Investing comparison
Acorns vs Ally
Updated
Data as of
Acorns checked Ally checked
I earn commissions from some links.
Ally
Savings account
Visit site for Ally Bank Savings (opens in a new tab)
Before you compare: This compares features and fees from each company's own pages. It isn't investment advice, and investing involves risk, including loss of money.
Short answer
- Pick Acorns if you want the higher top rate (up to 3.59% APY, compared with 3.20% APY).
- Pick Ally if you want a separate login for your partner.
- The biggest difference is what they are: Acorns is an investing app, and Ally is a savings account.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Acorns vs Ally at a glance
Acorns- Top rate
- 2.33% to 3.59%APY
- Rating
- 4.7 of 5App Store, 960,195 ratings
- Platforms
- 2Mobile app, Web app
- Ally
- Top rate
- 3.2%APY
- Rating
- 4.7 of 5App Store, 114,326 ratings
- Platforms
- 3Web, iOS, Android
What it costs
- Acorns
$4a month
Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month.
Source
acorns.com/pricing, checked . - Ally Bank Savings
Ally charges no monthly maintenance fees on its savings account.
Source
ally.com/bank/online-savings-account, checked .
Bars show only when every app here lists a yearly price, so these prices sit side by side without them. Prices are list prices from each app's own page, before tax and any offer. Investing fees appear as each company states them. A yearly advisory fee is a percent of your balance, not a monthly price, so it never gets a bar or a price tag.
Features
Ally also lists savings goals and data export.
Sources for these features
Yes means the official site lists it. No means the official site says the app doesn't have it.
- Ally: ally.com/bank/online-savings-account, checked Oct 29, 2026.Data export: 'You can download and save your account activity in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) file or a Quicken (QFX) file.' ally.com/help/bank/account-information, checked Oct 29, 2026.
Acorns and Ally Bank Savings, side by side
| Detail | Acorns | Ally |
|---|---|---|
| APY or rateDiffers | AcornsAcorns lists a 3.59% APY on Emergency Savings and a 2.33% APY on Mighty Oak Checking, stated as of Sep 22, 2026. The rate is variable.Acorns says there is no minimum opening deposit or minimum balance for these accounts. Sourceacorns.com/pricing, checked . | AllyAlly lists 3.2% APY, correct as of 10/28/26. The rate is variable.Ally says the same APY applies across all balance tiers, with no minimum balance requirement. Sourceally.com/bank/online-savings-account, checked . |
| ProtectionDiffers | AcornsBrokerage products come from Acorns Securities, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Acorns Checking balances are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor through the partner banks. Sourceacorns.com/pricing, checked . | AllyAlly Bank is a Member FDIC, and deposits are insured up to the maximum allowed by law. Sourceally.com/bank/online-savings-account, checked . |
| PlatformsDiffers | AcornsAcorns lists Mobile app and Web app. | AllyAlly Bank Savings lists Web, iOS and Android. Sourceally.com/bank/online-banking, checked . |
| App store ratingDiffers | AcornsAcorns has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 960,195 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . | AllyAlly Bank Savings has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 114,326 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . |
Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score. A row shows only when both apps have a current official source for it. How we source and date this data. Spotted a change? Tell us if something changed.
Weighing a third option? Add up to two more apps and compare up to four side by side.
Screen by screen
Pick a task to see what each app shows for it. App Store and Google Play images are the apps' own marketing, so they can show sample data and staged layouts. Help center images come from the app's support articles. See every app's screens.
