How is a checking account different than a savings account?

A checking account is typically used for the active transfer of money, whether this is money going in (as in a paycheck) or coming out (withdrawals, purchases). Meanwhile, Savings accounts are typically used for putting money in without necessarily withdrawing money out. Savings accounts pay you interest, while few checking accounts give anything at all- in fact, many checking accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee just to use them. Of course, withdrawals and transfers from a savings account are limited by law, while checking accounts have no restrictions on the number or types of transactions.