Investing comparison
Acorns vs Chime
Updated
Data as of
Acorns checked Chime checked
I earn commissions from some links.
Chime
Banking app
Visit site for Chime (opens in a new tab)
Before you compare: This compares features and fees from each company's own pages. It isn't investment advice, and investing involves risk, including loss of money.
Short answer
- Pick Acorns if you want features for kids or teens.
- Pick Chime if you want the higher top rate (up to 4.00% APY, compared with 3.59% APY), a separate login for your partner, or shared and individual views.
- The biggest difference is what they are: Acorns is an investing app, and Chime is a banking app.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Acorns vs Chime at a glance
Acorns- Top rate
- 2.33% to 3.59%APY
- Rating
- 4.7 of 5App Store, 960,195 ratings
- Platforms
- 2Mobile app, Web app
- Chime
- Top rate
- 1.00% to 4.00%APY
- Rating
- 4.8 of 5App Store, 1,655,300 ratings
- Platforms
- 3Web, iOS, Android
What it costs
- Acorns
$4a month
Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month.
Source
acorns.com/pricing, checked . - Chime
Chime says its savings account has no fees, and you need an active Chime Checking Account to open one.
Source
help.chime.com/what-is-the-chime-savings-account-f189355c, checked .
Bars show only when every app here lists a yearly price, so these prices sit side by side without them. Prices are list prices from each app's own page, before tax and any offer. Investing fees appear as each company states them. A yearly advisory fee is a percent of your balance, not a monthly price, so it never gets a bar or a price tag.
Features
Chime also lists AI features and savings goals.
Sources for these features
Yes means the official site lists it. No means the official site says the app doesn't have it.
- Chime: help.chime.com/what-are-chime-savings-goals-4aef8222, checked Oct 29, 2026.AI features: 'Jade Financial Partner is an AI-powered experience currently available to some members and can make mistakes.' Rolling out, not available to everyone. help.chime.com/manage-money-56350c4d/jade-financial-partner-09a6e8e3/what-is-jade-financial-partner-d9c77341, checked Oct 29, 2026.
Acorns and Chime, side by side
| Detail | Acorns | Chime |
|---|---|---|
| APY or rateDiffers | AcornsAcorns lists a 3.59% APY on Emergency Savings and a 2.33% APY on Mighty Oak Checking, stated as of Sep 22, 2026. The rate is variable.Acorns says there is no minimum opening deposit or minimum balance for these accounts. Sourceacorns.com/pricing, checked . | ChimeChime lists 1.00% APY for standard members, 3.00% APY for Chime Plus and 4.00% APY for Chime Prime, in rates effective Oct 6, 2026. The rate is variable.Chime says there is no minimum balance, but you need $0.01 in savings to earn interest. The higher rates depend on Chime Plus or Chime Prime status, which ties to qualifying direct deposits. Sourcehelp.chime.com/what-is-annual-percentage-yield-apy-dfafd381, checked . |
| ProtectionDiffers | AcornsBrokerage products come from Acorns Securities, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Acorns Checking balances are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor through the partner banks. Sourceacorns.com/pricing, checked . | ChimeChime is not a bank. Banking services come from The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, and pass-through deposit insurance applies only when certain conditions are met. Sourcehelp.chime.com/what-is-the-chime-savings-account-f189355c, checked . |
| PlatformsDiffers | AcornsAcorns lists Mobile app and Web app. | ChimeChime lists Web, iOS and Android. Sourcehelp.chime.com/do-i-get-account-statements-from-chime-ec347b04, checked . |
| App store ratingDiffers | AcornsAcorns has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 960,195 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . | ChimeChime has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 1,655,300 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . |
Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score. A row shows only when both apps have a current official source for it. How we source and date this data. Spotted a change? Tell us if something changed.
Weighing a third option? Add up to two more apps and compare up to four side by side.
Screen by screen
Pick a task to see what each app shows for it. App Store and Google Play images are the apps' own marketing, so they can show sample data and staged layouts. Help center images come from the app's support articles. See every app's screens.
Home
Acorns
Google Play marketing imageThe Android tab bar: Home, Investing, a round Money Hub button, Learning and Earning, with Investing selected.Google Play listing, as of
Chime
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "America's #1 Choice for Banking" showing an Available balance with Savings, Cash back, MyPay and Direct Deposit tiles.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTiles for Savings at $5,821.45, Cash back at $115.00, MyPay at $275, Direct Deposit in 3 days, FICO Score and Chime Deals.App Store listing, as of
Accounts
Acorns
Google Play marketing imageEmergency Savings at $500 with a Save $1,000 goal at 50%, Transfer in and Transfer out buttons, Current APY 3.59%, a Recent activity header and the tab bar with Home selected.Google Play listing, as of
Chime
App Store marketing imageAvailable $2,346.91 with a $200 SpotMe link below.App Store listing, as of
Goals
Acorns
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline about APY showing an Emergency Savings screen with a Save $1,000 bar and a debit card.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageEmergency Savings at $500 with a Save $1,000 goal card at 50%, partly covered by an image of an Acorns Visa debit card.App Store listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageMilestones: 1, Checking balance at $5,000 with $0 in Checking, and 2, Savings balance at $15,000 with $0 in Emergency Savings.Google Play listing, as of
Chime
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with a savings APY headline showing a Savings screen with goals like Wedding and Emergency fund.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Goals list with My savings at $5,017.45, Wedding at $1,094 and Emergency fund at $2,099.App Store listing, as of
Reports and insights
Acorns
App Store marketing imageA tilted Your Acorns Potential screen: $491,395 made of a $418,395 return and $73,000 invested, a rising bar chart to age 65 and Years to grow 40 and Average return 8% chips.App Store listing, as of
Chime
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Increase your credit score up to 70 pts" showing a credit score gauge at 720.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Chime notification saying Your score went up 70 points!App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA FICO credit score gauge reading 720 on a 300 to 850 arc, with "What goes into FICO Scores" below.App Store listing, as of
Investments
Acorns
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Save & invest for your future" showing a "Your Acorns Potential" projection chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Easy, automatic investing" showing an Invest account at $27,953 with Round-Ups and transfer buttons.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Auto-invest for retirement" showing a Later account with a 3% match badge.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Invest account: $27,953, up $2,236.24 (8.00%) all time, a line chart, Round-Ups, Transfer in and Transfer out buttons, and Round-Ups Settings Automatic and Recurring $5 / Daily rows.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Later retirement account: $90,159, up $7,212.72 (8.0%) all time, a line chart with a 3% match badge placed over it, Transfer in and Transfer out buttons, and Recurring $5 / Daily and 3% IRA Match Active rows.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageInvest $27,953 with $2,236.24 (8.00%) all time market gain and a green line chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTwo settings rows: Recurring $5 / Daily and 3% IRA Match Active.App Store listing, as of
Chime
No official screen found yet
Transfer and send
Acorns
App Store marketing imageThree round buttons: Round-Ups, Transfer in and Transfer out.App Store listing, as of
Chime
App Store marketing imageMyPay with a green ring showing $275 available now and a Manage MyPay link.App Store listing, as of
Card controls
Acorns
No official screen found yet
Chime
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Earn 5% cash back with Chime Card." showing a Your cards screen with an Add to Apple Wallet button.App Store listing, as of
Settings and security
Acorns
No official screen found yet
Chime
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Serious security and real-time alerts" showing a Security Center at 100% and a suspicious activity alert.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Suspicious Activity notification asking Did you just make a purchase of $212.32? Open the app to confirm.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageSecurity Center with a 100% ring, a High security note and steps for Set up passkey and Email verification.App Store listing, as of
Other screens
Acorns
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Your money on autopilot" showing your next deposit of $2,500 split across investing, saving and spending.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Get smart about money" showing a Learn screen with articles.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Like cash-back that can grow" showing an Earn screen with brand offers.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageYour next deposit of $2,500 with $2,500 received this month and $5,000 scheduled, split into tiles: Investing 4% $100, Saving 10% $250, Spending 85% $2,125, Kid 1% $25 and Giving coming soon.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Learn tab with Just for you, Investing and Retiring filters, a 7 min video card titled "The American Dream isn't dead" and a Trending for you row.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Earn tab: +50% Rewards Match, $128.59 earned, a featured Hello Fresh offer with $25 invested, All offers, Delivery and Grocery filters and a For you row of brand logos with rates.App Store listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageNext deposit on Feb 3, $1,000 from Chase Checking, split into Investing 5% $50, Saving 10% $100 and Spending 85% $850 with Giving coming soon, $0 received and $4,000 scheduled in Feb., and a Milestones list.Google Play listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageGreen tiles splitting a deposit: Investing 4% $100, Saving 10% $250, Spending 85% $2,125, Kid 1% $25 and Giving coming soon.App Store listing, as of
Chime
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Get up to $500 of your pay when you say" showing a MyPay screen with $275 available.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with a fee-free ATMs headline showing a map with ATM pins.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Chime notification saying Cha-ching! You just scored 5% cash back on your purchase.App Store listing, as of
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. Every answer comes from the app's own pages, and its source opens from the Source link.
