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High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Betterment vs. Synchrony Bank

Betterment's Cash Reserve pays 4.00% APY while Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pays 3.30% APY.

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? Betterment pays $14 more than Synchrony Bank annually ($344 vs $330).

Choose Betterment if getting the best rate matters most.

Comparison of Betterment vs Synchrony Bank savings accounts
Metric

Betterment

Cash Reserve

Aug 21, 2026

Synchrony Bank

High Yield Savings

Aug 21, 2026
APY3.25% - 4.00%3.30%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$172
$10,000+$344
$25,000+$859
$5,000+$165
$10,000+$330
$25,000+$825
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
FDIC InsuredNo 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 Betterment vs. Synchrony Bank

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 Betterment?

  • Higher potential APY (4.00% vs 3.30%) on all balances
  • No checking account or direct deposit required

Why Synchrony Bank?

No distinct advantages found vs Betterment.

Key Feature Differences

Better Returns at $10,000
Betterment

Betterment's Cash Reserve earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $344 vs $330/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Betterment

Betterment's Cash Reserve pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $859 vs $825/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Betterment

Betterment's Cash Reserve offers 4.00% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

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)PROMO DETECTED

Over a 1-year period (factoring in a 3-month promo), Betterment's Cash Reserve pays $14 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings.

*Betterment's calculation includes their 3-month introductory promotional rate and subsequent standard rate.

Synchrony BankBetterment
Verify At
Betterment

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Synchrony Bank

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

Betterment vs. Synchrony Bank Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Cash Reserve and High Yield Savings
$
$

You earn $15.1 more with Betterment than Synchrony Bank 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

4.00% APY
Promo Rate: 4.00% for 3 months, then 3.25%.

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$345.10(3.3%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,345.10

Effective APY
3.45%

Synchrony Bank

High Yield Savings

3.30% APY
ℹ️Tiered rates: 3.30% ($0.01 - $4,999) | 3.30% ($4,999.01 - $24,999) | 3.30% ($24,999.01+)

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$330.00(3.2%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,330.00

Effective APY
3.30%

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 $329 per year in interest.

Both Betterment and Synchrony Bank dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.30%+ here
See Top Rates
FeatureBettermentSynchrony Bank
APY
4.00%
Range: 3.25% - 4.00%
Verified: 8/21/2026
-
3.30%
Verified: 8/21/2026
-
Product NameCash ReserveHigh Yield Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyN/ADaily
In-Branch AccessNoNo
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Physical BranchesNoneN/A
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.8
Android4.7
iOS4.8
Android4.5
FDIC or NCUA Insured
Yes
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA-Not Rated
Next Steps
Visit Site

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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 7 Months Analysis
MetricBettermentSynchrony Bank
Cash ReserveHigh Yield Savings
Current APY
4.00%3.30%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
1.8-3.1
Days Since Change
11564
7-Month High
4.00%3.50%
7-Month Low
3.90%3.30%
Adjustments / Mo
0.140.29
Volatility Score
0.0130.024
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 209-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 Betterment's APY of 4.00% with other banks
Compare Synchrony Bank's APY of 3.30% with other banks
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