Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Lightyear vs One (One Finance)
Lightyear
One (One Finance)
Higher score in this comparison
Lightyear vs One (One Finance): the differences
| Compare | LightyearReviewVisitVisit | One (One Finance)ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 2.42% | 3.35%Higher |
| Minimum deposit | €1 | $0 |
| Deposit protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | FDIC up to USD 250,000 |
| Access terms | Easy access: interest accrues daily and is paid monthly; withdrawal within 2 business days | Demand deposit accounts; no limit on monthly withdrawals |
| Monthly fee | €0 | $0 |
| Regulators | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) | FINRA, SIPC, NMLS |
Same on both: Rate type (Variable), Account kind (Easy access).
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Key differences
- One (One Finance) scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Lightyear offers Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA).
- Regulators: only One (One Finance) offers FINRA, SIPC, NMLS.
- Headline rate is higher at One (One Finance): 3.35% vs 2.42%.
- Pricing model: only Lightyear offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only One (One Finance) offers No monthly fee.
Our verdict on each
Lightyear
Lightyear suits you if you want stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds and funds alongside easy access cash in a low-fees model. You pay stock trade fees of $1 with account fees of €0 and inactivity fees of €0 while keeping transfers simple.
One (One Finance)
One is a US easy-access account paying a variable rate of 3.35% with deposit protection of FDIC up to USD 250,000, so it suits savers who want instant access and deposit cover rather than a fixed term. Investment accounts and retirement options sit under the same brand for anyone building savings and portfolios together.
Score breakdown
| Area | Lightyear | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Account fees of €0 with inactivity fees of €0 anchor holding costs. | 9.3HigherA monthly fee of $0 and a minimum deposit of $0 keep the cost of holding the account low. |
| Offer | 8.9Markets of stocks, ETFs and crypto span shares, funds, bonds and crypto alongside cash. | 9.1HigherETFs and crypto in etf and crypto portfolios, plus retirement accounts listed as ira and roth ira, add to the banking offer. |
| Trust | 8.7Licence MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54 under Estonian supervision frames oversight. | 9.9Higher |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Lightyear | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Lightyear | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Savings | 49 of 1492 | 102 of 1492 |
| Savings accounts | 35 of 658 | 77 of 658 |
| Investing | 51 of 654 | 69 of 654 |
| Robo-advisors | 6 of 154 | 14 of 154 |
If neither fits
XTB has headline rate at 4%, against 2.42% for Lightyear and 3.35% for One (One Finance).
XTB reviewWhat we checked
Lightyear
- lightyear.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- register.fca.org.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
One (One Finance)
- onepay.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lightyear | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Low fees | No monthly fee |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | One Finance, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Chat, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Lightyear | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | €1 | $1 |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Account types | Corporate | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, CryptoCovers more | ETF, Crypto |
Credit cards
| Fact | Lightyear | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 0.35% | Not confirmed |
| Rewards type | Not confirmed | Cashback |
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares | Rewards |
| Card kind | Not confirmed | Credit |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | Lightyear | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Derivatives | Not confirmed | No |
| Exchange type | Not confirmed | Cex |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lightyear | One (One Finance) | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 2.42%below the median | 3.35%above the median | 3.3% |
Median across 710 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Lightyear
Pros
- Account fees of €0 and monthly fees of €0 keep ongoing holding costs low
- Inactivity fees of €0 suit buy and hold investors who trade at intervals
- Markets of stocks, ETFs and crypto give broad choice across shares, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto
Cons
- Stock trade fees of $1 look pricey next to ActivTrades at $0 and XTB at €0
- Currency conversion is 0.35%, which adds cost when you deal across currencies
- Support runs on email and help centre only, which limits how you can get help
One (One Finance)
Pros
- Headline rate of 3.35% against a site median of 3%.
- Demand deposit accounts with no limit on monthly withdrawals.
- A linked credit card that pays cashback rewards.
Cons
- The rate is variable, so interest can move down with base rates.
- One is headquartered in the United States, so it does not serve readers who need a UK or European account.
- Investing cover is SIPC up to USD 500,000, a separate scheme from the FDIC up to USD 250,000 that covers deposits.
Who each suits
Lightyear
Who it suits
- You invest at intervals across shares and funds and prefer Lightyear over DKB for lower per trade dealing costs
- You hold spare cash alongside shares and prefer Lightyear over ActivTrades for Vault interest paired with broking
- You start modestly and prefer Lightyear over XTB for low entry balances with broad market access
Who should look elsewhere
- You want commission free share dealing on every trade, so XTB may suit better given stock trade fees of €0 against Lightyear at $1
- You want phone based help, so DKB may suit better as Lightyear support runs on email and help centre only
One (One Finance)
Who it suits
- US savers who want demand access and a variable rate of 3.35%.
- First-time investors, with a minimum investment of $1 and ETFs and crypto in the portfolio range.
- Retirement savers, since the account types listed are ira and roth ira.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want a provider outside the US: Wise pays 3.29% and bunq pays 3.01%.
- Savagers who only want the top of the range: Finteres, where rates run 0% to 36%.
Current offers
One (One Finance)
Current offer
Bonus
3% cash back on chosen category (Walmart, gas or dining): 3% cash back on up to $150 spent per month
Select category each month in the OnePay app; earned as OnePay Points; 1 point per $10 spent after the $150 monthly cap
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Unlimited 3% cash back at Walmart, 5% with Walmart+: 3% (5% with Walmart+)
Subject to credit approval; OnePay CashRewards Mastercard issued by Synchrony Bank; U.S. Walmart locations and Walmart.com only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Early Pay: Payday up to 2 days early
Direct deposit required; funds may be available up to 2 days in advance
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Lightyear | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Lightyear
What does Lightyear charge for investing?+
Stock trade fees are $1 per execution. Account fees are €0 and inactivity fees are €0, while monthly fees are €0. Currency conversion is 0.35%, so cross currency dealing adds a separate charge to weigh.
How is Lightyear regulated and protected?+
Lightyear holds licence MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54 and names Estonian Financial Supervision Authority as regulator. Investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 and deposit protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Cover applies within stated limits and eligibility rules.
One (One Finance)
What rate does One pay on savings?+
The headline rate is 3.35% and the rate type is variable, so the return can change as base rates move. The account kind is easy access, which means money is available on demand rather than locked for a set period, and the account is listed with no monthly fee under no monthly fee.
Is my money protected?+
Deposits sit with FDIC up to USD 250,000, while investments in the same app are covered by SIPC up to USD 500,000 instead. One also holds a US state money transmitter licence, 2273210, and a California financing law licence, 60DBO-131026.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Lightyear
One (One Finance)