The 8 Best Cash Advance Apps to Borrow Money Instantly: 2025 Reviews

When money’s tight, waiting until payday isn’t always an option. Cash advance apps let you borrow money instantly without the interest rates or credit checks that come with traditional payday loans or credit card advances.

But not all apps are created equal. Some only give $20. Others charge hidden fees. And a few require switching banks to get started. Our editorial team also personally tested these apps to verify security, instant transfer fees, and eligibility requirements to choose the best options. Here’s what to know before you borrow, including how much it’ll really cost to borrow $10, $50, or $500.

Reviews of the best cash advance apps

Table of Contents

1. Cash advance apps that work with your existing checking account
   1. EarnIn: Early Paycheck Access Without Fees
   2. Empower: Overdraft Protection and Budget Coaching
   3. Dave: Small Advances and Side Hustle Matching
   4. Klover: No-Fee Advances (If You Qualify)
   5. Gerald: No Direct Deposit Required
2. Mobile banking apps with built-in cash advances
   1. RoarMoney by MoneyLion: Earn Large Advances Over Time
   2. Current: Stack Multiple Small Advances
   3. Chime: Fee-Free Overdraft With SpotMe
3. How much does it cost to borrow different amounts?
   1. Borrowing $10, $20, or $30
   2. Borrowing $50
   3. Borrowing $100
   4. Borrowing $200
   5. Borrowing $500
   6. Borrowing $1,000
4. Can cash advance apps help if you live paycheck to paycheck?
5. What are some emergency fund alternatives if I can’t save right now?
6. Is it bad to use cash advance apps every month?
7. Are there budgeting apps that help prevent paycheck shortfalls?
8. Should I use a credit builder tool instead of a cash advance app?
9. When is a personal loan better than a cash advance app?

Cash advance apps that work with your existing checking account

These apps connect directly to your current checking account with no need to switch banks. Most offer small paycheck advances with no interest, just a flat fee or optional tip. Here are the best options in 2025.

EarnIn

Early Paycheck Access Without Fees

5.0 _/5

Get Cash

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Why it’s one of the best

EarnIn lets you borrow against your paycheck before payday—up to $150 per day and $750 per pay period. There are no mandatory fees, credit checks, or interest. Just connect to your bank, verify your income, and choose standard or instant delivery.

iOS App Store

Google Play

LendEDU test run results: We found EarnIn one of the smoothest to set up. Linking a bank account and verifying your hours takes under 10 minutes. The app clearly breaks down what you’re eligible to borrow and lets you choose how fast you want it.

Details

Max. advance	$750 per pay period
Fees	$0 for standard delivery (1–3 days); $2.99 for instant
Direct deposit required?	Yes
Credit check?	No
Bonus features	Balance Shield low-balance alerts, get paid up to two days early

Empower

Overdraft Protection and Budget Coaching

4.7 _/5

Get Cash

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Why it’s one of the best

Empower gives you $10 to $300 in instant cash without interest or a credit check. You don’t need to switch banks—but you do need to pay a $8 monthly subscription after your free trial. But that $8 includes instant delivery (it’s not something you have to pay extra for). It also comes with built-in budgeting tools and the option to cancel anytime.

iOS App Store

Google Play

LendEDU test run results: Empower’s credit boost tips and spend tracker were surprisingly useful. The monthly fee’s a downside, but the app made it easy to cancel. Many users like that you can connect a bank account and get your first advance in just a few minutes.

Details

Max. advance	$300
Fees	$8 per month; 14-day free trial
Direct deposit required?	No, but helps with eligibility
Credit check?	No
Bonus features	Budget tracker, automatic savings, free trial

Dave

Small Advances and Side Hustle Matching

4.7 _/5

Get Cash

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Why it’s one of the best

Dave offers up to $500 in cash advances with no interest and no credit check. There’s an optional $1/month membership, plus an instant transfer fee if you want your money right away. It also has a “Side Hustle” tool to help you find gig work.

iOS App Store

Google Play

LendEDU test run results: Dave is one of the fastest apps to set up. We liked that you can link your own bank or use Dave’s. The side hustle ideas felt generic, but still a helpful perk.

