Cash advance apps are a convenient way to borrow small amounts of money before payday — typically between $20 to $500. Unlike other types of loans, cash advance apps don’t charge interest. Instead, you pay a monthly fee or tip to use the service, although some apps are free. This generally makes them cheaper than payday and installment loans, which may charge APRs of 700% and up.
The Finder Score crunches 3+ types of short-term loans across 65+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best short-term loans for all credit types, you can see how each short-term loan stacks up against other short-term loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type.
15+ cash advance products reviewed by our team of experts
20+ years of combined experience covering financial topics
We're big on editorial independence. That means our content, reviews and ratings are fair, accurate and trustworthy. We don't let advertisers or partners sway our opinions. Our financial experts put in the hard work, spending hours researching and analyzing hundreds of products based on data-driven methodologies to find the best accounts and providers for you. Explore our editorial guidelines to see how we work.
Cleo is an AI-powered budgeting and cash advance app that could work well for gig workers and freelancers. Unlike other cash advance apps, you don't need to show a minimum amount of recurring deposits to qualify for cash advances.
As long as you have consistent income, you could qualify for cash advances up to $250 after you establish an income history. To get advances through Cleo, you'll need to pay a monthly subscription fee of $5.99 and same-day transfers cost an additional $3.99.
Loan amount
$20 - $250
Turnaround time
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Costs
$5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances
Available in all states
Cleo is an AI-powered budgeting and cash advance app that could work well for gig workers and freelancers. Unlike other cash advance apps, you don't need to show a minimum amount of recurring deposits to qualify for cash advances.
As long as you have consistent income, you could qualify for cash advances up to $250 after you establish an income history. To get advances through Cleo, you'll need to pay a monthly subscription fee of $5.99 and same-day transfers cost an additional $3.99.
Pros
No payslips or W-2 forms required
No credit checks or interest charged
Set monthly goals and track your spending
Cons
Monthly fee to access cash advances
Borrowing amounts limited to $20 to $70 initially
Mixed customer reviews
APR
0%
Loan amount
Up to $250
Loan Term
Next deposit
Turnaround time
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Loan amount
$20 - $250
Turnaround time
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Costs
$5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances
EarnIn is a free app that lets you borrow $150 a day — or more with an EarnIn Card — up to $750 of the money you've earned each pay period, with no monthly subscription fee. With EarnIn, your advance amount depends on the hours you've worked, which you can verify in a few ways.
While no subscription fee or tipping is required to use EarnIn, you need to provide a work schedule, a work email address or GPS earnings so EarnIn can view what you've made. Normal transfer times are one business day or within minutes if you use EarnIn's Lightning Speed service — starting at $2.99 per transfer.
Loan amount
Up to $750
Turnaround time
1 to 3 business days or within minutes for a fee starting at $2.99 per transfer
Costs
Free to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $2.99 per transfer
Not available in: Connecticut
EarnIn is a free app that lets you borrow $150 a day — or more with an EarnIn Card — up to $750 of the money you've earned each pay period, with no monthly subscription fee. With EarnIn, your advance amount depends on the hours you've worked, which you can verify in a few ways.
While no subscription fee or tipping is required to use EarnIn, you need to provide a work schedule, a work email address or GPS earnings so EarnIn can view what you've made. Normal transfer times are one business day or within minutes if you use EarnIn's Lightning Speed service — starting at $2.99 per transfer.
Pros
Higher advance limit than other apps
Lightning Speed fees are lower than some other apps
No specific employer requirements
Cons
Cash advance limited to the hours already worked
Must upload a work schedule to show your hours
Transfers over $150 are only available with an EarnIn Card
APR
0%
Loan amount
Up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays
Loan Term
1 to 4 weeks
Turnaround time
1 to 3 business days or within minutes for a fee starting at $2.99 per transfer
EarnIn is not a bank. Access limits are based on your earnings and risk factors. Available in select states. Terms and restrictions apply. Visit EarnIn.com for full details. Expedited transfers available for a fee. Visit Earnin.com for full details.
