Marcus by Goldman Sachs vs. Wells Fargo
Marcus by Goldman Sachs's Marcus Online Savings Account pays 3.40% APY while Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings pays 0.05% APY.
Note: Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings 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? Marcus by Goldman Sachs pays $335 more than Wells Fargo annually ($340 vs $5).
Choose Marcus by Goldman Sachs if getting the best rate matters most, or you want a no-strings-attached account. Choose Wells Fargo if you value in-person banking, or you want Zelle for quick transfers.
Important Considerations
Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings pays its top rate only if you also open a checking account with Wells Fargo, while Marcus by Goldman Sachs's Marcus Online Savings Account stands alone.
| Metric | Marcus by Goldman SachsMarcus Online Savings Account Sep 5, 2026 | Wells FargoPlatinum Savings Sep 5, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.40% | 0.05% |
Earns in a year | $5,000+$170 $10,000+$340 $25,000+$850 | $5,000+$3 $10,000+$5 $25,000+$13 |
Min. Deposit | $0 | $25 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | This is a tiered savings account where rates vary based on the balance. The highest rates require the account is linked to a Wells Fargo Premier checking account. See bank for more tiers and details. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingStable Rate | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® SupportedChecking BundleDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often |
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.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Marcus by Goldman Sachs vs. Wells Fargo
Executive Summary
Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers a competitive APY of 3.40% on its Marcus Online Savings Account, which is available online only and requires no minimum deposit or maintenance fees. This account provides better returns compared to Wells Fargo's Way2Save Savings account, which has a significantly lower APY of 0.01%. Additionally, Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings account offers a slightly higher APY of 0.05%, but it requires a linked Premier checking account and a minimum deposit of $2,500. Overall, Marcus stands out as the better option for savers seeking higher yields.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Marcus by Goldman Sachs?
- Higher potential APY (3.40% vs 0.01%-0.05%) on all balances
- No checking account or direct deposit required
Why Wells Fargo?
- Physical branch access (Wells Fargo offers branches and ATMs in 36 states and Washington, D.C.)
- Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
- Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $3,500 a day)
Key Feature Differences
Better Returns at $10,000
Marcus by Goldman SachsMarcus by Goldman Sachs's Marcus Online Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $340 vs $5/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Marcus by Goldman SachsMarcus by Goldman Sachs's Marcus Online Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $850 vs $13/yr).
Better for Simplicity
Marcus by Goldman SachsMarcus by Goldman Sachs's Marcus Online Savings Account offers 3.40% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Marcus by Goldman Sachs's Marcus Online Savings Account pays $335 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings.
*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
Marcus by Goldman Sachs vs. Wells Fargo Savings Calculator
You earn $335 more with Marcus by Goldman Sachs than Wells Fargo 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.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Marcus Online Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$340.00(3.3%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,340.00
Wells Fargo
Platinum Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$5.00(0.0%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,005.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
| Feature | Marcus by Goldman Sachs | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.40% Observed: 9/5/2026 Stable over 90 days | 0.05% Observed: 9/5/2026 Stable over 90 days |
| Product Name | Marcus Online Savings Account | Platinum Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $12. Waived with $3,500 minimum daily balance. |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| In-Branch Access | No | Yes |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online & Branches |
| Physical Branches | 5 (MA, NJ, NY, UT) | 4,184 (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC (+32 more)) |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | Yes |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC or NCUA Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Available Limit: $3,500/dayFounding member; zero fees to replace wires. |
| BBB Rating | Not Rated | D- |
| Important Notes | - | This is a tiered savings account where rates vary based on the balance. The highest rates require the account is linked to a Wells Fargo Premier checking account. See bank for more tiers and details. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Marcus by Goldman Sachs Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Wells Fargo Non-sponsored link to official site |
Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Marcus by Goldman Sachs | Wells Fargo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Online Savings Account | Platinum Savings | Way2Save Savings | |
Current APY | 3.40% | 0.05% | 0.01% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Speed of change | -0.01 | -0.41 | 0.00 |
Days Since Change | 94 | 323 | 361 |
12-Month High | 3.65% | 2.51% | 0.01% |
12-Month Low | 3.40% | 0.05% | 0.01% |
Changes per month | 0.17 | 0.25 | 0.00 |
Steadiness | 0.009 | 1.807 | 0.000 |
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 362-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 Marcus by Goldman Sachs' APY of 3.40% with other banks
Compare Wells Fargo's APY of 0.05% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo vs Ally Bank | 3.00% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs American Express | 3.00% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs Barclays | 3.65% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs Capital One | 3.50% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs Chime | 3.75% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Wells Fargo vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $100 |
| Wells Fargo vs Openbank | 3.80% | $500 |
| Wells Fargo vs Pibank | 4.10% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs Synchrony Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs Varo Bank | 3.75% | $0 |
| Wells Fargo vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |