Lending Apps to Receive Money Instantly Without a Job

Sometimes, when money is tight, you might need a little extra to get through the next few days. That happens, but many cash advance apps require you to have a job to be eligible. If you can’t meet that requirement, you still have options. These are the best apps that loan you money instantly without a job.

These apps don’t explicitly require a job, but they might still have requirements or check your income history. You should also check the fees before signing up; some cash advance apps can be expensive.

Reviews of the best apps that loan you money without a job

Several cash advance apps don’t require a job to qualify, but most have minimum requirements, such as regular deposits in your linked checking account. 

Maximum funding amounts can vary for these apps. Many also charge fees, especially if you want to get the money deposited in your account immediately. Still, these apps are the best choice to borrow money without a job due to their high ratings and transparent qualifications.

Empower

Best for no fees

4.6 _/5

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Why we picked it

We picked Empower due to its easy qualifications, low fees, and fast funding time. Cash advances of up to $300 are available, and according to Empower, it delivers 98% of instant cash advances within 15 minutes. However, Empower charges fees for instant transfers. Otherwise, transfers are completed within one business day.

Empower Cash Advance doesn’t charge interest or late fees. However, you must pay an $8 monthly fee to use the service, and the fee automatically renews. It’s a decent choice for those who tend to pay interest or late fees on their loans, but others might look for a cheaper option.

• Fast funding available
• No credit checks
• No interest or late fees

• Charges a fee for fast funding
• $8 monthly fee

Loan details

Amounts	$10 – $300
Funding time without a fee	1 business day
Fastest funding available/fee	Within 15 minutes; fees range from $1 – $8
Other fees	$8 monthly fee

Eligibility requirements

To qualify, you must have a consistent source of income, but it doesn’t need to be from a job.

Repayment terms

Empower withdraws the full repayment amount plus applicable instant delivery fees from your linked bank account on your scheduled repayment date.

Dave

Best for fast funding

4.6 _/5

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Why we picked it

Dave’s ExtraCash offers cash advances of up to $500. That amount is the same as MoneyLion’s maximum without a membership, but MoneyLion limits disbursements to $100. No such limit applies to Dave ExtraCash advances. With Dave, you can get up to $500 in five minutes or less with no credit check or late fees.

• Cash advances of up to $500
• Possible to extend your repayment date
• No credit check or late fees

• Requires $1 monthly membership fee
• Requires a Dave Spending account
• Faced a marketing-related FTC complaint in November 2024

Loan details

Amounts	Up to $500
Funding time without a fee	Within 3 business days
Fastest funding available/fee	Within 5 minutes; $3 – $25

Eligibility requirements

For higher cash advances, you must have at least three recurring deposits and total monthly deposits of $1,000 or more. You must also have a 60-day history and a positive balance on the bank account you link.

Repayment terms

Varies (next payday is typical)

MoneyLion

Best for high funding amount

4.5 _/5

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Why we picked it

MoneyLion’s Instcash offers instant funding for cash advances. The service doesn’t require interest, monthly fees, or a credit check. You can request up to $500, disbursed in increments of $100.

If you become a RoarMoney member (for a monthly fee), you can request a cash advance of up to $1,000, and instant funding fees are lower for RoarMoney members.

• Advances of up to $500 ($1,000 with RoarMoney account)
• Trial option is available if you don’t qualify for the full experience
• No credit check or fees required

• Maximum disbursement of $100 at a time
• Instant transfer fees are higher if you aren’t a RoarMoney member

Loan details

Amounts	Up to $500; $1,000 with RoarMoney account. Maximum of $100 per disbursement.
Funding time without a fee	1 – 5 business days.
Fastest funding available/fee	Within minutes; fees of $0.49 – $8.99

Eligibility requirements

Requires a checking account with proof of recurring deposits or a RoarMoney account with direct deposits enabled.

Credit Genie

Best for spending insights

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Why we picked it

Credit Genie provides cash advances of up to $100 with instant delivery available. The company doesn’t require a job to get a cash advance. However, your checking account must meet certain requirements, such as having $750 in monthly recurring deposits over the past 90 days. Credit Genie doesn’t charge fees for cash advances, but there is a $4.99 monthly fee or $3.49 bi-weekly fee. There is also a separate fee for instant funding.

• Fast funding of up to $100
• Provides spending insights and overdraft alerts
• No interest or credit check

• Requires monthly or bi-weekly fee
• Can’t use a joint checking account

Loan details

Amounts	Up to $100
Funding time without a fee	1-3 business days
Fastest funding available/fee	Within minutes; fee not disclosed

Eligibility requirements

Valid bank account open for at least 90 days; at least $750 monthly in direct deposits in the last 90 days; at least two direct deposits no more than 16 days apart per month

Repayment terms

Credit Genie withdraws the repayment on your due date, which is displayed on the app and typically aligns with your next payday.

