Chime is best known as a fee-light checking and savings app — but on July 20, 2026 it added something new: Chime Invest, an in-app way to buy U.S. stocks and ETFs commission-free, starting with as little as $1. If you already keep your paycheck in Chime, you can now put spare cash to work without opening a separate brokerage account. Here’s exactly how it works, what it really costs, and whether it’s a smart place for your first (or next) investing dollar versus Cash App and Robinhood.
What Chime Invest Actually Is
Chime Invest lives inside the same Chime app you use for banking, under an “Investing” section. It gives eligible members two ways to invest:
- Self-Directed Investing — you pick individual U.S. stocks and ETFs and buy and sell them yourself, commission-free. Chime (through its partner) doesn’t give you advice or manage anything; every decision is yours.
- Automated (Managed) Portfolios — you answer questions about your goals and risk tolerance, and a diversified portfolio is built and rebalanced for you.
Behind the scenes, the investing service is powered by Atomic Invest LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser, with brokerage services from Atomic Brokerage LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. That matters for safety: securities in your account are protected by SIPC up to $500,000 (including up to $250,000 for cash claims) if the brokerage fails. SIPC does not protect against investments losing value — that risk is always yours.
To start self-directed investing, you’ll go through identity verification inside the app before your account is enabled.
The Fees: What You Pay (and Don’t)
For everyday stock and ETF buying and selling, the headline is simple: $0 commissions, no account minimums, and you can start with $1. The only tiered pricing appears on managed portfolios, and it’s tied to your Chime membership level.
| Feature | Cost |
|---|---|
| Self-directed stock/ETF trades | $0 commission |
| Minimum to start | $1 |
| Account minimum / balance minimum | None |
| Managed portfolio — Chime Prime | 0% annual management fee |
| Managed portfolio — Chime Plus | 0.10% annual management fee |
| Managed portfolio — standard Chime | 0.25% annual management fee |
Your membership tier is set automatically by your direct deposit activity: Chime (basic, no deposit needed), Chime Plus (unlocked with $400+ in monthly direct deposits, or a single deposit of $200+), and Chime Prime (with $3,000+ in monthly direct deposits). All three tiers are free — no monthly, overdraft, or minimum-balance fees.
A worked example on managed-portfolio fees
Say you put $2,000 into a managed portfolio and leave it for a year:
- Chime Prime: $0 in management fees.
- Chime Plus (0.10%): about $2 for the year.
- Standard Chime (0.25%): about $5 for the year.
Even at the top rate, that’s cheaper than many robo-advisors (which commonly charge 0.25% and up). Note that ETFs inside any managed portfolio also carry their own fund expense ratios, charged by the fund company — that’s true on every platform, not just Chime.
How to Start Investing on Chime (Step by Step)
- Open the Chime app and tap the Investing section.
- Complete identity verification if prompted.
- Choose Self-Directed (pick your own) or an Automated portfolio.
- Move money from your Chime Checking or Savings into the investing account.
- For self-directed: search a stock or ETF, enter a dollar amount (as low as $1), and place the order.
Worked example: You want exposure to a broad market ETF trading at $520 per share but only have $25 to invest. Because you can buy by dollar amount, your $25 buys roughly 0.048 of a share — you don’t need to afford a whole share to get started.
What Chime Invest Does NOT Offer (Yet)
Chime Invest currently supports U.S. stocks and ETFs only. As of launch it does not offer:
- Options trading
- Cryptocurrency
- Mutual funds
- Retirement accounts (Traditional or Roth IRAs)
If tax-advantaged retirement investing or options/crypto are on your list, you’ll need another platform for those pieces.
Chime Invest vs. Cash App vs. Robinhood
All three let beginners buy stocks and ETFs commission-free with fractional shares and a $1 starting point. The differences show up in range and extras.
| Chime Invest | Cash App Investing | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock/ETF commissions | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Start with $1 / fractional shares | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Managed portfolios | Yes (0%–0.25%/yr by tier) | No | Yes (via Robinhood, separate fees) |
| Options / crypto | No | Bitcoin only (1.5%–3% spread) | Yes (both) |
| Retirement (IRA) accounts | No | No | Yes |
| Optional paid tier | None for trading | None | Gold ~$5/mo |
Who should lean Chime: If your money already lives in Chime, keeping banking, savings (up to 3.75% APY on the Prime tier) and investing in one app is genuinely convenient — and the managed-portfolio pricing is competitive, especially free for Prime members.
Who should lean Cash App: If you also dabble in Bitcoin and want the simplest possible experience inside an app you already use for payments.
Who should lean Robinhood: If you want the widest menu — options, crypto, and especially IRAs for retirement — Robinhood is the most full-featured of the three.
Is Chime Invest Worth It?
For beginners and for existing Chime members, yes — it’s a legitimately low-cost, low-friction on-ramp. Commission-free trades, no account minimums, a $1 entry point, SIPC-protected custody, and managed portfolios that are free-to-cheap depending on your tier make it easy to start. The main trade-off is a narrower product set: no IRAs, options, crypto, or mutual funds. If you want those, you’ll pair Chime with another broker or choose Robinhood instead. But as a first place to buy a share of an index ETF with your leftover paycheck money, Chime Invest is a solid, honest option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chime Invest really commission-free?
Yes — self-directed stock and ETF trades carry no commission. The only ongoing fee is an annual management fee on managed portfolios (0% for Chime Prime, 0.10% for Chime Plus, 0.25% for standard members). ETFs also have their own fund expense ratios, which every provider passes through.
Is my money safe with Chime Invest?
Brokerage services are provided by Atomic Brokerage LLC, a FINRA/SIPC member, so securities are protected up to $500,000 (including up to $250,000 for cash) if the broker fails. This does not protect against market losses — investments can go down, and you can lose money.
Can I open an IRA or buy crypto through Chime Invest?
Not at launch. Chime Invest supports U.S. stocks and ETFs only — no IRAs, options, crypto, or mutual funds. For those, consider a dedicated broker such as Robinhood.
How much do I need to start?
Just $1. There are no account or balance minimums, and you can buy fractional shares by entering a dollar amount rather than needing enough to afford a full share.
The Bottom Line
Chime Invest turns a banking app into a beginner-friendly brokerage: $0 commissions, a $1 starting point, cheap-to-free managed portfolios, and SIPC-protected accounts. It won’t replace a full-service broker for retirement or advanced trading, but for putting spare cash into stocks and ETFs where your money already lives, it’s an easy win.
WalletWisp is for information and education only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. Verify current fees and terms with Chime before investing, and consider your own situation or a licensed professional before making decisions.
