The 9 Best Ways to Borrow Money With Apps and Loans

Need cash to cover an emergency or a big purchase? Whether you’re dealing with medical bills, unexpected repairs, or just need extra funds, borrowing money can offer a quick solution. From loan apps to personal loans, there are many options to get money fast.

However, borrowing almost always comes with interest and fees, and some options are more expensive than others. That’s why it’s important to compare before you commit—we’ll help you figure out which option makes the most sense for your situation and how to avoid paying more than you need to.

The 9 best ways to borrow money

When you need to borrow money to cover an expense, there are nine common ways to do it. In the table below, read for who and when each method might be best. Click on the method to learn more details about that option.

Product	Best for
Cash advance app	Small amounts and repay by your next paycheck. This is the fastest way to borrow money.
Personal loan	Bigger amounts with longer time to repay
0% APR credit card	Costs you can pay off in 12 to 15 months, interest-free. This is the cheapest way to borrow money if you pay it off in time.
Home equity loan	Homeowners with good credit and home equity
Buy now, pay later	Spreading out payments on big purchases
Credit card advance	Emergencies when you’ve run out of other options
Peer-to-peer loan	Small loans if you have lower credit
Life insurance loan	Borrowing against a cash-value life insurance plan
Retirement loan	Borrowing from retirement, paid back in five years

Advice from the expert

Eric Kirste

CFP®

Review your loan options based on the interest rate and if it’s fixed or variable, how long you intend to borrow money for, if the monthly payment is affordable, and the lender’s fees or required down payments.

1) Apps that let you borrow money

Cash advance apps, like EarnIn, MoneyLion, or Brigit, let you access funds from your upcoming paycheck in advance. You can do this instantly for a small fee or typically within three business days at no added cost.

The amount you receive is usually paid back with your next paycheck via automatic withdrawal from your bank account.

These apps are a good fit if you need to cover a short-term cash flow issue and have sufficient funds in your next paycheck. This isn’t a long-term solution for covering recurring expenses.

Here are some popular options.

App	Max. funding	Ratings*
EarnIn	$750	4.7/5 (281.1K)
Empower	$300	4.8/5 (182.3K)
Brigit	$250	4.8/5 (298.4K)
Current	$500	4.8/5 (153.7K)
MoneyLion	$500	4.7/5 (129.2K)

Compare Options

Best Cash Advance Apps

Pros

• Convenient and quick access to cash via an app on your phone.

• Can help you cover an unexpected emergency expense.

• Don’t require a credit check.  

• Let you borrow against your next paycheck, getting your funds sooner than payday. 

Cons

• You may pay a monthly subscription fee or extra fee for instant funding. 

• Funding can take up to three business days if you don’t pay an instant funding fee. 

• Could trigger overdraft fees in your bank account if you don’t have sufficient funds when your payment is due.

2) Personal loans

A personal loan may be suitable if you need to borrow $1,000 or more. Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning you don’t have to back them with collateral, like your home or car.

You can get them from banks, credit unions, and online lenders. The funds you receive can be used for almost any purpose and are repaid in fixed monthly payments over one to seven years.

Your interest rate depends on your financial profile, especially your credit score, but may range from around 8% to 36%. Some lenders charge an origination fee of 1% to 10% of the loan balance, which is is taken out before you receive the funds.

Compare Options

Best Personal Loans

Pros

• Personal loans are usually unsecured, so you don’t have to put up collateral.

• Interest rates tend to be fixed, so you have predictable monthly payments and long-term loan costs. 

• You can often stretch out repayment over several years.

• You may be able to prequalify for a personal loan online, meaning you can check your rates without dinging your credit score with a hard inquiry. 

• Some lenders can provide a loan the same day your application is approved.

Cons

• Rates can be as high as 36% for borrowers with bad credit.

• You may have to meet minimum credit score and income requirements to qualify. 

• Some lenders charge loan fees, such as origination fees or late payment fees. 

3) 0% APR credit card

Paying for something with a credit card is also an option, but most credit cards have high APRs. According to the Federal Reserve, the average credit card APR is 21.47%. However, you may be able to avoid interest for a certain period of time with a 0% APR credit card. 

Credit cards with 0% APR promotions don’t charge interest on your purchases during the introductory period, which could span 12 to 15 months. If you can pay off your charges before the 0% APR period ends, you’ll essentially get an interest-free loan. Plus, some cards offer rewards on your purchases in the form of cash back or travel points. 

However, carrying a balance past that time could mean hefty interest charges, and credit card debt can be difficult to pay off. Consider whether you can pay off your costs in full before the regular APR kicks in, as well as avoid racking up too many additional charges. 

You’ll need good or excellent credit to qualify for a 0% APR credit. You can apply with a credit card company online and may get an instant approval decision. If your application is approved, you’ll get your card in the mail in one to two weeks. 

Pros

• May not pay interest on your charges for 12 to 15 months. 

• Could earn rewards points on your credit card that you can redeem for cash back, miles, gift cards, or other options. 

• You can charge up to your available credit limit. 

Cons

• Regular APR may be high, and you could face expensive interest charges once the 0% APR promotional period comes to an end. 

• Could be difficult to qualify for a 0% APR credit card if you don’t have good credit.

• Charging an expensive purchase to your card increases your credit utilization ratio, which could drag down your credit score.

4) Home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC)

Homeowners may consider borrowing money from their home equity, which is the difference between the value of their home and the amount they owe on their mortgage. This can be done with a home equity loan or a HELOC.

You can apply for a home equity loan or HELOC with various banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Along with providing your personal details, you’ll have to upload verifying documentation about your income and property.

Home equity loans and HELOCs are secured loans that use your home as collateral, meaning you risk losing your home to foreclosure if you can’t repay the loan.

Compare Options

Best Home Equity Loans & Best HELOCs

Pros

• Rates may be lower than other loan options.

• You can choose between a lump sum loan and a line of credit. 

• You have fixed- and variable-rate options, depending on which loan product you choose. 

Cons

• Your equity functions as collateral, so you risk losing your home if you can’t repay the loan.

• You’ll have to meet a lender’s requirements for equity, credit, and income. 

• It can take anywhere from two weeks to two months to get your home equity loan or HELOC. 

5) Buy now, pay later (BNPL)

Various BNPL services, such as Affirm and Klarna, let you spread out the expense of a major purchase over time. Retailers often partner with these BNPL providers and may offer this option at checkout. 

If you pass a soft credit check, you can select to finance your purchase via BNPL, also known as a point-of-sale loan. These services often don’t charge any interest or fees if you pay off your expenses in four payments, usually over six weeks. 

Longer repayment terms may be available but typically come with interest charges and may require a hard credit inquiry. 

Pros

• Usually doesn’t require a hard credit inquiry if you select a short term. 

• No interest or fees if you pay back the amount in the allotted time, often six weeks. 

• Purchase an item now and pay it back over time. 

Cons

• Could trigger overdraft fees in your bank account if you don’t have sufficient funds when your payment is due. 

• Longer repayment terms usually come with interest charges and require you to pass a credit check. 

• BNPL providers may charge late fees if you don’t make your payment on time. 

• BNPL may not be available at every retailer. 

6) Credit card cash advance

If you carry a credit card in your wallet, you may be able to borrow money with a cash advance. You can often use your credit card to take out cash at an ATM, similar to how you would with your debit card. 

However, cash advances can get expensive fast. They usually come with a fee of 5% of your transaction and may have higher APRs than your credit card’s regular purchase APR. 

Unlike with purchases, you also don’t get an interest-free grace period on a cash advance. Instead, the amount you borrow starts accruing interest right away. 

Because of the high fees, we don’t recommend a credit card cash advance if you can get a more affordable loan elsewhere (or if you can cover expenses from your own savings). 

Pros

• If you already have a credit card, you can use it or get immediate cash—no need to apply to borrow money.

• Convenient and quick access to cash from an ATM.

• Can help you out in an emergency. 

Cons

• Comes with a cash advance fee that may cost 5% of your transaction. 

• Cash advance APR is typically higher than your regular purchase APR. 

• Cash advances start accruing interest charges right away with no grace period. 

Read More

What is an NSF fee, and what do I do about it?

7) Peer-to-peer (P2P) loan

Peer-to-peer loans are another option for borrowing money. Rather than taking out a loan from a bank, you’ll borrow from an individual investor via a P2P lending site, such as Prosper. 

P2P loans may have somewhat less stringent credit score requirements than personal loans, but they may come with higher interest rates and more fees. Interest rates shouldn’t exceed 36%.

Compare Options

Best Peer-to-Peer Loans

Pros

• May have more flexible credit score requirements than personal loans.

• Can often borrow up to $50,000 or more. 

• You can apply for a P2P loan online. 

Cons

• May come with higher interest rates and more fees than a personal loan. 

• Funding time could take longer since you have to be connected with an individual investor. 

• Some large P2P platforms don’t provide loans in every state. 

8) Borrow money from your life insurance

If you have a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole life or universal life insurance, you may be able to borrow money from it. Note that you can’t borrow money from term life insurance, which has no cash value. 

Because you’re borrowing from yourself, you don’t need to meet credit requirements to take out money from life insurance. But you still need to repay the borrowed amount with interest. Failing to repay the loan could mean your policy lapses, and it could incur greater interest charges and have tax implications. 

If you don’t repay it in full, your beneficiaries could receive less from the life insurance policy. Borrowing from life insurance can be complicated, so it may be worth speaking with a financial professional before pursuing this option. 

Pros

• May come with low interest rates and flexible repayment terms.

• No credit check is required. 

• You usually don’t have to pay taxes on the amount you borrow if you pay it back on time.

Cons

• Missing payments could lead to increased interest charges and a potential tax bill.

• The amount you owe, plus interest charges, could be subtracted from the amount your beneficiaries receive.

• Not all life insurance plans allow you to borrow money.  

Compare Options

Best Whole Life Insurance

9) Retirement loan

If you have a retirement plan through an employer, including a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b), your plan sponsor might offer the opportunity to take out a loan against part of your vested balance.

Borrowing from yourself may seem like an easy option, but certain repayment penalties should make this one of your last resorts for a loan. Plus, withdrawing from your retirement account could leave you with less money when you’re ready to stop working. 

You’ll miss out on time in the market when your savings could have been earning interest. 

Pros

• No impact on your credit—payments won’t appear on your credit report.

• You pay interest on the loan to yourself, making it a lower-cost way to access cash.

• No credit check is required, and there’s usually a short application.

Cons

• If you don’t repay your loan within the required time frame (usually five years), it’s treated as an early distribution, and you’ll pay a 10% penalty.

• If you leave your employer before you repay the loan, you may have to pay the full outstanding balance immediately.

• You could endanger your future savings, making it difficult to retire later in life. 

What to keep in mind if you need to borrow money instantly

When considering borrowing money through an app or loan, the most important details to understand are:

• Interest rates
• Repayment terms
• Fees
• Funding time
• Secured vs. unsecured
• Customer service
• Loan use

Interest rates

Interest is the cost of borrowing money, and your rate determines how expensive your loan will be. A high interest rate will mean higher borrowing costs, while a low interest rate means a more affordable loan. 

Rates can vary by loan type and lender, but they also depend on your credit score. If you can take steps to improve your credit score before you apply, you may qualify for a better interest rate on a loan. 

Some lenders also let you apply with a creditworthy cosigner or co-borrower, which can help you access better rates. 

Repayment terms

Your repayment terms refer to how long you have to repay the loan and how often you’ll make monthly payments. Personal loans, for instance, often come with terms between one and seven years, whereas paycheck advance apps want you to repay your loan out of your next paycheck. 

Pay attention to the loan repayment terms, and make sure you have a plan to pay back the money before you borrow.

