Betterment Checking and Cash Reserve Review: Not Just for Robo-Advisory Customers

By John Csiszar

January 22, 2021

GOBankingRates Score

4.8

Our Take: Betterment Checking & Cash Reserve are a solid one-two punch for investors looking to pay no fees while still earning an above-average APY. 

• Mobile App
  4.5
• APYs
  4.5
• ATM and Foreign Transaction Fees
  5.0
• Account Minimums
  5.0

How did we calculate this?

About Betterment

Betterment is a financial technology company that brought its robo-advisory service to market in 2010. Since then, the company has expanded its product line based on the guiding principle that wealth management shouldn’t be just for the wealthy.

In addition to its ever-expanding robo-advisory platform, Betterment now offers an alternative to a savings account — its Cash Reserve account — along with a no-fee checking account. While not a full-service institution, Betterment’s limited account roster is among the best in the business, appearing on the GOBankingRates Best Checking Accounts 2021 and Best Savings Accounts 2021 lists.

Betterment Products

Betterment only offers two true banking products, its Checking and Cash Reserve accounts.

Sponsors of

Betterment Savings Accounts

Betterment’s savings account, known as its Cash Reserve account, isn’t technically a savings account. Betterment isn’t a bank, so its savings account is properly referred to as a cash management account. Betterment does work with partner banks who actually hold customers’ funds, which is why it can take one to two business days for money to be transferred from the Cash Reserve account to the Betterment checking account. This account was named one of GOBankingRates’ Best Savings Accounts 2021. 

Features

• Complementary account to Betterment checking
• Unlimited money transfers
• Spending analysis and guidance
• Separate savings buckets available

Pros

• $0 minimum
• No monthly fees
• Above-average 0.40% APY
• Insured up to $1 million by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. 
• Joint accounts available 

Cons

• No instant access to cash, as transfers can take one to two business days.

Betterment Checking Accounts

The Betterment Checking account is the firm’s only checking option. However, it is feature-rich, to the point that it made the cut of GOBankingRates’ Best Checking Accounts 2021.

Sponsors of

Features

• Mobile-first checking account
• No monthly fees
• No overdraft fees
• Cash-back rewards

Pros

• Reimbursed ATM fees
• No foreign transaction fees
• No minimum balance 
• No-cost cellphone insurance, up to $600 per claim with a $50 deductible  

Cons

• No interest 
• No physical branches

Banking Experience

Betterment is not a bank, but it provides a bank-like experience with its Checking and Cash Reserve accounts. Here’s how the firm rates relative to common banking evaluation metrics.

Customer Service

You can reach Betterment customer service at 718-400-6898. Customer service hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

Physical Branch Locations

The Betterment Checking & Cash Reserve accounts are mobile-only. Betterment has no physical locations.

Mobile and Digital Experience

As an online-only financial institution, Betterment relies on the quality of its mobile app to provide its customers with a good banking experience. According to user reviews, the Betterment apps are top-notch, scoring 4 stars on Google Play and an impressive 4.8 stars on the App Store. 

Betterment’s app incorporates all aspects of the firm’s offerings, from checking and cash reserve accounts to investment accounts. The app was redesigned in 2019 to provide a more user-friendly experience. Features of the app now include:

Sponsors of

• A big-picture homepage, focusing on client goals, progress and the future
• Easy-to-add personalized investment goals
• Quick-access buttons for moving money in and out of accounts
• Visualizations of investment performance

Betterment users can get similar features by logging into their accounts on the firm’s website. 

How To Open an Account

You must open a Betterment account online, as the firm doesn’t have any physical branches. The process begins by providing your email address. From there, you’ll have to provide the same standard personal and financial information that you would as if you were opening an account at a bank. Namely, you’ll have to provide your name and address, your Social Security number, and a form of government-issued ID, such as your driver’s license or passport number. 

Key Information

Customer Service: 718-400-6898 

Routing Number: Customers must look in their own online or mobile accounts to find the Betterment routing number.

Bank Hours: See Betterment’s Hours

Betterment Fees

Betterment is a champion when it comes to combating fees. Its Checking and Cash Reserve accounts don’t have any of the fees you might find with a typical bank. Betterment doesn’t have minimum balance requirements and doesn’t charge monthly maintenance, overdraft or ATM fees. In fact, Betterment reimburses all ATM fees, domestic and international, even those charged by third-party operators. It even reimburses the 1% Visa foreign transaction fee worldwide.

Sponsors of

Betterment vs. Competitors

Betterment has a limited reach but still competes with other credit unions and national banks. 

Betterment vs. Wealthfront Cash Reserve

Customers who prefer their checking and savings in a single account may prefer the Wealthfront Cash Reserve account. While Betterment separates its Checking account and Cash Reserve account, Wealthfront combines those accounts into a hybrid cash management account that pays a high APY and offers checking features.

Betterment offers global ATM fee reimbursement at any terminal in the world, whereas Wealthfront Cash Reserve only has access to 19,000 fee-free terminals. Betterment also currently pays a slightly higher APY than Wealthfront Cash Reserve.

Betterment vs. Aspiration Spend & Save

Aspiration Spend & Save has a high 1.00% APY on its Aspiration Plus account, much higher than what’s currently offered by Betterment. Aspiration also pledges that deposits aren’t used to fund fossil fuel production.

Sponsors of

Betterment doesn’t charge any fees for its Cash Reserve account, while the Aspiration Plus account requires either $12.50 per month if funded annually or $15 per month on the pay-as-you-go plan.

Betterment vs. SoFi Money

SoFi Money currently offers a $150 new account promotion if you sign up for direct deposit. SoFi Money also offers cash-back rewards with the SoFi debit card and $1.5 million in FDIC insurance.

Betterment Cash Reserve currently offers a higher APY than SoFi, in addition to unlimited global ATM fee rebates.

Final Take

Betterment’s Checking and Cash Reserve accounts complement the firm’s original investment advisory business. By offering these types of banking accounts, Betterment makes life easier for its investment clients. However, the features of the Checking and Cash Reserve accounts are solid enough to stand on their own.

Both the Checking and Cash Reserve accounts have no fees or minimums, and they each offer additional perks. The Checking account offers unlimited ATM and foreign transaction fee reimbursements across the globe, and the Cash Reserve account offers an above-average APY. Coupled with the lack of other fees, including overdraft fees, the Betterment Checking and Cash Reserve accounts have a lot to offer.

Sponsors of

Editor’s Favorite

Betterment’s global reimbursement of ATM and foreign transaction fees are priceless, especially for world travelers. The whole Betterment ecosystem is devised around having no fees while still maintaining many features, making it an easy and convenient choice.

Rates are subject to change. Information on accounts is accurate as of Jan. 5, 2021.

This content is not provided by Betterment. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Betterment.

Is this your bank?

Yes No

Stay Up to Date on the Latest From Your Bank

Keep a good thing going with top financial tips and advice from GOBankingRates.

Sign Up Now

Please enter an email.

Please enter a valid email address.

There was an unknown error. Please try again later.

Thank You For Signing Up!

Get ready to receive top financial tips from the experts at GOBankingRates.

Take Advantage of our Best Offer(s)

About the Author

John Csiszar

After earning a B.A. in English with a Specialization in Business from UCLA, John Csiszar worked in the financial services industry as a registered representative for 18 years. Along the way, Csiszar earned both Certified Financial Planner and Registered Investment Adviser designations, in addition to being licensed as a life agent, while working for both a major Wall Street wirehouse and for his own investment advisory firm. During his time as an advisor, Csiszar managed over $100 million in client assets while providing individualized investment plans for hundreds of clients.