High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Barclays vs. Chime

Comparing Barclays and Chime for high-yield savings: Barclays's Tiered Savings pays 3.65% APY while Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pays 3.75% APY.

Note: Chime requires a checking account.

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

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated August 6, 2026

The Bottom Line

Who pays more interest on $10,000? Chime pays $25 more than Barclays annually ($375 vs $350).

Choose Barclays if you want a no-strings-attached account. Choose Chime if getting the best rate matters most.

Important Considerations

Chime requires a checking account to unlock its top savings rate, while Barclays offers its savings account standalone.

Comparison of Barclays vs Chime savings accounts
Metric

Barclays

Tiered Savings

Aug 6, 2026

Chime

Chime High-Yield Savings Account

Aug 6, 2026
APY3.50% - 3.65%0.75% - 3.75%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$175
$10,000+$350
$25,000+$875
$5,000+$188
$10,000+$375
$25,000+$938
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Terms
The 3.65% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.50%.-
Features
FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDirect Deposit ReqChecking BundleDaily 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 4.10% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Barclays vs. Chime

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Executive Summary

Chime offers a competitive High-Yield Savings Account with an APY of 3.75%, making it the highest-yielding option compared to Barclays, which provides a Tiered Savings account with an APY of 3.65% for balances over $250,000. Chime's account requires a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the last 34 days, while Barclays' accounts have no direct deposit requirement. For those looking for simplicity, Barclays also offers an Online Savings account with a lower APY of 3.30%. Both banks operate online only and have no maintenance fees.

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?

  • No checking account or direct deposit required
  • Offers 2 different high-yield savings options

Why Chime?

No distinct advantages found vs Barclays.

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Chime

Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $375 vs $350/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Chime

Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $938 vs $875/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Barclays

Barclays's Online Savings offers 3.30% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Best for All-in-One Banking
Chime

Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account 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, Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pays $25 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Barclays's Tiered Savings.

*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.

BarclaysChime
Verify At
Barclays

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Chime

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

American Express
3.00% APY
Capital One
3.00% APY
Synchrony Bank
3.30% APY

Barclays vs. Chime Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Tiered Savings and Chime High-Yield Savings Account
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$

You earn $25 more with Chime than Barclays 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

3.65% APY

Higher APY requires $250,000

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$350.00(3.4%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,350.00

Effective APY
3.50%

Chime

Chime High-Yield Savings Account

3.75% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$375.00(3.6%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,375.00

Effective APY
3.75%

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 $349 per year in interest.

Both Barclays and Chime dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.65%+ here
FeatureBarclaysChime
APY
3.65%
Range: 3.50% - 3.65%
Verified: 8/6/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.75%
Range: 0.75% - 3.75%
Verified: 8/6/2026
-
Product NameTiered SavingsChime High-Yield Savings Account
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$250,000$0.01
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyDailyDaily
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Physical BranchesNoneN/A
Direct Deposit Req.None
RequiredYou need to receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the preceding 34 days
Checking BundleNo Yes
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android4.7
iOS4.8
Android4.7
FDIC Insured
Yes
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+A+
Important NotesThe 3.65% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.50%.-
Next Steps
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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 12 Months Analysis
MetricBarclaysChime
Online SavingsTiered SavingsChime High-Yield Savings Account
Current APY
3.30%3.65%3.75%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.9-4.5-8.1
Days Since Change
43434
12-Month High
3.70%4.10%3.75%
12-Month Low
3.30%3.65%3.00%
Adjustments / Mo
0.330.330.25
Volatility Score
0.0410.0400.085
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 365-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 Barclays' APY of 3.65% with other banks
Compare Chime's APY of 3.75% with other banks