Betterment vs. Chime
Betterment's Cash Reserve pays 4.00% APY while Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pays 3.75% APY.
Note: Chime requires a checking account.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Chime pays $31 more than Betterment annually ($375 vs $344).
Choose Betterment if you want a no-strings-attached account. Choose Chime if getting the best rate matters most.
Important Considerations
Chime requires a checking account to unlock its top savings rate, while Betterment offers its savings account standalone.
| Metric | BettermentCash Reserve Aug 21, 2026 | ChimeChime High-Yield Savings Account Aug 19, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.25% - 4.00% | 3.75% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$172 $10,000+$344 $25,000+$859 | $5,000+$188 $10,000+$375 $25,000+$938 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDirect Deposit ReqChecking BundleDaily Compounding |
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 Betterment vs. Chime
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 Betterment?
- ✓Higher potential APY (4.00% vs 3.75%) for a duration of 3 months
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
Why Chime?
No distinct advantages found vs Betterment.
Key Feature Differences
Better Returns at $10,000
ChimeChime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $375 vs $344/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
ChimeChime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $938 vs $859/yr).
Best for Simplicity
BettermentBetterment's Cash Reserve offers 4.00% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best for All-in-One Banking
ChimeChime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pays a superior APY for customers who also open a checking account.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pays $31 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Betterment's Cash Reserve.
*This comparison accounts for Betterment's introductory promotional rate, yet Chime'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
Betterment vs. Chime Savings Calculator
You earn $29.9 more with Chime 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.
Betterment
Cash Reserve
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$345.10(3.3%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,345.10
Chime
Chime High-Yield Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$375.00(3.6%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,375.00
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 $343 per year in interest.
Both Betterment and Chime dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Betterment | Chime |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.00% Range: 3.25% - 4.00% Verified: 8/21/2026 - | 3.75% Verified: 8/19/2026 - |
| Product Name | Cash Reserve | Chime High-Yield Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | N/A | Daily |
| In-Branch Access | No | No |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | None | N/A |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | Required |
| Checking Bundle | No | Yes |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC or NCUA Insured | Yes | Yes |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A- | A+ |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Betterment Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Chime Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Betterment |
|---|---|
| Cash Reserve | |
Current APY | 4.00% |
Trend | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | 1.8 |
Days Since Change | 115 |
6-Month High | 4.00% |
6-Month Low | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.16 |
Volatility Score | 0.013 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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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 Barclays | 3.65% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Capital One | 3.50% | $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 | 3.80% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Synchrony Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Varo Bank | 3.75% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |