Updated May 2026 · 2 Cash Advance Apps Compared

Chime vs MoneyLion 2026:
Which App Should You Use?

Chime offers up to $200 (SpotMe) at Free (needs direct deposit). MoneyLion offers up to $500 at Free / RoarMoney $1/mo. Here's how they compare.

Chime
Up to $200 (SpotMe)
Free (needs direct deposit)
MoneyLion
Up to $500
Free / RoarMoney $1/mo

Chime vs MoneyLion — Quick Comparison

FeatureChimeMoneyLion
Max advance$200 (SpotMe)$500
Monthly feeFree (needs direct deposit)Free / RoarMoney $1/mo
Key featureNo fees, largest US neobankInvesting + credit builder + advance
Credit checkNo hard pullNo hard pull

Frequently Asked Questions

Chime offers up to $200 (SpotMe). MoneyLion offers up to $500. MoneyLion generally offers the higher limit depending on your account history.
Chime costs Free (needs direct deposit). MoneyLion costs Free / RoarMoney $1/mo. Compare your usage to find the lower total cost.
MoneyLion includes a Credit Builder Plus loan that reports to all 3 bureaus.
Both Chime and MoneyLion connect to your bank account rather than verifying employment directly. Chime requires direct deposit for SpotMe.
Many users carry both — use MoneyLion as your primary advance app and the other for backup when MoneyLion's limit runs low. There's no penalty for having multiple cash advance apps.

Verdict: MoneyLion for advances, Chime for everyday banking

Try both — there's no penalty for having multiple apps. Use MoneyLion as your primary advance source.

Try Chime → Try MoneyLion →

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