Disclaimer: Chime is not sponsored, endorsed, partnered, or otherwise affiliated with Zelle. All references to the Zelle company and brand are purely informational, and no endorsements are implied.
Whether you're splitting the dinner bill with friends, paying your roommate your half of the rent, or sending a birthday gift, peer‑to‑peer (P2P) money transfer services make sending money simple.
Instead of mailing a check or withdrawing cash from an ATM, you can open an app, tap a few buttons, and move money digitally from your account to theirs – and they can do the same for you.
Zelle® is one of the most popular ways to transfer money between banks, but it doesn't work with every financial institution or account type. So, does Chime work with Zelle?
Below, we'll walk through what's changed with Zelle, why you can't use it with Chime, and the best ways to send and receive money using your Chime account instead.
Does Chime work with Zelle?
Short answer: no. Chime does not support Zelle transfers.
Chime is a financial technology company that offers banking services through its partner banks, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A., which are not part of Zelle's network of participating banks and credit unions. Because of that:
Zelle is not integrated in the Chime app.
You can't enroll your Chime account or Chime Visa® Debit Card to send or receive money with Zelle.
Previously, some non‑partner institutions could use Zelle's standalone mobile app by linking an eligible debit card. In April 2025, Zelle discontinued its standalone app and now requires you to enroll through a bank or credit union that directly supports Zelle. Since Chime and its bank partners aren't in Zelle's program, there's no supported way to use Zelle with Chime today.
Can I use Zelle with Chime in any way?
No. You can't use Zelle with your Chime account, either inside the Chime app or through a separate Zelle app or portal.
Key points:
Zelle no longer offers a standalone consumer app that lets you enroll with just a debit card.
To use Zelle, you must enroll through a financial institution that's part of Zelle's partner network.
Because Chime's partner banks are not in that network, Zelle will not support transfers with your Chime account or Chime debit card.
If someone tries to add a Chime debit card to their Zelle account, the enrollment will not complete.
How to send and receive money with Chime (without Zelle)
Even though you can't use Zelle with Chime, sending and receiving money through Chime is still easy. You have two main options:
Use Chime's Pay Anyone feature (recommended).
Use supported third‑party P2P payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal.
Option 1: Use Chime's Pay Anyone feature
Chime offers a built‑in P2P feature called Pay Anyone with every Chime Checking Account.
With Pay Anyone, you can:
Send money to anyone in the U.S. – even if they don't have a Chime account – using just their email address or phone number.1
Send and receive money fee‑free from Chime's side.1
Have transfers to other Chime members post instantly.
If you're sending money to someone who isn't a Chime member:
They'll receive a text or email with a secure link.
They'll have 14 days to enter a valid U.S. debit card and claim the money.
How to send money in the Chime app
Tap "Pay Anyone"
On the home screen, tap the Pay button.
Find the person you want to pay:
Search by $ChimeSign for Chime members.
Enter a phone number or email address for non‑Chime members.
Enter payment details
Type in the amount.
Add an optional note, including GIFs or emojis, so the other person knows what it's for.
Tap "Pay" to send
Chime‑to‑Chime payments arrive instantly.*
For non‑Chime recipients, they'll have 14 days to claim the money by entering their debit card details.
How to receive money in the Chime app
If another Chime member sends you money via Pay Anyone, it's deposited into your Chime Checking Account automatically and instantly* – no extra steps from you.
If you receive a Pay Anyone transfer but don't have a Chime account yet, your email or text notification will include a secure link to enter your debit card number and receive the money, plus an option to sign up for Chime.
Option 2: Use third‑party P2P apps that support Chime
Chime is compatible with many popular third‑party P2P apps, including Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal. These apps typically let you link your Chime account using:
Your Chime Visa® Debit Card information, or
Your routing and account numbers.
A few important notes:
When you connect Chime to a third‑party app, you'll initiate transfers from that app's interface, not from within Chime.
Each app has its own limits, timing, and potential fees – especially for instant transfers – so review their terms before sending money.
Zelle is the exception: Chime explicitly does not support Zelle transfers, even though it supports many other third‑party apps.
If you run into issues linking Chime in a third‑party app (other than Zelle), check that you're entering your information correctly and reach out to that app's support team for help.
Sending and receiving money through Chime is easy, even without Zelle
You can't use Zelle with your Chime account, and there isn't a workaround through the Zelle app or using your Chime debit card. But you still have fast, convenient ways to move money:
Use Pay Anyone in the Chime app to send money fee‑free to Chime members and non‑members alike, with instant transfers between Chime accounts.
Connect your Chime account to other supported apps – like Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal – when friends or family prefer a different P2P platform.
For most everyday situations, Pay Anyone provides a simple, seamless way to send and receive money directly in the Chime app.