Details

Max. advance	$500
Fees	$0 for 1–3 day delivery to external bank account; 1.5% of transfer amount for 1-hour delivery to external debit card; $0 for instant delivery to Dave Checking account
Direct deposit required?	Yes
Credit check?	No
Bonus features	Side hustle finder, budgeting tools, Dave Spending account

Gerald

No Direct Deposit Required

3.7 _/5

Get Cash

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Why it’s one of the best

Gerald is a newer fintech app that helps you avoid overdraft fees by fronting money when your account balance is too low to cover a bill. Instead of depositing the full advance directly into your bank account, Gerald requires you to use part of the advance on its partner services, like its e-store (Cornerstore) or mobile plans (Cranberry Mobile). The rest (if any) can be transferred to your bank for free.

iOS App Store

Google Play

LendEDU test run results: The app interface is clean and easy to navigate, but the spending requirement for the e-store or mobile plan might be a dealbreaker if you’re hoping for a traditional cash advance.

Details

Max. advance	Up to $80
Fees	None
Direct deposit required?	No
Credit check?	No
Bonus features	Has buy now, pay later services; mobile phone plans

Klover

No-Fee Advances (If You Qualify)

3.0 _/5

Get Cash

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Why it’s one of the best

Klover offers cash advances without charging interest, monthly fees, or mandatory tips. Instead, it makes money through optional features and offers. You can boost your advance limit by sharing data, watching ads, or referring friends.

iOS App Store

Google Play

LendEDU test run results: You can get an advance without paying a dime—but you might need to jump through a few hoops. The points system can feel a bit like a game, which won’t be everyone’s vibe. Also, giving away your data in exchange for no fees could feel a bit icky.

Details

Max. advance	Up to $200
Fees	$0 for standard delivery; $1.49 to $19.99 for express delivery
Direct deposit required?	Yes
Credit check?	No
Bonus features	Points system to increase your limit, budgeting tools

Mobile banking apps with built-in cash advances

These platforms are more than just cash advance apps—they’re full-service mobile banks. To qualify for advances, you’ll typically need to open a checking account with them and set up direct deposit. You can’t just link an existing bank account you already have.

RoarMoney by MoneyLion

Earn Large Advances Over Time

4.2 _/5

Get Cash

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Why it’s one of the best

RoarMoney is MoneyLion’s mobile banking account that pairs with Instacash—its cash advance feature. You can get an advance up to $500 by linking an external checking account with regular deposits. But to unlock the full $1,000 limit, you’ll need to open a RoarMoney account and set up direct deposit. There’s no credit check, interest, or monthly fee, and you can choose standard or instant delivery.

iOS App Store

Google Play

LendEDU test run results: We liked that you can start with your existing bank account—just link it, verify income history, and you’ll see how much you qualify for. Fees for instant delivery can add up, but the standard option is free if you’re willing to wait. Unlocking higher limits through RoarMoney direct deposit is easy to do from inside the app.

Details

Max. advance	$500 (up to $1,000 for RoarMoney + direct deposits)
Fees	$0 for standard delivery (1–5 days); $0.49–$8.99 for instant
Direct deposit required?	Yes
Credit check?	No
Bonus features	Credit builder loan, high yield savings, personal loans

Chime

Fee-Free Overdraft With SpotMe

4.2 _/5

Get Cash

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Why it’s one of the best

Chime’s SpotMe feature functions like a soft safety net. Once you get a qualifying direct deposit, Chime lets you overdraw your account by up to $200 on debit card purchases without fees.

iOS App Store

Google Play

LendEDU test run results: SpotMe worked flawlessly in testing, but it’s not great if you need actual cash in your hand—it only works on debit purchases when you overdraw.

Details

Max. advance	$200
Fees	None; option to tip
Direct deposit required?	Yes ($200+ in qualifying direct deposits)
Credit check?	No
Bonus features	Early payday, Credit Builder card, savings roundup

Current

Stack Multiple Small Advances

3.9 _/5

Get Cash

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Why it’s one of the best

Current offers up to $750 as a paycheck advance when you set up qualifying direct deposits. You can technically make an unlimited number of advances each month up to your maximum borrowing limit. So you can borrow exactly how much you need without fear of missing out if you need more money later on. You can also link an existing bank account with direct deposits to see if you qualify.

iOS App Store

Google Play

LendEDU test run results: We liked how easy it was to qualify after setting up a direct deposit—just $200 per month gets you access. Once eligible, you can borrow exactly what you need, multiple times a month, up to your $750 limit. The app made it clear how much was available and when repayment would happen.

