Axos Bank vs. Varo Money

High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: November 2, 2025

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Summary of Axos Bank vs. Varo Bank

Key Metrics at a Glance

FeatureAxos BankVaro Bank
Top Savings APY

4.51%

Axos ONE

5.00%

High-Yield Savings Account

Minimum to Open$0$0
Minimum Balance for Top APY$0$0.01
NoteThis APY is only available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. 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.Earn 5.00% APY on up to $5,000 and 2.50% APY on the rest. Direct deposit required.

Axos Bank

Strengths

  • Axos Bank offers a competitive APY of 4.51% with its ONE savings and checking bundle.
  • Axos Bank has a higher BBB rating of A+ compared to Varo Bank's A-.
  • No maintenance fees for any accounts at Axos Bank.

Potential Drawbacks

  • The high APY at Axos Bank requires either direct deposit or qualifying deposits.
  • Axos Bank's highest APY is lower than Varo Bank's 5.00%.
  • Only one account option with a high APY at Axos Bank.

Varo Bank

Strengths

  • Varo Bank offers a high APY of 5.00% on its High-Yield Savings Account.
  • Varo Bank has a higher App Store rating of 4.9 compared to Axos Bank's 4.7.
  • Varo Bank's account allows for a minimum balance of just $0.01.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Varo Bank requires direct deposit of at least $1,000/month to earn the high APY.
  • The APY drops to 2.50% for balances over $5,000 at Varo Bank.
  • Varo Bank has a lower BBB rating of A- compared to Axos Bank's A+.
Summary: Axos Bank offers a 4.51% APY with no maintenance fees and a higher BBB rating of A+. In contrast, Varo Bank provides a higher 5.00% APY but requires direct deposits and has a lower BBB rating of A-. Both banks operate online only and have no branch locations.

→ As of November 2, 2025 Axos Bank offers an APY of 4.51% for its Axos ONE account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Varo Bank's 5.00% APY for its High-Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.

Axos Bank yields $76 more than Varo Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Axos Bank pays $451, while Varo Bank pays $375 (with an effective APY of 3.75%) - an APY advantage for Axos Bank.

→ In addition, Axos Bank also offers 4.00% APY for the Summit Savings account.

Calculate Savings Growth for Axos Bank vs Varo Bank

All calculations are based on APY.

Axos Bank - Axos ONE

Top APY: 4.51%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,766.7 (13.32%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (62.60%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.08%)

Your total balance

$20,766.70

Effective APY: 4.51% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,766.7

Earnings: $2,766.7

Varo Bank - High-Yield Savings Account

Top APY: 5.00%

ℹ️You earn 5.00% on the first $5,000 and 2.50% on the rest.

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,211.4 (10.94%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (64.32%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.74%)

Your total balance

$20,211.40

Effective APY: 3.65% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,211.4

Earnings: $2,211.4

Bank Overview

With a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, Axos Bank's total earnings would be $555.3 higher than Varo Bank's total earnings.

The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.

Compare Axos Bank's vs Varo Bank's Savings Accounts

Axos BankVaro Bank
ProductAxos ONESummit SavingsHigh Yield SavingsvsHigh-Yield Savings Account
APY
4.51% (as of 11/2/2025)4.00% (as of 11/2/2025)0.61% (as of 11/2/2025)2.50% - 5.00% (as of 11/2/2025)
Bundled Account
YesNoNoNo
FDIC-insured
YesYesYesYes
Online OnlyYesYesYesYes
Compound Frequency
DailyDailyDailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$0$0$0
Minimum Balance for APY$0$0$0$0.01
Maintenance Fee$0$0$0$0
Direct Deposit Required
No. Not required, but is the easiest way to earn the highest APY.NoNoYes. Min. $1,000/month
NoteThis APY is only available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. 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.Earn 5.00% APY on up to $5,000 and 2.50% APY on the rest. Direct deposit required.
Sponsored Link
App Store Rating4.7/54.9/5
Google Play Rating4.5/54.6/5
BBB RatingA+A-

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 10 Months)

Axos BankVaro Bank
ProductHigh Yield SavingsSummit SavingsAxos ONEvsHigh-Yield Savings Account
Latest APY0.61 %4.00 %4.51 %5.00 %
TrendSidewaysSidewaysSidewaysSideways
Slope (bps/mo)0.00.0-4.60.0
Rate Changes / Mo0.000.000.280.00
Days Since Last Change29812530318
High (-10 m)0.61 %4.00 %4.86 %5.00 %
Low (-10 m)0.61 %4.00 %4.46 %5.00 %
Draw-down from High0.0 %0.0 %-7.2 %0.0 %
Volatility (CV)0.0000.0000.0320.000
APY Insights Glossary
Latest APY
Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
Trend
Direction over the last 10 months (regression slope).
Slope (bps/mo)
Average monthly change; 10 bps = 0.10 pp.
Rate Changes / Mo
Typical number of APY moves per month.
Days Since Last Change
Recency of the latest APY adjustment.
High (-10 m)
Highest APY in the last 320 days.
Low (-10 m)
Lowest APY in the last 320 days.
Draw-down from High
How far today sits below the 10-month peak.
Volatility (CV)
Coefficient of variation = stdev ÷ mean.
Why Track Savings-Account APYs?
  • See how quickly a bank reacts to Fed moves or competition.
  • Gauge “twitchiness” - frequent moves can annoy savers.
  • Spot if you're buying near a peak (draw-down) or riding a rise.
  • Slope (bps/mo) shows speed of change.
  • Volatility (CV) scales jumps by average level.

More Comparisons

Compare Axos Bank's APY of 4.51% with other banks
Compare Varo Bank's APY of 5.00% with other banks