Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Chime VS Varo

Compare Chime VS Varo and see what are their differences

Chime logo Chime

Group video conversations with your friends & community

Varo logo Varo

Varo is an all-in-one mobile banking solution that helps you to manage your financial needs.
  • Chime Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-17
  • Varo Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-14

Chime features and specs

  • No Monthly Fees
    Chime does not charge monthly maintenance fees, which can help users save money compared to traditional banks that may have various fees.
  • Early Direct Deposit
    Chime allows users to access their direct deposit funds up to two days earlier than traditional banks, which can be beneficial for users who need quick access to their money.
  • Automated Savings
    Chime offers features like Round-Up and Save, which automatically rounds up purchases to the nearest dollar and deposits the difference into a savings account, making it easier to save money.
  • Fee-Free Overdraft
    With SpotMe, Chime offers fee-free overdrafts up to a certain limit for eligible members, avoiding the high fees typically associated with overdrafts.
  • Broad ATM Network
    Chime provides access to a large network of fee-free ATMs, making it convenient for users to withdraw cash without incurring additional charges.
  • Real-Time Notifications
    Chime offers real-time transaction notifications, which can help users keep track of their spending and identify any unauthorized transactions quickly.
  • User-Friendly Mobile App
    The Chime mobile app is intuitive and easy to navigate, offering a seamless banking experience across various devices.

Possible disadvantages of Chime

  • No Physical Branches
    Chime operates entirely online and does not have physical branches, which may be a drawback for users who prefer face-to-face banking interactions.
  • Limited Product Offerings
    Chime focuses on core banking services like checking and savings accounts but lacks a broader range of financial products such as loans, mortgages, and investment services.
  • Mobile-Dependent
    A strong reliance on the mobile app for banking needs means that users who face technical issues or do not use smartphones may find Chime less accessible.
  • Cash Deposit Limitations
    Depositing cash into a Chime account can be cumbersome, as it often involves using third-party services that may charge fees and impose deposit limits.
  • Customer Service Limitations
    Since Chime is an online-only bank, customer service is primarily available through phone and email, which may not be as immediate or satisfying as in-person support.
  • Delayed Bank Transfers
    Bank transfers to external accounts can take longer compared to some traditional banks, which may be inconvenient for users needing quick transfers.

Varo features and specs

  • No Fees
    Varo does not charge monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance fees. This can save customers a significant amount of money compared to traditional banks.
  • Early Direct Deposit
    Customers can receive their direct deposit payments up to two days earlier than they would with a traditional bank.
  • High-Yield Savings Account
    Varo offers a high-yield savings account with competitive interest rates, which can help customers grow their savings more quickly.
  • User-Friendly Mobile App
    The Varo mobile app is intuitive and easy to navigate, providing users with a seamless banking experience.
  • Cashback Rewards
    Varo offers cashback rewards on certain purchases made with the Varo Visa® Debit Card, allowing customers to earn money on their everyday spending.
  • No Minimum Balance Requirement
    There is no minimum balance requirement to maintain an account with Varo, making it accessible for customers with varying financial situations.

Possible disadvantages of Varo

  • Limited Physical Locations
    Varo operates entirely online, meaning there are no physical branches for customers to visit, which might be inconvenient for those who prefer in-person banking services.
  • Limited Cash Deposits
    Depositing cash into a Varo account can be cumbersome, as it requires using third-party services like Green Dot, which may charge fees and have lower daily deposit limits.
  • ATM Fees
    While Varo offers access to a network of fee-free ATMs, using out-of-network ATMs may incur additional fees.
  • Loan Services
    Varo offers limited loan services compared to traditional banks, which might be a drawback for customers seeking comprehensive banking solutions.
  • No Joint Accounts
    Varo currently does not offer joint accounts, which could be a limitation for couples or families looking to manage finances together.

Analysis of Chime

Overall verdict

  • Chime is a good option for those seeking a digital-first banking experience with low fees and tools designed to help save money. However, it might not be suitable for individuals who require extensive in-person banking services or prefer traditional banks.

Why this product is good

  • Chime is often praised for its lack of monthly fees, user-friendly mobile app, and early direct deposit feature, which can be advantageous for those who prefer digital banking solutions. It also offers an automatic savings tool and round-up feature for saving spare change. However, some users may experience limitations, such as restricted cash deposit methods and limited customer support options.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking for an online-only bank
  • Those who want to avoid traditional bank fees
  • Users interested in automatic savings features
  • Early access to direct deposits

Analysis of Varo

Overall verdict

  • Varo is a strong option for individuals seeking a digital-first banking experience without traditional fees. However, it's important to consider any limitations it may have in terms of in-person services and to ensure that its features align with your specific banking needs.

Why this product is good

  • Varo offers a range of banking services with no monthly fees, access to a large ATM network, high-yield savings accounts, and various budgeting tools. It is focused on offering convenient and modern banking solutions primarily through a mobile app, making it appealing to tech-savvy users who prefer digital banking.

Recommended for

  • Tech-savvy individuals
  • Those comfortable with mobile banking
  • People looking for fee-free banking
  • Customers interested in high-yield savings opportunities
  • Individuals who do not require frequent in-person bank services

Chime videos

Chime Bank Review: Most Popular Online Bank Account?

More videos:

  • Review - Chime 9 Month Review | Brittany Daniel
  • Review - What you MUST know about Chime Banking

Varo videos

Varo Bank Review

More videos:

  • Review - Varo Bank Review: Best Online Bank Account of 2020?
  • Review - Chime Bank vs. Varo Bank | Which Account is Best?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Chime and Varo)
Finance
58 58%
42% 42
Project Management
65 65%
35% 35
Food Delivery
0 0%
100% 100
Personal Finance
61 61%
39% 39

User comments

Share your experience with using Chime and Varo. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Chime and Varo

Chime Reviews

Pros and Cons of Chime, Airwallex and Metaprise
Founded in San Francisco, Chime is one of the first online only banking systems that actually is basically a banking app. Chime account-holders are provided with Visa debit cards so that they can start fee-free checking and savings accounts.
Source: medium.com

Varo Reviews

Top 20 Best Plaid Alternatives in 2022
Varo is an all-in-one mobile banking app that assists you in managing your finances. The goal of this platform is to restore that relationship to banking, with the primary goal of improving customers’ financial lives. Every customer has the resources they require to improve their financial situation, as well as technology that enables more personalized assistance for a...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Varo seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Chime mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Chime yet. Tracking of Chime recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Varo mentions (2)

  • How can I buy the dip now. Screw you big bank
    Https://varomoney.com or use Paypal with Coinbase. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Anybody else having problems with Plaid verification with Varo Bank?
    I have had the exact same problem. Plaid tries to use my credentials for varomoney.com instead of varobank.com. I can no longer even get a small loan if needed because of this. As far as I can see Varo has ventured out on their own and are failing miserably. It has been months and months of this nonsense. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Chime and Varo, you can also consider the following products

Bank Of America - Welcome to Bank of America, home for all of your financial needs. Our purpose is to help make financial lives better through the power of every connection.

Wells Fargo Mobile - Wells Fargo Mobile makes banking more convenient by enabling you to complete various tasks right from your mobile phone.

MoneyLion - Moneylion is an advanced kind of fintech lender that changing the way people borrow and spend money.

Huntington Mobile - Huntington Mobile provides multiple solutions for your everyday banking.

Brigit - Brigit is a fast, smart, and easy financial app that monitors your account in the background and sends you cash every time your balance run lows.

OvationCXM - Own the journey. Guide the experience. Unleash the benefits.