High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Discover Bank vs. Popular Direct

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

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated January 16, 2026
Comparison of Discover Bank vs Popular Direct savings accounts
Metric

Discover Bank

Online Savings Account

Jan 16, 2026

Popular Direct

Popular Direct Select Savings

Feb 21, 2026
APY3.30%3.90%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$165
$10,000+$330
$25,000+$825
$5,000+$195
$10,000+$390
$25,000+$975
Min Deposit
$0$100

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Terms
Discover Bank is part of Capital One and this account is not open to new customers.-
Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often
FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsDaily 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.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Discover Bank vs. Popular Direct

Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Executive Summary

Popular Direct offers a competitive savings product, the Popular Direct Select Savings, with an APY of 3.90%. This online-only account requires a minimum deposit of $100 but has no maintenance fees and allows for daily compounding. Discover Bank does not have any listed products or verdicts, making Popular Direct the clear choice for savers seeking higher yields.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

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

Why Discover Bank?

  • Higher rated iOS app (4.9 vs 1.3)
  • Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 1.3)
  • Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $600 a day)

Why Popular Direct?

  • Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.30%) on all balances

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Popular Direct

Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $330/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Popular Direct

Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $825/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Popular Direct

Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Best Mobile App Experience
Discover Bank

Discover Bank offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 1.3) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.3)

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pays $60 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Discover Bank's Online Savings Account.

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

Discover BankPopular Direct
Verify At
Discover Bank

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Popular Direct

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

Discover Bank vs. Popular Direct Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Online Savings Account and Popular Direct Select Savings
$
$

You earn $60 more with Popular Direct than Discover 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.

Discover Bank

Online Savings Account

3.30% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$330.00(3.2%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,330.00

Effective APY
3.30%

Popular Direct

Popular Direct Select Savings

3.90% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$390.00(3.8%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,390.00

Effective APY
3.90%

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 $329 per year in interest.

Both Discover Bank and Popular Direct dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.30%+ here
FeatureDiscover BankPopular Direct
APY
3.30%
Verified: 1/16/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.90%
Verified: 2/21/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
Product NameOnline Savings AccountPopular Direct Select Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$100
Min. Balance for APY$0$0.01
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyDailyDaily
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Physical BranchesNoneNone. You cannot make use of Popular Bank's branches.
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android4.8
iOS1.3
Android1.3
FDIC Insured
Zelle® Support
Available
Limit: $600/dayStrict 90-day seasoning period for new accounts.
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+A+
Important NotesDiscover Bank is part of Capital One and this account is not open to new customers.-
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
MetricDiscover BankPopular Direct
Online Savings AccountPopular Direct Select Savings
Current APY
3.30%3.90%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.5-2.7
Days Since Change
832
12-Month High
3.75%4.50%
12-Month Low
3.30%3.90%
Adjustments / Mo
0.420.75
Volatility Score
0.0370.032
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 359-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 Discover Bank's APY of 3.30% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Discover Bank vs Affirm3.20%$0
Discover Bank vs Ally Bank3.20%$0
Discover Bank vs American Express3.30%$0
Discover Bank vs Axos Bank4.21%$0
Discover Bank vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Discover Bank vs Barclays3.85%$0
Discover Bank vs Bask Bank0.25%$0
Discover Bank vs Betterment3.90%$10
Discover Bank vs BMO Alto3.15%$0
Discover Bank vs Bread Savings4.00%$100
Discover Bank vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Discover Bank vs Capital One3.30%$0
Discover Bank vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
Discover Bank vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Discover Bank vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Discover Bank vs Chime3.00%$0
Discover Bank vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Discover Bank vs Citibank3.20%$0
Discover Bank vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Discover Bank vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Discover Bank vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
Discover Bank vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.35%$0
Discover Bank vs Elevault3.82%$0
Discover Bank vs EverBank3.90%$0
Discover Bank vs Fitness Bank4.50%$100
Discover Bank vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Discover Bank vs Forbright Bank3.85%$0
Discover Bank vs FVCbank4.00%$500
Discover Bank vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Discover Bank vs Ivy Bank3.85%$2,500
Discover Bank vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
Discover Bank vs LendingClub4.00%$0
Discover Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Discover Bank vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
Discover Bank vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
Discover Bank vs Neighbors Bank4.20%$0
Discover Bank vs Newtek Bank4.20%$0.01
Discover Bank vs Openbank4.09%$500
Discover Bank vs Peak Bank4.02%$100
Discover Bank vs Pibank4.60%$0
Discover Bank vs PNC3.30%$0
Discover Bank vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
Discover Bank vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
Discover Bank vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
Discover Bank vs Sallie Mae Bank3.85%$0
Discover Bank vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Discover Bank vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
Discover Bank vs Synchrony Bank3.50%$0
Discover Bank vs TD Bank2.36%$0
Discover Bank vs TIMBR4.15%$1,000
Discover Bank vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
Discover Bank vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Discover Bank vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
Discover Bank vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Discover Bank vs Vio Bank4.03%$100
Discover Bank vs Wealthfront3.95%$0
Discover Bank vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Discover Bank vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10
Compare Popular Direct's APY of 3.90% with other banks