Best Cash Advance Apps for Gig Workers and Freelancers

Cash advance apps give you small amounts of money to help cover bills or other necessary expenses before payday. A cash advance is a short-term loan; you repay the balance when you get your next paycheck. 

Most apps, including EarnIn, Dave, and MoneyLion, require you to have consistent direct deposit from an employer, which might be possible for some part-time workers. But you have other options if you can’t meet that requirement: Apps like Fundo and Ualett specialize in cash advances for gig workers and freelancers. Here’s how to find the best gig worker cash advance app.

Requirements for cash advances and loans for gig workers 

Cash advance apps usually have the following requirements for users:

• At least 18 years or older
• U.S. bank account
• Valid cellphone number
• Consistent direct deposit from an employer

Most cash advance apps require a consistent direct deposit pay schedule or a minimum number of deposits. These requirements can be a dealbreaker if you don’t work regularly or are just starting. 

For example, EarnIn, our highest-rated cash advance app, requires users to have a direct deposit pay schedule and a fixed work location or employer-provided email address. Some gig workers, especially Doordash and Uber drivers, can’t meet those requirements. 

Workers who receive money from peer-to-peer payment apps—think Cash App and Venmo—also can’t meet the direct deposit requirements. Sorbet is an app that allows you to convert unused PTO to cash, which doesn’t help gig workers either. 

Cash advance apps partner with Plaid and similar third-party apps for income and bank account verification, so it’s important to understand the requirements before applying to maximize your chance of approval. Here’s how to meet the income requirements for some of the most popular cash advance apps. 

App	Income requirements
EarnIn	Be employed; Consistent direct deposit pay schedule; Fixed work location or employer-provided email
Empower	Consistent direct deposit or source of income into your linked account
Dave	More than 3 recurring deposits from the same source; External bank account with 3-month history
MoneyLion	Regular deposits from the same source
Brigit	More than 3 recurring deposits from the same source
Current	Earn $500 or more in payroll deposits
Cleo	No employment verification
FloatMe	Some employment ($200 per check); Debit card
Rocco	3 recurring deposits from the same source

Best apps for freelancers and gig workers 

EarnIn is our top pick for every type of borrower, including gig workers, especially those with a second job that allows them to meet the direct deposit requirements. The app has low fees, large loan amounts, and flexible eligibility. 

If you can’t meet EarnIn’s direct deposit requirement, Cleo is another solid choice that caters to every type of worker. For more specialized options, we recommend Giggle Finance which supports 1099 workers and small business owners. Note that Giggle Finance and Lendesca market their products as loans rather than cash advances.

EarnIn

Best Overall Cash Advance App

5.0 _/5

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Why we picked it

EarnIn stands out as the best overall cash advance app because of its low fees and the fact that it doesn’t require full-time employment. However, you’ll need to show proof of a consistent direct deposit pay schedule and a fixed work location or employer-provided email. Because of those requirements, we recommend it for gig workers who have a second job that allows them to meet these requirements.

EarnIn offers funding of up to $150 per day, with a maximum of $750 per pay period. Its optional Lightning Speed feature allows for same-day access to funds for a fee lower than many competitors.

Funding	$150/day and up to $750/pay period
Speed of advance	1 – 3 business days
Fees	$2.99 – $4.99 for Lightning Speed cash advances

Cleo

4.1 _/5

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Why we picked it

Cleo is a top pick for gig workers because you don’t need to meet direct deposit requirements, earn a specific amount of money, or have a set number of paychecks deposited to your account. 

Instead, you qualify based on your earned income—the amount you already earned during the month but haven’t been paid yet. Due to this qualification, we think it’s best for gig workers who are high earners; this will allow you to borrow more. 

You can borrow up to $250 and get it for a small fee on the same day, or you can wait several days and borrow the money for free. You must be a member to borrow, and the monthly fee is as low as $5.99.

The company uses AI to make lending decisions and provide free financial education for users. The budgeting side of the app is useful and fun. You can chat with the AI assistant and request “Hype Mode” or “Roast Mode” for funny and insightful feedback about your spending. It’s especially helpful for gig workers who are short on time and want to make small but effective budget changes.

