Dave vs Chime (2026)
Dave and Chime are both financial technology companies whose partner banks hold the money. Dave charges a membership of up to $5 a month, pays 0% APY on checking and savings, and charges an overdraft fee of the greater of $5 or 5% on each ExtraCash. Chime has no monthly fee, a no-fee overdraft service called SpotMe, and savings at 1.00% to 4.00% APY depending on direct deposits.
By Wealthy Pot Editorial · Facts checked October 19, 2026
| Feature | Dave | Chime |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Neobank | Neobank |
| Deposits held by | Coastal Community Bank; Evolve Bank & Trust | The Bancorp Bank, N.A.; Stride Bank, N.A. |
| $10,000 in savings for a year | No APY | $400 at 4% (if conditions met) |
| Savings APY | None (0% on Checking and Goals) | 1.00% APY standard; 3.00% Chime Plus ($200+ direct deposit); 4.00% Chime Prime ($3,000+ in 34 days) |
| Monthly fee | Up to $5/mo membership | $0 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Early direct deposit | Yes | Yes |
| ATM network | 40,000+ MoneyPass; $3 out of network | Fee-free in-network ATMs; $2.50 out of network |
| Best for | People who need a small, short-term cash buffer and accept a fee for it | People with $3,000+ a month in direct deposits who want fee-free banking and SpotMe overdraft coverage |
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
Both offer help before payday, priced differently. Dave's ExtraCash runs from $25 to $500, with no credit check or interest, but each one carries a mandatory overdraft fee of the greater of $5 or 5% of the amount, and Dave says few members qualify for $500. Sending it instantly to an outside debit card adds 1.5%. Chime's SpotMe on Debit has no fee, starts at $20, may rise to $200 or more, and needs one $200 direct deposit or $400 in total in 34 days. Chime's MyPay line of credit offers up to $500 per pay period, free within 24 hours or $2 to $5 for instant delivery.
A hypothetical member needs $200 before payday. At Dave, the ExtraCash fee is the greater of $5 or $200 x 5% = $10, so $10; sending it to an outside debit card adds $200 x 1.5% = $3, and that month's membership adds up to $5, for up to $18. At Chime, if the member's MyPay limit reaches $200, the advance is free with a wait of up to 24 hours or $2 to $5 for instant delivery. SpotMe would cost nothing for a debit overdraft, but only if the member's limit has grown from $20 to $200.
Savings and cash access also differ. Dave Checking and Dave Goals both pay 0% APY; Chime pays 4.00% APY with $3,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits in 34 days, 3.00% APY with a $200 deposit or $400 in total, and 1.00% APY otherwise. Dave lists 40,000+ fee-free MoneyPass ATMs and charges $3.00 out of network; Chime lists 47,000+ and charges $2.50. Dave takes cash free at CVS and Walgreens and for up to $4.95 elsewhere, and charges 3% on foreign transactions. Dave's new accounts are held at Coastal Community Bank, Chime's at The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, both under pass-through rules.
Where Dave wins
- ExtraCash from $25 to $500 with no credit check, no interest and no late fees
- Free ExtraCash transfers to Dave Checking or, more slowly, to an outside bank
- Paychecks up to 2 days early
- Free cash deposits at CVS and Walgreens
- 40,000+ fee-free MoneyPass ATMs
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
Which should you choose?
Pick Dave if
- You need $25 to a few hundred dollars before payday now and then, and a fee of $5 or 5% is cheaper for you than the alternatives you have.
- You want an overdraft limit that does not depend on a credit check.
- You withdraw cash at MoneyPass ATMs or deposit cash at CVS or Walgreens.
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.
Dave vs Chime: FAQ
Which pays more on savings, Dave or Chime?
Chime. Dave Checking and Dave Goals pay 0% APY. Chime pays 1.00% APY on savings, 3.00% APY with a single $200 direct deposit or $400 in total in 34 days, and 4.00% APY with $3,000 or more. Compare other options in our high-yield savings comparison.
Is Dave or Chime a real bank?
Neither. Dave says banking services are provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC, or another partner bank, and older accounts at Evolve Bank & Trust are expected to move to Coastal by the end of 2026. Chime's accounts are held at The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. Both say pass-through insurance needs conditions. The FTC sued Dave on November 5, 2024 over ExtraCash and membership, and the case was still pending in August 2026. The CFPB ordered Chime to pay a $3.25 million penalty on May 7, 2024.
Which charges fewer fees, Dave or Chime?
Chime has no monthly fee and no overdraft fee; Dave's membership is up to $5 a month and every ExtraCash costs at least $5. Out-of-network ATMs cost $3.00 at Dave and $2.50 at Chime. Dave charges 3% on foreign transactions, up to $4.95 for cash deposits outside CVS and Walgreens, and $5 a month after 12 inactive months. Chime charges 1.75% for instant transfers out and $2 to $5 for instant MyPay. See our Dave review and banking app comparison.
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.