Chime vs SoFi
Business model, scale, and a side-by-side Litmus framework score — which model wins, and for whom.
SoFi wins on revenue per user and product depth; Chime wins mass-market fee-free adoption.
At a glance
| Metric | Chime | SoFi |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $2.19B (FY2025, +31%); $647.4M in Q1 2026 (+25% YoY); FY2026 guidance raised to $2.66B-$2.69B | ~$1.09B (Q1 2026 adjusted net revenue, +41% YoY) |
| Profit | $127M adjusted EBITDA (FY2025); $53.5M GAAP net income in Q1 2026 (first GAAP-profitable quarter) | $166.7M (Q1 2026 GAAP net income, +134% YoY) |
| Active users | 10.2M active members (Q1 2026, +19% YoY) | 14.7M members |
| Employees | ~1,500 | Uncertain — conflicting third-party figures (~4,500 to ~6,100); not independently verified |
| Founded | 2012 | 2011 |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
LLitmus Framework Score
Overall: Chime 83 · SoFi 85
Customer Segment
90
87
Value Proposition
92
88
Marketing Channel
78
82
Engagement
85
85
Income Source
80
86
Asset Validation
84
89
Core Operations
82
84
Strategic Alliance
85
80
Expense Validation
75
83
Chime leads 3 modules, SoFi leads 5. Overall edge: SoFi.
Head to head
| Dimension | Chime | SoFi |
|---|---|---|
| Users / members | ~22M | 14.7M members |
| Bank charter | No (partner banks) | Yes |
| Lending engine | No lending engine | Full lending franchise |
| Revenue model | Mostly interchange | Lending + fees + B2B platform |
| Revenue per user | Lower, narrower product set | Higher (22.2M products) |
FAQ
Is Chime or SoFi a better business?
SoFi wins on revenue per user and product depth; Chime wins mass-market fee-free adoption. It depends on what you optimise for — see the module-by-module breakdown above.
What is the difference between Chime and SoFi's business model?
Chime operates in Fintech (Banking that has your back), while SoFi is Fintech (Get your money right). Their revenue, scale and Litmus scores are compared in detail above.
Which is more profitable, Chime or SoFi?
Chime: $127M adjusted EBITDA (FY2025); $53.5M GAAP net income in Q1 2026 (first GAAP-profitable quarter). SoFi: $166.7M (Q1 2026 GAAP net income, +134% YoY).