Citibank vs. Upgrade
Comparing Citibank and Upgrade for high-yield savings: Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings pays 3.20% APY while Upgrade's Premier Savings pays 3.05% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Citibank pays $15 more than Upgrade annually ($320 vs $305).
Choose Citibank if getting the best rate matters most, or you want Zelle for quick transfers. Choose Upgrade if BBB rating matters to you.
Important Considerations
Citibank's Accelerate Savings is only available in select states where Citi has no branch presence. Check eligibility before applying.
| Metric | CitibankCiti Accelerate Savings Feb 6, 2026 | UpgradePremier Savings Feb 6, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% | 3.05% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$160 $10,000+$320 $25,000+$800 | $5,000+$153 $10,000+$305 $25,000+$763 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Eligibility restricted to select states. | - |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredLow 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.
Executive Summary
Citibank offers a competitive savings option with its Citi Accelerate Savings account, which boasts an APY of 3.20%. This account is available to customers in select states and does not require direct deposit, although it does have a maintenance fee of $4.50, which can be waived with an average monthly balance over $500. In comparison, Upgrade's Premier Savings account provides a slightly lower APY of 3.05% and requires a minimum balance of $1,000, also without a maintenance fee. Overall, Citibank's higher APY makes it the more attractive choice 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 Citibank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.20% vs 3.05%) on all balances
- ✓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.)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 4.5)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,500 a day)
Why Upgrade?
- ✓Available Nationwide
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
CitibankCitibank's Citi Accelerate Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $320 vs $305/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
CitibankCitibank's Citi Accelerate Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $800 vs $763/yr).
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings pays $15 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Upgrade's Premier 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
Citibank vs. Upgrade Savings Calculator
You earn $15 more with Citibank than Upgrade 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.
Citibank
Citi Accelerate Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$320.00(3.1%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,320.00
Upgrade
Premier Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$305.00(3.0%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,305.00
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 $304 per year in interest.
Both Citibank and Upgrade dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Citibank | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% Verified: 2/6/2026 ↘︎ 0.15%90d Change | 3.05% Verified: 2/6/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | Citi Accelerate Savings | Premier Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $1,000 |
| Monthly Fee | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | U.S. branches are concentrated in six metropolitan areas, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Miami. | N/A |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Available Limit: $2,500/dayTiered limits based on account status (Citigold higher). | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | D- | A+ |
| Important Notes | Eligibility restricted to select states. | - |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Citibank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Upgrade Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Citibank | Upgrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings | Premier Savings | |
Current APY | 0.03% | 3.20% | 3.05% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | 0.0 | -4.7 | -11.6 |
Days Since Change | 365 | 10 | 97 |
12-Month High | 0.03% | 3.80% | 4.14% |
12-Month Low | 0.03% | 3.20% | 3.05% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.00 | 0.58 | 0.25 |
Volatility Score | 0.000 | 0.049 | 0.128 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Citibank's APY of 3.20% with other banks
Compare Upgrade's APY of 3.05% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade vs Ally Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Upgrade vs Barclays | 4.00% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Upgrade vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Upgrade vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Upgrade vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |