The 5 Best Cash Advance Apps for Borrowing Money Instantly

Sometimes, you just need a little extra cash to get you through until your next payday. That’s where cash advance apps like Empower and Earnin come in. These apps let you borrow money to cover unexpected expenses and repay it from your next paycheck.

In this guide, we’re focusing on cash advance apps that provide money instantly because we know how important speed is when you’re in a tight spot. We’ll walk you through the best options available so you can find one that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

5 cash advance apps to borrow money until payday

The apps below allow you to borrow money from your next paycheck instantly. Here’s a breakdown showing how they compare regarding funding amounts, speed, and fees.

EarnIn

Best overall

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Why it’s one of the best

EarnIn is a fintech company that offers the largest cash advance on our list. You can borrow up to $1,000 each pay period. However, the maximum amount you can borrow fluctuates based on various factors, such as your spending behavior, repayment history, and paycheck amount.

• Standard cash advances never have any fees
• Up to $1,000 per pay period
• No interest or membership fees
• No SSN or credit check required
• Doesn’t affect your credit score
• 24/7 mobile support
• Don’t have to have full-time employment to qualify

• Capped at $100 per day (or $150 per day) depending on your state’s limitations
• Not compatible with PayPal

Cost to borrow money with EarnIn’s cash advance app

Funding	$100 or $150 per day and up to $1,000 per pay period
Speed of advance	1 – 3 business days
Fees	$1.99 – $4.99 for instant cash advances

If you wait one to three days for the cash advance, you won’t pay additional costs.

If you choose to get instant funds, you’ll pay a one-time fee of $1.99 to $4.99. The annual percentage rate (APR) for an advance of $100 with the smallest fee would be 51.98%, while the highest fee would have a 130.14% APR.

Which banking apps are compatible with EarnIn?

• EarnIn is compatible with Chime and Varo. Users of both banking apps can link to the EarnIn app to access the cash advance feature. EarnIn tracks your hours worked through your bank account and then allows you to withdraw money you’ve earned before your paycheck arrives. EarnIn is not directly compatible with PayPal.

Empower

Best all-in-one finance tool

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Why it’s one of the best

Empower cash advances come with no late fees and interest. You’ll gain access to other tools, such as credit monitoring and an automatic savings tool that helps you stockpile cash to build self-sufficiency and reduce your dependency on future advances. The standard funding time takes a day.

• No late fees
• No credit check
• Offers a free trial
• Doesn’t charge interest

• Risk of overdrafts
• Monthly subscription fee
• Not compatible with Chime, PayPal, or Varo

Cost to borrow money with Empower’s cash advance app

Funding	$10 – $300
Speed of advance	15 minutes – 5 days
Fees	$8/month for subscription; $1 – $8 for instant transfer

If you wait for the cash advance to process outside an instant delivery cycle, you will not pay a fee during the 14-day free trial. After the first 14 days, an $8 monthly membership fee applies.

If you elect to get an instant $100 cash advance, Empower will charge a fee of $1 to $8. The APR with the smallest fee would be 26.07%, and the highest would be 208.56% APR.

Which banking apps are compatible with Empower?

Empower is not compatible with Chime, Varo, or Paypal. You will need to connect it with a traditional bank account to receive a cash advance and access its other features.

Brigit

Best repayment date flexibility

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Why it’s one of the best

Brigit is an app that can help you manage your finances with various budgeting tools and financial wellness tips. You get access to those features for free but must pay a monthly membership fee for cash advances up to $250 and to access its credit monitoring and credit-builder loans.

• Repay your advance with your next paycheck or select a new date
• Access other personal finance tools to manage your budget
• Doesn’t charge any late fees
• Select your repayment date
• Signing up doesn’t affect your credit score

• Requires a $9.99 monthly subscription
• Not compatible with PayPal

Cost to borrow money with Brigit’s cash advance app

Funding	Up to $250
Speed of advance	1 – 3 business days
Fees	$9.99 monthly subscription, $0.99 for instant advances

Brigit requires a paid subscription before you can request a cash advance. A standard $100 advance would include a $9.99 subscription as the only added cost, resulting in an APR of 260.60%.

