Chime vs N26
Business model, scale, and a side-by-side Litmus framework score — which model wins, and for whom.
N26 wins as a full licensed bank with premium subscriptions; Chime wins US scale on an interchange-only model.
At a glance
| Metric | Chime | N26 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $2.19B (FY2025, +31%); $647.4M in Q1 2026 (+25% YoY); FY2026 guidance raised to $2.66B-$2.69B | ~€501.6M (2025) |
| Profit | $127M adjusted EBITDA (FY2025); $53.5M GAAP net income in Q1 2026 (first GAAP-profitable quarter) | First full year of net profitability (2025): net income €1.6M, vs €42.0M net loss in 2024 |
| Active users | 10.2M active members (Q1 2026, +19% YoY) | ~5.6M revenue-relevant customers (end-2025, +16% YoY) |
| Employees | ~1,500 | ~1,600-1,800 (2026) |
| Founded | 2012 | 2013 |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | Berlin, Germany |
LLitmus Framework Score
Overall: Chime 83 · N26 89
Customer Segment
90
90
Value Proposition
92
92
Marketing Channel
78
85
Engagement
85
88
Income Source
80
95
Asset Validation
84
90
Core Operations
82
85
Strategic Alliance
85
80
Expense Validation
75
88
Chime leads 1 module, N26 leads 6. Overall edge: N26.
Head to head
| Dimension | Chime | N26 |
|---|---|---|
| Banking licence | Partners with banks, not chartered | Full ECB bank licence |
| Revenue model | Interchange-dependent (~1.5% per swipe) | Subscriptions (~40%) + interest + interchange |
| Market | US-focused | Eurozone |
| Paid-user rate | Mostly free, fee-light | High (You/Metal up to €16.90/mo) |
FAQ
Is Chime or N26 a better business?
N26 wins as a full licensed bank with premium subscriptions; Chime wins US scale on an interchange-only model. It depends on what you optimise for — see the module-by-module breakdown above.
What is the difference between Chime and N26's business model?
Chime operates in Fintech (Banking that has your back), while N26 is Fintech (The Mobile Bank). Their revenue, scale and Litmus scores are compared in detail above.
Which is more profitable, Chime or N26?
Chime: $127M adjusted EBITDA (FY2025); $53.5M GAAP net income in Q1 2026 (first GAAP-profitable quarter). N26: First full year of net profitability (2025): net income €1.6M, vs €42.0M net loss in 2024.