High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Discover Bank vs. Wells Fargo

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

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated December 6, 2025
Advertising Disclosure: We may earn a commission from partner links.

Discover Bank

Online Savings Account

3.40%
APY
Dec 6, 2025
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
Show Fine Print & Trends

Wells Fargo

Platinum Savings

0.05%
APY
Dec 6, 2025
FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumChecking BundleGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person Access
Show Fine Print & Trends
Min. Deposit$25
Min. Balance$1,000,000
Maintenance Fee$12. Waived with $3,500 minimum daily balance.
Compound FreqDaily
Direct DepositNot required
Branch AccessWells Fargo offers branches and ATMs in 36 states and Washington, D.C.
Deposit InsuranceFDIC Insured(Cert: 3511)
EligibilityUnited States
Mobile Ratings
BBB Rating

Important Note

This is a tiered savings account where rates vary based on the balance. The 0.05% APY is available for balances of $1,000,000 or more, and 0.05% APY up to $99,999.99. These APYs require the account is linked to a Wells Fargo Premier checking account. See bank for more tiers and details.

Rate Stability

Rate Adjusted
-2.46%
Since 90 days ago

Market Reality Check

Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.25% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Discover Bank vs. Wells Fargo

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Why Discover Bank?

  • Higher potential APY (3.40% vs 0.01%-0.05%) on all balances
  • No checking account or direct deposit required

Why Wells Fargo?

  • Physical branch access (Wells Fargo offers branches and ATMs in 36 states and Washington, D.C.)
  • Offers 2 different high-yield savings options

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Discover Bank

Discover Bank's Online Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $340 vs $5/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Discover Bank

Discover Bank's Online Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $850 vs $13/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Discover Bank

Discover Bank's Online Savings Account offers 3.40% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Shared Benefits

Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line

Over a 1-year period, Discover Bank's Online Savings Account pays $335 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings.

Wells FargoDiscover Bank
Automated Data Audit

Executive Summary

Discover Bank offers a competitive Online Savings Account with an APY of 3.40%, making it a clear winner compared to Wells Fargo's savings options, which have significantly lower rates of 0.01% and 0.05%. Discover's account requires no minimum deposit, no maintenance fees, and no direct deposit requirement, making it simple and accessible. In contrast, Wells Fargo's Way2Save Savings requires a minimum deposit of $25, while the Platinum Savings account requires a hefty $1,000,000 for the higher APY. Overall, Discover Bank stands out for those seeking better returns without complex requirements.

Analysis generated based on current Banksparency database records

* AI-generated content provided for informational purposes only. Accuracy is not guaranteed; always verify details with the provider.

Stop Losing Interest

See who beats both Discover Bank and Wells Fargo.

Compare All High-Yield Savings Accounts
Pibank
Pibank Savings
FDIC InsuredNo Minimums
4.60% APY
+1.20% vs Discover Bank
Better Rate
Neighbors Bank
Neighbors Savings Account
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat Android App
4.50% APY
+1.10% vs Discover Bank
Better Rate
Axos Bank
Axos ONE
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
4.31% APY
+0.91% vs Discover Bank
Better Rate
FeatureDiscover BankWells Fargo
APY
3.40%
Verified: 12/6/2025
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
0.05%
Range: 0.05% - 0.05%
Verified: 12/6/2025
↘︎ 2.46%90d Change
Product NameOnline Savings AccountPlatinum Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$25
Min. Balance for APY$0$1,000,000
Monthly Fee$0$12. Waived with $3,500 minimum daily balance.
Branch AccessNoneYes
Account Type
Online Only
Online & Branches
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNo Yes
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android4.8
iOS4.9
Android4.8
BBB RatingA+D-
Important Notes-This is a tiered savings account where rates vary based on the balance. The 0.05% APY is available for balances of $1,000,000 or more, and 0.05% APY up to $99,999.99. These APYs require the account is linked to a Wells Fargo Premier checking account. See bank for more tiers and details.
Next Steps

Savings Comparison

Calculations based on current APY.
$
$

Discover Bank earns $2,021.9 more than Wells Fargo.

Discover Bank

Online Savings Account

3.40% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$2,050.50(10.2%)
  • Total Contributions
    $13,000
  • Initial Deposit
    $5,000

Projected Balance

$20,050.50

Effective APY
3.40%

Wells Fargo

Platinum Savings

0.05% APY

Higher APY requires $1,000,000

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$28.60(0.2%)
  • Total Contributions
    $13,000
  • Initial Deposit
    $5,000

Projected Balance

$18,028.60

Effective APY
0.05%

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

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 5 Months Analysis
MetricDiscover BankWells Fargo
Online Savings AccountPlatinum SavingsWay2Save Savings
Current APY
3.40%0.05%0.01%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.1-72.00.0
Days Since Change
6750143
5-Month High
3.50%2.51%0.01%
5-Month Low
3.40%0.05%0.01%
Adjustments / Mo
0.210.630.00
Volatility Score
0.0140.8430.000
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 144-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 3.40% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Discover Bank vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Discover Bank vs American Express3.40%$0
Discover Bank vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Discover Bank vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Discover Bank vs Barclays4.00%$0
Discover Bank vs Bask Bank3.90%$0
Discover Bank vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Discover Bank vs BrioDirect4.00%$5,000
Discover Bank vs Capital One3.40%$0
Discover Bank vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Discover Bank vs Chime3.50%$0
Discover Bank vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Discover Bank vs Citibank3.30%$0
Discover Bank vs Citizens Access™3.35%$0.01
Discover Bank vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Discover Bank vs Elevault4.08%$0
Discover Bank vs EverBank4.05%$0
Discover Bank vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Discover Bank vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Discover Bank vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Discover Bank vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Discover Bank vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Discover Bank vs Ivy Bank4.25%$2,500
Discover Bank vs LendingClub4.20%$0
Discover Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Discover Bank vs Neighbors Bank4.50%$0
Discover Bank vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Discover Bank vs Openbank4.20%$500
Discover Bank vs Peak Bank4.20%$100
Discover Bank vs Pibank4.60%$0
Discover Bank vs PNC3.53%$0
Discover Bank vs Presidential Bank4.00%$5,000
Discover Bank vs Quontic Bank3.75%$100
Discover Bank vs Salem Five Direct3.71%$10
Discover Bank vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Discover Bank vs SoFi Bank4.30%$0
Discover Bank vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Discover Bank vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Discover Bank vs UFB Direct3.71%$5000
Discover Bank vs Valley Direct4.10%$1,000
Discover Bank vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Discover Bank vs Vio Bank4.16%$100
Discover Bank vs Wealthfront4.15%$0
Discover Bank vs Zynlo Bank4.05%$10
Compare Wells Fargo's APY of 0.05% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Wells Fargo vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Wells Fargo vs American Express3.40%$0
Wells Fargo vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Wells Fargo vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Wells Fargo vs Barclays4.00%$0
Wells Fargo vs Bask Bank3.90%$0
Wells Fargo vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Wells Fargo vs BrioDirect4.00%$5,000
Wells Fargo vs Capital One3.40%$0
Wells Fargo vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Wells Fargo vs Chime3.50%$0
Wells Fargo vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Wells Fargo vs Citibank3.30%$0
Wells Fargo vs Citizens Access™3.35%$0.01
Wells Fargo vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Wells Fargo vs Elevault4.08%$0
Wells Fargo vs EverBank4.05%$0
Wells Fargo vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Wells Fargo vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Wells Fargo vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Wells Fargo vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Wells Fargo vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Wells Fargo vs Ivy Bank4.25%$2,500
Wells Fargo vs LendingClub4.20%$0
Wells Fargo vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Wells Fargo vs Neighbors Bank4.50%$0
Wells Fargo vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Wells Fargo vs Openbank4.20%$500
Wells Fargo vs Peak Bank4.20%$100
Wells Fargo vs Pibank4.60%$0
Wells Fargo vs PNC3.53%$0
Wells Fargo vs Presidential Bank4.00%$5,000
Wells Fargo vs Quontic Bank3.75%$100
Wells Fargo vs Salem Five Direct3.71%$10
Wells Fargo vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Wells Fargo vs SoFi Bank4.30%$0
Wells Fargo vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Wells Fargo vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Wells Fargo vs UFB Direct3.71%$5000
Wells Fargo vs Valley Direct4.10%$1,000
Wells Fargo vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Wells Fargo vs Vio Bank4.16%$100
Wells Fargo vs Wealthfront4.15%$0
Wells Fargo vs Zynlo Bank4.05%$10