Loan amount
Up to $750
Turnaround time
1 to 3 business days or within minutes for a fee starting at $2.99 per transfer
Costs
Free to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $2.99 per transfer
Albert is a different kind of cash advance app. In addition to offering cash advances up to $250 per pay period, it packs a mix of saving, investing and budgeting tools that can help you save. One of these is a feature called Genius that uses AI and human support to answer a range of financial questions.
Just enter a few details about your financial goals, and Genius will build a custom investment portfolio for you. You can also ask questions about credit cards, student loans and insurance. But the Genius service costs $14.99 a month, and you must sign up for Genius to qualify for cash advances.
Loan amount
$25 - $250
Turnaround time
Instant
Costs
$16.99 monthly subscription to access overdraft protection
Available in all states
Albert is a different kind of cash advance app. In addition to offering cash advances up to $250 per pay period, it packs a mix of saving, investing and budgeting tools that can help you save. One of these is a feature called Genius that uses AI and human support to answer a range of financial questions.
Just enter a few details about your financial goals, and Genius will build a custom investment portfolio for you. You can also ask questions about credit cards, student loans and insurance. But the Genius service costs $14.99 a month, and you must sign up for Genius to qualify for cash advances.
Pros
Borrow up to three times per pay period
No monthly fee to get cash advances
No late fees or inactivity fees
Cons
Must sign up for a free trial of Genius
No phone support
Mixed customer reviews
Loan amount
$25 to $250
Loan Term
Within 6 days of overdraft, with possible 7-day extension
Turnaround time
Instant
Loan amount
$25 - $250
Turnaround time
Instant
Costs
$16.99 monthly subscription to access overdraft protection
Brigit is a financial app that has a free and paid subscription. To get cash advances up to $250 per pay period, you must sign up for one of two paid plans: Plus or Premium. Both offer cash advances and payment extensions, but Premium gives you access to free instant transfers and Brigit's credit-builder program.
To request a payment extension, select the extend repayment option in the app and choose a date that works for you. Repayment extensions are available to users with at least two consecutive on-time payments before the request. You can store up to three payment extensions for use later.
Loan amount
$50 - $250
Turnaround time
2 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
Brigit is a financial app that has a free and paid subscription. To get cash advances up to $250 per pay period, you must sign up for one of two paid plans: Plus or Premium. Both offer cash advances and payment extensions, but Premium gives you access to free instant transfers and Brigit's credit-builder program.
To request a payment extension, select the extend repayment option in the app and choose a date that works for you. Repayment extensions are available to users with at least two consecutive on-time payments before the request. You can store up to three payment extensions for use later.
Pros
Store up to three repayment extensions at a time
Get a payment extension for every two on-time payments
Offers up to $1 million in identity-theft protection
Cons
$8.99 to $14.99 monthly membership fee monthly subscription fee
Advances are limited to $250 per pay period
Some users complain it's hard to cancel the service
Loan amount
$50 to $250
Loan Term
Until your next payday, but can extend
Turnaround time
2 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
Loan amount
$50 - $250
Turnaround time
2 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
Dave is a banking app that offers cash advances of up to $500 every pay period. For Undisclosed a month, Dave transfers funds to your bank account within three business days. For same-day transfers, you'll need to pay from $3 to $25, depending on how much you borrow and where the money is sent — to your Dave Spending account or an external debit card.
Dave can also help you better track your finances: It notifies you when you're about to run out of funds and has an automatic budgeting feature so you can see your upcoming bills.
Loan amount
Up to $500
Turnaround time
Up to 3 business days or instant for a fee
Costs
Undisclosed
Available in all states
Dave is a banking app that offers cash advances of up to $500 every pay period. For Undisclosed a month, Dave transfers funds to your bank account within three business days. For same-day transfers, you'll need to pay from $3 to $25, depending on how much you borrow and where the money is sent — to your Dave Spending account or an external debit card.
Dave can also help you better track your finances: It notifies you when you're about to run out of funds and has an automatic budgeting feature so you can see your upcoming bills.
