High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Barclays vs. UFB Direct

Comparing Barclays and UFB Direct for high-yield savings: Barclays's Tiered Savings pays 4.00% APY while UFB Direct's UFB Checking and Savings Bundle pays 3.46% APY.

Note: UFB Direct requires a checking account.

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 $39 more than UFB Direct annually ($385 vs $346).

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

Important Considerations

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

Comparison of Barclays vs UFB Direct savings accounts
Metric

Barclays

Tiered Savings

Feb 6, 2026

UFB Direct

UFB Checking and Savings Bundle

Feb 6, 2026
APY3.85% - 4.00%3.26% - 3.46%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$193
$10,000+$385
$25,000+$963
$5,000+$163
$10,000+$346
$25,000+$865
Min Deposit
$0$5000

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%.The regular savings or money market APY may be boosted up to 3.46% by direct deposits, minimum balance of $10,000 and making 10 approved debit card transactions per statement cycle. The checking account earns 2% APY. See bank for full details.
Features
FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often
FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat 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 4.15% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Barclays vs. UFB Direct

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Executive Summary

Barclays offers a competitive Tiered Savings account with a 4.00% APY for balances over $250,000, making it the clear winner among the two banks. For lower balances, the APY drops to 3.85%. Additionally, Barclays provides an Online Savings account with a 3.60% APY, which is ideal for those seeking simplicity without a direct deposit requirement. In contrast, UFB Direct's UFB Portfolio Savings account offers a lower APY of 3.26%, with no minimum balance or maintenance fees, but does not match the higher yield available at Barclays. Both banks operate online-only.

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 3.26%-3.46%) on all balances
  • Higher rated Android app (4.7 vs 4.4)

Why UFB Direct?

  • Offers 2.00% APY on Checking Account in addition to the savings APY
  • Access to over 90,000 fee-free ATMs

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Barclays

Barclays's Tiered Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $385 vs $346/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Barclays

Barclays's Tiered Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $963 vs $865/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Barclays

Barclays's Online Savings offers 3.60% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

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 $39 more interest on a $10,000 balance than UFB Direct's UFB Checking and Savings Bundle.

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

UFB DirectBarclays
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Barclays

Non-sponsored link to official site

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UFB Direct

* Secure link to our partner

Top Market Contenders

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

Barclays vs. UFB Direct Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Tiered Savings and UFB Checking and Savings Bundle
$
$

You earn $39 more with Barclays than UFB Direct 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%

UFB Direct

UFB Checking and Savings Bundle

3.46% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$346.00(3.3%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,346.00

Effective APY
3.46%

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 $345 per year in interest.

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

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.46%+ here
FeatureBarclaysUFB Direct
APY
4.00%
Range: 3.85% - 4.00%
Verified: 2/6/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.46%
Range: 3.26% - 3.46%
Verified: 2/6/2026
↘︎ 0.25%90d Change
Product NameTiered SavingsUFB Checking and Savings Bundle
Minimum Deposit$0$5000
Min. Balance for APY$250,000$10,000
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyDailyDaily
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Physical BranchesNoneNone
Direct Deposit Req.None
Required
Checking BundleNo Yes
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android4.7
iOS4.8
Android4.4
FDIC Insured
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+A+
Important NotesThe 4.00% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.85%.The regular savings or money market APY may be boosted up to 3.46% by direct deposits, minimum balance of $10,000 and making 10 approved debit card transactions per statement cycle. The checking account earns 2% APY. See bank for full details.
Next Steps
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* Secure link to our partner

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 12 Months Analysis
MetricBarclaysUFB Direct
Online SavingsTiered SavingsUFB Checking and Savings BundleUFB Portfolio Savings
Current APY
3.60%4.00%3.46%3.26%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-2.6-3.8-7.2-7.0
Days Since Change
72793131
12-Month High
3.90%4.50%4.21%4.01%
12-Month Low
3.60%4.00%3.46%3.26%
Adjustments / Mo
0.410.580.410.41
Volatility Score
0.0270.0350.0730.076
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 Synchrony Bank3.50%$0
Barclays vs TD Bank2.36%$0
Barclays vs TIMBR4.15%$1,000
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 UFB Direct's APY of 3.46% with other banks