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Bank account fee comparison

Which account costs less after fees, waivers, and interest?

Your numbers

$
$
$
$

Better account

Account B

Account A net annual cost$160
Account B net annual cost-$95.00
Annual difference$255

Tip. A lower net cost wins, and a negative net cost means the account pays you.

Assumptions

  • Net annual cost = monthly fees × 12 − annual interest earned.
  • Lower net cost wins, and a negative net cost means the account pays you.
  • Enter the fee you actually expect to pay. If you reliably meet a waiver condition, enter 0.
  • Ignores ATM, overdraft, and wire fees unless you fold them into the monthly figure.

Explore the numbers

Examples and charts

Start with a scenario, then read the response curve to see which input actually moves the answer.

Example 1

Branch bank against online

A monthly fee and token interest against a free account paying a real rate.

Account A saving vs Account B

-$255

Example 2

Fee reliably waived

The same accounts when you always meet the waiver condition, so the fee is zero.

Account A saving vs Account B

-$75.00

Example 3

Premium account, large balance

A higher fee that a big balance and a better rate can still outrun.

Account A saving vs Account B

-$130

Sweeps account b annual interest from half to one and a half times your value, holding everything else fixed.

Response curve

How account b annual interest moves the result

Account A saving vs Account B

-$255

-$300-$280-$260-$240-$220-$200$60.00$80.00$100$120$140
Chart axis: Account B annual interestNow $95.00 → -$255

What this calculates

Compares two accounts on annual fees minus interest earned, so a free account and one that pays interest can be judged on the same footing.

How to use it

  1. Start with account a monthly fee and work down the form, or load an example to begin from a realistic case.
  2. Read the headline result alongside the supporting rows, which show the intermediate figures behind it.
  3. Check the assumptions. They decide what the number includes and, more importantly, what it leaves out.
  4. Sweep account b annual interest on the response curve to see how much it actually moves the answer.
  5. Run a cautious case as well as an optimistic one before using the estimate in a decision.

Common mistakes

  • Ignoring the interest difference on a large balance.
  • Comparing a headline promotional rate against a permanent one.
  • Switching for a small annual gain and losing a relationship discount elsewhere.

Formula

Net annual cost = monthly fees × 12 − annual interest earned

Inputs

  • Account A monthly fee
  • Account A annual interest
  • Account B monthly fee
  • Account B annual interest

FAQ

What about minimum-balance waivers?

If you always meet the requirement, enter zero. If you sometimes miss it, enter the average fee you actually pay across the year rather than the headline number.

Where do I find the annual interest figure?

Multiply your typical balance by the account's APY. The APY savings growth calculator does this for you if the balance changes over the year.

Do overdraft and ATM fees belong here?

If you incur them regularly, fold the annual amount into the monthly fee. For many people those fees are far larger than the maintenance fee they are comparing.

Are these numbers financial advice?

No. They are educational estimates based on the inputs and assumptions on this page. Confirm important decisions with a qualified professional and your own documents.

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