Chime vs Cash App (2026)
Neither Chime nor Cash App is a bank; both rely on partner banks and pass-through FDIC coverage that comes with conditions. Chime's savings rate runs from 1.00% to 4.00% APY depending on direct deposits, while Cash App pays up to 3.5% interest in months you qualify for Cash App Green and 1.5% otherwise. Cash App charges $2.50 on every ATM withdrawal without Green, where Chime lists 47,000+ fee-free ATMs.
By Wealthy Pot Editorial · Facts checked October 19, 2026
| Feature | Chime | Cash App |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Neobank | Cash app |
| Deposits held by | The Bancorp Bank, N.A.; Stride Bank, N.A. | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.; Sutton Bank; The Bancorp Bank, N.A. |
| $10,000 in savings for a year | $400 at 4% (if conditions met) | $350 at 3.5% (if conditions met) |
| Savings APY | 1.00% APY standard; 3.00% Chime Plus ($200+ direct deposit); 4.00% Chime Prime ($3,000+ in 34 days) | Up to 3.5% interest (not stated as APY) with $500/mo card spending or $300/mo deposits; 1.5% otherwise |
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Early direct deposit | Yes | Yes |
| ATM network | Fee-free in-network ATMs; $2.50 out of network | 40,000 MoneyPass; $2.50 per withdrawal (reimbursed in network with Green status) |
| Best for | People with $3,000+ a month in direct deposits who want fee-free banking and SpotMe overdraft coverage | Cash App users who already spend or get paid through it and want savings in the same app |
The $10,000 row is our arithmetic at each headline APY, assuming you meet its conditions and the rate holds for a year.
Key differences
The savings conditions differ. Chime counts qualifying direct deposits in the past 34 days: $3,000 or more for 4.00% APY, a single $200 deposit or $400 in total for 3.00% APY, and 1.00% APY otherwise. Cash App pays 3.5% interest in months with Cash App Green, which you get by spending $500 or more in qualifying purchases or receiving $300 or more in qualifying deposits, and 1.5% otherwise. Cash App calls this interest, not APY, shows no as-of date, and sets it as a share of what Wells Fargo pays. You also need a Cash App Card or sponsored account and must confirm your tax information to earn it.
A hypothetical saver keeps $5,000 in savings for a year, gets a $1,000 paycheck by direct deposit each month, and rates stay unchanged. That paycheck qualifies for Chime Plus and for Cash App Green. Chime pays about $5,000 x 3.00% = $150 and Cash App about $5,000 x 3.5% = $175. With $3,000 or more every 34 days, Chime Prime would pay about $5,000 x 4.00% = $200. With no qualifying deposits or spending, Chime pays about $5,000 x 1.00% = $50 and Cash App about $5,000 x 1.5% = $75. Cash App's main Cash balance earns nothing; its terms assign that interest to Block.
Fees separate them more. Cash App charges $2.50 per ATM withdrawal in or out of network, reimbursed in network only with Green, plus $1 per cash deposit at stores and 3% on foreign transactions without Green. Chime charges $2.50 only out of network. Instant transfers out cost 0.5% to 2.5% at Cash App and 1.75% at Chime. Cash App's Free Overdraft Coverage, up to $200, is for Green members and card purchases only; Chime's SpotMe starts at $20 and covers debit purchases and cash withdrawals. Without a Cash App Card or sponsored account, Cash App balances have no pass-through insurance.
Where Chime wins
- 4.00% APY on savings with $3,000+ in direct deposits in 34 days
- No monthly fee, and the Plus and Prime tiers are free
- SpotMe covers debit overdrafts with no fee
- Paychecks up to 2 days early
- Secured Chime Card with no annual fee and no interest
Where Cash App wins
- Savings, card, direct deposit and person-to-person payments in one app
- Up to 3.5% interest on savings in months with Green
- Free Overdraft Coverage up to $200 on card purchases for Green members
- No monthly fee
- Security Lock asks for your face, fingerprint or PIN before payments
Which should you choose?
Pick Chime if
- You get $3,000+ a month in direct deposits and want 4.00% APY on savings.
- You overdraw small amounts now and then and want no-fee overdraft coverage on debit purchases (SpotMe, from $20).
- You withdraw cash at Allpoint or 7-Eleven ATMs, which Chime counts in its 47,000+ fee-free network.
- You want to build credit with a secured card that has no annual fee and no interest.
Pick Cash App if
- You already get paid or paid back in Cash App and want savings in the same app.
- You spend $500 a month on the card or get $300 a month in direct deposits, so you keep Green.
- You rarely use ATMs or deposit cash.
Chime vs Cash App: FAQ
Which pays more on savings, Chime or Cash App?
With $3,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits in 34 days, Chime's 4.00% APY is above Cash App's 3.5% interest. With smaller deposits that still qualify for both Chime Plus and Cash App Green, Cash App's 3.5% is above Chime's 3.00% APY. Without qualifying activity, Cash App pays 1.5% and Chime 1.00% APY. Cash App calls its rate interest, not APY. Compare banks in our high-yield savings comparison.
Is Chime or Cash App a real bank?
Neither. Chime's accounts are held at The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Cash App calls itself a financial services platform and uses Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Sutton Bank and The Bancorp Bank, N.A. Both say pass-through FDIC coverage needs conditions, and Cash App balances have none without a Cash App Card or sponsored account. Regulators have acted against both: the CFPB ordered Chime to pay a $3.25 million penalty on May 7, 2024, and ordered Block to pay a $55 million penalty plus $75 million to $120 million in redress on January 16, 2025.
Which charges fewer fees, Chime or Cash App?
Neither charges a monthly fee. Cash App charges $2.50 per ATM withdrawal even in network unless you have Green, $1 per cash deposit, 0.5% to 2.5% for instant transfers and 3% on foreign transactions without Green. Chime charges $2.50 per out-of-network ATM withdrawal, $2.50 over the counter and 1.75% for instant transfers out. We could not confirm Chime's fees for cash deposits at retailers or purchases abroad. See our Cash App review for the full list.
Compare these against every option in our neobanks comparison.
We summarize each company's published terms and pricing, not user reviews or our own testing. Facts come from our full reviews of both apps, each checked against the company's own pages, deposit agreements and regulator records on October 19, 2026 with every source listed. Many neobanks are fintechs whose deposits are held at partner banks. We do not earn a commission from either app. Nothing here is financial advice.