Barclays vs. Santander Bank
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | BarclaysTiered Savings Jan 21, 2026 | Santander BankSantander Savings Jan 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.85% - 4.00% | 0.01% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$193 $10,000+$385 $25,000+$963 | $5,000+$1 $10,000+$1 $25,000+$3 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $25 |
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 InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® Supported |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.20% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Barclays vs. Santander Bank
As of Barclays offers an APY of 4.00% for its Tiered Savings account, with a minimum balance of $250,000, compared to Santander Bank's 0.01% APY for its Santander Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.
Barclays pays $384 more than Santander Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Barclays pays $385 (with an effective APY of 3.85%), while Santander Bank pays $1 - 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 0.01%) on all balances
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.7 vs 4.0)
- ✓Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
Why Santander Bank?
- ✓Physical branch access (Primarily in the Northeast and Miami, Florida)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle®
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $385 vs $1/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $963 vs $3/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. 4.8) and Android app rated 4.7 (vs. 4.0)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Barclays's Tiered Savings pays $384 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Santander Bank's Santander Savings.
*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 a notable 4.00% APY for balances over $250,000, while lower balances earn 3.85%. This product is online-only and does not require direct deposit. Additionally, Barclays provides an Online Savings account with a 3.60% APY, which is ideal for those seeking simplicity without any minimum balance requirements. In contrast, Santander Bank's Savings account offers a significantly lower APY of 0.01%, with a minimum deposit of $25 and a $1 maintenance fee. Overall, Barclays stands out as the superior option for higher returns.
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. Santander Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $384 more with Barclays than Santander Bank 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
Santander Bank
Santander Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$1.00(0.0%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,001.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
| Feature | Barclays | Santander Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.00% Range: 3.85% - 4.00% Verified: 1/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 0.01% Verified: 1/21/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | Tiered Savings | Santander Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $250,000 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $1 |
| Branch Access | None | Yes |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online & Branches |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.9 Android4.7 | iOS4.8 Android4.0 |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Available Branch-based retail accounts only. |
| BBB Rating | A+ | Not Rated |
| 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 Santander Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Barclays | Santander Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Savings | Tiered Savings | Santander Savings | |
Current APY | 3.60% | 4.00% | 0.01% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -2.7 | -4.1 | -0.2 |
Days Since Change | 56 | 63 | 124 |
12-Month High | 4.00% | 4.50% | 0.03% |
12-Month Low | 3.60% | 4.00% | 0.01% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.49 | 0.58 | 0.08 |
Volatility Score | 0.028 | 0.038 | 0.449 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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