Searching for apps like Chime? The digital banking space has exploded with alternatives that match Chime’s convenience while also offering unique benefits.
Whether you’re dissatisfied with Chime’s customer service, seeking higher savings rates, or simply exploring what else is out there, this guide breaks down some great apps like Chime that might better suit your financial needs and preferences.
See EWA offers (and others) from our network of financial partners.
8 Great alternatives to Chime
While the Chime mobile banking app has made early paydays and no-fee checking feel like the norm, there are more options!
Whether you’re looking for smart credit tools, flexible cash access, or features built for real life (not just banking basics), there are several apps like Chime worth your attention.
Below, we break down some of the top banking apps like Chime, comparing fees, funding times, and what makes each one stand out.
1. Great for all-in-one money tools: MoneyLion
MoneyLion is something more. As an all-in-one finance app, it combines spending, saving, credit building, investing, and even rewards into a single dashboard.
It’s the top pick for anyone who wants their money app to do more than just sit there.
Cash advance amount: Up to $1,0001 via Instacash® for qualifying accounts.
Fees: Instacash has free delivery + Turbo delivery within minutes for a fee3.
Funding time: Choose between standard delivery or optional Turbo delivery within minutes.
Repayment: Flexible repayment based on your direct deposit schedule.2
Learn what MoneyLion has to offer at: https://www.moneylion.com!
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Cash advances with no interest | ❎ Monthly fee for MoneyLion WOW membership |
✅ Credit tracking + Credit Builder loans with Credit Builder Plus membership | ❎ You might spend too much time on the app. |
✅ Integrated investing $1/month4 | |
✅ Interactive Community tab for honest conversations about money with real people. | |
✅ Earn cash through games, quizzes & sweepstakes | |
✅ Fintertainment: financial education with entertainment. |
👉 8 Actually-Fun Ways to Maximize MoneyLion
2. Great for budgeting simplicity: Dave
Dave focuses on helping users avoid overdraft fees and get paid early with small advances. It’s great for budgeting basics and folks who need a little financial breathing room before payday. You can check out what Dave offers at https://dave.com
Cash advance amounts: Up to $500
Fees: $1 monthly membership + optional tipping
Funding time: Instantly (with express fee)
Repayment: Automatically from linked account
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Easy cash advances | ❎ Smaller max advance |
✅ Budgeting tools | ❎ Tipping model can be confusing |
✅ Side hustle job board built in | |
3. Great for teen banking: Step
Step is a modern banking app tailored for teens and parents. It offers spending controls, savings goals, and credit-building tools to help young users start off strong. You can check out what Step offers at https://step.com/.
Cash advance amounts: None
Fees: No monthly fees
Funding time: Up to 2 days early
Repayment: N/A
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Credit-building starting at 18 | ❎ No cash advance or investing features |
✅ Parental controls | |
✅ Designed for teens | |
4. Great for cashback rewards: Current
Current feels like a traditional bank until you realize it pays you for buying gas. With perks like cashback and early direct deposit, it rewards people who actually use their money. You can check out what Current offers at https://current.com/.
Cash advance amount: None
Fees: $0–$4.99/month depending on plan
Funding time: Up to 2 days with direct deposit
Repayment: N/A
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Cashback rewards on purchases | ❎ No loans or cash advances |
✅ Teen banking available | ❎ No credit-building or investing tools |
✅ Early direct deposit | |
5. Great for freelancers: Albert
Albert offers budgeting automation, access to financial advisors, and small advances for people with variable income.You can check out what Albert offers at https://albert.com/.
Cash advance amount: Up to $250 with Instant advance
Fees: “Pay what you think is fair” tipping model Express delivery fees apply
Funding time: Instant with express fee; 2–3 days standard
Repayment: Auto-debited from your linked account on your next payday or selected date
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Instant cash advance available | ❎ Advance limits are low |
✅ Automated savings | ❎ Pricing model isn’t always clear |
✅ Access to live financial advice | |
6. Great for high-yield savings: Varo
Varo is a neobank offering high-interest savings and a simple, fee-free checking account. You can check out what Varo offers at https://www.varomoney.com/.
Cash advance amounts: None
Fees: $0 monthly fees No overdraft fees (up to a limit)
Funding time: Up to 2 days with direct deposit
Repayment: N/A
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Optional savings account of up to 5% APY with eligibility | ❎ No loans |
✅ No hidden fees | ❎ No credit tools |
✅ Early pay and simple interface | |
7. Great for no-fee investing + banking: SoFi
SoFi offers a full suite of financial tools, including banking, investing, and loans, all in one clean interface. You can check out what SoFi offers at https://www.sofi.com/.
Cash advance amounts: Varies by product (personal loans, student loan refi, etc.)
Fees: $0 monthly fees on banking Loan and investing products may include specific costs
Funding time: 1–2 days for transfers; loans may vary
Repayment:
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ No-fee banking | ❎ Less useful for low-credit users |
✅ Integrated investing and loan options | ❎ May be overwhelming for beginners |
✅ High-yield savings | |
8. Great for students and recent graduates: Kora
Kora offers interest-free emergency funds and credit-building tools for students and recent graduates. You can check out what Kora offers at https://koramoney.com/.
