Does Chime Have Zelle to Send Money Transfers? Not Exactly

Long story short, you cannot send money directly within the Chime app to a Zelle user via their Zelle-affiliated email or phone number. Instead, Chime has its own peer-to-peer network called "Pay Anyone" for instant transfers between Chime account holders.

However, you can link your Chime debit card to your Zelle account to send money. In this case, your Chime account would be the main balance of money connected to your Zelle email. When your friends and family send money to your Zelle-affiliated email or phone number, money would go to your Chime balance. If you are sending, you would tap into your Chime balance when you transfer money using the Zelle app.

In this guide, we will cover the extent of compatibility between Zelle and Chime, and discuss the advantages and drawbacks of the integration. We will explain what peer-to-peer alternatives like Cash App have to offer over Zelle and Chime too.

Understanding Chime and Zelle

Zelle functions as a money transfer platform, creating a line of communication between checking bank accounts to facilitate peer-to-peer transactions. Traditionally, banks take one to three business days to send basic domestic transfers to each other, which is slow by modern standards. Thanks to Zelle, users that link their bank accounts to the Zelle app can transfer money to each other rapidly. Its user-friendly interface, which simply requires your recipients email or phone number to send money, also makes it a convenient choice. It's just important to clarify that Zelle does not offer checking or savings accounts itself.

Chime, on the other hand, is a financial technology company, (not a bank). Banking services are provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Chime offer checking account and optional savings account capabilities. Through its mobile app, Chime provides early direct deposits, no monthly maintenance fees, and features like automated savings options. Additionally, Chime offers a peer-to-peer network of its own that allows instant money transfers among Chime members. In this sense, Chime is a competitor and alternative to Zelle.

Does Chime Have Zelle?

No, Chime does not have a direct integration with Zelle. Unlike many traditional banks that have integrated Zelle into their platforms, Chime has developed its own money transfer service. Chime's internal "Pay Anyone" feature allows Chime users to send money to friends and family using their phone contacts. While Chime has chosen not to integrate with Zelle, it aims to provide similar convenient money transfer capabilities through its own features.

Can You Use Zelle With Chime?

While Chime does't have a direct integration with Zelle, there's still a way to use Zelle with Chime indirectly.

Zelle functions as a technology that bridges the communication between banks and debit cards, enabling quick money transfers. Considering that Chime provides a Chime Visa® Debit Card to its customers, you can link your Chime debit card number to Zelle. When friends send money using your Zelle email, that money will go into your Chime checking account. When you use Zelle to send money to another Zelle user, you will send money from your Chime balances.

Keep in mind that only one debit card or bank account can be associated with your Zelle email address. If you choose your Chime debit card as your account to either receive or send balances, it'll replace your previous account.

How to Use Zelle with Chime

While you won't be able send money to Zelle users from within the Chime app interface, you can link your Chime account details to your Zelle account. To use Zelle with Chime, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Zelle account via Zelle app or website;
2. Navigate to "Add a Debit Card";
3. Enter info associated with your Chime debit card;
4. Initiate a money transfer within the Zelle app;
5. Confirm amount and Zelle recipient's email or number;
6. Send money from your Chime balance using Zelle.

Benefits of Using Chime and Zelle

Here are some advantages of using Chime with Zelle:

• The Zelle interface can use your Chime debit card details to facilitate money transfers to other Zelle users.
• Zelle's extensive integration with almost all US banks and credit unions broadens your network for sending money.
• Transfers between Zelle users often take just minutes to complete.

Drawbacks of Using Chime and Zelle

Here are disadvantages of using Chime with Zelle:

• Chime's "Pay Anyone" feature facilitates transfers to fellow Chime users, but direct transfers to Zelle-linked emails within the Chime app are not supported.
• Chime's ACH transfer feature is designed solely for your private bank account via routing and account numbers and doesn't extend to friends' or family's banks.
• Only one account can be linked to a Zelle email at a time. If you link your Chime card to a Zelle email, you cannot link the same email to another primary bank account.

Zelle and Chime Security Measures

Chime and Zelle are secure and regulated platforms that use data encryption and two-factor authentication for your protection.

However, it is important to understand that Zelle operates like sending cash because it directly accesses your checking account or debit card. Once a Zelle payment is authorized, it's usually irreversible because the funds usually transfer within a matter of minutes.

Zelle transfers can only be potentially reversed if the recipient hasn't signed up for a Zelle account yet. Because the recipient needs to register and confirm their email with Zelle before receiving the money, there may be a window of time for you to reverse the transfer.

If you do not personally know the person you are sending money to, or if you are not sure if you have their accurate email or phone number, then consider using a credit card instead. Credit cards might offer more safeguards since many credit card companies provide purchase protection against fraud.

Chime

Chime is one of the most popular digital checking account mobile apps in the United States for everyday transactions. It is a secure service that partners with The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A, Member FDIC to safely offer you financial services. Chime debit cards also enjoy protection from Visa's Zero Liability Policy, ensuring that cardholders will not be responsible for unauthorized fraudulent charges.⁷

Learn more about the products and services from our in-depth Chime review or visit their website to register.

Chime and Zelle Alternatives

Here are some of the largest peer-to-peer networks available in the United States to instantly transfer money to friends and family. Like both Zelle and Chime, your recipient will need to sign up for an account with the provider in order to receive your transfer:

1. Cash App

With over 50 million users in the United States, Cash App is one of the most commonly used peer-to-peer payment networks for both individuals and small businesses alike. In addition to instant money transfers, Cash App comes with a virtual card, an investing platform, discounts with participating vendors, and international money transfers to the UK.

2. Venmo

Venmo is a peer-to-peer payment service that specializes in domestic US money transfers by smartphone app. Owned by PayPal, Venmo is one of the most well-known apps in the country, serving over 70 million users. It offers purchase protection for customers and payment processing for business too.

Read our guide on Venmo vs Cash App.

3. PayPal

PayPal pioneered peer-to-peer payments by email in the 1990s. Today, it is one of the largest fintech companies in the world — offering digital accounts, domestic and international money transfers, payment processing, and buyer and seller protection.

We just caution against using PayPal to send money abroad or do shopping on foreign websites, as PayPal will charge very high, hidden exchange rate conversion fees. Read our guide on Cash App vs PayPal.

Disclaimers

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. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

¹ Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven location or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

² To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.

³ The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is accurate as of November 17, 2022. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. The average national savings account interest rate of 0.21% is determined by FDIC as of November 17, 2022 based on a simple average of rates paid (uses annual percentage yield) by all insured depository institutions and branches for which data are available. Visit National Rates and Rate Caps to learn more.

⁴ On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.

⁵ Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each month. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member's Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime's discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won't cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.

⁷You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and other details, please consult your issuer.