Skip to main content
High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Betterment vs. Wealthfront

Betterment edges out Wealthfront slightly at 4.00% vs 3.95% APY. On a $10,000 balance, the difference is just $3 per year, so other factors may matter more.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated August 21, 2026

The Bottom Line

The Betterment and Wealthfront savings accounts are very similar. Choose Betterment if BBB rating matters to you.

Comparison of Betterment vs Wealthfront savings accounts
Metric

Betterment

Cash Reserve

Aug 21, 2026

Wealthfront

Cash Account

Aug 21, 2026
APY3.25% - 4.00%3.30% - 3.95%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$172
$10,000+$344
$25,000+$859
$5,000+$173
$10,000+$346
$25,000+$866
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Terms
-Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get the stated APY for 3 months, after which a lower APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront.
Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily 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.

Find In-Branch Access

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Betterment vs. Wealthfront

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?

No distinct advantages found vs Wealthfront.

Why Wealthfront?

No distinct advantages found vs Betterment.

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), Wealthfront's Cash Account pays $3 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Betterment's Cash Reserve.

*Both calculations include their respective introductory promotional rates and subsequent standard rates.

BettermentWealthfront
Verify At
Betterment

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Wealthfront

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

Betterment vs. Wealthfront Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Cash Reserve and Cash Account
$
$

You earn $2.4 more with Wealthfront 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

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%

Wealthfront

Cash Account

3.95% APY
Promo Rate: 3.95% for 3 months, then 3.30%.

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$347.50(3.4%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,347.50

Effective APY
3.47%

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 Wealthfront dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.95%+ here
See Top Rates
FeatureBettermentWealthfront
APY
4.00%
Range: 3.25% - 4.00%
Verified: 8/21/2026
-
3.95%
Range: 3.30% - 3.95%
Verified: 8/21/2026
-
Product NameCash ReserveCash Account
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 BranchesNoneNone
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.8
Android4.7
iOS4.8
Android4.9
FDIC or NCUA Insured
Yes
Yes
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA-F
Important Notes-Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get the stated APY for 3 months, after which a lower APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront.
Next Steps
Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 7 Months Analysis
MetricBetterment
Cash Reserve
Current APY
4.00%
Trend
Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
1.8
Days Since Change
115
7-Month High
4.00%
7-Month Low
3.90%
Adjustments / Mo
0.14
Volatility Score
0.013
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 Wealthfront's APY of 3.95% with other banks