Brandwave

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

In October 2026, Self had more branded searches than Chime among credit builder apps in the United States. Self had about 9,900 branded searches, while Chime had 6,600. Self made up 9.9% 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, Self appeared in two of the five answers and Chime in one. Self was mentioned before Chime in two out of three answers.

Among credit builder apps in the United States in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Self, about 50% more searches than Chime

Self 9.9K searchesChime 6.6K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Self, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Chime in 1

Self in 2 of 5Chime in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Self, named ahead of Chime in 2 of 3 answers

Self first in 2Chime first in 1

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Top credit builder apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Self was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two 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. Self 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.

  1. Kikoff1st
  2. Self2nd
  3. Chime3rd
  4. Grow Credit4th
  5. 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?”

    1. Asked ChatGPT

      “What's the best credit builder app?”

      1. 1Kikoff
      2. 2Self
      3. 3Grow Credit

    2. Asked ChatGPT

      “How can I raise my credit score quickly?”

      1. Searched Google, AI Overview

        “credit builder”

        1. 1Chime
        2. 2Kikoff

      2. Searched Google, AI Overview

        “best credit builder”

        1. 1Self
        2. 2Kikoff

      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 Self more popular in search?

      This chart shows how often people search Google for Chime and Self 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.

      Chime and Self among credit builder apps in the United States, by month

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

      View monthly share of searches table
      MonthKikoffCredit StrongSelfChimeGrow Credit
      Nov 202548.5%32.5%11.9%5.3%1.9%
      Dec 202547.4%31.7%14.2%5.2%1.5%
      Jan 202647.4%31.7%14.2%5.2%1.5%
      Feb 202647.6%31.8%14.2%5.2%1.2%
      Mar 202644.3%36.2%13.2%4.8%1.4%
      Apr 202652.9%28.9%12.9%3.8%1.4%
      May 202652.6%28.8%12.9%4.7%1.1%
      Jun 202656.1%25.1%13.7%4.1%0.93%
      Jul 202657.6%25.8%11.5%4.2%0.95%
      Aug 202654.3%29.7%10.9%3.9%1.2%
      Sep 202649.5%33.1%12.1%4.4%1%
      Oct 202649.5%33.1%9.9%6.6%1%

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

      3 findings
      • Self 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, Self’s share of searches among credit builder apps in the United States moved from 11.9% to 9.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 9.9K.

      How did search popularity change for United States credit builder apps in October 2026?

      2 changes

      1. In October 2026, Chime gained share of searches among credit builder apps in the United States, from 4.4% to 6.6%.

      2. In October 2026, Self lost share of searches among credit builder apps in the United States, from 12.1% to 9.9%.

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

      2 search terms

      Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chime’s and Self’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

      1 branded search term

      • chime credit builder

      Self

      1 branded search term

      • self credit builder

      How the Brand Demand Index is measured

      Other head-to-heads among credit builder apps

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