Brandwave

Chime vs SoFi:Which is more popular in the United States?

In October 2026, Chime had more branded searches than SoFi among online banks in the United States. Chime had about 251,000 branded searches, while SoFi had 115,000. Chime made up 24.6% of all online bank searches we track, and SoFi accounted for 11.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about online banks, SoFi appeared in four of the five answers and Chime in two. SoFi was mentioned before Chime in four out of five answers.

Among online banks in the United States in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Chime, about 2 searches for every 1 for SoFi

Chime 251K searchesSoFi 115K searches

Who does AI mention more?

SoFi, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Chime in 2

SoFi in 4 of 5Chime in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

SoFi, named ahead of Chime in 4 of 5 answers

SoFi first in 4Chime first in 1

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Top online banks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SoFi was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Chime was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. SoFi was listed before Chime in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. SoFi1st
  2. Capital One2nd
  3. Ally Bank3rd
  4. Chime4th
  5. Varo–
  6. Dave–
  7. Current–
  8. Discover–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Capital One5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SoFi4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Ally Bank3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Chime2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Varo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Dave0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Current0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Discover0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about online banks

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 27, 2026.

Is Chime or SoFi more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Chime and SoFi by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight online banks we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Chime and SoFi among online banks in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Chime, SoFi. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAlly BankChimeVaroSoFiCapital OneDaveCurrentDiscover
Nov 202538.6%20.8%17.2%9.9%9.2%3%0.77%0.58%
Dec 202536.6%19.7%18.3%11.4%10%2.7%0.73%0.55%
Jan 202639.3%17.9%17.5%12.3%9.4%2.4%0.64%0.59%
Feb 202636.4%20.3%17.9%11.3%10.6%2.3%0.72%0.54%
Mar 202640%18.2%16.1%12.4%10.2%2.1%0.65%0.46%
Apr 202637.5%21.8%16.7%11.6%8.9%2.3%0.61%0.43%
May 202639.8%18.2%16.3%12.4%9.7%2.4%0.65%0.46%
Jun 202639.8%21.4%13.4%10.1%11.9%2.4%0.62%0.43%
Jul 202638.5%20.7%13.6%11.9%11.5%2.8%0.6%0.36%
Aug 202639.3%21.1%13.9%12.3%9.6%2.8%0.72%0.34%
Sep 202636.3%23.8%15.7%11.3%9.2%2.6%0.66%0.34%
Oct 202636.1%24.6%15.6%11.3%8.6%2.7%0.8%0.27%

How has branded search for Chime and SoFi changed in the United States over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Chime was ahead of SoFi in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Chime’s share of searches among online banks in the United States moved from 20.8% to 24.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 198K to 251K.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, SoFi’s share of searches among online banks in the United States moved from 9.9% to 11.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 94.1K to 115K.

How did search popularity change for United States online banks in October 2026?

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Chime gained share of searches among online banks in the United States, from 23.8% to 24.6%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for SoFi in the United States rose 22.6% over 12 measured months, from 94.1K to 115K in October 2026.

How are Chime’s and SoFi’s branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chime’s and SoFi’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Chime

2 branded search terms

  • chime bank
  • chime login

SoFi

2 branded search terms

  • sofi bank
  • sofi checking

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among online banks

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