Ally vs. Chime Bank

Ally and Chime Bank are two popular institutions that specialize in digital banking. They both offer low-fee checking and savings accounts but their rates and account access vary greatly. Find out how they compare to determine which one is right for you.

What’s in this guide?

• Pros and cons of Ally
• Pros and cons of Chime Bank
• Savings accounts
• Checking accounts

• Certificates of deposit
• Other products
• Branches and ATMs
• Special features

Pros and cons of Ally vs. Chime Bank

Ally

Pros

• More products. Ally has a much larger selection of accounts and banking products.
• 24/7 customer service. Contact customer service any time, any day of the week.
• Much higher rates. You’ll earn far more interest with Ally’s accounts.

Cons

• Worse mobile app. While Ally offers a sound mobile app, Chime Bank is entirely app-based so its mobile app is most effective.
• Higher fees. You’ll pay more fees on Ally’s deposit accounts.
• Fewer savings tools. Unlike Chime Bank, Ally doesn’t have many savings tools.

Chime Bank

Pros

• Automatic savings tools. Chime Bank comes with a number of money management and savings tools that can help you get the most out of your money.
• Innovative mobile app. Chime Bank is an mobile-based account and it comes with an innovative app that has built-in notifications, instant transaction alerts and more.
• Almost no fees. You’ll pay almost no fees to open and use a Chime Bank bank account.

Cons

• Limited products. Unlike Ally, Chime Bank only offers checking and savings accounts.
• No 24/7 customer service. Customer service is limited to Chime Bank’s business hours.
• Low rates. You’ll earn far less interest in Chime Bank’s accounts than you would with Ally’s.

Compare Ally vs. Chime Bank savings accounts

Use the table below to compare savings accounts from Ally and Chime. If you want to see in-depth features like transaction limits and minimum balance required to earn interest, click the “Compare” checkbox next to each account for a side-by-side view.

Both accounts are free of monthly fees and minimum opening deposit requirements. But that’s about all they have in common. Chime Bank‘s optional savings account is focused on automatic savings tools that help you reach your goals. But it only pays 1% APY — a rate much lower than the current national average. On the other hand, Ally has a 1% APY, which is much more competitive. For this reason, Ally wins the savings account category.

Winner: Ally

Compare Ally vs. Chime Bank checking accounts

The table below shows common features and fees for both bank’s checking accounts. Sort the table by specific fees or click the “Compare” box next to each account for a unique side-by-side comparison.

Both accounts earn interest — which is rare for checking options. Ally‘s rates are more competitive than Chime Bank‘s, and it has a larger ATM network. But you’ll pay more for overdrafts and foreign transactions. If you value money-management tools, a more versatile debit card and almost no fees, you should choose Chime Bank.

Winner: Chime Bank

Compare Ally vs. Chime Bank CDs

Chime Bank doesn’t offer CDs, giving Ally the upper hand in this category.

Winner: Ally

Ally vs. Chime Bank other products

Ally is a much larger institution that caters to a much wider range of banking needs, so it’s the obvious choice for anyone looking for other financial products.

Ally vs. Chime Bank branches and ATMs

Online and mobile banking means you won’t have access to branches, making good customer service essential. Here’s how the two compare:

	Ally	Chime Bank
Branches	0	0
ATMs	43,000	38,000
Customer service	Phone 24/7 Social media Live chat Email	Phone Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. CST No social media No live chat Email Mobile support

Ally vs. Chime Bank special features

Both of these options offer unique features that separate them from their competition:

Ally

• 24/7 customer service
• Raise Your Rate and No Penalty CDs

Chime Bank

• Mobile-only banking
• Money management and savings tools

Winner: Tie

Bottom line

These two digital banks offer competitive financial products that could be right for your situation. Pick Ally if you want a wider product selection and higher interest rates, or go with Chime Bank if you prefer mobile banking with money management and savings tools. In either case, it’s worth comparing your options to see what other accounts are out there.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I deposit cash with Ally?

  Unfortunately, you can’t. You’ll get a debit card with the checking account but there are no Ally branches or official Ally ATMs so you won’t be able to deposit cash.

• Does Chime offer joint accounts?

  No. At this time, Chime Bank does not offer joint accounts.

• Can I use Chime from a desktop?

  No. Chime Bank accounts are mobile-only.

• Is Chime Bank FDIC insured?

  Yes. Chime Bank accounts are insured for up to $250,000 by the FDIC.

• Does Ally offer a mobile app?

  Yes. Ally’s mobile app allows you to manage your money and cards, deposit checks, send money through Zelle and more.