There are no monthly maintenance fees for the MySavingsDirect savings account. The CDs do not have monthly maintenance fees. However, there is a fee if you withdraw money before the CD reaches maturity. MySavingsDirect accounts are free.

The MySavingsDirect savings account does not have a required amount to open. You can choose the amount you invest when you open the account. The MySavingsDirect CDs do have a required amount to open. Each of the CD terms requires $1,000 to open.

The interest rates for all MySavingsDirect accounts are competitive. The rates are competitive with other online-only accounts. They are much higher than typical brick and mortar bank rates.

MySavingsDirect account interest rates are not tiered. Any balance in the account earns the most competitive interest rate. The interest rates are competitive with other online accounts.

MySavingsDirect only offers a few accounts. The accounts are a personal deposit savings account and CDs. The CD terms range from 60 months to 120 months. They also offer one 30-month CD term. They do not offer a checking account or money market account. MySavingsDirect does not offer business accounts.

To fund your MySavingsDirect accounts, you must link to an external bank account. MySavingsDirect accounts must link to an existing checking account. Once the accounts are linked, you can transfer money electronically between accounts.

The only way to make deposits or withdrawals are through electronic transfers. Your initial deposit to open the account can be made by mailing in a check. After the initial deposit, all other deposits or withdrawals must be through electronic transfers. Transfer money between your MySavingsDirect account and the linked external bank account.

To open a CD with MySavingsDirect, you must first open a savings account. Once you have a savings account through MySavingsDirect, you may open a CD. The CD terms range from 60 to 120 months. The most competitive CD rate is the six-month CD. MySavingsDirect offers a three-month term, but the rate is lower.

Read the full MySavingsDirect review.

AloStar CDs offer competitive interest rates. The interest rates are competitive with other online CDs. The rates are much higher than typical brick and mortar bank rates.

The CDs at AloStar have low required opening amounts. Each of the CDs require $1,000 to open. To earn the competitive interest rates, you must keep $1,000 in the account. There is not a fee if your balance falls below $1,000, but you will not earn interest on the balance.

CDs with AloStar are entirely online. You apply for the CDs online. Once you open an account, everything for the account is online. There are no branch locations. You can reach customer service by phone or email.

Usually with CDs, the longer the term the higher the interest rate. But, with AloStar some shorter terms offer more competitive rates. The 12-month, 18-month, and 24-month CD terms offer the most competitive rates.

There are limited accounts offered through AloStar. The only accounts offered are CDs. AloStar does not offer checking, savings, or money market accounts. The CD terms offered range from three-month to five-year terms.

AloStar customer service is not always available. You can contact customer service through email. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. On Saturday their hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The AloStar CD accounts do not offer debit cards or checks. The only way to access your money is through electronic transfers. You can transfer money during the grace period or after the CD reaches maturity.

To fund your AloStar CDs you must link the accounts to an external bank account. Once the accounts are linked you can make electronic transfers between the accounts. To avoid a fee, make withdrawals or deposits during the grace period or after the CD reaches maturity.

Read the full AloStar review.