Just me
Budgeting on your own? These are the basics people ask about first.
Is it free?
Acorns: Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month.
Source
acorns.com/pricing, checked .Chime: Chime says its savings account has no fees, and you need an active Chime Checking Account to open one.
Source
help.chime.com/what-is-the-chime-savings-account-f189355c, checked .Is there support from the app's makers if I need help?
Acorns: Yes. Chat (Acorns app or Help Center), email and phone.
Source
In their words: “Chat: Chat with us anytime through the Acorns app or from the Acorns Help Center (click "Need Help?" in the bottom right corner).” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/How-do-I-contact-Acorns, checked .Chime: Yes. Chat and phone.
Source
In their words: “Chat with us in the Chime app” help.chime.com/do-i-get-account-statements-from-chime-ec347b04, checked .
Partners
Sharing money with a partner? Here's how each app handles a second person.
Can my partner use their own login details?
Acorns: No. Your partner signs in to your same account.
Source
In their words: “Today, we do not offer the option to set up a joint Acorns account.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/Can-I-set-up-a-joint-account, checked .Chime: Yes. Your partner gets their own login.
Source
In their words: “To open and keep a joint account, each co-owner must have their own active Chime Checking Account.” help.chime.com/explore-products-ad7f967f/joint-accounts-c2e367e7/what-are-chime-joint-accounts-1e450645, checked .Can we keep shared and individual views?
Acorns: No. You both see the same shared view.
Source
In their words: “Today, we do not offer the option to set up a joint Acorns account.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/Can-I-set-up-a-joint-account, checked .Chime: Yes. You can keep shared and individual views.
Source
In their words: “To open and keep a joint account, each co-owner must have their own active Chime Checking Account.” help.chime.com/explore-products-ad7f967f/joint-accounts-c2e367e7/what-are-chime-joint-accounts-1e450645, checked .
Family
Bringing in more of the household? Here's what each app says about families and kids. See apps with custodial accounts for kids.
Does it have accounts or features for kids or teens?
Acorns: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “Smart money app & up to 4 debit cards” acorns.com/early, checked .Chime: No.
Source
In their words: “You must be at least 18 years old.” help.chime.com/how-do-i-open-a-chime-account-bafa327e, checked .
Freelancer
Paid on an uneven schedule or running a side hustle? Here's what each app offers. See apps with a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k).
Can I mix business and personal expenses in this app?
Acorns: No.
Source
In their words: “We are not permitted to link business accounts to Acorns accounts.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/Can-I-link-my-business-account, checked .Chime: No.
Source
In their words: “We don't currently support business accounts.” help.chime.com/account-security-00b00e5a/account-info-9fa82bb4/does-chime-offer-joint-accounts-or-business-accounts-1595d11d, checked .
Business
Running a small business? Here's what each app says about business money.
Can I mix business and personal expenses in this app?
Acorns: No.
Source
In their words: “We are not permitted to link business accounts to Acorns accounts.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/Can-I-link-my-business-account, checked .Chime: No.
Source
In their words: “We don't currently support business accounts.” help.chime.com/account-security-00b00e5a/account-info-9fa82bb4/does-chime-offer-joint-accounts-or-business-accounts-1595d11d, checked .
A question shows only when every app here has a current official source that answers it. We only say no when the app's own page does.
Which fits your Money Type?
There are four Money Types: Strategist, Spender, Saver and Scrambler. Each card matches one type to what the sources say about these two apps.
StrategistNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Save the Raise.
SpenderChime lists goals. A goal gives a Spender a reason to pause before buying, which is the Sleep on It fix.
