High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Barclays vs. Synchrony Bank

Comparing Barclays and Synchrony Bank for high-yield savings: Barclays's Tiered Savings pays 4.00% APY while Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pays 3.50% APY.

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

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated February 6, 2026

The Bottom Line

Who pays more interest on $10,000? Barclays pays $35 more than Synchrony Bank annually ($385 vs $350).

Choose Barclays if getting the best rate matters most.

Comparison of Barclays vs Synchrony Bank savings accounts
Metric

Barclays

Tiered Savings

Feb 6, 2026

Synchrony Bank

High Yield Savings

Feb 6, 2026
APY3.85% - 4.00%3.50%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$193
$10,000+$385
$25,000+$963
$5,000+$175
$10,000+$350
$25,000+$875
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 AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily 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.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Barclays vs. Synchrony Bank

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Executive Summary

Barclays offers a Tiered Savings account with a competitive APY of 4.00% for balances over $250,000, making it the winner in this comparison. For lower balances, the APY is 3.85%. In contrast, Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings account provides an APY of 3.50%. Both banks have no maintenance fees and do not require direct deposit. However, the Barclays account is online-only and requires a minimum balance of $250,000 to access the highest rate, while Synchrony Bank has no minimum balance requirement. Overall, Barclays provides better returns for larger deposits.

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 3.50%) on all balances
  • Offers 2 different high-yield savings options

Why Synchrony Bank?

No distinct advantages found vs Barclays.

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Barclays

Barclays's Tiered Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $385 vs $350/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Barclays

Barclays's Tiered Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $963 vs $875/yr).

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, Barclays's Tiered Savings pays $35 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings.

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

Synchrony BankBarclays
Verify At
Barclays

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Synchrony Bank

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

Capital One
3.30% APY
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
3.65% APY

Barclays vs. Synchrony Bank Savings Calculator

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

You earn $35 more with Barclays than Synchrony 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

4.00% APY

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

Effective APY
3.85%

Synchrony Bank

High Yield Savings

3.50% APY

Savings Breakdown

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

Projected Balance

$10,350.00

Effective APY
3.50%

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 Synchrony Bank dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.50%+ here
FeatureBarclaysSynchrony Bank
APY
4.00%
Range: 3.85% - 4.00%
Verified: 2/6/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.50%
Verified: 2/6/2026
↘︎ 0.30%90d Change
Product NameTiered SavingsHigh Yield Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$250,000$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyDailyDaily
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Physical BranchesNoneN/A
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android4.7
iOS4.8
Android4.5
FDIC Insured
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+Not Rated
Important NotesThe 4.00% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.85%.-
Next Steps
Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 12 Months Analysis
MetricBarclaysSynchrony Bank
Online SavingsTiered SavingsHigh Yield Savings
Current APY
3.60%4.00%3.50%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-2.6-3.8-3.6
Days Since Change
727910
12-Month High
3.90%4.50%4.00%
12-Month Low
3.60%4.00%3.50%
Adjustments / Mo
0.410.580.25
Volatility Score
0.0270.0350.037
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 4.00% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Barclays vs Affirm3.20%$0
Barclays vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Barclays vs American Express3.30%$0
Barclays vs Axos Bank4.21%$0
Barclays vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Barclays vs Bask Bank0.25%$0
Barclays vs Betterment3.25%$10
Barclays vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Barclays vs Bread Savings4.00%$100
Barclays vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Barclays vs Capital One3.30%$0
Barclays vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
Barclays vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Barclays vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Barclays vs Chime3.00%$0
Barclays vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Barclays vs Citibank3.20%$0
Barclays vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Barclays vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Barclays vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
Barclays vs Discover Bank3.30%$0
Barclays vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.35%$0
Barclays vs Elevault3.82%$0
Barclays vs EverBank3.90%$0
Barclays vs Fitness Bank4.50%$100
Barclays vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Barclays vs Forbright Bank3.85%$0
Barclays vs FVCbank4.00%$500
Barclays vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Barclays vs Ivy Bank4.00%$2,500
Barclays vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
Barclays vs LendingClub4.00%$0
Barclays vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Barclays vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
Barclays vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
Barclays vs Neighbors Bank4.20%$0
Barclays vs Newtek Bank4.20%$0.01
Barclays vs Openbank4.09%$500
Barclays vs Peak Bank4.02%$100
Barclays vs Pibank4.60%$0
Barclays vs PNC3.30%$0
Barclays vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
Barclays vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
Barclays vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
Barclays vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
Barclays vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
Barclays vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Barclays vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
Barclays vs TD Bank2.36%$0
Barclays vs TIMBR4.15%$1,000
Barclays vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
Barclays vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Barclays vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
Barclays vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Barclays vs Vio Bank4.02%$100
Barclays vs Wealthfront3.95%$0
Barclays vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Barclays vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10
Compare Synchrony Bank's APY of 3.50% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Synchrony Bank vs Affirm3.20%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs American Express3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Axos Bank4.21%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Bask Bank0.25%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Betterment3.25%$10
Synchrony Bank vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Bread Savings4.00%$100
Synchrony Bank vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Synchrony Bank vs Capital One3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
Synchrony Bank vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Chime3.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Citibank3.20%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Synchrony Bank vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Synchrony Bank vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
Synchrony Bank vs Discover Bank3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.35%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Elevault3.82%$0
Synchrony Bank vs EverBank3.90%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Fitness Bank4.50%$100
Synchrony Bank vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Synchrony Bank vs Forbright Bank3.85%$0
Synchrony Bank vs FVCbank4.00%$500
Synchrony Bank vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Ivy Bank4.00%$2,500
Synchrony Bank vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
Synchrony Bank vs LendingClub4.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Synchrony Bank vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
Synchrony Bank vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
Synchrony Bank vs Neighbors Bank4.20%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Newtek Bank4.20%$0.01
Synchrony Bank vs Openbank4.09%$500
Synchrony Bank vs Peak Bank4.02%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Pibank4.60%$0
Synchrony Bank vs PNC3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
Synchrony Bank vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
Synchrony Bank vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Synchrony Bank vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs TD Bank2.36%$0
Synchrony Bank vs TIMBR4.15%$1,000
Synchrony Bank vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
Synchrony Bank vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
Synchrony Bank vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Vio Bank4.02%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Wealthfront3.95%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Synchrony Bank vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10