Money Market Accounts vs. Savings Accounts: Which Is Better for You?

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When it comes to bank accounts, we have a lot of choices today. A checking account is practical for day-to-day spending and paying bills, but what about putting money away for an emergency, to meet short-term savings targets or to gear up for longer-term goals, such as a down payment for a house?

To stash your cash, savings and money market accounts are popular options. And while they essentially function in the same way, some key differences exist, and one type could suit your needs better than the other. Figuring out which is better for you begins with understanding how they differ.

What Is a Money Market Account?

One way to think of a money market account is as a cross between a checking account and savings account. Unlike savings accounts, money market accounts let you write checks, and some banks have accounts that permit debit card purchases. At the same time, you’ll typically earn a higher interest rate with money market accounts than with interest-bearing checking accounts.

Money market accounts are usually categorized as a type of savings account, but they tend to give customers a chance to earn higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts.

You can open a money market account in the same places you’d open most any bank account, including at a traditional bank, online bank or credit union. Online banks generally have the highest interest rates for money market accounts. For example, online Ally Bank currently is offering a APY, no matter how much you have in the account, and there are no minimum balance requirements. At KeyBank, you need $5,000 to open an account, and you’ll only earn a APY with a balance of this same amount. The APY rises with a higher balance, but it caps at APY.

What Is a Savings Account?

A savings account works similarly to a money market account. You store your money with a financial institution and earn interest on the balance in your account. The interest paid is the bank’s way of saying thank you — and of persuading you to keep your money there.

Good To Know

A savings account is an ideal place to keep money you might need later, such as an emergency fund or savings for a down payment. It is a better avenue for saving money than, for example, a certificate of deposit. A CD typically requires you to not touch your money for a set amount of time.

You can expect a smaller APY than you might get with other savings vehicles such as a money market account or certificate of deposit. Some, but not all, savings accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee unless you maintain a minimum balance or qualify for a waiver in another way, and the same is true with money market accounts. Online savings accounts tend to have low or no fees, and they often offer a much higher annual percentage yield than traditional brick-and-mortar banks. Using the comparison between Ally Bank and KeyBank again, Ally’s current savings rate is APY, and KeyBank’s is APY.

What’s the Difference Between a Savings Account and a Money Market Account?

Money market accounts and savings accounts have more in common than not, but you might wonder whether a money market account has any advantages over a savings account. The answer is that a money market account is better than a savings account when it comes to your ability to access your money. Money market accounts let you write checks or even make debit card purchases, in some cases, whereas you don’t have this option with traditional savings accounts.

Here’s a look at how the two accounts are alike and different.

Is a Money Market Account as Safe as a Savings Account?

Yes. They have the same safety guarantees. Anytime you open a bank account, you’ll want to make sure your bank or credit union is insured up to $250,000 by either the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or National Credit Union Administration. This means that amount of money is safe even if your bank fails.

Which Type of Account Should You Use?

As with any financial product, your decision to use a money market or savings account depends on your own financial goals. Money market accounts typically require account holders to maintain a high minimum balance to avoid a monthly fee. If you already have a savings account with a high balance and want a risk-free account that provides a higher interest rate — and you meet the minimum balance requirements — you might be better off with a money market account.

What Savings Accounts Are Best For

• Building wealth slowly, over a long period of time
• Having money built up in case of an emergency
• Earning more interest than with a checking account
• The ability to transfer funds to and from a linked checking account
• Taking advantage of savings account promotions, which often are offered by banks to encourage customers to open an account

Downsides of Savings Accounts

• Often have lower APYs than money market accounts
• No tax advantages

What Money Market Accounts Are Best For

• Earning higher interest than with standard savings accounts
• Accessing your cash via debit card or checks but with higher interest than checking accounts
• Growing your savings faster to better keep up with inflation
• Avoiding your money being tied up in a “time” account, like a CD, that charges penalties for early withdrawal

Downsides of Money Market Accounts

• Minimum balance requirements are often higher than savings accounts
• Does not offer tax advantages

Takeaway

When choosing a bank account of any type, it’s wise to compare a number of accounts at a variety of financial institutions. You worked hard for that money. You want a bank that works hard for you, too.

Cynthia Measom, Kathryn Pomroy and Jami Farkas contributed to the reporting for this article.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of March 21, 2023. 

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