Barclays vs. Betterment
Betterment edges out Barclays slightly at 4.00% vs 3.65% APY. On a $10,000 balance, the difference is just $6 per year, so other factors may matter more.
| Metric | BarclaysTiered Savings Sep 11, 2026 | BettermentCash Reserve Sep 11, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.50% - 3.65% | 3.25% - 4.00% |
Earns in a year | $5,000+$175 $10,000+$350 $25,000+$875 | $5,000+$172 $10,000+$344 $25,000+$859 |
Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | The top APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, a lower APY applies. | - |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App |
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.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Barclays vs. Betterment
Executive Summary
Betterment offers a Cash Reserve account with a competitive 4.00% APY, which is available for balances starting at $10 and includes a 3-month introductory rate. This account does not require direct deposit or bundling, making it a straightforward option for savers. In comparison, Barclays features an Online Savings account with a 3.20% APY, which is also accessible online and has no minimum balance or maintenance fees. However, for those looking for higher yields, Barclays' Tiered Savings account offers a top APY of 3.65%, but this rate is only available for balances over $250,000. Overall, Betterment's Cash Reserve stands out as the more attractive option based on the highest APY.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Barclays?
- Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
Why Betterment?
- Higher potential APY (4.00% vs 3.20%-3.65%) for a duration of 3 months
Key Feature Differences
Better for Simplicity
BettermentBetterment's Cash Reserve offers 4.00% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Barclays's Tiered Savings pays $6 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Betterment's Cash Reserve.
*This comparison accounts for Betterment's introductory promotional rate, yet Barclays'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
Barclays vs. Betterment Savings Calculator
You earn $4.9 more with Barclays than Betterment 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.
Barclays
Tiered Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$350.00(3.4%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,350.00
Betterment
Cash Reserve
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$345.10(3.3%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,345.10
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Still at a large branch bank?
A typical branch-bank savings rate is 0.05% APY. On a $10,000 balance, the gap to these two banks is at least $339 a year in interest.
Both Barclays and Betterment advertise far more than that typical branch-bank rate.
| Feature | Barclays | Betterment |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.65% Range: 3.50% - 3.65% Observed: 9/11/2026 0.35%90-day change | 4.00% Range: 3.25% - 4.00% Observed: 9/11/2026 Stable over 90 days |
| Product Name | Tiered Savings | Cash Reserve |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | N/A |
| In-Branch Access | No | No |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | 1 (DE) | Not reported |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC or NCUA Insured | YesVerify FDIC | Yes |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A |
| Important Notes | The top APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, a lower APY applies. | - |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Barclays Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Betterment Non-sponsored link to official site |
Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Barclays | Betterment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiered Savings | Online Savings | Cash Reserve | |
Current APY | 3.65% | 3.20% | 4.00% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Speed of change | -0.04 | -0.04 | 0.02 |
Days Since Change | 79 | 8 | 136 |
8-Month High | 4.00% | 3.50% | 4.00% |
8-Month Low | 3.65% | 3.20% | 3.90% |
Changes per month | 0.39 | 0.39 | 0.13 |
Steadiness | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.013 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
Trends and speed
- Trend: The general direction of the rate over the analyzed period. Useful for seeing whether a bank is raising its rate or letting it slip.
- Speed of change: How fast the rate moves. A high positive number means they raise rates quickly. A reading of 0.10 is a tenth of a percentage point each month.
- Changes per month: How often the rate moves. A high number means it changes constantly; a low number means it holds.
Risk & Range
- High/Low: The absolute ceiling and floor of the rate during the 230-day window.
- Steadiness: How far the rate swings around its average. A lower score means a steadier, more predictable rate.
- Days Since Change: A high number, for example above 90, means the rate rarely moves. A low number means it changed recently.
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More Comparisons
Compare Barclays' APY of 3.65% with other banks
Compare Betterment's APY of 4.00% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Betterment vs Ally Bank | 3.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs American Express | 3.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Capital One | 3.50% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Chime | 3.75% | $0 |
| Betterment vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Betterment vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.40% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $100 |
| Betterment vs Openbank | 3.80% | $500 |
| Betterment vs Pibank | 4.10% | $0 |
| Betterment vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Synchrony Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Varo Bank | 3.75% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |