Barclays vs. BMO Alto
Comparing Barclays and BMO Alto for high-yield savings: Barclays's Tiered Savings pays 3.85% APY while BMO Alto's Savings Account pays 3.15% 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 $55 more than BMO Alto annually ($370 vs $315).
Choose Barclays if getting the best rate matters most, you're an iPhone user (no iOS app for BMO Alto), or you're an Android user (no Android app for BMO Alto).
| Metric | BarclaysTiered Savings Apr 7, 2026 | BMO AltoSavings Account Apr 7, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.70% - 3.85% | 3.15% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$185 $10,000+$370 $25,000+$925 | $5,000+$158 $10,000+$315 $25,000+$788 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | The 3.85% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.70%. | - |
| Features | FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsDaily CompoundingRate 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.
Executive Summary
Barclays offers a competitive Tiered Savings account with a high APY of 3.85%, available for balances over $250,000, while lower balances yield a slightly lower rate of 3.70%. This account is online-only and requires no direct deposit, making it accessible for those meeting the balance requirement. In contrast, BMO Alto provides a Savings Account with a lower APY of 3.15%, also online-only and with no minimum balance or direct deposit requirements. While Barclays's higher yield makes it the more attractive option for larger deposits, BMO Alto may appeal to those seeking simplicity without balance restrictions.
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 (3.85% vs 3.15%) on all balances
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.9 vs 0.0)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.7 vs 0.0)
Why BMO Alto?
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $370 vs $315/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $925 vs $788/yr).
Best for Simplicity
BMO AltoBMO Alto's Savings Account offers 3.15% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best Mobile App Experience
BarclaysBarclays offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 0.0) and Android app rated 4.7 (vs. 0.0)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Barclays's Tiered Savings pays $55 more interest on a $10,000 balance than BMO Alto's Savings Account.
*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. BMO Alto Savings Calculator
You earn $55 more with Barclays than BMO Alto 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+$370.00(3.6%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,370.00
BMO Alto
Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$315.00(3.1%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,315.00
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 $314 per year in interest.
Both Barclays and BMO Alto dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Barclays | BMO Alto |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.85% Range: 3.70% - 3.85% Verified: 4/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.15%90d Change | 3.15% Verified: 4/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change |
| Product Name | Tiered Savings | Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $250,000 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| 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 | iOS- Android- | |
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Important Notes | The 3.85% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.70%. | - |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Barclays Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at BMO Alto Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Barclays | BMO Alto | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiered Savings | Online Savings | Savings Account | |
Current APY | 3.85% | 3.50% | 3.15% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -3.4 | -2.4 | -4.6 |
Days Since Change | 46 | 46 | 49 |
12-Month High | 4.40% | 3.90% | 3.70% |
12-Month Low | 3.85% | 3.50% | 3.15% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.58 | 0.49 | 0.33 |
Volatility Score | 0.032 | 0.024 | 0.051 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Barclays' APY of 3.85% with other banks
Compare BMO Alto's APY of 3.15% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| BMO Alto vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs American Express | 3.20% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Capital One | 3.20% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| BMO Alto vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| BMO Alto vs Openbank | 4.00% | $500 |
| BMO Alto vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Wealthfront | 4.20% | $0 |