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High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Axos Bank vs. Upgrade

Axos Bank's Axos ONE Savings pays 4.21% APY while Upgrade's Premier Savings pays 3.05% APY.

Note: Axos Bank requires a checking account.

See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated August 21, 2026

The Bottom Line

Who pays more interest on $10,000? Axos Bank pays $116 more than Upgrade annually ($421 vs $305).

Choose Axos Bank if getting the best rate matters most. Choose Upgrade if you want a no-strings-attached account.

Important Considerations

Axos Bank requires a checking account to unlock its top savings rate, while Upgrade offers its savings account standalone.

Comparison of Axos Bank vs Upgrade savings accounts
Metric

Axos Bank

Axos ONE Savings

Aug 21, 2026

Upgrade

Premier Savings

Aug 19, 2026
APY3.50% - 4.21%3.05%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$211
$10,000+$421
$25,000+$1,053
$5,000+$153
$10,000+$305
$25,000+$763
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Terms
The APY is available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. The checking account also earns interest. To qualify, you must either set up a direct deposit of $1,500 and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500 in your ONE Checking account, or receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $5,000.-
Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppChecking BundleDaily CompoundingStable Rate
FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often

Prefer In-Person Banking?

Both of these institutions are online-only. If you need in-branch access, check out our list of savings accounts with brick-and-mortar locations.

Find In-Branch Access

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Axos Bank vs. Upgrade

Updated: Invalid Date

Executive Summary

A detailed summary for this comparison is being prepared. Check back soon.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

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

Why Axos Bank?

  • Access to 95,000 fee-free ATMs
  • Higher potential APY (3.50%-4.21% vs 3.05%) on all balances
  • Offers 3 different high-yield savings options

Why Upgrade?

No distinct advantages found vs Axos Bank.

Key Feature Differences

Better Returns at $10,000
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $421 vs $305/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $1053 vs $763/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Summit Savings offers 3.75% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Best for All-in-One Banking
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE Savings pays a superior APY for customers who also open a checking account.

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, Axos Bank's Axos ONE Savings pays $116 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Upgrade's Premier Savings.

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

UpgradeAxos Bank
Go to Site
Axos Bank

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Upgrade

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Top Market Contenders

Marcus by Goldman Sachs
3.40% APY
Capital One
3.50% APY
EverBank
3.90% APY

Axos Bank vs. Upgrade Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Axos ONE Savings and Premier Savings
$
$

You earn $116 more with Axos Bank than Upgrade 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.

Axos Bank

Axos ONE Savings

4.21% APY
ℹ️Tiered rates: 4.21% ($0 - $249,999.99) | 3.50% ($250,000+)

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$421.00(4.0%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,421.00

Effective APY
4.21%

Upgrade

Premier Savings

3.05% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$305.00(3.0%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,305.00

Effective APY
3.05%

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 $304 per year in interest.

Both Axos Bank and Upgrade dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.05%+ here
See Top Rates
FeatureAxos BankUpgrade
APY
4.21%
Range: 3.50% - 4.21%
Verified: 8/21/2026
-
3.05%
Verified: 8/19/2026
-
Product NameAxos ONE SavingsPremier Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$1,000
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyDailyDaily
In-Branch AccessNoNo
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Physical BranchesNoneNone
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking Bundle YesNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.7
Android4.5
iOS4.9
Android4.5
FDIC or NCUA Insured
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+A+
Important NotesThe APY is available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. The checking account also earns interest. To qualify, you must either set up a direct deposit of $1,500 and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500 in your ONE Checking account, or receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $5,000.-
Next Steps
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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 12 Months Analysis
MetricAxos BankUpgrade
Axos ONE SavingsSummit SavingsHigh Yield SavingsPremier Savings
Current APY
4.21%3.75%0.61%3.05%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-4.0-5.3-0.0-16.2
Days Since Change
200253361293
12-Month High
4.51%4.00%0.61%4.02%
12-Month Low
4.21%3.75%0.61%3.05%
Adjustments / Mo
0.250.080.000.17
Volatility Score
0.0220.0300.0000.104
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 363-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 Axos Bank's APY of 4.21% with other banks
Compare Upgrade's APY of 3.05% with other banks