Home
Acorns
Google Play marketing imageThe Android tab bar: Home, Investing, a round Money Hub button, Learning and Earning, with Investing selected.Google Play listing, as of
Ally Bank Savings
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Your app for all things ally." showing a home screen with a total balance, vehicle financing and bank accounts.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe home screen: Good Morning, Alex with a $8,431.78 total, a Vehicles section with Alex's SUV at $358.00 due and a Make a Payment button, then Bank Accounts at $5,421.48 with a Spending account.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageiPad App Store image with the headline "Your app for all things ally." showing the home screen on a tablet.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe iPad home screen: Good Morning, Alex with What's New and Status Tracker chips, $11,300.00 total, then Vehicles, Bank Accounts and Invest Accounts sections.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageGood Morning, Alex above a $8,431.78 Total.App Store listing, as of
Accounts
Acorns
Google Play marketing imageEmergency Savings at $500 with a Save $1,000 goal at 50%, Transfer in and Transfer out buttons, Current APY 3.59%, a Recent activity header and the tab bar with Home selected.Google Play listing, as of
Ally Bank Savings
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Our Spending Account has your cash covered." showing a spending account with Transfer and Menu buttons.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Put yourself in the driver's seat." showing vehicle financing amounts due.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAlex's Spending account ending 5668: available balance $991.56, current balance $1,991.56, a Transfer button, a Menu button and Deposit checks, Zelle and Manage card chips.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageVehicles with Vehicle Financing: a 2023 vehicle with $450.00 due and a 2019 Tacoma with $270.00 due shown in a callout, a Make a Payment button and Bank Accounts at $16,400.00.App Store listing, as of
Goals
Acorns
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline about APY showing an Emergency Savings screen with a Save $1,000 bar and a debit card.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageEmergency Savings at $500 with a Save $1,000 goal card at 50%, partly covered by an image of an Acorns Visa debit card.App Store listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageMilestones: 1, Checking balance at $5,000 with $0 in Checking, and 2, Savings balance at $15,000 with $0 in Emergency Savings.Google Play listing, as of
Ally Bank Savings
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Stash cash in our savings buckets." showing savings buckets and a 60% complete card.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageSavings tools with Buckets and Boosters tabs, buckets for Vacations $3,985.11, Tax Payments $1,255.00 and Auto Insurance $898.25, and a "Goin' places" bucket at 60% Complete shown in a large callout.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageBuckets and Boosters tabs with three buckets: Vacations $3,985.11, Tax Payments $1,255.00 and Auto Insurance $898.25.App Store listing, as of
Reports and insights
Acorns
App Store marketing imageA tilted Your Acorns Potential screen: $491,395 made of a $418,395 return and $73,000 invested, a rising bar chart to age 65 and Years to grow 40 and Average return 8% chips.App Store listing, as of
Ally Bank Savings
No official screen found yet
Investments
Acorns
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Save & invest for your future" showing a "Your Acorns Potential" projection chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Easy, automatic investing" showing an Invest account at $27,953 with Round-Ups and transfer buttons.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Auto-invest for retirement" showing a Later account with a 3% match badge.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Invest account: $27,953, up $2,236.24 (8.00%) all time, a line chart, Round-Ups, Transfer in and Transfer out buttons, and Round-Ups Settings Automatic and Recurring $5 / Daily rows.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Later retirement account: $90,159, up $7,212.72 (8.0%) all time, a line chart with a 3% match badge placed over it, Transfer in and Transfer out buttons, and Recurring $5 / Daily and 3% IRA Match Active rows.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageInvest $27,953 with $2,236.24 (8.00%) all time market gain and a green line chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTwo settings rows: Recurring $5 / Daily and 3% IRA Match Active.App Store listing, as of
Ally Bank Savings
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Yes, you can invest." showing an investment account value and summary.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAn Individual Account ending 1234 with an account value of $4,151.61, Transfers, Activity and Watchlist buttons and a Summary with market value, gains, buying power and Orders.App Store listing, as of
Transfer and send
Acorns
App Store marketing imageThree round buttons: Round-Ups, Transfer in and Transfer out.App Store listing, as of
Ally Bank Savings
App Store marketing imageA Transfer button and a Menu button, with Deposit checks, Zelle and Manage card chips below.App Store listing, as of
Other screens
Acorns
