Betterment vs. Capital One
Comparing Betterment and Capital One for high-yield savings: Betterment's Cash Reserve pays 3.90% APY while Capital One's 360 Performance Savings pays 3.20% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Betterment pays $70 more than Capital One annually ($390 vs $320).
Choose Betterment if getting the best rate matters most. Choose Capital One if you value in-person banking, or you want Zelle for quick transfers.
| Metric | BettermentCash Reserve Mar 24, 2026 | Capital One360 Performance Savings Mar 24, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.25% - 3.90% | 3.20% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 | $5,000+$160 $10,000+$320 $25,000+$800 |
Min Deposit | $10 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Promo rate for new customers. 3.25% APY applies to existing customers. | - |
| Features | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® SupportedRate 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.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Betterment vs. Capital One
Executive Summary
Betterment offers a competitive Cash Reserve savings account with a notable APY of 3.90%, available to new customers, while existing customers earn a lower rate of 3.25%. This online-only product requires a minimum deposit of $10 and has no maintenance fees. In comparison, Capital One's 360 Performance Savings account provides an APY of 3.20% with no minimum deposit or maintenance fees, and it is accessible through both online and physical branches. Although Capital One's rate is lower, both accounts have no direct deposit requirements, making them flexible options for savers.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Betterment?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.20%) on all balances
Why Capital One?
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
- ✓Physical branch access (Over 200 branches in Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C.)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,500 a day)
- ✓Available to New & Existing Customers
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
BettermentBetterment's Cash Reserve earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $320/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
BettermentBetterment's Cash Reserve pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $800/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Capital OneCapital One's 360 Performance Savings offers 3.20% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Betterment's Cash Reserve pays $70 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Capital One's 360 Performance Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Betterment vs. Capital One Savings Calculator
You earn $70 more with Betterment than Capital One 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.
Betterment
Cash Reserve
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$390.00(3.8%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,390.00
Capital One
360 Performance Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$320.00(3.1%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,320.00
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 $319 per year in interest.
Both Betterment and Capital One dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Betterment | Capital One |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.90% Range: 3.25% - 3.90% Verified: 3/24/2026 ↗︎ 0.65%90d Change | 3.20% Verified: 3/24/2026 ↘︎ 0.20%90d Change |
| Product Name | Cash Reserve | 360 Performance Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | N/A | Monthly |
| Branch Access | None | Yes |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online & Branches |
| Physical Branches | None | Over 200 branches in Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | Yes | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Available Limit: $2,500/dayAvailable for 360 Checking accounts. |
| BBB Rating | A- | A+ |
| Important Notes | Promo rate for new customers. 3.25% APY applies to existing customers. | - |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Betterment Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Capital One Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Betterment | Capital One |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Reserve | 360 Performance Savings | |
Current APY | 3.90% | 3.20% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -5.8 | -3.3 |
Days Since Change | 32 | 12 |
12-Month High | 4.00% | 3.70% |
12-Month Low | 3.25% | 3.20% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.33 | 0.41 |
Volatility Score | 0.083 | 0.036 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Betterment's APY of 3.90% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Betterment vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Betterment vs American Express | 3.20% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Barclays | 3.85% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Betterment vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Betterment vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Betterment vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Betterment vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Wealthfront | 4.20% | $0 |