fees, and its fee table lists ATM transactions, NSF items, stop payments and paper savings statements as free. Savers who like to split money by goal can open up to 19 supplemental savings accounts that earn the same rate. Membership is open to anyone who joins through an employer, another member or the Alliant Credit Union Foundation. The trade-offs: Alliant is fully digital with no branches, and the dividend stops for any month in which the average balance falls below $100. Promotional rates elsewhere on this list beat 3.01% on the first few hundred dollars, but not on larger balances.

   • ✓Highest flat rate on this list at 3.01% APY with no tiers and no activity requirement
   • ✓Free NSF items, ATM transactions, stop payments and paper savings statements on the published fee table
   • ✓Membership is open to anyone who applies through one of three routes

   • ✕Balances under a $100 average daily balance earn no dividend for the month
   • ✕Alliant is 100% digital, so there are no branches to visit
   • ✕The rate is variable and can change after opening

   APY:

   3.01% (10/08/2026)

   Monthly fee:

   $0

   Balance to earn:

   $100 average daily balance

   Goal accounts:

   Up to 19 supplemental savings

   Insurance:

   NCUA up to $250,000

   Bottom line: Alliant High-Rate Savings is the best credit union savings account for most savers because it pays 3.01% APY on every balance of $100 or more with no monthly fee and no activity rules. Savers with $1,000 or less may earn more at DCU or Golden 1.

   Visit alliantcreditunion.org ↗

2. 02

   

   First Tech Rewards Savings

   8.5/10

   Savings account from First Technology Federal Credit Union that pays one rate on all balances.

   Price

   Freeminimum opening deposit

   $25 minimum to open; 3.00% APY on all balances

   “First Tech Rewards Savings All Balances $25.00 2.96% 3.00%” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.0

   Features (35%)

   8.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.4

   Best forFirst Tech members who want a near top rate on large balances

   First Tech Rewards Savings comes in a close second because its rate sheet lists 3.00% APY on all balances, effective 11/01/2026, with a $25.00 opening deposit. That is within 0.01 percentage point of Alliant and, unlike the promotional accounts on this list, the rate does not drop after the first few hundred dollars. The account has rules worth reading. The primary owner must also own a Membership Savings account, which pays just 0.01% APY, so keep only the $5 membership share there. A member cannot be primary owner of Rewards Savings and of Rewards Checking or Premier Rewards Savings at the same time. Very large savers can step up to Premier Rewards Savings at 3.50% APY, but that program asks for a $250,000 average daily balance across First Tech share accounts or $500,000 with Addison Avenue Investment Services. First Tech also runs Start Up Savings for members under 18 at 4.00% APY on the first $999.99.

   • ✓3.00% APY applies to the whole balance, with no cap
   • ✓A higher 3.50% Premier tier exists for very large relationships
   • ✓Published rate sheet lists every tier and opening deposit

   • ✕The primary owner must also hold a Membership Savings account, which pays 0.01% APY
   • ✕You cannot hold Rewards Savings alongside Premier Rewards Savings or Rewards Checking as primary owner
   • ✕Premier rate needs $250,000 in deposits or $500,000 in investments

   APY:

   3.00% (11/01/2026)

   Minimum to open:

   $25

   Balance cap:

   None, all balances

   Premier tier:

   3.50% APY with $250,000 in deposits

   Required base account:

   Membership Savings

   Bottom line: First Tech Rewards Savings is the best choice for members who keep large balances at First Tech because it pays 3.00% APY on every dollar with a $25 opening deposit. Savers who also want Rewards Checking should note that the two cannot share a primary owner.

   Visit firsttechfed.com ↗

3. 03

   

   DCU Primary Savings

   8.4/10

   Membership savings account from Digital Federal Credit Union with a high rate on the first $1,000.

