iCash is one of the most popular payday lenders in Canada. However, they’re not the only major player in the marketplace of fast, short-term loans. If you’re facing an emergency and need a small loan right now, here are alternatives to iCash that are worth considering.
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.
Payday loans like iCash
If you have non-employment income or bad credit: Cashco
Cashco is an established installment loan provider that recently entered the payday loan space. It's a solid iCash alternative because it offers quick payday loans with flexible requirements. You can apply if you're currently receiving non-employment income, such as government benefits. Cashco also doesn't do credit checks, so it's possible to get approved with bad credit.
Like iCash, you won't need to send GoDay any documents to get approved. Instead, you need to give GoDay view-only access to your bank statements via instant bank verification.
Apply online within minutes to receive instant pre-approval on your application
Receive funds via Interac e-Transfer within an hour of accepting your contract
Apply with bad credit, no credit and if you're self-employed or receiving benefits
Extremely steep rates
Short repayment terms
First-time borrowers can only get approved for up to $500
Loans Canada is an online loan search platform that matches you with lenders when you fill out a single application. It has a large lender network to help you find the right loan. Like iCash, Loans Canada can help you access a loan even if your financial situation isn't the best.
Get matches fast
Funding in 24-48 hours
Bad credit is okay
Limited to Loans Canada's partners
High rates for bad credit
Loan amount
$250 – $50,000
APR
9.99% – 35%
Term
3 - 60 months
Min. credit score
300
Fees
No application, origination or brokerage fees
Origination fee
0
Turnaround time
Receive funds in as little as 24 hours.
If you want a fast funding small loan: LoanConnect
LoanConnect is a loan search platform that connects borrowers with small and large loans. Fill out one application and get pre-approval within minutes. You can apply with fair or bad credit.
LoansLoans.ca offers short-term installment loans online. It doesn't do any credit checks and has more lenient requirements than traditional lenders. It's a good iCash alternative if you're looking for a small no credit check loan that you can repay in installments.
Funding in 24 hours
No credit check
High rates and fees
Loan amount
$500 – $1,000
APR
28% – 32%
Term
3 - 12 months
Min. credit score
300
Fees
Late payment fee (2.66% per month), $45 NSF fee, broker fee
Get a cash advance ranging from $20 to $250 when you pay 0% interest with a subscription fee starting at $2/month. You'll need a KOHO account to access this service. The KOHO app has a 4.7/5 rating on the Google store and a 4.8/5 rating on the Apple store.
No late fees
0% interest
No credit score impact
Free financial coaching service
KOHO savings account required
Loan amount
Up to $250
APR
Starting at 0%
Term
Flexible
Fees
0% interest with a subscription fee starting at $2/month
Apply online for an interest-free line of credit of up to $250 to cover small expenses and build your credit. Get funds in 1-3 business days with a free account. For , get access to premium services, including funding in 1-30 minutes, a free Equifax credit report and identity theft protection. The Nyble app has a 4.7/5 rating on the Apple store. It doesn't have an Android app, but you can still get a loan via Nyble's web app.
Easy application process
No credit check
No interest
Can improve your credit score
Roll over your loan
for fast transfers, a full credit report and other premium perks
Small loan amounts only
Loan amount
Up to $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.
Bree lets you borrow a small amount of up to $500 to help cover expenses until your next payday. You won't have to pay any interest, but there's a $2.99 monthly membership fee plus a small extra fee if you want funding within 30 minutes. Bree has a 4.9/5 rating on the Apple store. It doesn't have an Android app yet, but you can still apply on its web app.
Easy application process
No credit check
0% interest and no late fees
$2.99 monthly membership fee
Loan amount may not be enough for your needs
Extra fee for fast transfers
May not improve your credit, unlike Nyble
Loan amount
Up to $500
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.
$35 per hour on average (depends on chosen tasks & engagement)
Sign-up in minutes
Instant cash-outs from $2
$5 sign-up bonus when you start your first task
How does iCash compare?
You can read our review of iCash for more details, but here are the highlights:
Pros
High app ratings on the Apple Store and Google Play Store.
One of the fastest payday loans you can get due to its automated process.
Get your loan in as little as 30 minutes after applying.
