Betterment vs. Wealthfront
Comparing Betterment and Wealthfront for high-yield savings: Betterment's Cash Reserve pays 3.25% APY while Wealthfront's Cash Account pays 3.95% APY (including a 3-month 0.65% promo boost).
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Wealthfront pays $21 more than Betterment annually ($346 vs $325).
Choose Betterment if you want a no-strings-attached account, you want to avoid a promo rate with a scheduled drop, or BBB rating matters to you. Choose Wealthfront if getting the best rate matters most.
Important Considerations
The key difference? Wealthfront's 3.95% rate includes a promotional bonus for the first 3 months, after which it reverts to the standard rate (currently 3.30%). Betterment's 3.25% rate has no scheduled drop, though all rates are subject to change.
| Metric | BettermentCash Reserve Feb 6, 2026 | WealthfrontCash Account Feb 6, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.25% | 3.30% - 3.95% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$163 $10,000+$325 $25,000+$813 | $5,000+$173 $10,000+$346 $25,000+$866 |
Min Deposit | $10 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get an APY of 3.95% for 3 months, after which the 3.30% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppRate 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.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Betterment vs. Wealthfront
Executive Summary
Wealthfront's Cash Account offers a competitive APY of 3.95%, making it the winner in this comparison. This online-only product has no minimum deposit requirement and provides an initial promotional APY for new clients for three months, after which it adjusts to 3.30%. In contrast, Betterment's Cash Reserve yields 3.25% APY, also with no minimum balance or maintenance fees, but it does not match Wealthfront's higher rate. Both accounts are FDIC-insured, but Wealthfront stands out for its higher return potential, particularly 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 Betterment?
No distinct advantages found vs Wealthfront.
Why Wealthfront?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.95% vs 3.25%) on all balances
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
WealthfrontWealthfront's Cash Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $346 vs $325/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
WealthfrontWealthfront's Cash Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $866 vs $813/yr).
Best for Simplicity
WealthfrontWealthfront's Cash Account offers 3.95% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period (factoring in a 3-month promo), Wealthfront's Cash Account pays $21 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Betterment's Cash Reserve.
*Wealthfront's calculation includes their 3-month introductory promotional rate and subsequent standard rate.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Betterment vs. Wealthfront Savings Calculator
You earn $22.5 more with Wealthfront than Betterment 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
Wealthfront
Cash Account
Promo Rate: 3.95% for 3 months, then 3.30%.
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$347.50(3.4%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,347.50
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 $324 per year in interest.
Both Betterment and Wealthfront dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Betterment | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.25% Verified: 2/6/2026 ↘︎ 0.25%90d Change | 3.95% Range: 3.30% - 3.95% Verified: 2/6/2026 - |
| Product Name | Cash Reserve | Cash Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | N/A | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | None | None |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | Yes | Yes |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A- | F |
| Important Notes | - | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get an APY of 3.95% for 3 months, after which the 3.30% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Betterment Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Wealthfront Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Betterment | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Reserve | Cash Account | |
Current APY | 3.25% | 3.95% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -11.9 | -11.9 |
Days Since Change | 55 | 7 |
3-Month High | 3.50% | 4.15% |
3-Month Low | 3.25% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.35 | 0.71 |
Volatility Score | 0.036 | 0.030 |
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 Citibank | 3.20% | $0 |
| 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 Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |