Updated October 13, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Chime vs Monese
Chime
Monese
Higher score in this comparison
Chime vs Monese: the differences
| Compare | ChimeReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | MoneseReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | £0 |
| Deposit protection | FDIC up to USD 250,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Local account details | Us ACH | IBAN, UK sort code |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 3% |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 3 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Transfer fee | Not confirmed | GBP 1.29 per outgoing domestic transfer; real-time Monese-to-Monese transfers free |
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Key differences
- Founded is lower at Chime: 2012 vs 2015.
- Local account details: only Chime offers Us ACH.
- Local account details: only Monese offers IBAN, UK sort code.
- Support channels: only Chime offers Phone, Community.
- Support channels: only Monese offers Chat, Email.
- Pricing model: only Monese offers Low FX.
- Features: only Monese offers Joint account, No credit check.
Our verdict on each
Chime
Chime differs from branch based savings because access happens through connected tools for everyday control. Chime is a savings option that suits people who prefer managing balances through digital access with clear organisation alongside everyday money needs and simple transfer visibility.
Monese
Monese suits expats, frequent travellers and freelancers who want a digital everyday account with nothing to pay each month. Costs stay low with a monthly fee of £0, while the limits on 3 currencies and a 3% conversion charge keep it simple rather than cheap for heavy currency use.
Score breakdown
| Area | Chime | Monese |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Higher | 8.7A monthly fee of £0 and a £20 charge on outgoing domestic transfers, against a 3% conversion fee. |
| Offer | 9.1 | 9.1Local details in iban and uk sort code formats, Instant transfers and a 3 currency account for expats, travelers and freelancer. |
| Trust | 8.7Higher | 8.4 |
How they place
| Ranking | Chime | Monese |
|---|---|---|
| Online banks | 234 of 402 | 167 of 402 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Chime | Monese |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Not confirmed | Expats, Travelers, Freelancer |
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee, Low FXCovers more |
| Features | Digital only | Joint account, Digital only, No credit checkCovers more |
| Legal entity | Chime Financial, Inc. | Monese Ltd |
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre, Community | Chat, Email, Help centre |
Money transfer
| Fact | Chime | Monese |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate markup | Not confirmed | 2% |
| Delivery time | Not confirmed | Instant |
| Payout methods | Not confirmed | Bank, Wallet |
| Fee to send 1,000 | Not confirmed | £20 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Chime | Monese | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 3%highest quarter | 0.5% |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 3below the median | 5 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | £0at the median | £0 |
Median across 536 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
Chime
Pros
- Provides savings that customers manage through digital channels for everyday organisation
- Supports ACH transfers that sit beside savings for everyday money movement
- Keeps balances and transfers visible together in one digital place
Monese
Pros
- Personal accounts carry a monthly fee of £0
- Outgoing domestic transfers cost £20 and transfers between Monese accounts are free
- Transfers land in Instant
Cons
- Converting money costs 3% on top of a 2% exchange rate margin
- A fee of £20 applies to outgoing domestic transfers
- Support runs on chat, email and help centre only, with no phone line listed
Who each suits
Chime
Who it suits
- People who prefer handling savings with connected tools
- Customers who value simple transfers beside savings
Monese
Who it suits
- Expats and freelancers who send money across borders and are paid in expats, travelers and freelancer setups
- Travellers who want local account details in iban and uk sort code formats
- Anyone who wants a joint account opened with no credit check, since the account is digital only
Who should look elsewhere
- Skrill if you need a much wider range of currencies than 3
- PayPal Colombia if you want a wallet for online payments rather than local account details
- Plazo ES if you would rather reach support by phone than on chat, email and help centre
Current offers
Monese
Current offer
Bonus
Free contactless debit card with a GBP 100 first deposit: Card delivery free (otherwise GBP 4.95) with a GBP 100 first deposit
First physical contactless Monese debit card; otherwise GBP 4.95 delivery fee; available on all plans
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Chime | Monese |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Croatia | No | Yes |
| Cyprus | No | Yes |
| Czechia | No | Yes |
| Denmark | No | Yes |
| Estonia | No | Yes |
8 of 31 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Chime
What does Chime offer for savers?+
Chime offers savings that customers organise through digital access. Balances stay visible alongside transfer options for everyday planning. Customers review how savings fit daily needs before choosing this careful approach.
How does moving money work with Chime?+
Chime supports ACH transfers alongside savings for straightforward organisation. Customers arrange transfers through digital routes and track balances in the same place. Customers review transfer needs and savings habits before choosing this setup.
Monese
Does Monese charge a monthly fee?+
The personal account carries a monthly fee of £0, which is the cheapest end of the accounts compared here. Plazo ES and Skrill also sit on €0 and €0, so you can compare like for like. Nothing is deducted from the balance each month for keeping the account open.
What does it cost to send money out?+
Each outgoing domestic transfer costs £20. Real time transfers from one Monese account to another are free, and the money arrives in Instant. For sending abroad, the cost comes from the 3% conversion charge rather than a transfer fee.
Other options to compare
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Related by the facts
Chime
Monese