Empower is a US-based financial services company that offers cash advances of up to $300 USD with no credit checks or interest. Customers must pay a monthly membership fee of $8 USD, which covers instant transfers to Empower cards and linked bank accounts, usually within one business day. Most instant transfers to bank accounts cost between $1 USD and $8 USD, depending on the advance amount.
Unfortunately, Empower isn’t available in Canada. But, there are payday loan providers and cash advance apps like Empower that offer small loans to Canadian borrowers.
Need quick cash to cover small unexpected expenses? Nyble provides up to $250 with zero interest, no late fees and no deposit required. Have poor credit or no credit history? Nyble reports to Canada's credit bureaus, so making on-time payments can help build your credit score. You'll also get access to your Equifax credit score and report.
Get funds within 30 minutes
Build your credit history
No interest or late fees
Easy application process
Rewards program
Option to extend your payment deadline
May take up to three business days to get funds if you're not a member
Monthly membership fee ranging from $4.99 to $11.99
Amount may not be enough
Loan amount
$30 – $250
APR
Starting at 0%
Term
30 days, extendable
Fees
0% interest with optional fees
Origination fee
$11.99
Turnaround time
1-30 minutes with a paid membership or 1-3 business days with a free membership.
KOHO Cover is an interest-free credit line of up to $250, which you can repay any time—not just on your next payday. Qualifying is simple with no application process, no minimum income requirement and no credit check. However, you'll have to pay a small monthly subscription fee.
No credit check
No interest
Instant access to funds
No income required to qualify
Monthly subscription fee starting at $2
May have to pay a monthly KOHO plan fee
$250 may not be enough
Won't improve your credit score
Loan amount
$20 – $250
APR
Starting at 0%
Term
Flexible
Fees
0% interest with a subscription fee starting at $2/month
A Bree cash advance is like a mini financial lifeline when unforeseen expenses come your way. Apply online for an 0% interest cash advance of up to $350 with no credit check. Receive funds within a few business days for free, or pay for express transfers.
Easy to apply
No credit check required
No interest charges
Monthly membership fee
Extra fee for express funding
Small amount may not suit your needs
Loan amount
$20 – $350
APR
Starting at 0%
Term
Next pay cycle (65 days max)
Fees
0% interest with a $2.99 monthly membership fee
Turnaround time
Receive funds within 5 minutes with express delivery (the fee is based on the advance amount) and up to 3 business days for standard delivery.
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for borrowing over a continued period of time and are expensive as a means of longer-term borrowing. If you're experiencing financial hardship call Credit Counselling Canada for free financial counselling (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm at +1 866-398-5999). You may also want to consider payday loan alternatives.Maximum borrowing costs will vary by province. Review the maximum borrowing cost for your province before entering into a loan agreement.
Looking for more than cash advance apps like Empower provide but don't qualify for a personal loan? GoDay offers fast online payday loans of up to $1,500. Apply in minutes, and receive an instant application decision. If approved, you could get funds deposited into your account within an hour.
iCash accepts applications for payday loans 24/7. Applying online is easy with instant, automated approvals and funding in minutes via e-Transfer. Many types of income are accepted, including EI, CPP, OAS, ODSP, AISH, child tax, provincial disability and social assistance payments.
Get funded within an hour
Loans approved 24/7
Apply online or via mobile app
Many income types accepted
Very expensive
Short repayment term
Loan amount
$100 – $1,500
APR
Varies by province
Term
7 - 62 days
Min. Turnaround time
As little as 2 minutes with Interac e-Transfer
How to apply
Online In Store
Credit Check
Yes
How does Empower compare?
Compared to other US cash advance apps, Empower is about average. It offer fairly similar features, including a standard advance amount of up to $300 USD. But, unlike some cash advance apps, Empower charges a monthly fee of $8 USD.
On the plus side, Empower offers a 14-day free trial, so customers can test the service before paying. ACH transfers to bank accounts are free and usually arrive within one business day, which is quicker than many apps. Depending on the amount, most instant transfers cost between $1 USD and $8 USD, unless customers have a qualifying Empower debit card.
For those looking to build their credit, the company is launching Empower Thrive—a line of credit ranging from $200 USD to $400 USD. This isn’t a unique feature. Using Nyble can also impact your credit score, as Nyble reports to Canadian credit bureaus.
Pros
No credit check required
No interest or late fees
US FDIC-insured automatic savings feature
Empower debit card perks with 10% cashback
Cons
Not available in Canada
Monthly subscription fee
Fee for instant transfers (without an Empower debit card)
Not all users will qualify for a $300 USD advance
Alternatives to cash advance apps and payday loans
If you need more than you can get with a cash advance app or want to avoid costly payday loans, consider these other ways of getting quick cash:
Credit card cash advance. Credit card cash advances are a convenient way to access quick cash, but it’s best to limit your usage as interest charges can add up. Browse Canadian credit cards.
Personal loan. If you need more than a few hundred dollars, compare the best personal loan providers to find funding ranging from $500 to $50,000. Same-day funding may even be available.
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) app. While not a source of cash, BNPL apps like Afterpay, Affirm, Klarna and Sezzle let you purchase items you need today and pay off your purchases later.
Side hustle. Increase your income instead of going into more debt. Ways to make money online include translating, writing, selling items you no longer need and selling crafts.
See our guide on payday loan alternatives for more short-term borrowing options to cover emergency expenses or tide you over until your next payday.
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 12 Finder guides across topics including:
Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio
Borrowing $100 can be a quick and easy process. This guide covers how you can get a small loan in Canada, including benefits, drawbacks and eligibility requirements.
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