Start with your actual payroll dates.
Consider a hypothetical person receiving two $1,500 qualifying paychecks in the relevant window. A $3,000 total clears Chase’s stated deposit hurdle but reaches only SoFi’s $50 tier, assuming all other conditions are met. A larger headline does not remove the need to check which tier your income can reach.
Then look at the fee after the bonus.
Chase’s $15 monthly fee has waiver conditions. SoFi lists no monthly account fee. Confirm whether you can maintain a waiver and whether the account is useful after the promotion. Other service fees and account terms still matter.
Neither offer is a universal winner.
Chase has the lower deposit hurdle for the maximum bonus in this snapshot. SoFi may fit someone who can meet the higher deposit tier and wants an account without a monthly fee. Previous accounts or direct deposits may disqualify you. Confirm geography and qualifying deposit definitions in the issuer terms.