Our experts answer readers’ banking questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess banking products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Compare Ally and Axos
Editor’s Rating
Budgeting tools on savings account
Editor’s Rating
Solid APY on checking account
Find the right savings account for you
To see which online bank may be better for you, we’ve compared Ally and Axos savings, checking, CD, and money market accounts. We’re also reviewing the banks’ trustworthiness so you can know more about the institutions’ history.
Ally and Axos both offer a fee-free, interest-earning checking account. Axos Bank also has specialized bank accounts for specific age groups. For instance, the Axos Bank Golden Checking Account is tailored for customers over the age of 55, and it landed in our best checking accounts for seniors guide.
The Ally Interest Checking Account has a pretty straightforward approach to earning interest. Meanwhile, the Axos Bank Rewards Checking is a bit more complicated, but you could potentially earn a much higher rate than with the Ally Interest Checking Account as long as you check off the first account requirement — keep at least $1,500 in your account daily.
Another small thing to note is how each bank approaches ATMs. Axos offers unlimited ATM refunds since it doesn’t have an ATM network. Ally is a part of the Allpoint ATM network — so you’ll have access to 43,000 free ATMs. You’ll also be reimbursed up to $10 per month if you use an ATM outside of the Allpoint network.
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
up to 3.30%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$50
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
up to 3.30%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$50
On Axos Bank’s site. Axos Bank, FDIC Insured
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
On Axos Bank’s site. Axos Bank, FDIC Insured
Details
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
up to 3.30%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$50
High APY
Unlimited out-of-network ATM reimbursements
No monthly maintenance fees
No overdraft fees
No non-sufficient funds fees
$50 opening deposit
No APY if you can’t meet qualifications
Few mobile app reviews
The Ally High Yield Savings Account will likely be a better choice if you don’t have a lot of money for an opening deposit, or if you don’t think you can maintain a high account balance.
You might favor the Axos High Yield Savings Account if you want easy access to your account, though. You’ll get a free ATM card with a savings account. Meanwhile, at Ally, you’ll have to transfer money to an Ally checking account or external bank account to access your money.
Ally High Yield Savings Account
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
3.60%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Ally High Yield Savings Account
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
3.60%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
On Ally’s site. FDIC Insured.
Ally High Yield Savings Account
On Ally’s site. FDIC Insured.
Details
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
3.60%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
High APY
No minimum opening deposit
No monthly service fees
Savings buckets help you save for different goals
Surprise savings transfers help you save extra money from your checking account
No physical branch locations
No way to deposit cash
Axos CDs aren’t as strong as the bank’s other products. Several of its CDs also pay lower interest rates than the national average CD rates.
Meanwhile, Ally offers higher interest rates than the national average CD rate, and has unique CD options that aren’t available at many banks. For example, a No Penalty CD lets you withdraw money before the end of a CD term without paying a fee, and the Raise Your Rate CD increases your rate if Ally’s rates go up during your term. Furthermore, the IRA CD works as type of retirement account that invests your funds in a CD.
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
2.00% to 5.00%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
2.00% to 5.00%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Ally High Yield CD
Details
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
2.00% to 5.00%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Competitive APY
No required opening deposit
Low early withdrawal penalties
No terms over 5 years
No physical branch locations
Ally pays one of the most competitive interest rates on money market accounts right now.
Many banks, including Axos, require you to have at least $1,000 to open a money market account. However, at Ally, you can open a money market account with $0.
Ally Money Market Account
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
3.80%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Ally Money Market Account
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
3.80%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Ally Money Market Account
Details
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
3.80%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
No opening deposit or minimum account balance
No monthly service fee
Access to a debit card
Access to paper checks
Out-of-network ATM reimbursements of up to $10 per month
24/7 customer service
Easy-to-use mobile app
Link to other Ally bank accounts
Not the highest money market account APY
No physical branch locations
$10 excess transaction fee (paused during COVID-19)
The Better Business Bureau assesses businesses to see if they effectively respond to customer issues.
Axos has an A+ rating. Meanwhile, Ally received an A rating from the BBB because it has three unresolved complaints.
A high BBB rating doesn’t necessarily guarantee your relationship with a bank will be perfect. Reach out to current customers or read online customer reviews to see if a bank might be a good fit for you.
Neither Ally nor Axos has been involved in public scandals.
Your decision between the two online banks will likely depend on the accounts you’d like to open.
Ally is a better choice for savings accounts and CDs, especially if you don’t have much money. You may open either account with $0, while Axos Bank requires at least $250 to open a savings account and $1,000 to open a CD.
Axos Bank may be a great option for opening a checking account, though. It has a rewards checking account that pays a competitive interest rate if you meet certain requirements.
Ally and Axos do not charge monthly service fees, overdraft fees, or out-of-network ATM fees.
Sophia Acevedo, CEPF
Banking Reporter
Earn up to 5.02% APY on your savings. No monthly maintenance fees. No minimum deposit required to open an account.
Nuestra mision es complacer a todos nuestros usuarios sean clientes, lectores o simplemente visitantes, la experiencia merece la pena.