Chime
US mobile banking app with a fee-free checking account, early pay and credit building.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · iOS, Android, Web
Is Chime free?
Yes, free to use
Switch from Chime to
All 3
Cash AppFree
Capital OneCompareFree
ChaseTotal Checking plan: $15 a month, or $0 with qualifying deposits or balance
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 3
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Chime
Chime is a US financial technology company that offers checking and savings accounts you open and manage from a phone app. It is not a bank itself: the accounts and Visa cards are provided by partner banks, which gives deposits pass-through FDIC insurance. The pitch is everyday banking without the usual fees, plus features aimed at people living paycheck to paycheck: getting direct deposits up to two days early, SpotMe fee-free overdraft coverage, small advances through MyPay, and a secured Credit Builder card that reports to the credit bureaus. Sending money to other people is built in through Pay Anyone. The core checking account has no monthly fee, though some optional features such as instant advances can carry fees. There are no branches, so cash deposits go through retail partners, and support runs through the app and phone line. It is available only in the United States, on iOS, Android and the web.
Best for: US workers who want a no-fee checking account, early paychecks and a simple way to build credit.
Pros and cons
What works
- No monthly fee on the core checking account
- Credit Builder secured card for people with thin or poor credit
- Member support available around the clock by phone and in the app
Why people leave
- Not a bank itself; accounts are held at partner banks
- No branches, and cash deposits rely on retail partners
- Available in the US only, with no multi-currency features
Chime vs Cash App, Capital One and Chase
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Chime | Cash App | Capital One | Chase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | — | — | $15 a month, or $0 with qualifying deposits or balance |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Yes |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web | Web, iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Web |
Top Chime alternatives
See all 3- 1Cash App52.6
Combines a free debit card and direct deposit with peer-to-peer payments, stocks and bitcoin.
- 2Capital One42.3
No-fee 360 Checking plus credit cards, a large ATM network and some in-person cafés and branches.
- 3Chase42.3
Big-bank alternative with branches, rewards credit cards and in-app investing.
Why people left Chime
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Chime: common questions
What is Chime?
Chime: US mobile banking app with a fee-free checking account, early pay and credit building. Best for US workers who want a no-fee checking account, early paychecks and a simple way to build credit. Available for iOS, Android and Web.
Is Chime free?
Yes, Chime is free to use.
Is Chime open source?
No, Chime is not open source.
What platforms does Chime run on?
Chime is available for iOS, Android and Web.
What are the best alternatives to Chime?
The highest-ranked Chime alternatives right now are Cash App, Capital One and Chase. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Chime vs Cash App: what's the difference?
Both Chime and Cash App are free to use. Both run on iOS, Android and Web.