Accepts many forms of income, including EI, child tax, ODSP, AISH, provincial disability, CPP, OAS and social assistance.
Bad credit and no credit are okay.
Cons
Extremely steep rates.
Must have a net income of at least $800 per month to qualify.
Must consistently receive income for the past 3 months.
Features of payday loans like iCash
A payday loan is an unsecured loan of up to $1,500. It must be paid back when you receive your paycheque—hence the term “payday loan.” Key features include:
Small loan amounts. The amount you can borrow may depend on the province or territory you’re in, but you can usually get small loans ranging from $100 up to $1,500 maximum.
Short terms. Payday loans are designed to be short-term solutions to your financial problems. When you apply for a loan, the lender asks you how frequently you’re paid to determine your final repayment due date.
Incredibly high rates and fees. Expect fees of $14 for every $100 borrowed. With fees like this, APRs are typically over 300%, making payday loans one of the most expensive ways to borrow money.
Quick access to cash. Most payday lenders will give you a decision within minutes. If you clear the income and identity verification process, you could receive funds via e-Transfer immediately after approval. Learn more about e-Transfer payday loans.
Use the funds for any purpose. Once you’re approved for a payday loan, you have the freedom to use the money however you want, as long as it’s legitimate and legal. Payday lenders don’t keep tabs on how you’re making use of your loan.
Bad credit is okay. Payday loan providers usually accept applications from people with poor credit because they prioritize income and the ability to repay loans on time over credit scores.
Keep in mind that Bree and Nyble are not payday loan providers and only offer small loan amounts of up to several hundred dollars.
What do I need to watch out for?
Aside from quick repayment terms and the sky-high fees you’ll pay to borrow money, look out for these risks with payday loans like iCash:
Disreputable lenders. Not all lenders follow provincial or territorial laws and regulations. Check to make sure the payday lender you’d like to work with is licensed and isn’t a scam. Always choose a reputable company that has positive feedback from real customers.
Cycle of debt. Unless you have a clear-cut plan to pay off your loan by your next payday, you could end up in a spiral of debt. With steep interest rates and more penalties for not repaying your loan on time, payday loans can trigger a snowball of debt if you don’t have an exit strategy. This could negatively affect your credit rating too.
Bottom line
A payday loan should be used as a last resort when you’re facing a financial emergency. While iCash is a viable option that provides a quick application process, a speedy decision on your loan request and a smooth process for receiving funds, there are plenty of iCash alternatives too. If you believe a payday loan like iCash is right for you, always compare your payday loan options to find the best deal available to you.
Frequently asked questions
If you need to borrow $50 instantly, you're going to have to look into iCash alternatives, since the minimum amount you can borrow from iCash is $100. Instead, opt for a cash advance app like Bree or Nyble, which are typically much cheaper than payday loans. Learn more about your options in our guide to getting a $50 loan.
Yes, you can. Most provinces offer a cooling-off period of about two business days in which you can cancel a payday loan without penalty.
If you're late or you miss a repayment, you may be charged other fees, such as late payment fees, NSF fees, arrears fees and even collection fees if your account remains unpaid.
Contact your lender as soon as possible if you're having trouble repaying your loan on time. If you don't inform them, your loan eventually goes into default. Having a defaulted loan on your credit report causes your credit score to drop, making it difficult to qualify for financing in the future.
You can receive your payday loan in a number of ways:
Interac e-Transfer or direct deposit. Your lender can send your money via Interac e-Transfer or direct deposit. If you opt for Interac e-Transfer, you'll need to be registered with your bank first.
Cash. If your lender has a physical location close to you, head over and apply for a payday loan to receive cold hard cash.
Loaded onto a prepaid card. Some payday lenders may transfer funds directly onto a prepaid card tied to your payday loan account.
Carmen Chai is a freelance writer at Finder, specializing in financial products. She is an award-winning Canadian journalist who has lived and reported from major cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, London and Paris. She has reported on personal finance, mortgages, and banking products for nearly a decade. See full bio
Leanne Escobal is a publisher for Finder. She has spent over 12 years working with financial products and services, specializing in content and marketing. Leanne has completed the Canadian securities course (CSC®) as well as the personal lending and mortgages course by the Canadian Securities Institute. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English literature and creative writing from Western University. See full bio
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