MoneyLion offers no-fee cash advances up to $500, depending on your direct deposit activity and the services you sign up for. You can qualify up to $700 of your paycheck per pay period if you sign up for its Credit Builder Plus program for Free (or $1 to $5 for RoarMoney account) a month. And you may qualify for up to $1,000 if you set up direct deposit to a RoarMoney account.
MoneyLion also offers a suite of products, including an investment account and a crypto trading feature. The MoneyLion app gets mostly positive reviews on Trustpilot, but some customers have complained about glitches with the app on Google Play.
Loan amount
$50 - $500
Turnaround time
Up to 5 days or instant for a fee of $0.49 to $8.99
Costs
$19.99 monthly fee if you have a Plus membership
Available in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
MoneyLion offers no-fee cash advances up to $500, depending on your direct deposit activity and the services you sign up for. You can qualify up to $700 of your paycheck per pay period if you sign up for its Credit Builder Plus program for Free (or $1 to $5 for RoarMoney account) a month. And you may qualify for up to $1,000 if you set up direct deposit to a RoarMoney account.
MoneyLion also offers a suite of products, including an investment account and a crypto trading feature. The MoneyLion app gets mostly positive reviews on Trustpilot, but some customers have complained about glitches with the app on Google Play.
Pros
Potentially borrow up to $1,000 per pay period
No fees and no obligation to tip
Use spare change to buy Bitcoin or build your investment account
Cons
Normal funding takes 24 to 48 hours
Instant delivery costs between $0.49 and $8.99
A pattern of customer complaints
Turbo delivery fees can add up quickly and are more expensive than other apps
Loan amount
Up to $500 or $1,000 with RoarMoney account
Loan Term
Due by your next pay date
Turnaround time
Up to 5 days or instant for a fee of $0.49 to $8.99
Loan amount
$50 - $500
Turnaround time
Up to 5 days or instant for a fee of $0.49 to $8.99
ONE@Work, formerly Even, is an employer-sponsored financial app that offers free advances on wages you've already earned through its Instapay feature. As long as your employer has configured Instapay as an employee benefit, it's free to get instant advances. Otherwise, you may have to wait longer or pay a fee to get an instant advance.
While you must work for an eligible employer to use it, ONE@Work lets you access up to 50% of your earned income so you don't have to wait until payday. It also helps you stick to a budget by alerting you about upcoming bills and how much you need for them.
Loan amount
Up to 50% of earned wages
Turnaround time
Same day if employer has configured this benefit. If not, small fee applies
Costs
$8 monthly membership fee
Available in all states
ONE@Work, formerly Even, is an employer-sponsored financial app that offers free advances on wages you've already earned through its Instapay feature. As long as your employer has configured Instapay as an employee benefit, it's free to get instant advances. Otherwise, you may have to wait longer or pay a fee to get an instant advance.
While you must work for an eligible employer to use it, ONE@Work lets you access up to 50% of your earned income so you don't have to wait until payday. It also helps you stick to a budget by alerting you about upcoming bills and how much you need for them.
Pros
Helps you stay on top of bills
Lets you access up to 50% of your paycheck
Same-day funding available at Walmart
Cons
Available through select employers only
Advance limited to wages you've already earned
Instapay is currently unavailable for NY Walmart associates
Loan amount
Up to 50% of earned wages
Loan Term
Varies
Turnaround time
Same day if employer has configured this benefit. If not, small fee applies
Loan amount
Up to 50% of earned wages
Turnaround time
Same day if employer has configured this benefit. If not, small fee applies
Methodology: How we chose the best cash advance apps
Our team of loan experts looked at 16+ cash advance apps before narrowing it down to the best eight. We also regularly review and update our selections to make sure our picks are the best in the market and best suited for their categories.
Each app is weighed across 10 key metrics: Borrowing limits, monthly subscription fees, turnaround time, transfer fees, tip requirements, ease of use, state availability, additional financial features, ease of verifying accounts and overdraft protection features. We also consider customer reviews and Better Business Bureau accreditation.
