On July 20, 2026, Chime rolled out Chime Invest, a new feature built right into the app millions of people already use to get paid, spend, and save. For a company that made its name on fee-free checking and high-yield savings, this is a big step: it turns Chime from a banking app into a place where you can also build long-term wealth. Below is a plain-English guide to how it works, what it costs, and whether your money is protected.
What Is Chime Invest?
Chime Invest lets you put money into the stock market without leaving the Chime app. There are two ways to do it, and you can use either one (or both):
- Self-directed investing — You pick your own U.S. stocks and ETFs and buy them commission-free, starting with as little as $1. There is no account minimum to open or keep the account.
- Managed Portfolios — You answer a few questions about your goals and risk comfort, and a diversified portfolio is built and managed for you. These portfolios are run by Atomic Invest LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Again, there is no account balance minimum.
The pitch is simple: about 40% of Americans don’t own any stock at all, often because traditional brokerages feel intimidating or demand large opening deposits. By stripping out commissions and minimums and dropping the experience inside an app people already open several times a day, Chime is aiming squarely at first-time investors.
How to Buy Stocks or ETFs From $1
Because you can invest as little as $1, you don’t need to afford a full share of an expensive stock to get started — you buy a slice that fits your budget. Here’s the typical flow:
- Open the Chime app and tap the Invest section.
- Set up your investing account (a quick identity and eligibility check applies).
- Choose self-directed to pick your own investments, or Managed Portfolios to have one built for you.
- For self-directed, search for a stock or ETF, enter a dollar amount (as low as $1), and confirm the trade — commission-free.
- Fund it from your Chime balance and track everything alongside your spending and savings.
Worked example
Say a share of an ETF trades at $250 and you only want to put in $25. Instead of waiting until you can afford a whole share, you invest your $25 and receive a fractional position worth one-tenth of a share. If that ETF later rises 10%, your $25 stake grows to about $27.50 — the same percentage gain a full-share investor would see, just scaled to what you put in.
Prime vs Plus: Managed Portfolio Fees Compared
Self-directed trades are commission-free for everyone. Where your Chime membership tier matters is the annual management fee on Managed Portfolios. Your tier is determined automatically by your qualifying direct deposits — there’s no separate subscription to buy.
| Membership tier | How you qualify | Managed Portfolio fee (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Chime Prime | $3,000+ per month in qualifying direct deposits | $0 — no management fee |
| Chime Plus | $200+ qualifying direct deposit | 0.10% |
| Standard Chime | No qualifying direct deposit threshold met | 0.25% |
None of these tiers carry a monthly membership fee — Prime and Plus are unlocked by your deposit activity, not by paying extra. Note the fee applies only to the managed service; if you stick to picking your own stocks and ETFs, there is no advisory fee at all.
What the fee costs in dollars
Management fees are small, but it helps to see them on a real balance. Here’s what each tier would pay per year on a $5,000 Managed Portfolio:
| Balance | Prime (0%) | Plus (0.10%) | Standard (0.25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $0 | $1.00 | $2.50 |
| $5,000 | $0 | $5.00 | $12.50 |
| $10,000 | $0 | $10.00 | $25.00 |
For context, many robo-advisors charge around 0.25% industry-wide, so Plus at 0.10% is notably cheap and Prime’s $0 fee is about as low as managed investing gets. Keep in mind that ETFs inside any portfolio still carry their own underlying fund expense ratios, which are charged by the fund providers, not by Chime.
Is Chime Invest SIPC-Safe?
Yes — with an important distinction that every investor should understand. Brokerage services for Chime Invest are provided by Atomic Brokerage LLC, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Securities held in your Chime Invest account are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) for up to $500,000, subject to applicable limits and conditions.
Here’s the catch that trips up new investors: SIPC is not the same as FDIC insurance, and it does not protect you from losing money in the market. SIPC steps in only if the brokerage firm fails and customer assets go missing — it helps recover your securities and cash in that specific scenario. If a stock or ETF you own simply drops in value, that’s normal market risk, and no insurance covers it. In short: your account is protected against the firm collapsing, not against a bad trading week.
It’s also worth separating your two kinds of money at Chime. The cash in your Chime checking and savings accounts is held at partner banks and covered by FDIC insurance; the investments in Chime Invest are covered by SIPC. Different products, different safety nets.
Who Chime Invest Is Best For
Chime Invest is aimed at people who want to start small and keep things simple. If you’re already receiving your paycheck through Chime and want to begin investing $5 or $20 at a time without opening a separate brokerage app, it’s a natural fit. Prime members who qualify through larger direct deposits get the strongest deal, since their Managed Portfolio carries no management fee. More experienced investors who want options trading, retirement accounts, or advanced research tools may still prefer a dedicated brokerage — but for building a first habit, the low barrier is the whole point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chime charge commissions to buy stocks?
No. Buying and selling U.S. stocks and ETFs in the self-directed side of Chime Invest is commission-free, and you can start with as little as $1. The only fee to watch is the annual management fee on Managed Portfolios, which depends on your membership tier.
What’s the minimum to start investing with Chime?
There is no account minimum for either self-directed investing or Managed Portfolios, and self-directed trades can be as small as $1. That means you can open an account and begin without a large lump sum.
Who actually manages the Managed Portfolios?
The Managed Portfolios are expert-built, diversified portfolios managed by Atomic Invest LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser, while brokerage services are handled by Atomic Brokerage LLC (a FINRA/SIPC member). Your portfolio is matched to the goals and risk level you provide during setup.
Is my money safe if Chime or the brokerage fails?
Securities in your Chime Invest account are SIPC-protected up to $500,000 if the brokerage firm fails and assets are missing. However, SIPC does not protect against investment losses caused by the market moving against you — that risk is always yours as an investor.
The Bottom Line
Chime Invest brings commission-free stocks and ETFs from $1, plus optional managed portfolios with no account minimums, into an app millions already trust. Prime members pay nothing to have a portfolio managed, Plus members pay a low 0.10%, and everyone else pays 0.25% — while self-directed investing stays free of commissions. Your holdings carry SIPC protection up to $500,000 against firm failure, though not against ordinary market swings. If you’ve been meaning to start investing but never got past the sign-up screen, the low bar here makes it an easy place to take a first step — just invest only what you can afford to leave in the market for the long haul.
WalletWisp is an informational resource and does not provide financial, investment, or tax advice. Verify current fees and terms with Chime before investing.
