Ally vs Marcus 2026: Which High-Yield Savings Account Wins?

Ally Bank and Marcus by Goldman Sachs are the two most searched high-yield savings accounts in the United States—and for good reason. Both offer competitive rates, zero fees, and strong reputations. But dig deeper, and meaningful differences emerge.

We've had accounts at both banks for over two years, testing everything from mobile app usability to customer service response times. Here's our in-depth comparison.

APY Comparison: A Close Race

As of January 2026, Ally pays 3.70% APY while Marcus offers 3.65% APY. That 0.05% difference translates to roughly $5 per year on a $10,000 balance—not exactly life-changing money.

Historically, these two banks have traded the lead position multiple times. When rates rise, Marcus often moves first; when rates fall, Ally tends to be stickier. Over a multi-year period, their cumulative earnings are remarkably similar.

Our take: Don't choose between these two based on APY alone. A 0.05% difference is noise. Focus on features instead.

Features: Where Ally Pulls Ahead

Savings Buckets (Ally Exclusive)

Ally's standout feature is "buckets"—the ability to organize your savings into different goals within a single account. Want to save for an emergency fund, vacation, and car down payment simultaneously? Create three buckets and track progress toward each goal without opening multiple accounts.

Marcus offers no equivalent. Your balance is just... a balance. If you want to mentally separate your savings goals, you'll need spreadsheets or separate accounts.

Full Banking Ecosystem (Ally Wins)

Ally offers checking accounts, CDs, money market accounts, and even investment accounts—all under one roof with unified login. Marcus is savings-only (plus CDs and personal loans). If you want your savings account integrated with a checking account, Ally is the obvious choice.

ATM Access (Ally Wins)

Ally provides access to 43,000+ Allpoint ATMs and reimburses up to $10/month in out-of-network ATM fees. Marcus has no ATM access whatsoever—it's purely a savings product.

Same-Day Transfers (Marcus Wins)

This is where Marcus shines. You can transfer up to $100,000 per day to external accounts and receive the money same-day if initiated before a certain cutoff. Ally's standard transfers take 1-3 business days.

If you frequently need to move large sums quickly, Marcus has a meaningful edge here.

Mobile App Experience

Both apps are excellent, earning 4.7-star ratings across app stores. But they have different personalities:

Ally's app feels more modern and feature-rich. The bucket system is well-implemented, the interface is intuitive, and you can manage checking, savings, and investments from one dashboard.

Marcus's app is simpler and more focused. If you just want to check your balance and make transfers, it does that well without unnecessary complexity. Some users prefer this streamlined approach.

Neither app is bad. Your preference depends on whether you want feature depth or simplicity.

Customer Service

Both banks offer 24/7 phone support, which is increasingly rare in banking. In our experience, wait times have been comparable—typically under 5 minutes during normal hours, potentially longer on weekends.

Ally has an edge in chat support availability and social media responsiveness. Marcus relies more heavily on phone support.

Brand Trust & Stability

Marcus carries the Goldman Sachs name—one of the most recognizable brands in finance. For some savers, that Wall Street pedigree provides peace of mind.

Ally Bank, formerly GMAC Bank, has been in the consumer banking space since 2009 and has built a strong reputation as one of the pioneers of online banking. Both are FDIC-insured and financially stable.

From a safety perspective, your money is equally protected at either bank. Choose based on features, not fear.

Who Should Choose Ally?

• Goal-oriented savers who want to organize money into buckets
• Full-service banking seekers who want checking + savings together
• ATM users who occasionally need cash access
• Tech enthusiasts who want a feature-rich mobile experience

Who Should Choose Marcus?

• Simplicity seekers who want a no-frills savings account
• Frequent transferers who value same-day external transfers
• Brand-conscious savers who prefer Goldman Sachs' reputation
• Existing Goldman clients who want to consolidate accounts

The Verdict

For most people, Ally Bank is the better choice. The savings buckets feature is genuinely useful, the full banking ecosystem adds flexibility, and ATM access provides a safety net for cash needs. The 0.05% APY difference is negligible.

That said, Marcus is far from a bad choice. If you value simplicity, same-day transfers, or the Goldman Sachs brand, it's an excellent account that will serve you well.

The good news? Both are free to open, so there's nothing stopping you from trying both and deciding which fits your workflow better.