How much a $100 cash advance will cost you
Cash advance apps do not charge interest rates. However, we’ve factored in the possible fees and subscriptions associated with each cash advance app to put together what an equivalent APR would look like for each provider. This way, you can compare the cost of cash advance apps against other types of loans that charge interest rates. The equivalent APRs we show are what you’d page on a $100 instant transfer cash advance with a 14-day repayment period.
Equivalent APRs on a $100 loan with a 14-day repayment period
Remember: If you don’t need your funds the same day, APRs can be as low as 0% since some providers, like MoneyLion or EarnIn, don’t charge monthly fees. But if you see yourself taking out frequent same-day cash advances, you can save money by choosing an app with low instant transfer fees.
Pros and cons of cash apps
Compared to payday and installment loans — which can be predatory and charge sky-high interest rates exceeding 700% or more — cash apps are a cheaper alternative to borrowing money.
Here are the main pros and cons of using a cash app.
Pros
No interest or finance fees charged. Unlike payday, installment and personal loans, cash apps don’t charge interest or finance fees.
Low or no fees. Most cash apps come with nominal fees, usually between $1 and $10 per month. Some charge no fees and only require you to pay for optional instant transfers.
No credit check. Unlike most loans, cash apps don’t require a credit check and have no minimum credit score to qualify. This is great if you have bad credit or no credit history.
Overdraft protection. Many cash apps monitor your bank balance and will alert you or send funds automatically if you’re at risk of an overdraft.
Good for emergencies. A cash app is generally a cheaper way to access small amounts of cash than using a credit card advance or in-store payday loan, which typically costs $10 to $30 per $100 borrowed.
Cons
Low amounts. Most apps only lend up to $250 per pay period. This is fine for smaller expenses like fuel but won’t cover major ones like car repairs.
Transfers can take a few days. Most cash apps offer free transfers, but they can take a few days. To get cash sooner, you typically have to pay a fee. Brigit is one app that allows free instant transfers with a linked bank account.
May overdraft your account. Cash apps deduct money from your bank account to repay your cash advance, which could cause an overdraft if you’re not careful.
Can feel invasive. Cash apps require a link to your bank account to monitor your direct deposits, and some require you to upload your work schedule or enable GPS tracking to verify you’re at work.
May lead to dependency. Repeatedly borrowing against your paycheck can lead to poor financial habits that discourage you from spending wisely.
Are cash apps payday lenders?
Cash apps are not payday and installment lenders. Payday lenders and the like are known for charging mega-high rates, often exceeding 700% APR or more. Cash apps never charge interest on what you borrow — and you only borrow against your future earnings, which can help keep you out of a cycle of debt.
How cash advance apps work
Cash advance apps analyze your finances and offer cash advances of varying amounts — anywhere from $20 to $500 and up. How much you can borrow typically depends on a mix of the following factors:
Direct deposit history
Minimum bank balance
Number of hours worked
Spending habits
Upcoming bills
How to find the best loan app
Here are six considerations when choosing a cash advance app:
Customer reviews. Online reviews on Google Play, the App Store and Trustpilot are great places to get a sense of real-life customer experiences as well as how easy or difficult it is to qualify for advances and receive money.
Fees. Compare monthly fees, tipping requirements and instant transfer fees. For example, if you do a lot of instant transfers, you’re better off with an app that charges $3.99 per instant transfer versus one that charges $11.99 per transfer.
Cash advance limits. Apps vary widely in how much you can borrow, with limits ranging anywhere from $20 to $500 and up. To get higher advance amounts, you need to set up direct deposit and establish a history of regular deposits.
Repayment requirements. Most apps automatically deduct what you owe from your next paycheck, but some apps, like Brigit, allow you to change or extend your repayment due date if you need more time. This can be helpful if you’re worried about overdrafts.
Employer requirements. Most apps don’t require you to work for a specific employer, but apps like Even, Payactiv, FlexWage and Branch require that your employer supports the app.
