Marcus by Goldman Sachs vs. Varo Bank
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | Marcus by Goldman SachsMarcus Online Savings Account Jan 21, 2026 | Varo BankHigh-Yield Savings Account Jan 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.65% | 2.50% - 5.00% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$183 $10,000+$365 $25,000+$912 | $5,000+$250 $10,000+$375 $25,000+$750 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | 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 App | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDirect Deposit ReqChecking Bundle |
Prefer In-Person Banking?
Both of these banks are online-only. If you need physical branch access, check out our list of high-yield accounts with brick-and-mortar locations.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Marcus by Goldman Sachs vs. Varo Bank
As of Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers an APY of 3.65% for its Marcus Online Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Varo Bank's 5.00% APY for its High-Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.
Varo Bank pays $10 more than Marcus by Goldman Sachs on a $10,000 balance after one year. Marcus by Goldman Sachs pays $365, while Varo Bank pays $375 (with an effective APY of 3.75%) - an APY advantage for Varo Bank.
Why Marcus by Goldman Sachs?
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.9 vs 4.6)
Why Varo Bank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (5.00% vs 3.65%) on balances up to $5,000 (requires checking bundle & direct deposit)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle®
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $25,000
Marcus by Goldman SachsMarcus by Goldman Sachs's Marcus Online Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $912 vs $750/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Marcus by Goldman SachsMarcus by Goldman Sachs's Marcus Online Savings Account offers 3.65% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Varo Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays $10 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Marcus by Goldman Sachs's Marcus Online Savings Account.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Executive Summary as of
Varo Bank's High-Yield Savings Account offers a competitive 5.00% APY on balances up to $5,000, with a lower rate of 2.50% applying to amounts above that. However, eligibility requires a Varo bank account and a minimum direct deposit of $1,000 per month. In contrast, Marcus by Goldman Sachs provides a straightforward 3.65% APY with no direct deposit requirements or caps, making it a good option for those seeking simplicity. Both accounts are online-only, and Marcus has no minimum balance or maintenance fees, while Varo requires a minimum balance of $0.01.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
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Marcus by Goldman Sachs vs. Varo Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $10 more with Varo Bank than Marcus by Goldman Sachs 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.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Marcus Online Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$365.00(3.5%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,365.00
Varo Bank
High-Yield Savings Account
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
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
| Feature | Marcus by Goldman Sachs | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.65% Verified: 1/21/2026 Stable (90d) | 5.00% Range: 2.50% - 5.00% Verified: 1/21/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | Marcus Online Savings Account | High-Yield Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | RequiredMin. $1,000/month |
| Checking Bundle | No | Yes |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.9 Android4.9 | iOS4.9 Android4.6 |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Available Requires history of qualifying direct deposits. |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A |
| Important Notes | - | 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 SiteVerify at Marcus by Goldman Sachs Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Varo Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Marcus by Goldman Sachs | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Online Savings Account | High-Yield Savings Account | |
Current APY | 3.65% | 5.00% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -2.0 | 0.0 |
Days Since Change | 238 | 358 |
12-Month High | 3.90% | 5.00% |
12-Month Low | 3.65% | 5.00% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.17 | 0.00 |
Volatility Score | 0.024 | 0.000 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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