Barclays vs. BMO Alto
Barclays's Tiered Savings pays 3.65% APY while BMO Alto's Savings Account pays 3.00% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Barclays pays $50 more than BMO Alto annually ($350 vs $300).
Choose Barclays if getting the best rate matters most, you're an iPhone user (no iOS app for BMO Alto), or you're an Android user (no Android app for BMO Alto).
| Metric | BarclaysTiered Savings Sep 11, 2026 | BMO AltoSavings Account Sep 9, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.50% - 3.65% | 3.00% |
Earns in a year | $5,000+$175 $10,000+$350 $25,000+$875 | $5,000+$150 $10,000+$300 $25,000+$750 |
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 MinimumsDaily Compounding |
Market Reality Check
Both of these institutions offer rates below the top 10 savings and money market accounts we track. Those institutions all pay at least 4.01% APY.
Executive Summary
Barclays offers a competitive Tiered Savings account with a top APY of 3.65% for balances over $250,000, making it the standout choice compared to BMO Alto's Savings Account, which provides a lower APY of 3.00%. For those seeking simplicity, Barclays also has an Online Savings account with a consistent 3.20% APY, requiring no direct deposit and no maintenance fees. Both banks are online-only and nationally available, with no minimum deposit requirements. However, Barclays's Tiered Savings account yields better returns for larger deposits, while BMO Alto's account may appeal to those looking for a straightforward savings option.
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?
- Higher potential APY (3.20%-3.65% vs 3.00%) on all balances
- Higher rated iOS app (4.9 vs 0.0)
- Higher rated Android app (4.6 vs 0.0)
- Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
Why BMO Alto?
No distinct advantages found vs Barclays.
Key Feature Differences
Better Returns at $10,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $350 vs $300/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $875 vs $750/yr).
Better for Simplicity
BarclaysBarclays's Online Savings offers 3.20% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Better Mobile App Experience
BarclaysBarclays offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 0.0) and Android app rated 4.6 (vs. 0.0)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Barclays's Tiered Savings pays $50 more interest on a $10,000 balance than BMO Alto's Savings Account.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Barclays vs. BMO Alto Savings Calculator
You earn $50 more with Barclays than BMO Alto 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
BMO Alto
Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$300.00(2.9%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,300.00
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 $295 a year in interest.
Both Barclays and BMO Alto advertise far more than that typical branch-bank rate.
| Feature | Barclays | BMO Alto |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.65% Range: 3.50% - 3.65% Observed: 9/11/2026 0.35%90-day change | 3.00% Observed: 9/9/2026 Stable over 90 days |
| Product Name | Tiered Savings | Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| 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 | iOS- Android- | |
| FDIC or NCUA Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| 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 BMO Alto Non-sponsored link to official site |
Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|
| Tiered Savings | Online Savings | |
Current APY | 3.65% | 3.20% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Speed of change | -0.04 | -0.04 |
Days Since Change | 79 | 8 |
8-Month High | 4.00% | 3.50% |
8-Month Low | 3.65% | 3.20% |
Changes per month | 0.39 | 0.39 |
Steadiness | 0.035 | 0.035 |
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 BMO Alto's APY of 3.00% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| BMO Alto vs Ally Bank | 3.00% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs American Express | 3.00% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Capital One | 3.50% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Chime | 3.75% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| BMO Alto vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.40% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $100 |
| BMO Alto vs Openbank | 3.80% | $500 |
| BMO Alto vs Pibank | 4.10% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Synchrony Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Varo Bank | 3.75% | $0 |
| BMO Alto vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |