High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Axos Bank vs. Wealthfront

Comparing Axos Bank and Wealthfront for high-yield savings: Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays 4.21% APY while Wealthfront's Cash Account pays 4.20% APY (including a 3-month 0.90% promo boost).

Note: Axos Bank requires a checking account.

See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated April 7, 2026

The Bottom Line

Who pays more interest on $10,000? Axos Bank pays $69 more than Wealthfront annually ($421 vs $353).

Choose Axos Bank if getting the best rate matters most, you want to avoid a promo rate with a scheduled drop, or BBB rating matters to you.

Important Considerations

The key difference? Wealthfront's 4.20% rate includes a promotional bonus for the first 3 months, after which it reverts to the standard rate (currently 3.30%). Axos Bank's 4.21% rate has no scheduled drop, though all rates are subject to change.

Axos Bank requires a checking account to unlock its top savings rate, while Wealthfront offers its savings account standalone.

Comparison of Axos Bank vs Wealthfront savings accounts
Metric

Axos Bank

Axos ONE

Apr 7, 2026

Wealthfront

Cash Account

Apr 7, 2026
APY4.21%3.30% - 4.20%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$211
$10,000+$421
$25,000+$1,053
$5,000+$176
$10,000+$353
$25,000+$881
Min Deposit
$0$0

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.Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New customers may earn the top rate of 4.20% for 3 months with direct deposit. See terms at Wealthfront.
Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppChecking BundleDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate 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.

Find Branch Access

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Axos Bank vs. Wealthfront

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Executive Summary

Axos Bank's Axos ONE savings account offers a competitive APY of 4.21%, making it the highest-yielding option when bundled with a checking account, which earns 0.51% APY. To qualify for this rate, customers must set up a direct deposit of $1,500 or maintain an average daily balance of $5,000. In comparison, Wealthfront's Cash Account provides a slightly lower APY of 4.20% without any requirements for bundling or direct deposit. Both accounts are online-only and have no minimum deposit or maintenance fees, making them accessible options for savers.

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
  • Offers 2 different high-yield savings options

Why Wealthfront?

No distinct advantages found vs Axos Bank.

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $421 vs $353/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $1053 vs $881/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Wealthfront

Wealthfront's Cash Account offers 4.20% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Best for All-in-One Banking
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays a superior APY for customers who also open a checking account.

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays $69 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Wealthfront's Cash Account.

*This comparison accounts for Wealthfront's introductory promotional rate, yet Axos Bank's standard rate still yields a higher 1-year return.

WealthfrontAxos Bank
Go to Site
Axos Bank

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Wealthfront

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Top Market Contenders

American Express
3.20% APY

Axos Bank vs. Wealthfront Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Axos ONE and Cash Account
$
$

You earn $66.8 more with Axos Bank than Wealthfront 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

4.21% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$421.00(4.0%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,421.00

Effective APY
4.21%

Wealthfront

Cash Account

4.20% APY

Promo Rate: 4.20% for 3 months, then 3.30%.

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$354.20(3.4%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,354.20

Effective APY
3.54%

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 $352 per year in interest.

Both Axos Bank and Wealthfront dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 4.20%+ here
FeatureAxos BankWealthfront
APY
4.21%
Verified: 4/7/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
4.20%
Range: 3.30% - 4.20%
Verified: 4/7/2026
↗︎ 0.30%90d Change
Product NameAxos ONECash Account
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyDailyDaily
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Physical BranchesNoneNone
Direct Deposit Req.Not required, but is the easiest way to earn the highest APY.None
Checking Bundle YesNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.7
Android4.6
iOS4.8
Android4.9
FDIC Insured
Yes
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+F
Important NotesThe 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.Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New customers may earn the top rate of 4.20% for 3 months with direct deposit. See terms at Wealthfront.
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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 5 Months Analysis
MetricAxos BankWealthfront
Summit SavingsAxos ONEHigh Yield SavingsCash Account
Current APY
3.75%4.21%0.61%4.20%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-4.8-5.90.01.5
Days Since Change
1176614533
5-Month High
4.00%4.51%0.61%4.20%
5-Month Low
3.75%4.21%0.61%3.90%
Adjustments / Mo
0.210.410.000.62
Volatility Score
0.0260.0230.0000.032
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)

Trends & Velocity

  • Trend: The general direction of the rate over the analyzed period. Useful for spotting if a bank is currently aggressive or pulling back.
  • Velocity (bps/mo): Speed of change. A high positive number means they raise rates quickly. 10 bps = 0.10%.
  • Adjustments/Mo: "Twitchiness." High frequency means the rate changes constantly; low frequency means it's stable.

Risk & Range

  • High/Low: The absolute ceiling and floor of the rate during the 145-day window.
  • Volatility Score: Lower is better for predictability. It indicates how wildly the rate swings relative to its average.
  • Days Since Change: If this number is high (e.g., >90), the rate is very sticky. If low, it changed recently.

More Comparisons

Compare Axos Bank's APY of 4.21% with other banks
Compare Wealthfront's APY of 4.20% with other banks