Security and hacks. While no app provider is 100% secure, most use 256-bit encryption and adhere to PCI DSS standards — the same used by all major banks. But hacks and data breaches can occur on cash advance apps.
Should I use a cash advance app?
You might be a good candidate for a cash advance app if:
You receive a biweekly paycheck that doesn’t align with your monthly billing cycle.
You regularly find yourself overdrafting your account and paying hefty fees.
You’re willing to pay extra for services that can improve your personal finances, such as credit-building programs.
You rarely need to borrow more than $250 per pay period.
You currently have bad credit or no credit history.
You want to avoid a cash advance app if you have trouble maintaining a positive bank balance due to overdraft fees.
If you’re self-employed and don’t think you’ll be eligible for a cash advance app, read our guide to getting a loan while self-employed. Those who just started a new job or have a job offer, consider your options as a new employee.
What if I can’t pay back my cash app advance?
If you can’t pay back your advance, your bank account will likely be overdrawn, leading to an overdraft fee. However, some apps, like Brigit, may let you change your due date if you foresee being unable to repay on time. You’ll want to stay on top of your bank balance to make sure you don’t end up paying overdraft fees on your cash app loan.
Alternatives to cash advance apps
Cash advance apps can’t help in every situation. If you have irregular paychecks or need to borrow higher amounts, you may want to look into these alternatives:
Ask your employer for an advance. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, your employer is a logical place to ask for help. If it’s a one-time situation, HR may be willing to help by advancing part of your paycheck.
Consider a loan from a CDFI. You may be able to get a small-dollar, short-term loan at a lower cost than from a payday lender by going through a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). These are typically local banks or credit unions that serve low-income or rural areas.
Compare alternative short-term lenders. While more expensive than a personal loan from a bank, providers like LendUp offer short-term loans at a lower cost than payday lenders, with a chance to build your credit.
Take out a personal loan. If you’re willing to borrow at least $500, check out Monevo to choose the best offer from several lenders that meet your needs.
Take out a credit card cash advance. If you have enough credit available, you can consider getting cash from an ATM in an emergency. Cash advance rates run high, so have a plan to pay it off sooner rather than later. Consider a card like the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card that offers a lower than average cash advance rate.
Get a payday loan — as a last resort. If you’ve exhausted other options, payday lenders can get you cash as soon as the same day. But beware — a typical $375 payday loan comes with $520 in fees, and borrowers can stay in debt for as long as 11 months. Consider OppLoans for lower rates.
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) apps. While not a cash advance, BNPL apps let you purchase items you need and pay them off later. Choose from the best BNPL apps for cash-free purchases today.
A handful of cash advance apps can get you funds within minutes or 24 hours or allow for instant cash pickup at storefront locations. But not all cash advance apps have an instant turnaround time — it may take up to three business days unless you pay an instant transfer fee.
And keep in mind that “instant loans” usually come as a paycheck advance, which means they may only be available to users with a history of regular direct deposits. For example, it may require direct deposits from the same source for 60 days before you’re eligible for advances.
FAQs
Do cash advance apps charge interest?
No, cash advance apps don’t charge interest. However, some apps charge monthly subscription fees and instant transfer fees which can result in relatively high equivalent APRs, depending on how much you borrow and how soon you have to pay back the advance.
Can I get a cash advance if I’m a new user?
Yes, several cash advance apps may let you borrow money right away, but you likely won’t qualify for the maximum amount until you’ve established an income history with the app, which could take several weeks.
Kat Aoki was a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in consumer and business lending. She’s written thousands of articles to help consumers make better decisions on their home loans, bank accounts, credit cards, cryptocurrency and more. Kat is well versed in working with leading brands in the real estate, mortgage and personal finance industries, and her expertise has been featured on Forbes Advisor, Lifewire and financial comparison sites like iSelect and realestate.com.au. She holds a BS in business administration from California State University, Sacramento and enjoys hiking and yoga in her spare time. See full bio
Kat's expertise
Kat has written 184 Finder guides across topics including:
How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser disclosure
Finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Finder receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. Finder compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