How do cash advance apps work?

How do cash advance apps work?

Cash advance apps on smartphones or other smart devices let customers access a portion of their upcoming paycheck before their payday. Every cash advance app is unique, but the signup process generally involves downloading an app, creating an account, and linking an eligible bank account.

Some cash advance apps require a direct deposit into their cash or checking account, while others let you use an external account. Once you set up your account, the cash advance app will determine your eligibility and maximum cash advance amount.

If your account is approved, you can request a cash advance up to your limit in the app. Your cash advance amount is often a small percentage of your upcoming paycheck, which could be anywhere from $10 to several hundred dollars.

Cash advance requests can take one to three business days, but for a fee, you can often get your advance within minutes. You then repay the advance out of your next paycheck or direct deposit. In addition to instant transfer fees, cash advance apps may make money from optional tips or monthly membership fees.

What are the typical income requirements of cash advance apps?

Eligibility requirements vary for cash advance apps, but most require a regular source of income. This is why many apps require direct deposits into a linked bank account, which the app uses to verify income. Most apps don’t have specific income requirements as long as deposits are consistent.

Many cash advance apps require customers to have a steady job. However, as seen with those on this list, some require consistent income but don’t have a specific employment requirement. This allows freelancers or gig workers to qualify for a cash advance.

Many of the best apps for borrowing money are also on this list. However, some of those apps require you to be employed. Given the topic at hand, we’ve swapped those apps out for ones that only require a consistent source of income.

Pros and cons of unemployment cash advance apps

Using a cash advance app when you are unemployed can be an appealing option, but consider the pros and cons first.

Pros

• Access to quick cash

  Cash advance apps give you access to cash in as little as a few minutes, allowing you to cover important expenses, such as rent and groceries.

• Often interest-free

  Cash advance apps often charge no interest, unlike payday loans designed to get you to your next paycheck.

• No credit check

  Cash advance apps often approve you without a credit check, relying on your bank account history instead.

Cons

• Fees

  While cash advance apps may not charge interest, instant funding often comes with a fee, and some require a membership fee.

• Automatic payments

  In most cases, you’ll repay cash advances automatically from your next payment or on your payment date. This could lead to overdrafts and fees.

• Low advance amounts

  These apps may use your anticipated income to determine the cash advance amount, with users reporting initial advances of less than $100.

Alternatives to lending apps if you’re unemployed and need money 

When you’re unemployed and need immediate financial assistance, lending apps may not always be the best option. Here are a few alternatives to consider.

Personal loan

A personal loan from a bank or credit union might provide the funds you need with more favorable terms, especially if you have a good credit score. Be prepared to show proof of your ability to repay the loan, including evidence of unemployment benefits or other income.

0% credit card

You might qualify for a 0% APR credit card if you have a good credit score. These cards offer an interest-free period, typically between 12 and 18 months, during which you can borrow money without paying interest. 

This can be a valuable option if you need to cover immediate expenses and can manage to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends.

Family or friend loan

Borrowing money from family or friends can be a quick way to get the funds you need without the stringent requirements of traditional lenders. This option may not involve interest or fees, but treating the arrangement professionally is important. Outline the repayment terms to avoid any potential misunderstandings or strain on your personal relationships.

Our expert’s suggestions

Erin Kinkade

CFP®

Ideally, if you’re unemployed and need cash, my first suggestion is to access your savings account if possible, but I realize this is not always an option. The borrowing amounts are fairly low, so if you have a trusted family member or friend who is willing and has the ability to loan without encroaching on their cash flow or financial condition, I suggest going this route. It’s crucial to pay the lending person back and to agree on a repayment plan before borrowing the money. Another option is to sell personal belongings of value on the internet, consignment, or at a yard sale. You could consider a GoFundMe or similar. Finally, if you have other sources of income, can wait on some of the funds you’re considering borrowing, and have time on your side, I suggest trimming your expenses and focusing on saving the amount you need.

FAQ

Is credit score or income more important for borrowing money from an app?

Income is generally more important than credit score when borrowing money from cash advance apps. These apps often don’t require a credit check, focusing instead on your income and employment history to determine eligibility and the amount you can borrow. 

A stable and regular income—or other regular deposit—shows your ability to repay the advance when your next paycheck arrives. While credit score is important for many traditional loans, these apps are designed to be more accessible to users who may not have a strong credit history but have reliable income.

What happens if I can’t pay back my cash advance?

If you can’t repay your cash advance, the consequences can vary depending on the app you use. Generally, you may incur additional fees or interest charges, and the app may attempt to withdraw the funds from your linked bank account multiple times, leading to overdraft fees. Failure to repay can also harm your credit score if the app reports to credit bureaus.

How we picked the best lending apps to get money without a job

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 9 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 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.

Recap of the best lending apps to get money without a job