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's Chime High-Yield Savings Account also needs 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's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pays its top rate only if you also open a checking account with Chime, while Betterment's Cash Reserve stands alone.
| Metric | BettermentCash Reserve Sep 7, 2026 | ChimeChime High-Yield Savings Account Sep 7, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.25% - 4.00% | 3.75% |
Earns in a year | $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
Betterment offers a competitive Cash Reserve with a promotional APY of 4.00%, requiring no direct deposit or minimum balance, making it a strong choice for simplicity. In contrast, Chime's High-Yield Savings Account provides a solid APY of 3.75%, but requires a checking account and direct deposit to access its benefits. While Chime's account may yield better returns at higher balances, Betterment's offering stands out for its higher rate and fewer requirements, appealing to those seeking straightforward savings options.
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).
Better for Simplicity
BettermentBetterment's Cash Reserve offers 4.00% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Better 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 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 Betterment and Chime advertise far more than that typical branch-bank rate.
| Feature | Betterment | Chime |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.00% Range: 3.25% - 4.00% Observed: 9/7/2026 Stable over 90 days | 3.75% Observed: 9/7/2026 Stable over 90 days |
| 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 | Not reported | Not reported |
| 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 |
Speed of change | 0.02 |
Days Since Change | 132 |
7-Month High | 4.00% |
7-Month Low | 3.90% |
Changes per month | 0.15 |
Steadiness | 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 202-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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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 | 4.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Synchrony Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Varo Bank | 3.75% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |