Barclays vs. Betterment
Comparing Barclays and Betterment for high-yield savings: Barclays's Tiered Savings pays 4.00% APY while Betterment's Cash Reserve pays 3.25% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Barclays pays $60 more than Betterment annually ($385 vs $325).
Choose Barclays if getting the best rate matters most.
| Metric | BarclaysTiered Savings Feb 6, 2026 | BettermentCash Reserve Feb 6, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.85% - 4.00% | 3.25% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$193 $10,000+$385 $25,000+$963 | $5,000+$163 $10,000+$325 $25,000+$813 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $10 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | The 4.00% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.85%. | - |
| Features | FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppRate Changes Often |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.15% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Barclays vs. Betterment
Executive Summary
Barclays offers a competitive Tiered Savings account with an APY of 4.00% for balances over $250,000, making it the standout option compared to Betterment's Cash Reserve, which provides a lower APY of 3.25%. For those with lower balances, Barclays's Online Savings account yields 3.60% APY and requires no direct deposit or maintenance fees, making it a simpler alternative. In contrast, Betterment's Cash Reserve has a minimum deposit of $10 and also has no maintenance fees, but its APY is significantly lower. Both banks operate online only and provide FDIC insurance.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Barclays?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.60%-4.00% vs 3.25%) on all balances
- ✓Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
Why Betterment?
No distinct advantages found vs Barclays.
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $385 vs $325/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $963 vs $813/yr).
Best for Simplicity
BarclaysBarclays's Online Savings offers 3.60% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Barclays's Tiered Savings pays $60 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.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Barclays vs. Betterment Savings Calculator
You earn $60 more with Barclays 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.
Barclays
Tiered Savings
Higher APY requires $250,000
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$385.00(3.7%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,385.00
Betterment
Cash Reserve
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$325.00(3.1%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,325.00
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 $324 per year in interest.
Both Barclays and Betterment dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Barclays | Betterment |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.00% Range: 3.85% - 4.00% Verified: 2/6/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.25% Verified: 2/6/2026 ↘︎ 0.25%90d Change |
| Product Name | Tiered Savings | Cash Reserve |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $250,000 | $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. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | Yes |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A- |
| Important Notes | The 4.00% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.85%. | - |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Barclays Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Betterment Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Barclays | Betterment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Savings | Tiered Savings | Cash Reserve | |
Current APY | 3.60% | 4.00% | 3.25% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -2.6 | -3.8 | -7.3 |
Days Since Change | 72 | 79 | 55 |
12-Month High | 3.90% | 4.50% | 4.00% |
12-Month Low | 3.60% | 4.00% | 3.25% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.41 | 0.58 | 0.25 |
Volatility Score | 0.027 | 0.035 | 0.081 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Barclays' APY of 4.00% with other banks
Compare Betterment's APY of 3.25% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Betterment vs Ally Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Betterment vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Betterment vs Citibank | 3.20% | $0 |
| 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 | 3.95% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |