Chime MyPay Cash Advance: 2025 Review

Chime offers paycheck advances to existing customers who receive direct deposits in their Chime checking account, among other requirements. Chime has no mandatory fees.

Compare Chime to other cash advance apps, and consider alternative ways to get quick cash.

» COMPARE: The best cash advance apps in 2025

Chime cash advance amounts, fees and terms

How does Chime work?

Chime works by giving you an advance on your paycheck, ranging from $20 to $500. This feature is known as Chime MyPay.

To determine your MyPay eligibility, Chime looks at your Chime checking account history, including any recurring direct deposits from your employer. You’ll also need to have an activated physical Chime card. Chime doesn’t conduct a credit check.

Once approved, you’ll receive the advance amount in your Chime checking account within 24 hours. If you choose to pay the fast-funding fee — a flat $2 — you’ll receive the money instantly.

Chime will then auto withdraw the advance amount, plus any fees, on the date of your next direct deposit. Chime doesn’t offer the option to extend your payment due date, and if it makes four unsuccessful repayment attempts in a row, you’ll no longer have access to MyPay.

Unlike other cash advance apps, Chime doesn’t request a tip.

How to get a Chime MyPay advance

According to Chime, if you’re eligible for MyPay, you should receive an email and mobile app notification inviting you to enroll.

Chime determines your eligibility by reviewing your checking account history. To get a MyPay advance, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years or older.

• Live in an eligible state. 

• Have a Chime Checking account in good standing. 

• Have an open and activated physical Chime card, such a Chime debit card, Chime credit builder credit card or Chime rewards card.

You’ll also need to show one of the following:

• Two direct deposits of $200 or more (per deposit) in the last 36 days.

• One direct deposit of $200 or more in the last 36 days and supply your work email or work address during MyPay enrollment.

• One qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more in the last 36 days from a known government benefits payer.

Should you take out a Chime MyPay advance?

Here are some of the pros and cons of using Chime to get an advance on your paycheck.

Where Chime stands out

Minimal fees: Chime MyPay has zero mandatory fees, which means you won’t pay anything extra for early access to your paycheck. The only fee is an optional fast-funding fee, and it’s a flat $2 regardless of the advance amount. This is rare among cash advance apps.

Quick access to funds: Chime can deliver the funds in your Chime checking account within 24 hours for free. Most apps take up to three days and will charge an additional fee if you need the money sooner.

No tipping: Unlike other apps, Chime doesn’t ask for tips. While tipping other apps is optional, many users still choose to do so, which increases the cost of the advance. Chime eliminates this temptation to pay extra for access to your paycheck.

Special perks: By receiving direct deposits to your Chime checking account, you’ll automatically be eligible for Chime+, a free premium membership that includes perks like Chime’s SpotMe, which lets you overdraft your Chime checking account up to $200 without incurring fees.

Where Chime falls short

Must have a Chime bank account: You’ll need to be an existing Chime customer with a Chime checking account to enroll in MyPay. Other cash advance apps let you connect an external bank account to receive a paycheck advance.

Limited repayment flexibility: Chime doesn’t allow customers to extend their payment due date. This feature can help you better manage your budget. For example, if you’re short on cash to cover other expenses, you can push your advance repayment date back until you have more funds available in your bank account.

How we rate Chime

Product affordability: 4.5/5 stars

An affordable cash advance app charges no or minimal fees, doesn’t ask for tips and provides overdraft protection.

Product flexibility: 3.5/5 stars

A flexible cash advance app has a large enough maximum borrowing amount to meet users’ needs, can provide funds quickly without charging a fee and offers repayment flexibility.

Customer experience: 5/5 stars

A customer-first cash advance app will have multiple ways to contact customer service representatives, maintain a thorough FAQ on its website and clearly disclose all fees.

Customer protections: 3/5 stars

A consumer-friendly cash advance app will evaluate a user’s bank account history, require recurring direct deposits and implement safeguards to help prevent overborrowing.

Discretionary additions or deductions: None

A cash advance app may earn a higher star rating by offering unique features that benefit customers. Similarly, an app may lose points by offering features that disadvantage customers.

Chime reviews

Consumer ratings and complaints

At the time of writing this review, Chime is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). BBB accreditation is an important feature to consider, since it helps establish legitimacy and provides an additional avenue for customers to file a dispute.

On Trustpilot, Chime is rated 3.4 out of five stars. While some users praise the ability to get an advance in only 24 hours, many cite a frustrating lack of customer support.

In the Apple app store, Chime is rated 4.8 out of five stars, with 1 million ratings. In the Google Play store, Chime is rated 4.7 out of five stars, with over 800,000 reviews.

On Reddit, Chime users discuss issues like how to increase their Chime MyPay limit and how to break the cycle of taking consecutive Chime advances on their paychecks.

Regulatory action

In May 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fined Chime over $4 million for delaying refunds to customers who closed their Chime accounts.

Frequently asked questions about Chime MyPay

Is MyPay available on Chime?

MyPay is available on Chime, as long as you live in an eligible state: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia.

How do you get $500 from Chime?

You can get $500 from Chime by using its MyPay product, which gives you an advance on your paycheck. But you’ll need to meet the eligibility requirements, and your initial advance limit may be as low as $100. This limit is recalculated every time you receive a direct deposit in your Chime checking account.

What is the downside of using Chime?

The downside of using Chime is that it’s only a temporary solution. If you’re regularly short on cash, you’ll likely be in the same spot as before, but you may now owe additional fees on your paycheck advance.

Compare Chime to other cash advance apps

Chime’s cash advance amounts are similar to other apps, though some offer amounts as high as $750. Chime has less fees compared to other cash advance apps.