   Price

   Freemonthly fee

   $5 to open; $0 monthly fee

   “Requires a $5.00 minimum balance to open the account and remain on deposit to maintain membership status.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   8.4

   Features (35%)

   8.2

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.6

   Best fornew savers building their first $1,000

   DCU Primary Savings pays the highest advertised rate among the widely available accounts here, 5.00% APY, but only on balances up to $1,000. DCU itself puts the value plainly: you could earn $50 a year by keeping a $1,000 balance. That makes it a strong first account for someone starting an emergency fund, and a weak home for a five-figure balance, where Alliant or First Tech pay more in dollars. Opening takes a $5.00 deposit that stays in the account to keep membership active, there is no minimum balance to earn and the monthly fee is $0.00. DCU limits members to one Primary Savings account per person, and its site points to a separate Member Eligibility page before you apply. Rates are variable and can change after opening, which matters more for a promotional-level rate like this one. A practical setup is to keep $1,000 here and the rest of your savings in a flat-rate account.

   • ✓Highest rate on a first $1,000 among the accounts open to a wide membership here
   • ✓No monthly fee and only $5 to open
   • ✓No minimum balance to start earning

   • ✕The 5.00% APY applies only to balances up to $1,000, which caps the boost at about $50 a year
   • ✕Limited to one Primary Savings account per person
   • ✕Membership eligibility rules apply; check DCU's Member Eligibility page

   APY:

   5.00% on balances up to $1,000

   Minimum to open:

   $5

   Monthly fee:

   $0

   Minimum to earn:

   $0

   Limit:

   One per person

   Bottom line: DCU Primary Savings is the best choice for savers building their first $1,000 because it pays 5.00% APY on that amount with $5 to open and no monthly fee. Larger balances earn more in dollars at Alliant or First Tech.

   Visit dcu.org ↗

4. 04

   

   PenFed Premium Online Savings

   8.4/10

   Online savings account from Pentagon Federal Credit Union with one rate on all balances.

   Price

   Freemonthly fee

   $5 to open; no monthly maintenance fees

   “A Premium Online Savings must be opened with a minimum balance of $5.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   8.6

   Features (35%)

   7.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.8

   Best forsavers who want a nationwide credit union with branches and a flat rate

   PenFed Premium Online Savings is the simplest account here to open from scratch. PenFed lets you apply before you are a member and sets up membership during the same application, and the account needs just $5 to open with no monthly maintenance fees. PenFed's own rate feed listed 2.70% APY for Premium Online Savings, effective November 1, 2026, on all balances, with dividends compounded and credited monthly. That rate is about 0.30 percentage point below Alliant and First Tech, which costs roughly $30 a year on a $10,000 balance. Access is the other trade-off. PenFed says funds from an electronic transfer or check deposit are available no later than the 5th business day, and cash withdrawals require a branch visit. Online transfers to internal or external accounts run through PenFed Online or the mobile app. For savers who already borrow from PenFed or want branch access in some areas, it is a reasonable single home for savings.

   • ✓Flat rate with no balance tiers or activity requirement
   • ✓Only $5 to open and no monthly maintenance fees
   • ✓Apply before becoming a member; PenFed sets up membership in the same application

   • ✕2.70% APY trails Alliant and First Tech by about 0.30 percentage point
   • ✕Electronic transfers and check deposits can take until the 5th business day to become available
   • ✕Cash withdrawals and wires need a branch visit or a call

   APY:

   2.70% (November 1, 2026)

   Minimum to open:

   $5

   Monthly fee:

   $0

   Compounding:

   Monthly

   Membership:

   Created during application

   Bottom line: PenFed Premium Online Savings is a good choice for savers who want an easy credit union to join because it opens with $5, charges no monthly maintenance fees and pays 2.70% APY on all balances. Rate-focused savers will earn more at Alliant.

   Visit penfed.org ↗

5. 05

   

   Golden 1 Growth Savings

   7.9/10

   Tiered savings account from Golden 1 Credit Union that pays its top rate on the first $1,000.