Funding	$20 – $250
Speed of advance	3 – 4 days
Fees	Monthly subscription as low as $5.99/month and same-day advance from $3.99 – $9.99

Giggle Finance

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Why we picked it

Giggle Finance is an online lending platform that allows you to borrow against future business sales. It offers loans for self-employed workers and small business owners. You must be in business for at least three months, and you can borrow up to $5,000. The company analyzes your business account to determine eligibility. 

Because you must own a business to qualify, it’s not the right fit for everyone. But it’s a solid choice for freelancers and other small business owners.  

Ualett

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Why we picked it

Ualett provides cash advances of up to $2,000 for rideshare drivers and other gig workers. You need to be at least 21 years old to use the app. The application process is quick: Download the app, create an account, verify your information, and request an advance. 

The company charges a fee when you borrow money and deducts the amount you borrow from your future earnings.

Fundo

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Why we picked it

Fundo offers same-day financing of up to $10,000 for freelancers, rideshare drivers, contractors, online sellers, and business owners. To qualify, you must earn at least $1,500 per month and have at least three months of earnings. 

Fundo authenticates your bank account through Plaid to confirm eligibility. It’s a solid option if you need to borrow money right away. 

Lendesca

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Why we picked it

Lendesca is different from other lenders because it only offers loans for business expenses like purchasing software, hiring employees, and marketing. You can get a startup loan, small business loan, merchant cash advance, or equipment loan. 

The requirements vary depending on the loan type, but you usually need a minimum credit score or business revenue. Interest rates depend on your eligibility but can be as low as 6.75%.  

How to choose a cash advance app for your scenario 

The best cash advance app depends on your income, employment, and how much you want to borrow. Figuring out what you need can help you find the right fit. Here are the best cash advance apps for specific scenarios. 

Cash advance apps that use (and don’t use) Plaid

Plaid is a software company that connects bank accounts to financial apps. Most cash advance apps, including Cleo and Fundo, verify income and bank account balances using Plaid. 

For most borrowers, Plaid makes qualifying for a cash advance easy and quick. However, some users prefer to verify accounts another way. If so, you can get funding from companies with a traditional loan application process.

Cash advance apps that work with Cash App

Some cash advance apps, including Dave, EarnIn, and MoneyLion, work with Cash App and allow you to transfer the advance to your Cash App account. Although some payday loans accept Cash App as a bank account, we don’t recommend using them because of high interest charges and excessive fees.

Cash advance apps that work with pay stub apps

Most cash advance apps require you to use a service like Plaid to connect your bank account. You might be able to find a cash advance app that works with pay stub apps, but it’s rare since it’s less secure. 

Cash advances for DoorDash drivers

Cleo and Ualett are the best cash advance apps for DoorDash drivers. Ualett allows drivers to borrow up to $2,000 with a quick application and verification process. Cleo has a lower limit—up to $250—but the company has flat fees and a straightforward application. 

Loans for Uber drivers

Cash advance apps provide small loans you repay during your next pay cycle. It’s short-term funding, and most lenders charge a small membership fee instead of interest. 

Ualett, Fundo, and Cleo are solid options for Uber and Lyft drivers. The lenders work with rideshare drivers, and the qualifications reflect that. You need to earn a minimum monthly amount or have provable income. 

Guaranteed cash advance apps

Legitimate cash advance apps have verification processes to ensure you can repay the money you borrow. You usually need to link your bank account to prove you can meet income requirements. Because of that, it’s best to avoid cash advances that guarantee you can borrow money without undergoing an eligibility check. 

Gig workers should aim for an emergency fund of at least $1,000, gradually growing to three to six months’ expenses. If that’s not feasible, explore local resources for interest-free loans or emergency grants. Consider 0% intro rate credit offers (with a strict repayment plan), earned wage access programs, or support from trusted friends or family.

Recap of the best cash advance apps for gig workers and freelancers