Varo Bank vs. Wealthfront
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | Varo BankHigh-Yield Savings Account Jan 7, 2026 | WealthfrontCash Account Jan 7, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 2.50% - 5.00% | 3.25% - 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$250 $10,000+$375 $25,000+$750 | $5,000+$171 $10,000+$341 $25,000+$853 |
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. | 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 3.90% for 3 months, after which the 3.25% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDirect Deposit ReqChecking Bundle | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App |
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 Varo Bank vs. Wealthfront
As of Varo Bank offers an APY of 5.00% for its High-Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.01, compared to Wealthfront's 3.90% APY for its Cash Account, with a minimum balance of $0.
Varo Bank pays $34 more than Wealthfront on a $10,000 balance after one year. Varo Bank pays $375 (with an effective APY of 3.75%), while Wealthfront pays $341 (with an effective APY of 3.41%) - an APY advantage for Varo Bank.
Why Varo Bank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (5.00% vs 3.90%) on balances up to $5,000 (requires checking bundle & direct deposit)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle®
Why Wealthfront?
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Varo BankVaro Bank's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $375 vs $341/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
WealthfrontWealthfront's Cash Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $853 vs $750/yr).
Best for Simplicity
WealthfrontWealthfront's Cash Account offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best for All-in-One Banking
Varo BankVaro Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays a superior APY for customers who also open a checking account.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Varo Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays $34 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Wealthfront's Cash Account.
*This comparison accounts for Wealthfront's introductory promotional rate, yet Varo Bank's standard rate still yields a higher 1-year return.
Executive Summary as of
Varo Bank offers a High-Yield Savings Account with a standout APY of 5.00% on balances up to $5,000, requiring a Varo bank account and direct deposit of at least $1,000 per month. This account is ideal for those looking to maximize returns on smaller deposits. In contrast, Wealthfront's Cash Account provides a competitive APY of 3.90% for the first three months, followed by 3.25%, without any direct deposit requirement or caps. While Wealthfront's account is simpler and accessible without bundling, Varo Bank's higher APY makes it the more attractive option for those meeting the eligibility criteria.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Non-sponsored link to official site
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Varo Bank vs. Wealthfront Savings Calculator
You earn $32.5 more with Varo Bank 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.
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
Wealthfront
Cash Account
Promo Rate: 3.90% for 3 months, then 3.25%.
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$342.50(3.3%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,342.50
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
| Feature | Varo Bank | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 5.00% Range: 2.50% - 5.00% Verified: 1/7/2026 Stable (90d) | 3.90% Range: 3.25% - 3.90% Verified: 1/7/2026 - |
| Product Name | High-Yield Savings Account | Cash Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Direct Deposit Req. | RequiredMin. $1,000/month | None |
| Checking Bundle | Yes | No |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.9 Android4.6 | iOS4.8 Android4.9 |
| Zelle® Support | Available Requires history of qualifying direct deposits. | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A | F |
| 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. | 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 3.90% for 3 months, after which the 3.25% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Varo Bank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Wealthfront Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Varo Bank | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| High-Yield Savings Account | Cash Account | |
Current APY | 5.00% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | 0.0 | -19.4 |
Days Since Change | 54 | 19 |
2-Month High | 5.00% | 4.15% |
2-Month Low | 5.00% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.00 | 0.55 |
Volatility Score | 0.000 | 0.030 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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