Need $200 Right Now? 10 Ways to Borrow, Earn, or Get It for Free

Need $200 ASAP? It’s not ideal, but we’ve all been there.

Sudden expenses. Sick leave. Hours cut back at work. Job loss. Things like this can derail even the most carefully planned budgets. And yes, sometimes, you just need a couple hundred dollars to get by until your next paycheck. 

Below, we’ll explore how to get 200 dollars fast what to know as you weigh each option.

How to get $200 now

There are three main ways to get $200 quickly: you can borrow it, earn it, or receive it through donations or assistance programs.

• Borrow it (minutes to a day): This is usually the quickest route if you need cash right away. Many cash advance apps or short-term lenders can send funds within minutes or hours. Just remember, borrowing means you’ll have to pay it back—sometimes with fees or interest—so it’s best for short-term emergencies, not ongoing expenses.
• Earn it (a few hours to a few days): Picking up a quick gig, delivering food, freelancing, or selling something you already own can put cash in your pocket within a day or two. It’s not instant, but it’s the healthiest option for your finances because you don’t owe anyone afterward.
• Receive it through donations or charities (hours to weeks): If you’re struggling with essentials like rent, food, or utilities, community organizations, churches, or local nonprofits may be able to help. Some offer same-day aid, while others require an application process that can take a few days or longer. Availability and eligibility vary, so it’s best to reach out early.

Here’s a closer look at your options for each.

How to borrow $200 fast

1. $200 cash advance

• Get $200 within minutes for a fee; 1-3 days for free

If you earn paychecks on a regular basis, you could request a cash advance from a paycheck advance app or certain banks. With a cash advance, you can get $200 now and pay it back the next time you get paid. 

This is our No. 1 recommended way to borrow $200 instantly. You’re borrowing against your own next paycheck, and can avoid fees by waiting for standard delivery (one to two days).

You should never have to pay interest on a cash advance, but you may have to pay a fee between $1 and $10 if you want instant funding. You also may be subject to fees if you don’t pay the cash advance back on your next paycheck.

Here are our top recommendations.

4.9

Get Cash

Get Cash

Max. Advance Amounts

$150/day and up to $1,000/pay period¹

Fees

$3.99 – $5.99 for expedited earned wage access

Funding time

1 – 3 business days²

4.9

Get Cash

4.7

Get Cash

Get Cash

Max. Advance Amounts

$10 – $400 ($300 for first-time customers)

Fees

$8/mo. + $1 – $8 for fast funding

Funding time

15 minutes – 5 days

4.7

Get Cash

4.7

Get Cash

Get Cash

Max. Advance Amounts

$500

Fees

$5/mo. + 1.5% of transfer amount for 1-hour delivery; free if you have Dave Checking

Funding time

2 – 3 days or minutes with fee

4.7

Get Cash

4.6

Get Cash

Get Cash

Max. Advance Amounts

$250

Fees

$8.99 or $14.99/mo. + $0.99 – $3.99 for fast funding

Funding time

1 – 3 business days or minutes with fee

4.6

Get Cash

4.6

Get Cash

Get Cash

Max. Advance Amounts

$500

Fees

$2 for transfer within minutes

Funding time

Within 24 hours

4.6

Get Cash

4.4

Get Cash

Get Cash

Max. Advance Amounts

$500 to external accounts; $1K for RoarMoney accounts

Fees

$0.49 – $8.99 for Turbo advances

Funding time

1 – 3 business days or minutes with fee

4.4

Get Cash

2. $200 personal loan

• Get funds within hours or next business day

If you’d rather go the loan route instead of a cash-advance app, a small personal loan can help cover an unexpected $200 expense and give you time to repay it.

You apply, get approval, get the money often within hours or by the next business day, then repay it in monthly installments. Many lenders do run a credit check, however, and require decent credit for approval.

Personal loans usually come with interest (often 8%–36% depending on your credit and income) and sometimes origination fees (1%–10% of the amount). You’ll repay the amount borrowed plus any interest and fees over the term you choose.

Here are a few lower-minimum loan lenders you might consider that may also be open to applicants with lower credit scores.

4.6

View Rates

View Rates

Min. Loan Amount

$250

Funding Time

As soon as next business day

Min. Credit Score

Not specified

4.6

View Rates

4.3

View Rates

View Rates

Min. Loan Amount

$300

Funding Time

1-4 business days after approval

Min. Credit Score

None

4.3

View Rates

3.4

View Rates

View Rates

Min. Loan Amount

$50

Funding Time

Within minutes to 1-2 business days

Min. Credit Score

None, no hard credit check

3.4

View Rates

3. Friends and family loan

• Could be an option for immediate help, plus you can arrange repayment and it won’t affect your credit

If you’re in need of $200 fast, consider asking a friend or family member to front you the cash. You could draw up an agreement so you’re both on the same page about when and how you’ll pay the loan back. 

4. Payday Alternative Loan (PAL)

• Availability is limited to credit union members, but if you’re eligible, get funds in 15 min. to a few days

Offered by credit unions, PALs range from $200 to $1,000 with repayment terms up to six months or a year, depending on the loan. The rate on a payday alternative loan maxes out at 28%. However, you may need to be a member of the credit union to borrow a loan. 

5. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) service

• Immediate help if you’re covering a purchase

If you’re looking for $200 to cover a purchase, consider using a BNPL service at checkout. BNPL providers like Affirm and Afterpay let you spread out the cost of a purchase over time. You may be able to avoid interest and fees if you pay back the amount over four to six weeks. Longer repayment terms, however, may come with interest charges. 

6. 0% credit card

• Approval can range from minutes to days/weeks, but once you are approved, you’ll usually get the virtual card number that can be used online immediately

Creditworthy borrowers may consider opening a credit card with a 0% interest promotional period, which could span a year or longer. During this time, your purchase balance won’t accrue interest. However, you’ll be responsible for interest charges when the introductory period comes to an end, so this approach is best if you can pay off your balance in full before that date. 

A family or friend loan will be the least expensive and will not affect your credit. Be reliable, and pay them back as soon as you can!

After that, consider a BNPL loan if you can make payments within the terms and it has no interest or fees, or a 0% credit card if you can pay it off within the no-interest time frame.

Erin Kinkade , CFP®, ChFC®

How to earn $200 when you need it now

If you’d rather make the money instead of borrowing it, you’ve have options. You might not get all $200 in your account instantly, but you can often start earning within a few hours or days—and it’s money you won’t have to pay back later.

Check out our guide on the best apps to make money fast

7. Sell your stuff

• Get funds same day for local sales; a few days to a week for shipped items

If you have things you don’t use—an old phone, furniture, clothes, or electronics—selling them can be one of the fastest ways to make cash.

Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp are great for local, same-day sales. If you price items fairly and respond quickly to messages, you could make $200 today.

If you’re willing to wait a bit longer, eBay, Poshmark, or Mercari are good for shipping-based sales, but it usually takes a few days to a week for the item to sell and payment to clear.

8. Pick up a quick side gig

• Get $200 the same day to two days for delivery or local gigs; a few days for online work

If you’ve got a few free hours, you can start earning right away through flexible gig work.

• Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart can approve new drivers the same day. Some even offer instant pay once your first delivery is complete. You could make $200 in a day or two, depending on demand.
• Freelance apps like Fiverr or Upwork take longer to get going, but if you already have a profile, you might land a quick gig that pays within a few days.
• Don’t overlook babysitting, pet sitting, or yard work. Local gigs found through friends, Facebook groups, or Nextdoor often pay cash the same day you work.

If you can start today, these gigs are some of the fastest, most flexible ways to earn $200 without taking on debt.

Resources to get $200 for free

If you’ve already cut back and can’t borrow or earn fast enough, you may qualify for free assistance programs that help cover essentials like food, rent, or utilities. These aren’t guaranteed and often depend on your income and location, but they can make a real difference if you’re in a tough spot.

9. Government assistance

• Same day for food or emergency housing help; a few days to weeks for cash programs.

If you’re struggling to cover the basics, government programs can help with essentials like food, rent, or energy bills.

• SNAP (food stamps): Offers grocery assistance through an EBT card, and some states can issue emergency benefits within 24–72 hours. Note: a few states have temporarily paused November 2025 SNAP payments during the ongoing federal budget impasse, so availability may vary.
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families): Provides monthly cash support for low-income households, though approval can take a few days to a couple of weeks.
• LIHEAP: Helps with heating and energy costs, but funding and processing times depend on your state and local demand.

You can check your eligibility and apply online through Benefits.gov, or contact your local Department of Social Services for same-day food or housing referrals.

10. Churches/charities

• Help could be received same day to a few days, depending on availability and location

Local churches, food banks, and nonprofits can often help with groceries, rent, or utilities, sometimes on the same day you apply.

• National groups like The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and United Way’s 211 hotline connect people with local aid quickly.
• Many community churches keep small emergency funds or gift cards on hand for immediate needs.

Availability varies, but these organizations can be a lifeline when you need $200 for essentials, and you don’t have to pay anything back.

Methods to avoid

Some “quick cash” options can do more harm than good. Here are two to steer clear of:

• Payday loans: Sure, they’re easy to get, but the fees and sky-high APRs (sometimes over 400%) can trap you in debt fast. Most are due by your next paycheck, leaving little room to catch up.
• Credit card cash advances: You’ll pay a 3%–5% fee right away and higher interest than normal purchases. Plus, interest starts piling up immediately with no grace period at all.

If you need fast cash, you’re better off with a small personal loan or cash advance app that won’t bury you in fees.

How to protect your finances when borrowing $200 instantly

Having an urgent need for $200 can be a stressful situation, but it’s important to proceed with caution. While legitimate apps and institutions can offer fast loans, a number of predatory lenders in this space take advantage of vulnerable borrowers. 

Payday lenders often charge exorbitant interest rates and fees on loans that can trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. You may not be able to pay the loan back on your next paycheck, so you borrow another payday loan to pay off the first, and so on. 

Before you take out any money, make sure to do the following:

• Read the fine print about any associated interest and fees, including penalties for not paying the loan back on time.
• Consider upfront how you’ll pay back the loan, so you know what to expect and have a solid plan for repayment in place. 
• Make sure the lender is trustworthy before sharing any sensitive personal information, such as your bank account details or Social Security number. Review customer feedback on a site like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau, and check out the CFPB’s consumer complaint database to make this assessment.

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