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Your money on autopilot" showing your next deposit of $2,500 split across investing, saving and spending.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Get smart about money" showing a Learn screen with articles.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Like cash-back that can grow" showing an Earn screen with brand offers.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageYour next deposit of $2,500 with $2,500 received this month and $5,000 scheduled, split into tiles: Investing 4% $100, Saving 10% $250, Spending 85% $2,125, Kid 1% $25 and Giving coming soon.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Learn tab with Just for you, Investing and Retiring filters, a 7 min video card titled "The American Dream isn't dead" and a Trending for you row.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Earn tab: +50% Rewards Match, $128.59 earned, a featured Hello Fresh offer with $25 invested, All offers, Delivery and Grocery filters and a For you row of brand logos with rates.App Store listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageNext deposit on Feb 3, $1,000 from Chase Checking, split into Investing 5% $50, Saving 10% $100 and Spending 85% $850 with Giving coming soon, $0 received and $4,000 scheduled in Feb., and a Milestones list.Google Play listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageGreen tiles splitting a deposit: Investing 4% $100, Saving 10% $250, Spending 85% $2,125, Kid 1% $25 and Giving coming soon.App Store listing, as of
Ally Bank Savings
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Boost your balance with Loyally." showing a Loyally Rewards screen.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Free credit score tracking." showing a credit score of 771 and a history chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Grab cash, fee-free." showing a Find ATMs map.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageLoyally Rewards: Welcome, Alex with $250.00 total earned, and a card explaining Bonus cash, Ally extras and Referral codes.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageCredit score Overview provided by Equifax: 771, up 23, rated Great on a 300 to 850 bar, a line chart from May to January and personal info rows.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageFind ATMs with Map and List tabs and a city map with numbered ATM pins.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA 771 score, up 23, labeled Great on a red to green bar marked 300, 560, 750 and 850.App Store listing, as of
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. Every answer comes from the app's own pages, and its source opens from the Source link.
Just me
Budgeting on your own? These are the basics people ask about first.
Is it free?
Acorns: Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month.
Source
acorns.com/pricing, checked .Ally: Ally charges no monthly maintenance fees on its savings account.
Source
ally.com/bank/online-savings-account, checked .Is there support from the app's makers if I need help?
Acorns: Yes. Chat (Acorns app or Help Center), email and phone.
Source
In their words: “Chat: Chat with us anytime through the Acorns app or from the Acorns Help Center (click "Need Help?" in the bottom right corner).” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/How-do-I-contact-Acorns, checked .Ally: Yes. Phone, chat and email.
Source
In their words: “Call, chat or email us any time.” ally.com/bank/online-savings-account, checked .
Partners
Sharing money with a partner? Here's how each app handles a second person.
Can my partner use their own login details?
Acorns: No. Your partner signs in to your same account.
Source
In their words: “Today, we do not offer the option to set up a joint Acorns account.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/Can-I-set-up-a-joint-account, checked .Ally: Yes. Your partner gets their own login.
Source
In their words: “You can set up your Ally login credentials by enrolling online for a Bank, Invest or Auto joint account.” ally.com/help/account-login-support, checked .
Family
Bringing in more of the household? Here's what each app says about families and kids. See apps with custodial accounts for kids.
Does it have accounts or features for kids or teens?
Acorns: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “Smart money app & up to 4 debit cards” acorns.com/early, checked .Ally: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “Once a minor reaches the age of majority in their state, control of the funds must be transferred to the minor.” ally.com/help/bank/account-information, checked .
Freelancer
Paid on an uneven schedule or running a side hustle? Here's what each app offers. See apps with a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k).
Can I mix business and personal expenses in this app?
Acorns: No.
Source
In their words: “We are not permitted to link business accounts to Acorns accounts.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/Can-I-link-my-business-account, checked .Ally: No.
Source
In their words: “No. We don't currently offer business banking products.” ally.com/help/bank/account-information, checked .Can I export my transactions for tax prep?
Acorns: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “If you choose to opt in, we can also help populate your information and tax forms during the experience.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/How-do-I-file-taxes-with-Acorns, checked .Ally: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “Choose the form you wish to access, and it will automatically download to your computer as a .PDF file.” ally.com/help/bank/tax-documents, checked .
Business
Running a small business? Here's what each app says about business money.
Can I mix business and personal expenses in this app?
