High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

BMO Alto vs. Wealthfront

Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated January 7, 2026
Comparison of BMO Alto vs Wealthfront savings accounts
Metric

BMO Alto

Savings Account

Jan 7, 2026

Wealthfront

Cash Account

Jan 7, 2026
APY3.25%3.25% - 3.90%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$163
$10,000+$325
$25,000+$813
$5,000+$171
$10,000+$341
$25,000+$853
Min Deposit
$0$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 3.90% for 3 months, after which the 3.25% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront.
Features
FDIC InsuredNo Minimums
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App

Market Reality Check

Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.21% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing BMO Alto vs. Wealthfront

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

As of BMO Alto offers an APY of 3.25% for its Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Wealthfront's 3.90% APY for its Cash Account, with a minimum balance of $0.

Wealthfront pays $16 more than BMO Alto on a $10,000 balance after one year. BMO Alto pays $325, while Wealthfront pays $341 (with an effective APY of 3.41%) - an APY advantage for Wealthfront.

Why BMO Alto?

No distinct advantages found vs Wealthfront.

Why Wealthfront?

  • Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.25%) on all balances
  • Higher rated iOS app (4.8 vs 0.0)
  • Higher rated Android app (4.9 vs 0.0)

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Wealthfront

Wealthfront's Cash Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $341 vs $325/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Wealthfront

Wealthfront's Cash Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $853 vs $813/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Wealthfront

Wealthfront's Cash Account offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Best Mobile App Experience
Wealthfront

Wealthfront offers an iOS app rated 4.8 (vs. 0.0) and Android app rated 4.9 (vs. 0.0)

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)PROMO DETECTED

Over a 1-year period (factoring in a 3-month promo), Wealthfront's Cash Account pays $16 more interest on a $10,000 balance than BMO Alto's Savings Account.

*Wealthfront's calculation includes their 3-month introductory promotional rate and subsequent standard rate.

BMO AltoWealthfront

Executive Summary as of

Wealthfront offers a Cash Account with a competitive APY of 3.90%, making it the winner in this comparison. This account is online-only and requires no minimum deposit or balance, with no maintenance fees, and it provides a promotional rate of 3.90% for the first three months, after which it drops to 3.25%. In contrast, BMO Alto's Savings Account has a steady APY of 3.25% but does not offer a promotional rate. Both accounts do not require direct deposit and are FDIC-insured, ensuring safety for deposits.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.

Verify At
BMO Alto

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Wealthfront

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

SoFi Bank
4.00% APY
Capital One
3.40% APY

BMO Alto vs. Wealthfront Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Savings Account and Cash Account
$
$

You earn $17.5 more with Wealthfront than BMO Alto 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.

BMO Alto

Savings Account

3.25% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$325.00(3.1%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,325.00

Effective APY
3.25%

Wealthfront

Cash Account

3.90% APY

Promo Rate: 3.90% for 3 months, then 3.25%.

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$342.50(3.3%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,342.50

Effective APY
3.42%

The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.

FeatureBMO AltoWealthfront
APY
3.25%
Verified: 1/7/2026
Stable (90d)
3.90%
Range: 3.25% - 3.90%
Verified: 1/7/2026
-
Product NameSavings AccountCash Account
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS-
Android-
iOS4.8
Android4.9
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+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 3.90% for 3 months, after which the 3.25% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront.
Next Steps
Visit Site

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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 2 Months Analysis
MetricBMO AltoWealthfront
Savings AccountCash Account
Current APY
3.25%3.90%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
0.0-18.8
Days Since Change
5519
2-Month High
3.25%4.15%
2-Month Low
3.25%3.90%
Adjustments / Mo
0.000.55
Volatility Score
0.0000.030
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 55-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 BMO Alto's APY of 3.25% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
BMO Alto vs Affirm3.20%$0
BMO Alto vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs American Express3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
BMO Alto vs Bank of America0.01%$100
BMO Alto vs Barclays4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
BMO Alto vs Betterment3.25%$10
BMO Alto vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
BMO Alto vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
BMO Alto vs Capital One3.40%$0
BMO Alto vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
BMO Alto vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
BMO Alto vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
BMO Alto vs Chime3.50%$0
BMO Alto vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
BMO Alto vs Citibank3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
BMO Alto vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
BMO Alto vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
BMO Alto vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
BMO Alto vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
BMO Alto vs Elevault3.82%$0
BMO Alto vs EverBank3.90%$0
BMO Alto vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
BMO Alto vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
BMO Alto vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs FVCbank3.85%$500
BMO Alto vs GO2bank4.50%$0
BMO Alto vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
BMO Alto vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
BMO Alto vs LendingClub4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
BMO Alto vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
BMO Alto vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
BMO Alto vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
BMO Alto vs Openbank4.20%$500
BMO Alto vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
BMO Alto vs Pibank4.60%$0
BMO Alto vs PNC3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
BMO Alto vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
BMO Alto vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
BMO Alto vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
BMO Alto vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
BMO Alto vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
BMO Alto vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
BMO Alto vs TD Bank2.60%$0
BMO Alto vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
BMO Alto vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
BMO Alto vs Upgrade3.05%$0
BMO Alto vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
BMO Alto vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
BMO Alto vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
BMO Alto vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10
Compare Wealthfront's APY of 3.90% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Wealthfront vs Affirm3.20%$0
Wealthfront vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Wealthfront vs American Express3.30%$0
Wealthfront vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Wealthfront vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Wealthfront vs Barclays4.00%$0
Wealthfront vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
Wealthfront vs Betterment3.25%$10
Wealthfront vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
Wealthfront vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Wealthfront vs Capital One3.40%$0
Wealthfront vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
Wealthfront vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Wealthfront vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Wealthfront vs Chime3.50%$0
Wealthfront vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Wealthfront vs Citibank3.30%$0
Wealthfront vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Wealthfront vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Wealthfront vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
Wealthfront vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
Wealthfront vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
Wealthfront vs Elevault3.82%$0
Wealthfront vs EverBank3.90%$0
Wealthfront vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Wealthfront vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Wealthfront vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Wealthfront vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Wealthfront vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Wealthfront vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
Wealthfront vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
Wealthfront vs LendingClub4.00%$0
Wealthfront vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Wealthfront vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
Wealthfront vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
Wealthfront vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
Wealthfront vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Wealthfront vs Openbank4.20%$500
Wealthfront vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
Wealthfront vs Pibank4.60%$0
Wealthfront vs PNC3.30%$0
Wealthfront vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
Wealthfront vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
Wealthfront vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
Wealthfront vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
Wealthfront vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
Wealthfront vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Wealthfront vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
Wealthfront vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Wealthfront vs TD Bank2.60%$0
Wealthfront vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Wealthfront vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
Wealthfront vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Wealthfront vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
Wealthfront vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Wealthfront vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
Wealthfront vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Wealthfront vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10