Synchrony Bank vs. Upgrade
Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pays 3.30% APY while Upgrade's Premier Savings pays 3.05% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Synchrony Bank pays $25 more than Upgrade annually ($330 vs $305).
Choose Synchrony Bank if getting the best rate matters most.
| Metric | Synchrony BankHigh Yield Savings Sep 11, 2026 | UpgradePremier Savings Sep 9, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% | 3.05% |
Earns in a year | $5,000+$165 $10,000+$330 $25,000+$825 | $5,000+$153 $10,000+$305 $25,000+$763 |
Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily 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 Synchrony Bank vs. Upgrade
Executive Summary
Synchrony Bank offers a High Yield Savings account with an APY of 3.30%, making it the top choice between the two banks. This account provides better returns compared to Upgrade's Premier Savings, which has an APY of 3.05%. Synchrony Bank's account is available online only and has no minimum balance requirement or maintenance fees. In contrast, Upgrade's Premier Savings requires a minimum balance of $100,000 but also has no direct deposit requirement. Both accounts are FDIC insured, providing safety for your deposits.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Synchrony Bank?
- Higher potential APY (3.30% vs 3.05%) on all balances
Why Upgrade?
- No checking account or direct deposit required
Key Feature Differences
Better Returns at $10,000
Synchrony BankSynchrony Bank's High Yield Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $330 vs $305/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Synchrony BankSynchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $825 vs $763/yr).
Better for Simplicity
UpgradeUpgrade's Premier Savings offers 3.05% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pays $25 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Upgrade's Premier 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
Synchrony Bank vs. Upgrade Savings Calculator
You earn $25 more with Synchrony Bank than Upgrade 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.
Synchrony Bank
High Yield Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$330.00(3.2%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,330.00
Upgrade
Premier Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$305.00(3.0%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,305.00
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 $300 a year in interest.
Both Synchrony Bank and Upgrade advertise far more than that typical branch-bank rate.
| Feature | Synchrony Bank | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% Observed: 9/11/2026 0.10%90-day change | 3.05% Observed: 9/9/2026 Stable over 90 days |
| Product Name | High Yield Savings | Premier Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $1,000 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| In-Branch Access | No | No |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | 2 (FL, UT) | Not reported |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC or NCUA Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | Not Rated | A+ |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Synchrony Bank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Upgrade Non-sponsored link to official site |
Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Synchrony Bank | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| High Yield Savings | Premier Savings | |
Current APY | 3.30% | 3.05% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Speed of change | -0.05 | -0.10 |
Days Since Change | 85 | 314 |
12-Month High | 3.80% | 4.02% |
12-Month Low | 3.30% | 3.05% |
Changes per month | 0.33 | 0.16 |
Steadiness | 0.028 | 0.075 |
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 364-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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High Rates (With Checking Bundle)
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More Comparisons
Compare Synchrony Bank's APY of 3.30% with other banks
Compare Upgrade's APY of 3.05% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade vs Ally Bank | 3.00% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs American Express | 3.00% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Barclays | 3.65% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Capital One | 3.50% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Chime | 3.75% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Upgrade vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.40% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $100 |
| Upgrade vs Openbank | 3.80% | $500 |
| Upgrade vs Pibank | 4.10% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Varo Bank | 3.75% | $0 |
| Upgrade vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |