Tellus is a mobile-first financial app that combines high-yield cash management with real estate-backed investments. Designed for individuals seeking better returns on their savings without the complexity of traditional investing, Tellus offers FDIC-insured high-yield accounts and access to curated, real estate-secured investment opportunities—all through an easy-to-use app.
Headquartered in California, Tellus aims to democratize access to passive income opportunities by offering tools that simplify saving and investing. Its products are designed to deliver better returns than traditional bank accounts, with transparency and zero fees. All lending is backed by real estate collateral, and user funds in Tellus accounts are held with FDIC-member banks.
Official website: https://www.tellusapp.com
Features
Boost Account (High-Yield Cash Account): Offers variable high-interest earnings on deposited cash, with no fees or minimum balance.
Real Estate-Backed Investments: Invest in short-term, asset-backed opportunities secured by U.S. real estate.
No Fees: Tellus charges no account, withdrawal, or investment fees.
Daily Interest Payouts: Users earn interest daily and can view real-time earnings through the app.
FDIC Insurance: Deposited funds are held with FDIC-insured banking partners up to applicable limits.
Mobile-Only Platform: Access all features through a dedicated mobile app available on iOS and Android.
Withdrawal Flexibility: Users can withdraw funds from their Boost account at any time, with no penalties.
Financial Education Resources: The app includes educational content to help users understand saving and investing.
User Security: Uses bank-grade encryption and secure protocols for all data and transactions.
No Credit Risk to Users: Tellus users do not lend directly; all loans are originated and managed by Tellus and secured by real estate.
How It Works
Download the App: Available on the App Store and Google Play, Tellus is a mobile-only platform.
Open a Boost Account: Users can deposit funds into the Boost account to start earning high daily interest.
Explore Investment Opportunities: Investors can browse and fund short-term real estate-backed investments offered by Tellus.
Start Earning: Interest begins accruing daily for Boost accounts, and investment earnings follow the terms of each deal.
Withdraw Anytime: Users can move money in and out of their Boost account freely. Investment products have fixed terms.
Track Performance: The app offers real-time updates on earnings, balances, and investment status.
Tellus earns revenue from originating and managing real estate-secured loans. It then offers users returns by sharing part of the interest earned, enabling a no-fee, interest-bearing product for savers and passive investors.
Use Cases
Everyday Savers: Earn higher interest on idle cash compared to traditional savings accounts.
Passive Investors: Invest in real estate-backed assets without directly managing property.
Gig Economy Workers: Park surplus income in a high-yield account with liquidity.
First-Time Investors: Start building passive income with low-barrier access to secured real estate investments.
Emergency Fund Holders: Store emergency funds in a flexible, interest-earning account.
Mobile-First Users: Manage savings and investments through a streamlined mobile experience.
Pricing
Tellus operates on a zero-fee model. This means:
No account fees
No deposit or withdrawal fees
No investment management fees
No minimum balance requirements
All earnings from the Boost account and investments are returned directly to the user, with Tellus earning revenue from loan origination and interest spreads.
While the exact yield on the Boost account is variable, Tellus has historically offered interest rates significantly higher than national averages for savings accounts. For current APY details, visit the app or official site: https://www.tellusapp.com/boost
Strengths
High Interest Rates: Boost account offers competitive daily interest payouts far above typical banks.
Zero Fees: No hidden charges for saving, investing, or withdrawing.
Real Estate Backing: Investments are secured by real estate assets, reducing investment risk.
Simple User Interface: Intuitive mobile app experience designed for non-experts.
Liquidity: Users can access funds in Boost accounts anytime without penalty.
Transparency: Clear terms on investments and daily tracking of earnings.
Educational Resources: Helps new users understand financial basics.
Drawbacks
Mobile Only: Tellus is accessible only via mobile app; no desktop version is available.
U.S.-Based: Primarily designed for U.S. users; availability may be limited outside the U.S.
Variable Rates: Boost account interest is variable and not guaranteed.
Not a Bank: While funds are held in FDIC-insured partner banks, Tellus itself is not a bank.
Limited Investment Options: Users cannot choose specific properties or customize investment terms.
No Brokerage Functionality: Tellus is not a full-service investment platform and does not offer stocks or ETFs.
Comparison with Other Tools
Tellus vs. Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Marcus offers high-yield savings accounts with FDIC insurance.
Tellus generally offers higher yields and real estate-backed investment options.
Marcus is a bank; Tellus partners with banks but operates as a fintech platform.
Tellus vs. Robinhood Cash Management
Robinhood offers a cash account with debit features and stock brokerage services.
Tellus is more focused on high-yield savings and real estate-backed investing, without trading features.
Tellus may offer higher daily interest returns, but without card access.
Tellus vs. Fundrise
Fundrise allows users to invest in real estate portfolios with varying strategies.
Tellus focuses on short-term, individual real estate-backed investments.
Fundrise has investment fees; Tellus does not.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Tellus has received strong feedback from users who appreciate its simplicity, high returns, and user-friendly mobile interface.
“I use Tellus to park my emergency fund and it earns more than my bank ever did.” – App Store Review
“Smooth experience and daily interest payouts are a great incentive to keep saving.” – Google Play Review
“The best fintech app I’ve used in a long time. Super clean interface and transparent returns.” – User Testimonial
Tellus has a 4.8+ rating on the App Store and Google Play. While most users highlight the high-yield and seamless experience, some have noted the desire for desktop access and more investment variety.
Conclusion
Tellus offers a compelling alternative to traditional banking and investment platforms by providing high-yield savings options and real estate-secured investment opportunities through a mobile app. With no fees, daily interest payouts, and a clean user experience, Tellus appeals to users seeking passive income and better returns on cash without the complexity of managing real estate directly.
While it lacks desktop access and broader investment options, its real estate-backed model, zero-fee structure, and FDIC-insured partners make Tellus an attractive option for savers and first-time investors alike. Whether you’re building an emergency fund or looking to grow your cash passively, Tellus is a modern solution worth considering.