Acorns: No.
Source
In their words: “We are not permitted to link business accounts to Acorns accounts.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/Can-I-link-my-business-account, checked .Ally: No.
Source
In their words: “No. We don't currently offer business banking products.” ally.com/help/bank/account-information, checked .Can I export my transactions for tax prep?
Acorns: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “If you choose to opt in, we can also help populate your information and tax forms during the experience.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/How-do-I-file-taxes-with-Acorns, checked .Ally: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “Choose the form you wish to access, and it will automatically download to your computer as a .PDF file.” ally.com/help/bank/tax-documents, checked .
A question shows only when every app here has a current official source that answers it. We only say no when the app's own page does.
Which fits your Money Type?
There are four Money Types: Strategist, Spender, Saver and Scrambler. Each card matches one type to what the sources say about these two apps.
StrategistNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Save the Raise.
SpenderAlly lists goals. A goal gives a Spender a reason to pause before buying, which is the Sleep on It fix.
First fix: Sleep on It.
SaverBoth Acorns and Ally list an APY on deposits. That fits a Saver, whose first fix is putting saved money to work.
First fix: Put It to Work.
ScramblerNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Bills First.
Not sure which one you are? Take the free Money Types quiz. It takes about two minutes.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Another option: Fifecta
If neither Acorns nor Ally feels right, here is one more option to look at. Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, and it starts from your Money Type, so the plan matches how you already handle money.
What real users say
These are other people's opinions, not Priceless Tay's. We quote public reviews and posts word for word, link each one and show its date, but we haven't checked the claims in them. A post counts toward a theme when it uses one of that theme's keywords, so a mention can be praise or a complaint.
What Acorns users say
Based on 500 App Store reviews, 3 Reddit posts and 1 YouTube video dated Nov 2025 to Oct 2026, read Oct 2026. We collected the Reddit and YouTube data with Apify, a scraping service, on Oct 24, 2026.
- Of the 504 reviews, posts and videos we read, 78 mention the price, fees or the subscription.
- Of the 504 reviews, posts and videos we read, 75 mention how easy or hard the app is to use.
- Of the 504 reviews, posts and videos we read, 52 mention deposits, transfers or getting paid.
Positive
“Great investing app for beginners. Acorns makes saving and investing simple with automatic deposits and round-ups.”
Positive
“Acorns. I love that app. I have it set to like $20 a week and then 3x round up...”
Critical
“This place just kept charging me a monthly fee even though the account had been closed.”
Where these come from
- Acorns reviews on the App Store, read Oct 24, 2026. The public feed returns the 500 most recent US reviews. We kept every one dated inside the window.
- Hacker News search for Acorns, read Oct 24, 2026. Public search of comments and posts. 5 named the app; we kept 0 where the writer shares their own use of it.
- Reddit search for Acorns, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (harshmaur/reddit-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a keyword search for "Acorns app", posts and comments from after Oct 24 2025. It returned 84, most of them about something else. We kept 3 where the writer shares their own use of the app or a clear opinion of it. We left out moderators, bots, company accounts, referral posts and people promoting their own apps.
- YouTube search for Acorns, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (streamers/youtube-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a search for "Acorns app review" from the past year, up to 8 videos. It returned 7. We kept 1 and left out the app's own channel, sponsored videos, videos with affiliate or referral links and videos about a different product. We count themes from each video's title, description and captions, but we don't quote videos, because the captions we have carry no timestamps.
- u/Yikes_big_oof in r/budget on Reddit, Oct 23, 2026.
- u/LewisRyan in r/acorns on Reddit, Oct 21, 2026.
- u/DAT4korrupt in r/povertyfinance on Reddit, Oct 12, 2026.
- "I'm Leaving Acorns Investing..." by Keep Going on YouTube, Nov 12, 2025.
What Ally users say
Based on 500 App Store reviews and 3 Reddit posts dated May 2026 to Oct 2026, read Oct 2026. We collected the Reddit data with Apify, a scraping service, on Oct 24, 2026.
- Of the 503 reviews and posts we read, 116 mention how easy or hard the app is to use.
