Chime vs Kikoff:Which is more popular in the United States?
In October 2026, Kikoff had more branded searches than Chime among credit builder apps in the United States. Kikoff had about 49,500 branded searches, while Chime had 6,600. Kikoff made up 49.5% of all credit builder app searches we track, and Chime accounted for 6.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about credit builder apps, Kikoff appeared in three of the five answers and Chime in one. Kikoff was mentioned before Chime in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Kikoff, about 8 searches for every 1 for Chime
Who does AI mention more?
Kikoff, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Chime in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Kikoff, named ahead of Chime in 2 of 3 answers
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Top credit builder apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kikoff was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Chime was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kikoff was listed before Chime in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Kikoff1st
Self2nd
Chime3rd
Grow Credit4th
Credit Strong–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Kikoff3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Self2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Chime1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Grow Credit1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Credit Strong0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about credit builder apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best way to build credit from scratch?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best credit builder app?”
Asked ChatGPT
“How can I raise my credit score quickly?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“credit builder”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best credit builder”
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 Kikoff more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Chime and Kikoff by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five credit builder apps we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Kikoff, Chime. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Kikoff | Credit Strong | Self | Chime | Grow Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 48.5% | 32.5% | 11.9% | 5.3% | 1.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.4% | 31.7% | 14.2% | 5.2% | 1.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 47.4% | 31.7% | 14.2% | 5.2% | 1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.6% | 31.8% | 14.2% | 5.2% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.3% | 36.2% | 13.2% | 4.8% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.9% | 28.9% | 12.9% | 3.8% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 52.6% | 28.8% | 12.9% | 4.7% | 1.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 56.1% | 25.1% | 13.7% | 4.1% | 0.93% |
| Jul 2026 | 57.6% | 25.8% | 11.5% | 4.2% | 0.95% |
| Aug 2026 | 54.3% | 29.7% | 10.9% | 3.9% | 1.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 49.5% | 33.1% | 12.1% | 4.4% | 1% |
| Oct 2026 | 49.5% | 33.1% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 1% |
How has branded search for Chime and Kikoff changed in the United States over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Kikoff was ahead of Chime in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Chime’s share of searches among credit builder apps in the United States moved from 5.3% to 6.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.4K to 6.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Kikoff’s share of searches among credit builder apps in the United States moved from 48.5% to 49.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for United States credit builder apps in October 2026?
1 change
In October 2026, Chime gained share of searches among credit builder apps in the United States, from 4.4% to 6.6%.
How are Chime’s and Kikoff’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chime’s and Kikoff’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.
Other head-to-heads among credit builder apps
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