Details

Max. advance	$750
Fees	$0 for standard (1-3 days); Fees apply for instant
Direct deposit required?	Yes (at least $200/month)
Credit check?	No
Bonus features	Savings pods, cashback, teen banking

How much does it cost to borrow different amounts?

Cash advance apps don’t charge interest like credit cards, but that doesn’t mean borrowing is always free. Fees depend on how much you borrow, how fast you need it, and how many transfers you’ll need to reach your goal. Here’s what it typically costs to borrow common cash advance amounts—whether you’re using standard delivery or opting for instant cash.

Borrowing $10, $20, or $30

Need to cover a small gap before payday? Whether it’s a coffee, gas money, or a quick prescription, many cash advance apps offer fee-free borrowing in this range—especially if you’re willing to wait a day or two. Instant transfers usually cost a couple of bucks.

See how delivery speed and fees stack up:

Borrowing $50

Fifty dollars can make or break your week when you’re living paycheck to paycheck. This amount is available from nearly all apps in our list, often with no fees for standard delivery and modest fees for instant cash.

Here’s what it costs to borrow $50:

Borrowing $100

This is one of the most popular cash advance amounts—and for good reason. It’s enough to cover a utility bill, groceries, or a tank of gas. Most apps allow $100 advances, but fees start to vary more at this level, especially for instant transfers.

Here’s what you’ll pay to get $100 quickly (or for free, if you wait):

Borrowing $200

Two hundred dollars can be a stretch if your chosen app has a lower advance cap or charges more for fast delivery. Some services may split this across multiple transfers, so it’s worth comparing fees and speed carefully.

See how much it’ll really cost to get $200 from each app:

Borrowing $500

At this level, not all cash advance apps qualify. Some—like EarnIn—may require multiple smaller transfers to reach $500. Fees also tend to scale, especially if you opt for instant delivery.

Use the tables below to find the lowest-cost way to borrow $500:

Borrowing $1,000

Only a few apps support advances this large—and almost always with conditions. You may need to unlock higher limits through direct deposit or membership. If you need $1,000 instantly, fees can exceed $20 or more, depending on how the transfer is broken up.

Here’s how to borrow $1,000 through cash advance apps, broken down by cost and delivery time:

Can cash advance apps help if you live paycheck to paycheck?

The best cash advance apps can help if you’re living paycheck to paycheck—but they’re more of a Band-Aid than a cure. Cash advance apps might help cover surprise bills or timing gaps between paychecks, but if you’re using them regularly, it’s worth looking into budgeting tools, credit builder apps, or ways to increase your income.

What are some emergency fund alternatives if I can’t save right now?

If you’re not in a position to save money, look for resources that don’t rely on your current bank balance. That could include local mutual aid groups, nonprofit lending circles, or government benefit programs to help you get back on your feet.

Is it bad to use cash advance apps every month?

It’s not ideal. Frequent use could signal that your income doesn’t cover your expenses, which can lead to long-term financial stress. Instead of relying on apps every month, consider building a budget or exploring side income options.

Are there budgeting apps that help prevent paycheck shortfalls?

Yes—budgeting apps like YNAB and Rocket Money can help you track bills and avoid surprises. Some even send alerts when your account is low or a large expense is coming up.

Should I use a credit builder tool instead of a cash advance app?

If your main goal is to improve your credit, yes. Tools like secured cards, credit builder loans, and credit-builder apps like Self or Kikoff can build credit over time—something most cash advance apps don’t do.

When is a personal loan better than a cash advance app?

If you need to borrow more than a few hundred dollars and can qualify, a personal loan is often a better choice. You’ll typically get a lower APR, longer repayment period, and fixed monthly payments.

How we selected the best cash advance apps

Since 2023, LendEDU has evaluated personal finance apps to help readers find the best cash advance solutions. Our latest analysis reviewed 180 data points from 12 apps and financial institutions, with 20 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.

These data points are organized into broader categories, which our editorial team weights and scores based on their relative importance to readers. These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.

Higher star ratings are ultimately awarded to companies that are able to advance enough money to cover common expenses without mandatory fees and delays.