Betterment vs. Citibank
Betterment edges out Citibank slightly at 3.25% vs 3.20% APY. On a $10,000 balance, the difference is just $5 per year—so other factors may matter more.
The Bottom Line
The Betterment and Citibank savings accounts are very similar. Choose Betterment if BBB rating matters to you, or choose Citibank if you want Zelle for quick transfers.
Important Considerations
Citibank's Accelerate Savings is only available in select states where Citi has no branch presence. Check eligibility before applying.
| Metric | BettermentCash Reserve Feb 6, 2026 | CitibankCiti Accelerate Savings Feb 6, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.25% | 3.20% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$163 $10,000+$325 $25,000+$813 | $5,000+$160 $10,000+$320 $25,000+$800 |
Min Deposit | $10 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | Eligibility restricted to select states. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily 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.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Betterment vs. Citibank
Executive Summary
Betterment offers a competitive APY of 3.25% on its Cash Reserve savings account, which is an online-only product requiring a minimum deposit of just $10 and has no maintenance fees. In comparison, Citibank's top product, the Citi Accelerate Savings account, provides a slightly lower APY of 3.20%, also online-only, with a minimum deposit of $0 and a maintenance fee of $4.50, waived for average monthly balances over $500. Both accounts do not require direct deposit, but Citibank's eligibility is restricted to select states, while Betterment has no stated restrictions.
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?
- ✓Available Nationwide
Why Citibank?
- ✓Physical branch access (U.S. branches are concentrated in six metropolitan areas, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Miami.)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,500 a day)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Betterment's Cash Reserve pays $5 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Citibank's Citi Accelerate 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. Citibank Savings Calculator
You earn $5 more with Betterment than Citibank 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+$325.00(3.1%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,325.00
Citibank
Citi Accelerate 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 Citibank dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Betterment | Citibank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.25% Verified: 2/6/2026 ↘︎ 0.25%90d Change | 3.20% Verified: 2/6/2026 ↘︎ 0.15%90d Change |
| Product Name | Cash Reserve | Citi Accelerate Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 |
| Compound Frequency | N/A | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | None | U.S. branches are concentrated in six metropolitan areas, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Miami. |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | Yes | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Available Limit: $2,500/dayTiered limits based on account status (Citigold higher). |
| BBB Rating | A- | D- |
| Important Notes | - | Eligibility restricted to select states. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Betterment Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Citibank Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Betterment | Citibank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Reserve | Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings | |
Current APY | 3.25% | 0.03% | 3.20% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -7.3 | 0.0 | -4.7 |
Days Since Change | 55 | 365 | 10 |
12-Month High | 4.00% | 0.03% | 3.80% |
12-Month Low | 3.25% | 0.03% | 3.20% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.25 | 0.00 | 0.58 |
Volatility Score | 0.081 | 0.000 | 0.049 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Betterment's APY of 3.25% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Betterment vs Ally Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Betterment vs Barclays | 4.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $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 | 3.95% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |