CHASE VS. SOFI

Chase vs. SoFi: compare the bonus requirements.

Compare the reviewed welcome rewards, qualifying deposits, fees, exclusions and payout windows for Chase Total Checking and SoFi Checking & Savings.

Each column uses the same reviewed offer record as its detailed guide. This compares selected promotions, not the entire market.

Rewards, requirements and timing
What matters	Chase Total Checking®	SoFi Checking & Savings
Welcome reward	$400 cash bonus	$400 maximum cash bonus
Qualifying activity	$1,000 direct deposit	$5,000 direct deposit
Qualification window	Within 90 days	Over a 25-day period
Clock starts	Offer enrollment date	First recognized eligible direct deposit date
Ongoing fee	$15/mo · waivable	$0 monthly fee
Prior-account and bonus exclusions	Existing Chase checking customers are excluded. Closed-account restrictions apply; one checking opening bonus per two years. Transfers from your own bank do not count.	Only members who have never set up SoFi direct deposit qualify. Payroll, pension, and government benefits can qualify; self-transfers and tax refunds do not.
What counts	Employer payroll, pension, or government benefits deposited electronically.	Recurring ACH income from an employer, payroll/benefits provider, or government agency.
What does not count	Checks, Zelle/person-to-person payments, micro-deposits, self-transfers, wires, tax refunds, dividends, retirement distributions, and debit transactions.	Checks; Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, or Wise transfers; merchant payouts such as Stripe or Square; bank ACH transfers; wires; tax refunds; and nonrecurring deposits.
Payout timing	Within 15 days after completing all requirements.	Within seven business days after completing the requirements.
Stated offer end date	2026-10-14	2026-12-31
Terms reviewed	2026-09-15	2026-09-13
Steps and saved plan	Read requirements and plan dates ↗	Read requirements and plan dates ↗

Compare the tier you can actually complete.

A maximum reward is not necessarily the tier your deposits can earn. Match the qualifying income you expect to post with the offer’s exact window and check the detailed steps below.

Chase Total Checking®

Enroll through the offer page by October 14, 2026.
Receive $1,000+ in qualifying payroll, pension, or government direct deposits within 90 days of enrollment.
Keep the account open and unrestricted for payout, generally within 15 days of completing requirements.

SoFi Checking & Savings

Open an eligible account. Your first qualifying direct deposit must arrive by December 31, 2026.
Receive $5,000+ in qualifying direct deposits during the 25-day bonus period for $400; $1,000–$4,999.99 earns $50.
Keep the checking account open and in good standing. Payout is within seven business days after completing requirements.

Consider the account after the bonus.

Check ongoing fees, waiver conditions and whether the account fits your everyday banking. Keep required balances available through the full holding period. Approval and a saved plan do not establish bonus eligibility.

Official sources

Chase offer terms ↗ · reviewed 2026-09-15

SoFi offer terms ↗ · reviewed 2026-09-13

Estimate the bonus after costs ↗