Fees

Some loans come with fees on top of the interest you pay. Common loan fees include origination fees, application fees, and late payment fees. Make sure to review all the fees associated with your loan so you understand the true cost of the money you’re borrowing.

Funding time

How fast you need to borrow money could affect which financing option you choose. Some apps offer instant cash for a fee, whereas other lenders take a few days or weeks to process your application and disburse your loan. Keep in mind that fast funding often comes at a higher cost. 

Secured vs. unsecured loans

It’s also important to consider whether a secured or unsecured loan makes sense for you. Secured loans may come with better interest rates and higher loan amounts, but you’ll need to back them with collateral, and you risk losing your assets if you can’t repay the loan.

With an unsecured loan, you don’t have to pledge personal assets, but you’ll generally need strong credit to qualify and get a decent interest rate. 

Customer service

Another factor worth considering is a lender’s customer support. Some lenders offer support via email, web chat, or phone, while banks with physical locations can offer in-person customer service. Consider whether the lender has options to support you through the borrowing process. 

Loan use

Any time you borrow money, it’s wise to consider why you need it. Are you spending it on something you need, or can you live without it?

If it’s not a true need, consider holding off on the loan. Borrowing money can be expensive, and you may be better off saving up until you can afford the expense without taking on debt. 

Ask the expert

Eric Kirste

CFP®

Good uses of borrowed money include consolidating debt, making home upgrades and completing repairs, and emergency or large purchases. It’s not wise to borrow money if you can’t afford the monthly payments and if your credit score is so low that it makes a loan too expensive.

FAQ

Where can I borrow money fast?

You have several options for borrowing money fast, including a cash advance app app, personal loan, and credit card cash advance. 

Several loan apps offer instant small-amount loans ($750 or less), but you’ll pay a fee between $1 and $10 for express funding. Some personal loan lenders also offer fast loans, often disbursing your loan the same day you’re approved. 

A credit card cash advance is also an option for borrowing money fast, but proceed with caution—most cash advances come with high fees and substantial interest charges.

What are the basic requirements to borrow money?

The requirements to borrow money vary depending on the lender and type of loan. Loan apps, for instance, require that you have a verifiable bank account and can repay your loan out of your next paycheck. 

A personal loan often requires a good credit score, a steady income, and an acceptable debt-to-income ratio. To borrow a personal loan, you may need to provide your personal details and verifying documentation, such as pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements. 

Our expert’s advice

Eric Kirste

CFP®

A person’s credit score is calculated based on five areas: length of credit history, amounts owed, payment history, new credit, and mix of credit. When you take out a personal loan, it affects your credit score because you add new debt. This could hurt your ability to qualify for additional debt or credit in the short term. It’s important to understand the need for the funds and whether you should take out extra money for a potential future need. You may see a temporary dip in your credit score at first with a new loan or credit, but it can improve over time with a consistent payment history.

Is my data secure if I borrow money via an app or online?

Online and mobile banking is safe if you borrow from a legitimate lender that uses encryption and other cybersecurity practices to keep your data private and secure. 

You can take steps to keep your data secure, such as downloading the verified app, using a strong password, and not checking your accounts on public Wi-Fi. 

Is there a difference in interest rates for online loans versus traditional loans?

You may be able to find more competitive interest rates (and faster funding) with online loans than traditional loans. Online lenders don’t need to pay for brick-and-mortar locations, so they can often funnel those savings into low rates and favorable terms for borrowers. 

It’s smart to shop around with different types of lenders to see where you can get the best rate. It’s worth checking with your current bank or credit union because some offer loyalty rate discounts for customers. 

What are red flags to watch for if you need to borrow money instantly?

Predatory lenders target vulnerable borrowers who need to borrow money instantly. One red flag to watch out for is a lender that offers instant loans without a credit check. 

These loans may be payday loans that can come with exorbitant APRs of 400% or higher. You should also be wary of lenders that try to rush you through the application process, don’t clearly disclose their rates and terms, or make promises that sound too good to be true.