Savings Account Comparison

Chase Bank vs. Varo Bank

Comparing Chase Bank and Varo Bank for savings: Chase Bank's Chase Savings℠ pays 0.01% APY while Varo Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays 5.00% APY.

Note: Varo Bank caps its top rate at $5,000 and requires a checking account.

See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated March 24, 2026

The Bottom Line

Who pays more interest on $10,000? Varo Bank pays $374 more than Chase Bank annually ($375 vs $1).

Choose Chase Bank if you want a no-strings-attached account, or you value in-person banking. Choose Varo Bank if getting the best rate matters most.

Important Considerations

Watch out: Varo Bank's 5.00% APY only applies to the first $5,000. With a $10,000 balance, your effective rate drops to 3.75% APY ($375 annually).

Varo Bank requires a checking account to unlock its top savings rate, while Chase Bank offers its savings account standalone.

Comparison of Chase Bank vs Varo Bank savings accounts
Metric

Chase Bank

Chase Savings℠

Mar 24, 2026

Varo Bank

High-Yield Savings Account

Mar 24, 2026
APY0.01%2.50% - 5.00%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$1
$10,000+$1
$25,000+$3
$5,000+$250
$10,000+$375
$25,000+$750
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Terms
APY may vary by market. The maintenance fee may be waived under some circumstances, such as if the account balance is maintained with at least $300 each day, or you set up automatic transfers from a linked Chase account, etc.Earn 5.00% APY on up to $5,000 and 2.50% APY on the rest. A Varo bank account & direct deposit required.
Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® SupportedStable Rate
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDirect Deposit ReqChecking BundleDaily CompoundingStable Rate

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Chase Bank vs. Varo Bank

Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Executive Summary

Varo Bank offers a High-Yield Savings Account with an impressive APY of 5.00%, significantly higher than Chase Bank's Chase Savings℠, which has a minimal APY of 0.01%. To benefit from Varo's high rate, customers must maintain a direct deposit of at least $1,000 per month and open a Varo bank account, while also noting that the higher APY applies only to balances up to $5,000, with 2.50% on amounts exceeding that. In contrast, Chase Bank's savings account has no direct deposit requirement but incurs a $5 maintenance fee unless certain conditions are met. Overall, Varo Bank stands out for those seeking higher returns on their savings.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

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

Why Chase Bank?

  • No checking account or direct deposit required
  • Physical branch access (Chase has more than 5,000 branches in nearly all of the United States, but not in Alaska and Hawaii.)

Why Varo Bank?

  • Higher potential APY (5.00% vs 0.01%) on all balances

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Varo Bank

Varo Bank's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $375 vs $1/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Varo Bank

Varo Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $750 vs $3/yr).

Best for All-in-One Banking
Varo Bank

Varo Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays a superior APY for customers who also open a checking account.

Shared Benefits

Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Fast transfers via Zelle® Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, Varo Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays $374 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Chase Bank's Chase Savings℠.

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

Chase BankVaro Bank
Verify At
Chase Bank

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Varo Bank

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

Capital One
3.20% APY
Axos Bank
4.21% APY

Chase Bank vs. Varo Bank Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Chase Savings℠ and High-Yield Savings Account
$
$

You earn $374 more with Varo Bank than Chase Bank 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.

Chase Bank

Chase Savings℠

0.01% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$1.00(0.0%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,001.00

Effective APY
0.01%

Varo Bank

High-Yield Savings Account

5.00% APY

5.00% on first $5,000 and 2.50% thereafter.

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$375.00(3.6%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,375.00

Effective APY
3.75%

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

FeatureChase BankVaro Bank
APY
0.01%
Verified: 3/24/2026
Stable (90d)
5.00%
Range: 2.50% - 5.00%
Verified: 3/24/2026
Stable (90d)
Product NameChase Savings℠High-Yield Savings Account
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0.01
Monthly Fee$5$0
Compound FrequencyMonthlyDaily
Branch AccessYesNone
Account Type
Online & Branches
Online Only
Physical BranchesChase has more than 5,000 branches in nearly all of the United States, but not in Alaska and Hawaii.None
Direct Deposit Req.None
RequiredMin. $1,000/month
Checking BundleNo Yes
Mobile Apps
iOS4.8
Android4.8
iOS4.9
Android4.6
FDIC Insured
Zelle® Support
Available
Limit: $2,000/dayBranded as Chase QuickPay; dynamic limits up to $10k.
Available
Requires history of qualifying direct deposits.
BBB RatingA-A
Important NotesAPY may vary by market. The maintenance fee may be waived under some circumstances, such as if the account balance is maintained with at least $300 each day, or you set up automatic transfers from a linked Chase account, etc.Earn 5.00% APY on up to $5,000 and 2.50% APY on the rest. A Varo bank account & direct deposit required.
Next Steps
Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 12 Months Analysis
MetricChase BankVaro Bank
Chase Savings℠High-Yield Savings Account
Current APY
0.01%5.00%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
0.00.0
Days Since Change
365365
12-Month High
0.01%5.00%
12-Month Low
0.01%5.00%
Adjustments / Mo
0.000.00
Volatility Score
0.0000.000
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 Chase Bank's APY of 0.01% with other banks
Compare Varo Bank's APY of 5.00% with other banks