Chime vs. Popular Direct
Comparing Chime and Popular Direct for high-yield savings: Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pays 3.00% APY while Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pays 3.90% APY.
Note: Chime requires a checking account.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Popular Direct pays $90 more than Chime annually ($390 vs $300).
Choose Chime if mobile app quality matters. Choose Popular Direct if getting the best rate matters most, or you want a no-strings-attached account.
Important Considerations
Chime requires a checking account to unlock its top savings rate, while Popular Direct offers its savings account standalone.
| Metric | ChimeChime High-Yield Savings Account Feb 21, 2026 | Popular DirectPopular Direct Select Savings Feb 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 0.75% - 3.00% | 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$150 $10,000+$300 $25,000+$750 | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $100 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDirect Deposit ReqChecking BundleDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.15% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Chime vs. Popular Direct
Executive Summary
Popular Direct offers a higher APY of 3.90% on its Select Savings account, making it the winner compared to Chime's High-Yield Savings Account, which has an APY of 3.00%. While Chime requires a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within 34 days and is online-only, Popular Direct does not have such requirements, allowing for more straightforward access. Additionally, Popular Direct's account only requires a minimum deposit of $100, while Chime has no minimum deposit but requires a direct deposit for the higher rate. Both accounts are online-only and have no maintenance fees.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Chime?
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.8 vs 1.3)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 1.3)
Why Popular Direct?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.00%) on all balances
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $300/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $750/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best Mobile App Experience
ChimeChime offers an iOS app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.3) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.3)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pays $90 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Chime vs. Popular Direct Savings Calculator
You earn $90 more with Popular Direct than Chime on a $10,000 initial deposit for 1 year*.
*This calculation assumes that APYs remain unchanged for 1 year, and takes into account known promo rate periods, but does not factor in bonuses. You can see how often these banks have changed their rates in the Compare Savings Rates Over Time section below.
Chime
Chime High-Yield Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$300.00(2.9%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,300.00
Popular Direct
Popular Direct Select Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$390.00(3.8%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,390.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Still banking with Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo?
On a $10,000 balance, you're missing out on at least $299 per year in interest.
Both Chime and Popular Direct dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Chime | Popular Direct |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.00% Range: 0.75% - 3.00% Verified: 2/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.50%90d Change | 3.90% Verified: 2/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change |
| Product Name | Chime High-Yield Savings Account | Popular Direct Select Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | N/A | None. You cannot make use of Popular Bank's branches. |
| Direct Deposit Req. | RequiredYou need to receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the preceding 34 days | None |
| Checking Bundle | Yes | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | Yes | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Chime Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Popular Direct Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Chime | Popular Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Chime High-Yield Savings Account | Popular Direct Select Savings | |
Current APY | 3.00% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | 3.4 | -1.9 |
Days Since Change | 22 | 68 |
12-Month High | 3.75% | 4.30% |
12-Month Low | 2.00% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.25 | 0.58 |
Volatility Score | 0.145 | 0.021 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Chime's APY of 3.00% with other banks
Compare Popular Direct's APY of 3.90% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Popular Direct vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Popular Direct vs Barclays | 3.85% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Popular Direct vs Citibank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Popular Direct vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Popular Direct vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |
| Popular Direct vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |