8 Apps Like Chime: Best Alternatives in 2025

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.

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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	​​

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.

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