Popular Direct vs. Wealthfront
Comparing Popular Direct and Wealthfront for high-yield savings: Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pays 3.90% APY while Wealthfront's Cash Account pays 3.95% APY (including a 3-month 0.65% promo boost).
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Popular Direct pays $44 more than Wealthfront annually ($390 vs $346).
Choose Popular Direct if getting the best rate matters most, you want a no-strings-attached account, you want to avoid a promo rate with a scheduled drop, or BBB rating matters to you. Choose Wealthfront if mobile app quality matters.
Important Considerations
The key difference? Wealthfront's 3.95% rate includes a promotional bonus for the first 3 months, after which it reverts to the standard rate (currently 3.30%). Popular Direct's 3.90% rate has no scheduled drop, though all rates are subject to change.
| Metric | Popular DirectPopular Direct Select Savings Feb 21, 2026 | WealthfrontCash Account Feb 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.90% | 3.30% - 3.95% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 | $5,000+$173 $10,000+$346 $25,000+$866 |
Min Deposit | $100 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get an APY of 3.95% for 3 months, after which the 3.30% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo 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.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Popular Direct vs. Wealthfront
Executive Summary
Wealthfront's Cash Account offers a higher APY of 3.95% for the first three months, after which it drops to 3.30%, making it a strong choice for new clients looking for short-term gains. In contrast, Popular Direct's Select Savings account provides a consistent APY of 3.90% with no promotional rate, appealing for those who prefer stability over time. Both accounts are online-only and have no minimum balance requirements or maintenance fees. While Wealthfront's initial rate is slightly higher, Popular Direct's offering remains competitive for those with longer-term savings goals.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Popular Direct?
No distinct advantages found vs Wealthfront.
Why Wealthfront?
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.8 vs 1.3)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.9 vs 1.3)
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $346/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $866/yr).
Best Mobile App Experience
WealthfrontWealthfront offers an iOS app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.3) and Android app rated 4.9 (vs. 1.3)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pays $44 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Wealthfront's Cash Account.
*This comparison accounts for Wealthfront's introductory promotional rate, yet Popular Direct's standard rate still yields a higher 1-year return.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Popular Direct vs. Wealthfront Savings Calculator
You earn $42.5 more with Popular Direct than Wealthfront 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.
Popular Direct
Popular Direct Select Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$390.00(3.8%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,390.00
Wealthfront
Cash Account
Promo Rate: 3.95% for 3 months, then 3.30%.
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$347.50(3.4%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,347.50
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 $345 per year in interest.
Both Popular Direct and Wealthfront dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Popular Direct | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.90% Verified: 2/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.95% Range: 3.30% - 3.95% Verified: 2/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.20%90d Change |
| Product Name | Popular Direct Select Savings | Cash Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | None. You cannot make use of Popular Bank's branches. | None |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | Yes |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | F |
| Important Notes | - | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get an APY of 3.95% for 3 months, after which the 3.30% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Popular Direct Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Wealthfront Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Popular Direct | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Popular Direct Select Savings | Cash Account | |
Current APY | 3.90% | 3.95% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -3.9 | -8.6 |
Days Since Change | 68 | 22 |
3-Month High | 4.00% | 4.15% |
3-Month Low | 3.90% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.30 | 0.60 |
Volatility Score | 0.012 | 0.028 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Popular Direct's APY of 3.90% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Popular Direct vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Popular Direct vs Barclays | 3.85% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Popular Direct vs Citibank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Popular Direct vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Popular Direct vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |