Axos Bank vs. Betterment
Comparing Axos Bank and Betterment for high-yield savings: Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays 4.21% APY while Betterment's Cash Reserve pays 3.90% APY.
Note: Axos Bank requires a checking account.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Axos Bank pays $31 more than Betterment annually ($421 vs $390).
Choose Axos Bank if getting the best rate matters most. Choose Betterment if you want a no-strings-attached account.
Important Considerations
Axos Bank requires a checking account to unlock its top savings rate, while Betterment offers its savings account standalone.
| Metric | Axos BankAxos ONE Mar 24, 2026 | BettermentCash Reserve Mar 24, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.21% | 3.25% - 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$211 $10,000+$421 $25,000+$1,053 | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $10 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | The 4.21% APY is available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. The checking account earns 0.51% APY. To qualify, you must either set up a direct deposit of $1,500 and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500 in your ONE Checking account, or receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $5,000. | Promo rate for new customers. 3.25% APY applies to existing customers. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppChecking BundleDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppRate Changes Often |
Prefer In-Person Banking?
Both of these banks are online-only. If you need physical branch access, check out our list of high-yield accounts with brick-and-mortar locations.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Axos Bank vs. Betterment
Executive Summary
Axos Bank offers a competitive savings option with its Axos ONE product, providing a high APY of 4.21% when bundled with a checking account, although eligibility requires setting up direct deposit or maintaining a higher balance. Alternatively, the Summit Savings account offers a straightforward 3.75% APY without any requirements, making it ideal for those seeking simplicity. In comparison, Betterment's Cash Reserve account offers a 3.90% APY, but this rate is only available to new customers, with existing customers earning a lower rate of 3.25%. Overall, Axos Bank's Axos ONE stands out as the winner based on the highest APY.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Axos Bank?
- ✓Earn 0.51% APY on checking account
- ✓Access to 95,000 fee-free ATMs
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.75%-4.21% vs 3.90%) on all balances
- ✓Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
- ✓Available to New & Existing Customers
Why Betterment?
No distinct advantages found vs Axos Bank.
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Axos BankAxos Bank's Axos ONE earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $421 vs $390/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Axos BankAxos Bank's Axos ONE pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $1053 vs $975/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Axos BankAxos Bank's Summit Savings offers 3.75% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best for All-in-One Banking
Axos BankAxos Bank's Axos ONE pays a superior APY for customers who also open a checking account.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays $31 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Betterment's Cash Reserve.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
* Secure link to our partner
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Axos Bank vs. Betterment Savings Calculator
You earn $31 more with Axos Bank than Betterment on a $10,000 initial deposit for 1 year*.
*This calculation assumes that APYs remain unchanged for 1 year, and takes into account known promo rate periods, but does not factor in bonuses. You can see how often these banks have changed their rates in the Compare Savings Rates Over Time section below.
Axos Bank
Axos ONE
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$421.00(4.0%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,421.00
Betterment
Cash Reserve
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$390.00(3.8%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,390.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Still banking with Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo?
On a $10,000 balance, you're missing out on at least $389 per year in interest.
Both Axos Bank and Betterment dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Axos Bank | Betterment |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.21% Verified: 3/24/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.90% Range: 3.25% - 3.90% Verified: 3/24/2026 ↗︎ 0.65%90d Change |
| Product Name | Axos ONE | Cash Reserve |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | N/A |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | None | None |
| Direct Deposit Req. | Not required, but is the easiest way to earn the highest APY. | None |
| Checking Bundle | Yes | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | Yes |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A- |
| Important Notes | The 4.21% APY is available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. The checking account earns 0.51% APY. To qualify, you must either set up a direct deposit of $1,500 and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500 in your ONE Checking account, or receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $5,000. | Promo rate for new customers. 3.25% APY applies to existing customers. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteGo to Axos Bank * Secure link to our partner | Visit SiteVerify at Betterment Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Axos Bank | Betterment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit Savings | Axos ONE | High Yield Savings | Cash Reserve | |
Current APY | 3.75% | 4.21% | 0.61% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -4.1 | -4.6 | -0.0 | -5.8 |
Days Since Change | 103 | 52 | 365 | 32 |
12-Month High | 4.00% | 4.86% | 0.61% | 4.00% |
12-Month Low | 3.75% | 4.21% | 0.61% | 3.25% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.08 | 0.41 | 0.00 | 0.33 |
Volatility Score | 0.032 | 0.039 | 0.000 | 0.083 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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Compare Axos Bank's APY of 4.21% with other banks
Compare Betterment's APY of 3.90% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Betterment vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Betterment vs American Express | 3.20% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Barclays | 3.85% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Capital One | 3.20% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Betterment vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Betterment vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Betterment vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Betterment vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Wealthfront | 4.20% | $0 |