Updated September 29, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Empower Personal Dashboard vs Wise Account
Empower Personal Dashboard
Wise Account
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | Empower Personal DashboardReviewVisitVisit | Wise AccountReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.5%Higher | 3.29% |
| Deposit protection | FDIC up to USD 250,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Access terms | Easy access like a checking account; deposit and withdraw through the Empower Dashboard via website and mobile app | Instant access to money and gains; transfer up to 100,000 GBP (Personal) daily without delay |
| Monthly fee | $0 | £0 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Rate type (Variable), Account kind (Cash management).
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Key differences
- Wise Account scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Founded is lower at Wise Account: 2011 vs 2014.
- Wise Account is licensed in 1 more country.
- Headline rate is higher at Empower Personal Dashboard: 3.5% vs 3.29%.
- Support channels: only Wise Account offers Chat.
- Pricing model: only Wise Account offers Low FX.
Our verdict on each
Empower Personal Dashboard
Empower Personal Dashboard is a cash-management account for US savers who want their money reachable like a current account while it still earns interest. It pays a variable rate of 3.5%, takes a $0 minimum, and keeps the balance covered by FDIC up to USD 250,000.
Wise Account
Wise Account suits expats and travelers who move money across currencies and want local account details without paying anything each month. You can hold 40 currencies, receive money like a local, and the account draws 7.4 overall on VaultCue.
Score breakdown
| Area | Empower Personal Dashboard | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Higher | 9.2A monthly fee of £0, conversion at 0.24% with a 0% markup and transfers priced at From 0.24%, varies by currency. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.9HigherA variable 3.29% on the balance, 40 currencies and a £250 free cash allowance. |
| Trust | 8.5Higher | 8.4 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Empower Personal Dashboard | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Not confirmed | BE_NBB PSD_PI BE_NBB!0713629988 |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority 900507 |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Empower Personal Dashboard | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 24 of 1420 | 312 of 1420 |
| Cash management accounts | 6 of 45 | 11 of 45 |
If neither fits
eToro has headline rate at 3.8%, against 3.5% for Empower Personal Dashboard and 3.29% for Wise Account.
eToro reviewSources behind this comparison
Empower Personal Dashboard
- empower.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Wise Account
- wise.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- euclid.eba.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Empower Personal Dashboard | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee, Low FXCovers more |
| Legal entity | Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America | Wise Europe SA |
| Headquarters | United States | Belgium |
| Founded | 2014 | 2011Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Money transfer
| Fact | Empower Personal Dashboard | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | Not confirmed | From 0.24%, varies by currency |
| Exchange rate markup | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Licence type | Not confirmed | Payment institution |
| Payout methods | Not confirmed | Bank, Card |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 40 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Empower Personal Dashboard | Wise Account | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.5%above the median | 3.29%above the median | 3.25% |
| Minimum deposit | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
Median across 658 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
Empower Personal Dashboard
Pros
- Access is easy: deposits and withdrawals run through the Empower Dashboard on the website and in the mobile app, with no term to serve.
- Deposits are held by Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America and covered by FDIC up to USD 250,000.
- The provider has run since 2014 and is based in the United States.
Cons
- The variable rate type means the 3.5% headline can move, so nothing is locked in for a term.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, with no chat or community channel listed.
- Cash management is a narrow field at 4.1% of the site mix, and every brand in the 45 brand cash-management ranking is a payment institution.
Wise Account
Pros
- Currency conversion at 0.24% with a 0% exchange rate margin, so nothing is added on top of the rate you are quoted.
- Balances earn a variable 3.29%, above the everyday account median of 3.25%, while access to money and gains stays instant.
- Holds 40 currencies, well clear of the everyday account median of 9, with local account details covering IBAN, UK sort code and US ACH.
Cons
- It is a payment institution rather than a bank, so balances are safeguarded rather than banked, and the protection that applies is FSCS up to GBP 85,000.
- The rate is variable, so 3.29% can move with the base rate instead of being locked for a term.
- Cash withdrawals are free to £250 only, and free ATM withdrawals are a feature on 64.6% of everyday accounts, so heavy cash users should check a bank tariff first.
Who each suits
Empower Personal Dashboard
Who it suits
- US households, since the provider is based in the United States and the money is held by Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America.
- Savers who want a working balance that still earns interest, with dashboard access rather than a term commitment.
- People comfortable watching a variable rate and reading the 3.5% figure before they commit.
Who should look elsewhere
- AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito, if its 21.59% headline rate on a credit product fits you better than a cash balance earning 3.5%.
- Plazo ES, which lists 24.19%, for anyone chasing the biggest headline figure rather than a savings balance.
- PayPal Colombia, whose 3.3% sits below the 3.5% paid here.
Wise Account
Who it suits
- Expats and travelers named in expats and travelers who hold balances in several currencies at once.
- People who need local account details, since those cover iban, uk sort code and us ach.
- Readers who want 40 currencies in a single account without a monthly charge.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want a bank licence rather than a payment institution account.
- Anyone chasing a fixed return for a set period, because the rate is variable and the money is accessible on demand.
- Traders or wallet users who would rather sit with XTB or Skrill, where a multi-currency current account plays no part.
Country by country
| Country | Empower Personal Dashboard | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Empower Personal Dashboard
What rate does the account pay?+
The account pays a variable rate, and the current headline figure is 3.5%. Because the rate type is variable, that number can rise or fall with market rates, so treat it as a starting point rather than a locked deal. The site median for headline rates is 3%.
Is there a monthly fee or a minimum deposit?+
The monthly fee is $0, the same as the site median of €0, and the minimum deposit is $0. On minimum deposit it ranks 1 of 370 brands, so a small balance is enough to open one.
Wise Account
Does the Wise Account cost anything each month?+
The monthly fee is £0, so there is no standing charge to keep the account open. That matches AXI Card, XTB and Skrill, which also show a monthly fee of €0. On VaultCue, Wise Account ranks 1 of 500 brands on this measure, and the everyday account median is €0.
What does it cost to change currency?+
Currency conversion is charged at 0.24% and the exchange rate margin is 0%, so nothing is layered on top of the rate quoted. Wise Account ranks 137 of 312 brands on that fee, with the everyday account median at 0.22% and the upper quartile at 2%.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Related by the facts
Empower Personal Dashboard
Wise Account