Zelle, an app and service that lets its users send money to other US bank accounts, does not work with Chime accounts or debit card.
Chime is not directly compatible with Zelle
Unfortunately, Chime does not have Zelle. In Zelle’s program, only US banks and credit unions can be added to its list of partner banks. Since Chime is not a “true” bank and is a fintech with banking partners, it cannot join Zelle’s list of partnered financial institutions.
So while Chime doesn’t work with Zelle, Chime does offer its own peer-to-peer (P2P) payment feature called Pay Anyone, which lets you send money to friends and family. You could also link your Chime account to other P2P apps like Venmo or Cash App.
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Chime offers its own P2P service called Pay Anyone — aptly named, too.
The Pay Anyone service lets Chime® checking account holders send money to anyone with a debit card, typically within seconds. The recipient of a Pay Anyone fund transfer does not need a Chime account, and there are no fees to send or receive money.
You can pay non-Chime users by entering their email or phone number, and they have up to 14 days to claim the sent funds by entering a valid debit card. This service is a major plus over other apps like Cash App or Venmo, which require the sender and recipient to have separate Cash App or Venmo accounts.
Can I connect my Chime account to Zelle?
While this used to be an option, you can no longer connect your Chime account to Zelle directly. On April 1st, 2025, Zelle discontinued the ability to use its standalone app to send or receive money. Now to use Zelle at all, you must enroll with one of banks and credit unions that support Zelle. There are over 2,200 banks and credit unions in the program, including Chase and SoFi®.
Alternatives to Zelle
Since Zelle isn’t compatible with Chime because it’s not a bank, here are some alternative apps to check out:
Cash App. Free to download and free to use (for the most part), Cash App is one of the most popular P2P payment apps. It also offers a debit card, investing and tax services.
Venmo. Nearly just as popular as Cash App, Venmo offers P2P payments, teen checking and a credit card.
Apple Cash. For Apple fans, Apple Cash offers a quick and easy way to send other Apple users money through the Messages app. You can set it up for free within the Wallet app.
Bottom line
Chime does not have Zelle automatically included within its app. However, you can use its own P2P payment service, called Pay Anyone, or try out other apps like Venmo or Cash App.
Chime is not a bank — it’s a fintech company with banking partners. Chime’s accounts are insured and backed through its two FDIC Member partners: The Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank.
Does Chime work with other banks?
Yes, you can connect external accounts to Chime via Plaid.
Can Chime be linked to Cash App?
Yes, you can connect your Chime checking account to Cash App.
How do you use Zelle with Chime?
As of April 2025, you can’t use Zelle with Chime by linking your Chime debit card to a separate Zelle account. Zelle has discontinued its standalone mobile app, so you now need to enroll through a bank or credit union that partners directly with the service. Because Chime isn’t part of Zelle’s network, you can’t send or receive money using your Chime account or debit card.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your Chime account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade. You must notify your fi nancial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specifi c restrictions, limitations and other details, please consult your issuer. Optional services and products may have fees or charges, such as outbound instant transfers, out-of-network transactions, and credit products. Learn more here. Chime Savings Account: Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account. APY: The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is accurate as of date of publication. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. Get Paid Early: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. Chime Card:: To apply for a Chime Card, Chime® Checking Account is required to apply. SpotMe: SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest / no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Card Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Chime Card service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime® Checking Account each month and have activated your physical secured Chime Visa® Credit Card or Chime Visa® Debit Card.
Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Secured Deposit Account up to $20, but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Chime Card Limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s or its banking partners’ discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Chime Card, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. SpotMe on Chime Card won’t cover non-card transactions. SpotMe on Chime Card Terms and Conditions. Federal Tax Return Direct Deposit: Chime members may choose to direct deposit their state and/or federal tax refunds with Chime. They may choose to direct deposit no matter what tax preparer they choose. They do not need to file through Chime in order to direct deposit their refund. If a member does direct deposit their federal refund they may receive the refund up to 6 days early. This only applies to federal refunds, not state. When marketing the speed of the tax refund it must always include the following elements: federal tax refund, up to 6 days early, with direct deposit. MyPay®: MyPay® is only offered in select states. To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive Qualifying MyPay Direct Deposits to your Chime Checking Account as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A Qualifying MyPay Direct Deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Available Advance Amount may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 - $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details. To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive Qualifying MyPay Direct Deposits to your Chime Checking Account as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A Qualifying MyPay Direct Deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Available Advance Amount may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 - $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or https://www.chime.com/policies/stride/mypay/ for details. Option to get funds instantly for a fee of 3% of the advance amount ($2 minimum, $5 maximum) per advance, or get funds for free within 24 hours. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details.
Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto.
Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt.
Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others.
Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine.
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