Barclays vs. BMO Alto
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | BarclaysTiered Savings Jan 7, 2026 | BMO AltoSavings Account Jan 7, 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 | $0 |
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 App | FDIC InsuredNo Minimums |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.21% APY.
As of Barclays offers an APY of 4.00% for its Tiered Savings account, with a minimum balance of $250,000, compared to BMO Alto's 3.25% APY for its Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.
Barclays pays $60 more than BMO Alto on a $10,000 balance after one year. Barclays pays $385 (with an effective APY of 3.85%), while BMO Alto pays $325 - an APY advantage for Barclays.
In addition, Barclays also offers 3.60% APY for the Online Savings account, with a minimum balance of Enough to earn $0.01 in interest.
Why Barclays?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.60%-4.00% vs 3.25%) on all balances
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.9 vs 0.0)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.7 vs 0.0)
- ✓Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
Why BMO Alto?
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.
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 $60 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.
Executive Summary as of
Barclays offers a competitive Tiered Savings account with an APY of 4.00% for balances over $250,000, making it the standout product compared to BMO Alto's Savings Account, which has a lower APY of 3.25%. For those with lower balances, Barclays provides an Online Savings account yielding 3.60% APY, which is beneficial for simplicity as it has no direct deposit requirement or maintenance fees. Both banks operate online-only and do not require a minimum deposit to open an account.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Barclays vs. BMO Alto Savings Calculator
You earn $60 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+$385.00(3.7%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,385.00
BMO Alto
Savings Account
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.
| Feature | Barclays | BMO Alto |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.00% Range: 3.85% - 4.00% Verified: 1/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.25% Verified: 1/7/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | Tiered Savings | Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $250,000 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.9 Android4.7 | iOS- Android- |
| 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 BMO Alto Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Barclays | BMO Alto | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Savings | Tiered Savings | Savings Account | |
Current APY | 3.60% | 4.00% | 3.25% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -2.7 | -4.2 | -6.6 |
Days Since Change | 42 | 49 | 110 |
11-Month High | 4.00% | 4.50% | 4.10% |
11-Month Low | 3.60% | 4.00% | 3.25% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.51 | 0.60 | 0.43 |
Volatility Score | 0.027 | 0.038 | 0.070 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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