- Of the 503 reviews and posts we read, 102 mention deposits, transfers or getting paid.
- Of the 503 reviews and posts we read, 53 mention bugs, crashes or the app not working.
Positive
“Intuitive app, no fees at ATMs, free checks, & great rates on savings.”
Positive
“Very user friendly and the savings buckets are a game changer”
Critical
“Just horrendously slow. Constantly crashes. Never loads in the first attempt to open.”
Where these come from
- Ally reviews on the App Store, read Oct 24, 2026. The public feed returns the 500 most recent US reviews. We kept every one dated inside the window.
- Hacker News search for Ally, read Oct 24, 2026. Public search of comments and posts. 6 named the app; we kept 0 where the writer shares their own use of it.
- Reddit search for Ally, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (harshmaur/reddit-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a keyword search for "Ally savings account", posts and comments from after Oct 24 2025. It returned 92, most of them about something else. We kept 3 where the writer shares their own use of the app or a clear opinion of it. We left out moderators, bots, company accounts, referral posts and people promoting their own apps.
- YouTube search for Ally, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (streamers/youtube-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a search for "Ally savings account review" from the past year, up to 8 videos. It returned 8. We kept 0 and left out the app's own channel, sponsored videos, videos with affiliate or referral links and videos about a different product. We count themes from each video's title, description and captions, but we don't quote videos, because the captions we have carry no timestamps.
- u/plantsandramen in r/WaterCoolerWednesday on Reddit, Oct 23, 2026.
- u/yumi021 in r/personalfinance on Reddit, Oct 21, 2026.
- u/mbens in r/AllyBank on Reddit, Oct 19, 2026.
FAQ
How much does Acorns charge?
Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month. We checked this on Oct 29, 2026.
How much does Ally cost?
Ally charges no monthly maintenance fees on its savings account. We checked this on Oct 29, 2026.
What APY does Acorns list?
Acorns lists a 3.59% APY on Emergency Savings and a 2.33% APY on Mighty Oak Checking, stated as of Sep 22, 2026. Acorns says the rate is variable. Acorns says there is no minimum opening deposit or minimum balance for these accounts. We checked this on Oct 29, 2026.
What APY does Ally list?
Ally lists 3.2% APY, correct as of 10/28/26. Ally says the rate is variable. Ally says the same APY applies across all balance tiers, with no minimum balance requirement. We checked this on Oct 29, 2026.
More comparisons
Similar comparisons
Keep comparing
- Read our Acorns review.
- Read our Ally Bank Savings review.
- See Acorns alternatives, closest category first.
- See Ally alternatives, closest category first.
- Browse our guide to the low-cost brokerage accounts.
- Want the bigger picture? Compare more money apps.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Want a plan built on your Money Type?
Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, so you know where each dollar goes.
Sources and confidence
- Last checked
- Sourced facts
- 17 facts, each linked and dated
Acorns10 sourced facts, last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Management or subscription feeacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Account minimumsqy7rm.media.zestyio.com/Acorns-Wrap-Fee-Program-Brochure--August-2026-.pdf, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsacorns.com, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Account typesacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Fractional sharessqy7rm.media.zestyio.com/Acorns-Securities-Acorns-Advisers-Form-CRS--August-2026-.pdf, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Automatic investingacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)acorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Protectionacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Platformssqy7rm.media.zestyio.com/Acorns-Securities-Acorns-Advisers-Form-CRS--August-2026-.pdf, as of Oct 29, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Oct 29, 2026
Ally Bank Savings7 sourced facts, last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Price and feesally.com/bank/online-savings-account, as of Oct 29, 2026
- APY or rateally.com/bank/online-savings-account, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Minimumsally.com/bank/online-savings-account, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Protectionally.com/bank/online-savings-account, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Platformsally.com/bank/online-banking, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Featuresally.com/bank/online-savings-account, as of Oct 29, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Reference: sipc.org/for-investors/what-sipc-protects, checked Oct 24, 2026.
Each fact links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Once a fact is older than 30 days, it comes off the page until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
