Chime built its name on fee-friendly checking and early direct deposit. In 2026 it added a new tile to the app: Chime Invest, a way to buy U.S. stocks and ETFs with no trade commissions, no account minimums, and a starting buy-in as low as $1. It sits right alongside the checking, savings, and Credit Builder features members already use, so money can move from your Checking Account into the market in a few taps.
This guide breaks down exactly what Chime Invest is, what it costs, who qualifies for the $0 advisory-fee managed portfolios, and how to open an account step by step.
What Is Chime Invest?
Chime Invest is an in-app brokerage feature with two ways to invest, and you can use one or both:
- Self-directed trading — You pick your own U.S. stocks and ETFs and trade them commission-free. Chime offers a curated menu of hundreds of individual stocks plus ETFs spanning tech, international markets, bonds, and gold. (There are no options, no mutual funds, and no direct crypto, though some bitcoin ETFs are available.)
- Managed Portfolios — You answer a few questions about your goals and risk tolerance, and get an expert-built, diversified portfolio (Conservative, Balanced, or Bold). These are built and managed by Atomic Invest LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser, with brokerage through Atomic Brokerage LLC.
Securities in your investing account are protected by SIPC up to $500,000 (including up to $250,000 for cash) if the broker fails. Note that SIPC does not protect you against normal market losses — investments can lose value.
Chime Invest Fees and Minimums at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum to start | $1 |
| Account balance minimum | None |
| Account opening / maintenance fee | $0 |
| Trade commission (self-directed stocks & ETFs) | $0 |
| Managed Portfolio advisory fee — Chime Prime members | 0% (no advisory fee) |
| Managed Portfolio advisory fee — Chime Plus members | 0.10% annualized |
| Managed Portfolio advisory fee — all other members | 0.25% annualized |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to $500,000 (incl. $250,000 cash) |
The advisory fee applies only to Managed Portfolios. Self-directed trading is commission-free for everyone, regardless of membership tier. Advisory fees are calculated daily based on your account balance and charged monthly. Other fees (such as regulatory fees baked into trades) may still apply.
Who Qualifies for the $0 Advisory Fee? Chime Prime Explained
The headline “$0 management fees” perk is tied to your Chime membership tier, which is based on how much qualifying direct deposit you receive:
- Chime Prime — Receive $3,000+ in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account in the past 34 days. Prime members pay no advisory fee on Managed Portfolios.
- Chime Plus — Receive a single $200+ qualifying direct deposit, or $400+ cumulatively, within the past 34 days. Plus members pay a 0.10% advisory fee.
- All other members — Pay 0.25% on Managed Portfolios.
To open an investing account you generally need an existing Chime Checking Account, and to be an eligible U.S. resident aged 18 or older. Membership tier doesn’t change your ability to trade stocks commission-free — it only determines the advisory fee on the professionally managed option.
How to Start Investing With Chime: Step by Step
- Open (or log in to) a Chime Checking Account. Investing funds transfer directly from checking, so this is the on-ramp.
- Tap the Investing tile in the Chime app home screen.
- Pass identity verification (KYC). You’ll confirm details like your Social Security number and address. This “Know Your Customer” check is required by law for brokerage accounts.
- Choose your path — pick your own stocks and ETFs, set up a Managed Portfolio, or do both.
- Fund and buy. Move money from your Checking Account and place your first order, starting with as little as $1.
Worked Examples
Example 1: The self-directed beginner
Maria has $50 to spare. She uses self-directed trading to buy $25 of a broad-market ETF and $25 of a company she likes. Because Chime charges no commission, all $50 goes into her positions — she isn’t handing over a per-trade fee. If those holdings rise 8% over a year, that’s growth on the full amount, not on $50 minus fees.
Example 2: The hands-off Prime member
Devin gets a $3,200 paycheck via direct deposit every two weeks, which makes him a Chime Prime member. He puts $2,000 into a Balanced Managed Portfolio. As a Prime member his advisory fee is $0. If a non-Prime member held the same $2,000 at the 0.25% rate, they’d pay roughly $5 a year in advisory fees — small, but Prime waives it entirely.
Example 3: A Plus member weighing the fee
Sam is a Chime Plus member with $5,000 in a Managed Portfolio. At 0.10% annualized, that’s about $5 per year in advisory fees, billed monthly (roughly $0.42/month). For a fully managed, rebalanced portfolio, many investors consider that a modest cost — but Sam could also skip the fee entirely by building an equivalent mix through self-directed ETFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chime Invest really commission-free?
Yes. Self-directed trades of U.S. stocks and ETFs carry no per-trade commission for any Chime member. The only tiered cost is the advisory fee on Managed Portfolios, which is $0 for Prime members, 0.10% for Plus, and 0.25% for everyone else. Small regulatory fees embedded in trades may still apply.
How much money do I need to start?
You can start with as little as $1, and there’s no minimum balance to open or keep the account. Because Chime supports fractional investing, you don’t need the full price of a share to buy into a company or ETF.
Do I have to be a Chime Prime member to invest?
No. Any eligible member with a Chime Checking Account (18+, U.S. resident) can open an investing account and trade commission-free. Prime status matters specifically for waiving the Managed Portfolio advisory fee. You reach Prime by receiving $3,000+ in qualifying direct deposits within the past 34 days.
Is my money safe with Chime Invest?
Your securities are held through Atomic Brokerage LLC and protected by SIPC up to $500,000 (including up to $250,000 for cash) if the brokerage fails. However, investing always carries risk — SIPC does not cover losses from market declines, and your investments can go down as well as up.
The Bottom Line
Chime Invest is a low-friction way to move from saving into investing without commissions, account minimums, or a separate app. If you just want to buy a few stocks or ETFs, self-directed trading is free from $1. If you’d rather someone else build and rebalance a diversified portfolio, the Managed Portfolio option is compelling — especially for Chime Prime members who pay no advisory fee at all. Match the path to how hands-on you want to be, start small, and let consistency do the heavy lifting.
WalletWisp is informational and is not financial advice. Verify current fees, features, and eligibility with Chime before investing, and consider your own goals and risk tolerance.
