FloatMe cash advance app review
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- Min. Amount
- $10
- Max. Amount
- $100
- Turnaround time
- 1 to 3 business days or within 8 hours for a fee
Our verdict
Small cash advances perfect for avoiding steep overdraft fees.
FloatMe cash advances — aka “floats” — are a possible option for people who may need a small loan between paydays or to avoid overdrafting their account. Loan amounts are on the smaller end compared to other cash advance apps, with a max loan amount of $100. But the monthly fee is only $3.99 which is less than similar apps. It also has relatively low direct deposit conditions, as it only requires a $150 deposit per pay period. However, FloatMe doesn’t consider earnings from self employment, contract or gig work “eligible income,” so if you work for yourself you’ll need to find another cash advance app.
Best for: Workers who receive paychecks via direct deposit and only need small loan amounts.
Pros
-
Lower monthly fee than many similar apps
-
Low deposit requirements
-
Accepts SSN or ITIN
-
Bank balance alerts
Cons
-
Max advance is $100
-
Requires direct deposit
-
Doesn’t accept self-employed income
-
Few additional features
What makes FloatMe shine?
We like that FloatMe accepts ITINs in addition to SSNs so that all US workers can take advantage of small cash advances from time to time. We also like the relatively low subscription fee of $3.99 which is lower than many similar apps — some of which charge up to $20 a month. In addition, you can set up alerts to let you know if your bank balance falls below a specified limit, and FloatMe may even invite you to request an advance if it thinks you’re in danger of overdrawing your account based on previous banking history.
Plus, FloatMe’s website is super transparent. The subscription fees, loan amounts and charges for instant transfers are easy to find, which is a nice change from having to dig for some of the most basic details. And, it never asks you to tip — if you need $50 to cover you until payday, the “option” to tip can feel a lot like an unfair burden.
Where FloatMe falls short
It’s unfortunate that FloatMe requires direct deposit and doesn’t consider money earned from self-employed, contract or gig workers to be eligible income. Especially since the pandemic, even more people are freelancing or participating in the gig economy.
The advances are rather small as well, at only a $100 maximum advance amount. Many other apps offer advances up to $500 or even more — with similar fee structures. It also doesn’t have as many additional features as some other cash advance apps.
FloatMe details
| Product name | FloatMe |
| Min amount | $10 |
| Max amount | $100 |
| Loan term | Typically next payday but may be able to choose alternate date |
| Turnaround time | 1 to 3 business days or within 8 hours for a fee |
| Costs | $3.99 monthly fee |
| Requirements | 18 years old, US citizen or permanent resident, SSN or ITIN, direct deposits of at least $150 per pay period |
| State availability | Not available in: Connecticut |
How to qualify for FloatMe
The FloatMe app is clear about what you need to qualify for advances, and its qualifications are similar to many other cash advance apps. Here are FloatMe’s requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Have recurring deposits of at least $150 per pay period
- Have a valid SSN or ITIN
- Have a linked bank account
Other features
Compared to some cash advance apps, FloatMe doesn’t have a ton of features besides advances, but it does have a few handy tools.
- A setting to alert you when your bank balance drops below a specified limit.
- Financial forecasting that analyzes your paycheck frequency and bills and lets you know if you’re on track for the week or might need an advance.
- Cash-flow analysis so you can see where you spend your money.
- Budgeting and financial insights to help you improve your overall financial health.
- Recommendations to help you save or make more money.
FloatMe reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | C- |
| BBB customer reviews | 3.17 out of 5 stars, based on 35 customer reviews |
| BBB customer complaints | 126 customer complaints |
| Trustpilot Score | 2.2 out of 5 stars, based on 18 customer reviews |
| App Store Score | 4.7 out of 5 stars, based on 76,000 customer reviews |
| Google Play Score | 4.4 out of 5 stars, based on 45,700 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 04 June 2024 |
Many of the complaints on BBB mentioned being charged a subscription fee after closing the account. However, it appears that some of those reviewers didn’t actually close their accounts, and may have just deleted the app. There were also some issues about not realizing there was a subscription fee, which may be why that is now the first thing you see on FloatMe’s website.
Common issues on Trustpilot and the app stores were about low loan amounts or not being able to get an advance when they really needed it — even though they appeared to meet the required qualifications. There were also complaints about difficulties getting in touch with customer service and the lack of a phone number to call. Still, many other reviewers reported good customer service, regular and reliable access to advances (if a bit small), and an easy-to-use app.
Is FloatMe legit?
FloatMe is a real cash advance provider with many users. However, it should be noted that in December of 2023 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed an action against FloatMe and its founders. The FTC charges that FloatMe has violated FTC rules and made “empty promises of quick and free cash advances to entice consumers to join its service, only to fail to deliver the promised advance amounts, make it difficult to cancel, and discriminate against consumers who receive public assistance.” FloatMe and its co-founders are required to provide $3 million to refund customers plus clean up its deceptive marketing practices and make it easier for users to cancel their subscriptions, among other stipulations.
The bottom line is that FloatMe has definitely had some transparency issues but appears to be addressing those concerns, at least as far as being upfront about its costs.
Compare FloatMe to other cash advance apps
If you’re looking for higher loan amounts or apps with no subscription fees, check out these cash advance apps that are similar to FloatMe.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get an instant advance?
If you can’t wait up to three days to get a free transfer of funds, instant transfer fees start at $3 for a $10 advance and go up to as much as $7 for a $100 advance.
Why can’t I connect my bank to FloatMe?
If you can’t find your bank name in the search bar provided, it’s most likely that FloatMe doesn’t work with your financial institution. You can try to connect a different bank account, but it must be a checking account that receives direct deposits from your work.
Why can’t I get a float right now?
If you haven’t paid back your last advance you won’t be eligible for another one until your account is in good standing. It’s also possible that your linked debit card might be expired or your bank account has a negative balance.
Your reviews
Lacey Finder
Writer
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