Updated September 29, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Wealthfront vs Wise Account
Wealthfront
Higher score in this comparison
Wise Account
What sets them apart
| Compare | WealthfrontReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Wise AccountReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.55% to 4.45%Higher | 3.29% |
| Deposit protection | FDIC up to USD 250,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Access terms | Free 24/7 instant withdrawals, withdraw any time with no fees | 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).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Wise Account is licensed in 1 more country.
- Headline rate is higher at Wealthfront: 3.55% to 4.45% vs 3.29%.
- Support channels: only Wise Account offers Chat.
- Pricing model: only Wise Account offers Low FX.
Our verdict on each
Wealthfront
Wealthfront suits US savers who want their cash to earn a variable rate of 3.55% to 4.45% while staying instantly accessible. The account runs as a cash management product, so money can move in and out at any time, and deposits are 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 | Wealthfront | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherA monthly fee of $0 and a minimum deposit of $0 mean opening and holding the account costs nothing. | 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 | 8.8Higher | 8.4 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Wealthfront | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Not confirmed | BE_NBB PSD_PI BE_NBB!0713629988 |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority 900507 |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 68534 | Not confirmed |
Sources behind this comparison
Wealthfront
- wealthfront.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- reports.adviserinfo.sec.gov: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, 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
How they place
| Ranking | Wealthfront | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Current and checking accounts | 92 of 885 | 93 of 885 |
| Savings accounts | 311 of 1420 | 312 of 1420 |
| Cash management accounts | 10 of 45 | 11 of 45 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Wealthfront | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee, Low FXCovers more |
| Legal entity | WEALTHFRONT BROKERAGE LLC | Wise Europe SA |
| Headquarters | United States | Belgium |
| Founded | 2011 | 2011 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Everyday accounts
| Fact | Wealthfront | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Licence type | Not confirmed | Payment institution |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.24% |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 40 |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Expats, Travelers |
| Features | Free ATM, Joint accountCovers more | Free ATM |
| Local account details | Us ACH | IBAN, UK sort code, Us ACHCovers more |
| Free ATM withdrawals | $15 | £250 |
| Transfer fee | No charge by Wealthfront; some receiving institutions may impose an RTP or FedNow fee | From 0.24%, varies by currency |
Money transfer
| Fact | Wealthfront | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate markup | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Payout methods | Not confirmed | Bank, Card |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Wealthfront | Wise Account | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.55% to 4.45%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
Wealthfront
Pros
- A variable rate of 3.55% to 4.45% with no term to commit to
- Instant withdrawals at any time with no charge, plus free ATM withdrawals with an allowance of $15
- Deposits are covered by FDIC up to USD 250,000 and cash is held by WEALTHFRONT BROKERAGE LLC
Cons
- The rate type is variable, so the 3.55% to 4.45% band can move with market rates
- Transfers run on the local details listed as us ach, so funding is set up around US bank transfers
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, and live chat is not among them
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
Wealthfront
Who it suits
- US savers who want a variable rate and same-day access rather than a fixed term
- Households holding a joint account, one of the listed features alongside free ATM withdrawals
- Anyone who wants to hold cash without a monthly charge, since the monthly fee is $0
Who should look elsewhere
- Colombian readers, where PayPal Colombia lists a headline rate of 3.3% on a wallet balance
- Readers after card-linked rates, such as AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito at 21.59% or Plazo ES at 24.19%
- Anyone wanting a term deposit or a fixed rate, since the account is a cash management product with a variable rate
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.
Current offers
Wealthfront
Current offer
Bonus
3-month APY boost for new Cash Account clients: +0.65% APY for 3 months on up to $150,000
New clients funding a Cash Account; boost applies for 3 months on up to a $150,000 balance; base APY 3.55% as of 09/18/2026; terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Ongoing APY increase for clients who invest and deposit monthly: +0.25% APY ongoing
Clients who fund any investing account and make a monthly direct deposit of $1,000 or recurring deposits of $2,500 into any account; boost capped at $150,000 balance
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Wealthfront | Wise Account |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Wealthfront
What rate does Wealthfront pay on cash?+
Wealthfront pays a variable rate of 3.55% to 4.45% on cash balances, with a variable rate type rather than a fixed one. There is no term to commit to and no balance threshold, since the minimum deposit is $0.
What does it cost to keep a Wealthfront account open?+
The monthly fee is $0 and the account runs on the no monthly fee model, so there is nothing to pay each month. Withdrawals can be made at any time at no charge, and ATM withdrawals are free with an allowance of $15.
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
Wealthfront
Wise Account