   Price

   Freemonthly fee

   No minimum balance to earn the disclosed APY

   “There is no minimum balance requirement to obtain the disclosed annual percentage yield (APY).” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   8.2

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.0

   Best forCalifornians saving smaller amounts

   Golden 1 Growth Savings is built to reward small balances, and its rate sheet shows it. As of 11/11/2026 Golden 1 listed 4.00% APY on balances from $0.01 to $1,000.00, then lower dividend rates on each higher tier: the blended APY is 3.50% to 4.00% between $1,000.01 and $2,000.00, 2.15% to 3.50% up to $5,000 and 0.10% to 2.15% above that. In practice the account suits someone saving a few thousand dollars, not a large emergency fund. Golden 1 says there is no minimum balance requirement to earn the disclosed APY, and its Regular Savings account, which establishes membership, pays 0.20% APY. Golden 1 says all Californians can join, so this pick only works for California residents. For a Californian with $1,000 to $2,000 saved, Growth Savings pays more than any flat-rate account on this list.

   • ✓4.00% APY on the first $1,000 is one of the highest small-balance rates here
   • ✓No minimum balance requirement to earn
   • ✓Same membership offers certificates, money market savings and IRAs

   • ✕Membership is aimed at Californians
   • ✕Balances above $5,000.01 earn 0.10% on the excess, so the blended rate drops fast
   • ✕Regular Savings, the membership account, pays 0.20% APY

   Top APY:

   4.00% on $0.01 to $1,000

   Above $5,000:

   0.10% on that tier

   Minimum to earn:

   None

   Rates as of:

   11/11/2026

   Membership:

   All Californians can join

   Bottom line: Golden 1 Growth Savings is the best choice for Californians saving under $2,000 because it pays 4.00% APY on the first $1,000 with no minimum balance to earn. Above $5,000 the extra cash earns 0.10%, so move larger savings elsewhere.

   Visit golden1.com ↗

6. 06

   

   BECU Member Advantage Savings

   7.8/10

   Savings account from BECU that pays a premium rate on the first $500 when members meet monthly activity rules.

   Price

   Freemonthly fee

   No monthly fees or minimum balances

   “No monthly fees or minimum balances needed to maintain the accounts.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   7.8

   Features (35%)

   7.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   7.6

   Best forBECU members who already bank there every month

   BECU Member Advantage Savings pays the highest rate on this list, 5.12% APY as of 11/3/2026, but only on the first $500. To get it, a member opens Member Advantage checking and savings, signs up for monthly eStatements and makes one electronic transaction each month: a debit card purchase, an online or phone loan payment or transfer, or a recurring direct deposit. For someone who already banks at BECU that is close to automatic. The catch is scale. On $500, the premium rate adds about $25 a year, and BECU's standard Member Share Savings pays 0.20% APY. BECU charges no monthly fees or minimum balances, and online opening needs a $10 deposit. Membership is limited, and BECU says not everyone will qualify, so check eligibility first. Members with larger savings can use Member Advantage for better CD and money market rates, such as 2.48% APY on money market balances of $100,000 to $249,999.99.

   • ✓Highest rate on this list for the first $500
   • ✓No monthly fees or minimum balances
   • ✓Qualifying is easy for anyone who uses a BECU debit card or online banking each month

   • ✕The premium rate covers only $500, so the most it adds is about $25 a year
   • ✕BECU says not everyone will qualify for membership
   • ✕Limit one Member Advantage Checking and Savings account per person

   Premium APY:

   5.12% on the first $500

   Standard savings APY:

   0.20%

   Monthly fee:

   $0

   Qualifying:

   eStatements and one electronic transaction a month

   Online opening deposit:

   $10

   Bottom line: BECU Member Advantage Savings is the best choice for existing BECU members because it pays 5.12% APY on the first $500 for one electronic transaction a month. It is a top-up account, not a home for a large emergency fund.