Cash advance amounts: Up to $3,000 (repayable in 4 monthly installments)
Fees: $0 interest; late fees may apply if a payment is missed
Funding time: 1–2 business days after approval
Repayment: 4 equal monthly payments auto-deducted from a linked account
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ No-interest installment loans | ❎ Not available to non-students |
✅ Designed for students | ❎ Limited feature set outside of lending |
✅ Fast access to funds | |
👉 Apps Like Brigit: Best Alternatives in 2025 👉 Money Apps Like Dave: 8 Helpful Alternatives 👉 Apps Like Earnin: Best Alternatives in 2025
MoneyLion or Chime: One app to rule your wallet
Feature | MoneyLion | Chime |
|---|---|---|
Type | Financial app w/ investing, credit tools + more | Mobile banking platform |
Direct deposit | Yes – up to 2 days early2 | Yes – up to 2 days early |
Cash advance | Up to $1,000 (Instacash)2 | No cash advance option |
Credit building | Credit Builder loans + Credit tracking with CB+ membership | Credit Builder account |
Investing | Yup. Managed portfolios from $1/mo | Not available |
Rewards | Earn cash through games, quizzes & sweepstakes worth over $4 million in cash in 2025. Check it out. | Occasionally, offer giveaways and run limited-time rewards and social media contests. |
Partner bank | Pathward®, N.A. | The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. |
Budgeting | Easily track, manage, and take control of your spending with personalized budgeting tools — for free.5 | Provides spending insights and savings tools, but not a built-in budgeting feature. |
Fintertainment | Original series (FinFit Ep. 1)MoneyMaster. The first one is about butts and money. Really. | N/A |
Community tab | A go-to space for honest conversations about money with real people. | N/A |
If you’re choosing between apps like Chime, MoneyLion offers credit-building, investing, rewards, AND content that actually helps you grow your money? Yeah, that’s worth the download.
Millions have already discovered how MoneyLion transforms their financial journey. Don’t wait – download the app today and see why it’s becoming the go-to for hassle-free money management.
FAQs
Is the Chime app worth it?
It’s a strong choice for fee-free basic banking, but it lacks extras like investing or large cash advances, credit tracking, and others.
What is a great alternative to Chime?
For people who want more features in one place, MoneyLion stands out among Chime competitors.
Who is Chime’s biggest competitor?
Apps like MoneyLion, Current, and Dave all offer strong alternatives depending on your needs.
Does MoneyLion work with Chime?
Yes. You can link your Chime account to MoneyLion to move funds or access additional tools.
You may like
Community Posts
Similar Posts
Disclosures
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. You should consult your own financial, legal, and tax advisors before engaging in any transaction. Information, including hypothetical projections of finances, may not take into account taxes, commissions, or other factors which may significantly affect potential outcomes. This material should not be considered an offer or recommendation to buy or sell a security. While information and sources are believed to be accurate, MoneyLion does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information or source provided herein and is under no obligation to update this information. For more information about MoneyLion, please visit https://www.moneylion.com/terms-and-conditions/.
MoneyLion does not provide, own, control or guarantee third-party products or services accessible through its Marketplace (collectively, “Third-Party Products”). The Third-Party Products are owned, controlled or made available by third parties (the "Third-Party Providers"). Should you choose to purchase any Third-Party Products, the Third-Party Providers’ terms and privacy policies apply to your purchase, so you must agree to and understand those terms. The display on the MoneyLion website, app, or platform of any of a Third-Party Product or Third-Party Provider does not-in any way-imply, suggest, or constitute a recommendation by MoneyLion of that Third-Party Product or Third-Party Financial Provider. MoneyLion may receive compensation from third parties for referring you to the third party, their products or to their website.
MoneyLion is a financial technology company, not a bank. RoarMoney℠ demand deposit account is provided by, and MoneyLion Debit Mastercard® is issued by, Pathward®, National Association, Member, FDIC. RoarMoney is a service mark of MoneyLion. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Funds are FDIC insured, subject to applicable limitations and restrictions, when we receive the funds deposited to your account. MoneyLion is not itself a bank or a FDIC-insured institution and the FDIC's deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of a FDIC-insured institution. Pathward, National Association is a FDIC-insured depository institution.
Instacash® is an optional service offered by MoneyLion. Your available Instacash Advance limit will be displayed to you in the MoneyLion mobile app and may change from time to time. Your limit will be based on your direct deposits, account transaction history, and other factors, as determined by MoneyLion. Expedited delivery requires Turbo Fee. See Instacash Terms and Conditions for more information and eligibility requirements.
This optional offer is not a Pathward® product or service.
Credit Builder loans have an annual percentage rate (APR) ranging from 5.99% APR to 29.99% APR, are offered by affiliates of MoneyLion and subject to approval. The Credit Builder loan may require a portion of the loan proceeds to be deposited into a Credit Reserve Account maintained by ML Wealth LLC and held in non-marginable securities by DriveWealth LLC, member SIPC and FINRA. Not available in all states.
Credit Reserve Accounts Are Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • Investments May Lose Value. For important information and disclaimers relating to the MoneyLion Credit Reserve Account, see Investment Account FAQs and FORM ADV.
Credit score improvement is not guaranteed. A soft credit pull will be conducted that has no impact to your credit score. Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus. Data was sourced from credit score data from over 147,500 Credit Builder Plus members with an active loan between January 1, 2020, and March 15, 2023. Credit score improvement is not guaranteed. Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus. MoneyLion is not a Credit Services Organization. Credit Builder Plus is an optional service offered by MoneyLion.
Rewards are subject to terms and conditions.
This optional offer is provided by MoneyLion. MoneyLion WOW Membership unlocks access to exclusive offers and services. Membership costs $9.99/month billed monthly, $54.90 for a six-month term, and $99.99 for an annual term. Members on six-month or annual terms who cancel within the first month will receive a refund for unused months. Membership will auto-renew until canceled. Cancel anytime in the app. View your Membership Agreement for full terms and conditions. Some services may not be available in all states.