First fix: Sleep on It.
SaverBoth Acorns and Chime list an APY on deposits. That fits a Saver, whose first fix is putting saved money to work.
First fix: Put It to Work.
ScramblerNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Bills First.
Not sure which one you are? Take the free Money Types quiz. It takes about two minutes.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Another option: Fifecta
If neither Acorns nor Chime feels right, here is one more option to look at. Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, and it starts from your Money Type, so the plan matches how you already handle money.
What real users say
These are other people's opinions, not Priceless Tay's. We quote public reviews and posts word for word, link each one and show its date, but we haven't checked the claims in them. A post counts toward a theme when it uses one of that theme's keywords, so a mention can be praise or a complaint.
What Acorns users say
Based on 500 App Store reviews, 3 Reddit posts and 1 YouTube video dated Nov 2025 to Oct 2026, read Oct 2026. We collected the Reddit and YouTube data with Apify, a scraping service, on Oct 24, 2026.
- Of the 504 reviews, posts and videos we read, 78 mention the price, fees or the subscription.
- Of the 504 reviews, posts and videos we read, 75 mention how easy or hard the app is to use.
- Of the 504 reviews, posts and videos we read, 52 mention deposits, transfers or getting paid.
Positive
“Great investing app for beginners. Acorns makes saving and investing simple with automatic deposits and round-ups.”
Positive
“Acorns. I love that app. I have it set to like $20 a week and then 3x round up...”
Critical
“This place just kept charging me a monthly fee even though the account had been closed.”
Where these come from
- Acorns reviews on the App Store, read Oct 24, 2026. The public feed returns the 500 most recent US reviews. We kept every one dated inside the window.
- Hacker News search for Acorns, read Oct 24, 2026. Public search of comments and posts. 5 named the app; we kept 0 where the writer shares their own use of it.
- Reddit search for Acorns, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (harshmaur/reddit-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a keyword search for "Acorns app", posts and comments from after Oct 24 2025. It returned 84, most of them about something else. We kept 3 where the writer shares their own use of the app or a clear opinion of it. We left out moderators, bots, company accounts, referral posts and people promoting their own apps.
- YouTube search for Acorns, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (streamers/youtube-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a search for "Acorns app review" from the past year, up to 8 videos. It returned 7. We kept 1 and left out the app's own channel, sponsored videos, videos with affiliate or referral links and videos about a different product. We count themes from each video's title, description and captions, but we don't quote videos, because the captions we have carry no timestamps.
- u/Yikes_big_oof in r/budget on Reddit, Oct 23, 2026.
- u/LewisRyan in r/acorns on Reddit, Oct 21, 2026.
- u/DAT4korrupt in r/povertyfinance on Reddit, Oct 12, 2026.
- "I'm Leaving Acorns Investing..." by Keep Going on YouTube, Nov 12, 2025.
What Chime users say
Based on 500 App Store reviews, 7 Reddit posts, 1 YouTube video and 2 Hacker News posts dated May 2026 to Oct 2026, read Oct 2026. We collected the Reddit and YouTube data with Apify, a scraping service, on Oct 24, 2026.
- Of the 510 reviews, posts and videos we read, 83 mention deposits, transfers or getting paid.
- Of the 510 reviews, posts and videos we read, 45 mention how easy or hard the app is to use.
- Of the 510 reviews, posts and videos we read, 40 mention customer service or support.
Positive
“It’s the best banking app out there in my opinion. You can get paid two days earlier than your paycheck...”
Critical
“Worst customer service and dispute resolution it takes over 3 months so they can tell you your dispute was denied...”
Mixed
“I've had chime for 3 years and for the most part it's been a great experience.”
Where these come from
- Chime reviews on the App Store, read Oct 24, 2026. The public feed returns the 500 most recent US reviews. We kept every one dated inside the window.
- Hacker News search for Chime, read Oct 24, 2026. Public search of comments and posts. 13 named the app; we kept 2 where the writer shares their own use of it.
- Reddit search for Chime, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (harshmaur/reddit-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a keyword search for "Chime bank", posts and comments from after Oct 24 2025. It returned 61, most of them about something else. We kept 7 where the writer shares their own use of the app or a clear opinion of it. We left out moderators, bots, company accounts, referral posts and people promoting their own apps.
- YouTube search for Chime, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (streamers/youtube-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a search for "Chime bank review" from the past year, up to 8 videos. It returned 8. We kept 1 and left out the app's own channel, sponsored videos, videos with affiliate or referral links and videos about a different product. We count themes from each video's title, description and captions, but we don't quote videos, because the captions we have carry no timestamps.
- u/Beautiful_Boat3144 in r/CashApp on Reddit, Oct 24, 2026.
- u/Dankdefender420 in r/chimefinancial on Reddit, Oct 24, 2026.
- u/Sure-Resist-1415 in r/chimefinancial on Reddit, Oct 23, 2026.
- u/LittleLotteRae in r/chimefinancial on Reddit, Oct 23, 2026.
- u/Extreme_Set485 in r/chimefinancial on Reddit, Oct 23, 2026.
- u/Revolutionary_Ad1168 in r/Mercari on Reddit, Oct 23, 2026.
- u/dnyte270 in r/chimefinancial on Reddit, Oct 22, 2026.
- devchix on Hacker News, Oct 22, 2026.
- jimz on Hacker News, Jun 25, 2026.
- "Why I Will NEVER Use Chime Bank Again (Shocking Truth)" by Credit Card Blueprint on YouTube, May 17, 2026.
FAQ
How much does Acorns charge?
Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month. We checked this on Oct 29, 2026.
How much does Chime cost?
Chime says its savings account has no fees, and you need an active Chime Checking Account to open one. We checked this on Oct 29, 2026.
What APY does Acorns list?
Acorns lists a 3.59% APY on Emergency Savings and a 2.33% APY on Mighty Oak Checking, stated as of Sep 22, 2026. Acorns says the rate is variable. Acorns says there is no minimum opening deposit or minimum balance for these accounts. We checked this on Oct 29, 2026.
What APY does Chime list?
Chime lists 1.00% APY for standard members, 3.00% APY for Chime Plus and 4.00% APY for Chime Prime, in rates effective Oct 6, 2026. Chime says the rate is variable. Chime says there is no minimum balance, but you need $0.01 in savings to earn interest. The higher rates depend on Chime Plus or Chime Prime status, which ties to qualifying direct deposits. We checked this on Nov 12, 2026.
More comparisons
Similar comparisons
Keep comparing
- Read our Acorns review.
- Read our Chime review.
- See Acorns alternatives, closest category first.
- See Chime alternatives, closest category first.
- Browse our guide to the low-cost brokerage accounts.
- Want the bigger picture? Compare more money apps.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Want a plan built on your Money Type?
Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, so you know where each dollar goes.
Sources and confidence
- Last checked
- Sourced facts
- 17 facts, each linked and dated
Acorns10 sourced facts, last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Management or subscription feeacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Account minimumsqy7rm.media.zestyio.com/Acorns-Wrap-Fee-Program-Brochure--August-2026-.pdf, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsacorns.com, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Account typesacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Fractional sharessqy7rm.media.zestyio.com/Acorns-Securities-Acorns-Advisers-Form-CRS--August-2026-.pdf, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Automatic investingacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)acorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Protectionacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Platformssqy7rm.media.zestyio.com/Acorns-Securities-Acorns-Advisers-Form-CRS--August-2026-.pdf, as of Oct 29, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Oct 29, 2026
Chime7 sourced facts, last checked Nov 12, 2026
- Price and feeshelp.chime.com/what-is-the-chime-savings-account-f189355c, as of Oct 29, 2026
- APY or ratehelp.chime.com/what-is-annual-percentage-yield-apy-dfafd381, as of Nov 12, 2026
- Minimumshelp.chime.com/what-is-the-chime-savings-account-f189355c, as of Nov 12, 2026
- Protectionhelp.chime.com/what-is-the-chime-savings-account-f189355c, as of Nov 12, 2026
- Platformshelp.chime.com/do-i-get-account-statements-from-chime-ec347b04, as of Nov 12, 2026
- Featureshelp.chime.com/what-are-chime-savings-goals-4aef8222, as of Oct 29, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 12, 2026
- Reference: sipc.org/for-investors/what-sipc-protects, checked Oct 24, 2026.
Each fact links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Once a fact is older than 30 days, it comes off the page until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