   Visit becu.org ↗

7. 07

   

   Navy Federal Share Savings

   7.1/10

   Basic membership savings account from Navy Federal Credit Union for servicemembers, veterans and their families.

   Price

   Freemonthly fee

   $5 minimum deposit; 0.25% APY

   “Get started with our basic savings account and earn a rate of 0.25% APY.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   6.0

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.2

   Best formilitary families who want savings next to their Navy Federal checking and loans

   Navy Federal is a common first answer when people ask about credit union savings, but its basic Share Savings account is not a high-yield product. Navy Federal lists 0.25% APY as of 11/11/2026 with a $5.00 minimum deposit, dividends compounded daily and credited monthly. That is roughly a tenth of the rate at Alliant or First Tech. Navy Federal's money market accounts pay more on large balances: its rate sheet shows the Jumbo Money Market Savings Account reaching 2.15% APY at the top tier, while the standard Money Market Savings Account pays nothing below $2,500. Membership is open to servicemembers, veterans, Department of Defense civilians and their families. The case for Navy Federal is the relationship: members who already use its checking, mortgages or car loans may value having savings in the same app. For pure yield, a military family can keep a small Share Savings balance for membership and park the rest in a higher-rate account.

   • ✓Low $5 opening deposit
   • ✓Sits alongside Navy Federal checking, loans and certificates in one membership
   • ✓Membership covers servicemembers, veterans, DoD civilians and their families

   • ✕0.25% APY is far below every flat-rate account on this list
   • ✕Standard Money Market Savings pays nothing below $2,500
   • ✕Membership is limited to the military community and families

   APY:

   0.25% (11/11/2026)

   Minimum deposit:

   $5

   Compounding:

   Daily, credited monthly

   Jumbo MMSA:

   Up to 2.15% APY on large balances

   Membership:

   Military, veterans, DoD civilians and families

   Bottom line: Navy Federal Share Savings suits military families who want every account under one membership, because it opens with $5. At 0.25% APY it is not a high-yield option, so keep large savings elsewhere.

   Visit navyfederal.org ↗

8. 08

   

   Consumers Credit Union Liquid Savings

   6.3/10

   Promotional savings account from Consumers Credit Union with a 12-month guaranteed rate on new money.

   Price

   Freemonthly fee

   No monthly fees with eStatements

   “No monthly fees when you select eStatements” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   5.6

   Features (35%)

   6.4

   Ease of use (25%)

   7.2

   Best forConsumers Credit Union checking members adding a savings account

   Consumers Credit Union is better known for its rewards checking, and its Liquid Savings account shows why savers should look past it for savings alone. As of November 11, 2026, Liquid Savings paid 0.50% APY guaranteed for 12 months on personal balances from $2,500 to $250,000, then 0.10% APY. Money already on deposit at Consumers does not qualify, and the offer is limited to one promotional account per household. Consumers says there are no monthly fees when you select eStatements and that nearly everyone can become a member. The account is a fit for members who already use Consumers checking and want a liquid account at the same credit union with a known rate for a year. Anyone choosing a credit union mainly for savings yield will earn several times more at Alliant, First Tech or PenFed.

   • ✓Rate is guaranteed for a full year
   • ✓No monthly fees with eStatements
   • ✓Consumers says nearly everyone can become a member

   • ✕0.50% APY is the lowest promotional rate here
   • ✕Needs a $2,500 minimum balance to earn the promotional rate
   • ✕Falls to 0.10% APY after the first 12 months

   APY:

   0.50% for 12 months

   Minimum balance:

   $2,500

   After 12 months:

   0.10% APY

   Monthly fee:

   $0 with eStatements

   Limit:

   One promotional account per household

   Bottom line: Consumers Credit Union Liquid Savings suits existing Consumers members who want a guaranteed rate for one year, with no monthly fees when they choose eStatements. At 0.50% APY it is not competitive for savers chasing yield.

   Visit consumerscu.org ↗

Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.