An instant advance would cost an additional $0.99 and increase your APR to 286.45%.

Which banking apps are compatible with Brigit?

Brigit is compatible with Chime and Varo but not with Paypal, as it requires a connection to a bank account to access cash advances and other financial tools.

Current

Best for multiple advances

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Why it’s one of the best

Current is a financial technology company offering a cash advance of up to $500. If you get the funds within three business days instead of right away, you can avoid fees and interest charges. Current also lets you advance as much as you qualify for as often as needed.

• Qualify without a credit check
• User-friendly app

• Doesn’t disclose fees on website
• Limited financial tools
• Not compatible with Chime, PayPal, or Varo

Cost to borrow money with Current’s cash advance app

Funding	$50 – $500
Speed of advance	1 – 3 business days
Fees	Charges a fee for instant transfer, but amount is not disclosed on website

We couldn’t calculate Current’s overall cost because fees are unavailable on its website. However, our research suggests that its costs should be similar to those of other companies we’ve listed.

Which banking apps are compatible with Current?

Current is a mobile banking platform that provides its own banking services. It is not compatible with similar platforms such as Varo or Chime. You can transfer funds between Current and PayPal, but you cannot use PayPal to access Current’s cash advance service.

MoneyLion

Best mobile app

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Why it’s one of the best

MoneyLion‘s cash advance product is called Instacash. It allows customers with qualifying recurring direct deposits to take a cash advance of up to $500 in minutes with a fee or one to five business days for no fee.

If you become a RoarMoney^SM customer and set up your qualifying recurring direct deposits to your account, you can increase your cash advance limit to $1,000. MoneyLion offers other options to temporarily boost your limit through actions within its app or with peer support.

• Instant cash advances up to $500
• No interest or mandatory fees
• No credit check for approval

• Charges a fee for instant advances
• Not compatible with PayPal

Cost to borrow money with MoneyLion’s cash advance app

Funding	Up to $500 (up to $1,000 with RoarMoney)
Speed of advance	Instant with a fee; 1 – 5 business days for free
Fees	$1.99 – $8.99 for instant advances

MoneyLion doesn’t charge fees for standard delivery of one to five business days.

If you choose the optional Turbo delivery to get funds within minutes, you’ll pay a one-time fee of $1.99 to $8.99, depending on your disbursement amount and account.

Which banking apps are compatible with MoneyLion?

MoneyLion is compatible with Chime and Varo. Chime and Varo users can link their bank accounts to MoneyLion’s cash advance app to access the Instacash feature, allowing them to borrow against their upcoming paycheck.

MoneyLion is not compatible with PayPal, as it requires a connection to a bank account to provide cash advances and monitor transactions.

How do cash advance apps let you borrow money before payday?

You typically download a cash advance app from the Google Play or Apple Store and connect your checking account. Most cash advance apps require the account you link to have recurring direct deposits.

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Tip

If your top priority is compatibility with Chime, see our list of Chime-compatible cash advance apps.

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Afterward, you can request to borrow a lump sum from your next paycheck for a short period in exchange for a fee. When your next paycheck arrives, the company withdraws the money from your linked bank account. While we most strongly recommend the cash advance apps in this guide, you can find our reviews of other cash advance apps in the list below:

• Albert
• Chime
• FloatMe
• Gerald
• Payactiv
• Rain
• SoLo
• Varo

Pros and cons of borrowing money from your future self with cash advance apps

Before you use a cash advance app, it’s important to weigh the pros against the cons.

Pros

• Fast access to cash

  Cash advance apps can provide immediate access to funds. Though some charge a fee for expedited funding, it can be beneficial if you need money for an emergency expense.

• No credit check

  Many cash advance apps don’t require a credit check for approval, meaning your credit score won’t be affected.

• Convenience

  You can apply from anywhere worldwide as long as you have an internet connection.

Cons

• Fees

  Fees add up, especially if you use apps often to borrow money.

• Not a long-term solution

  Using cash advance apps too much can lead to a cycle of debt.

• Short repayment terms

  Cash advance apps provide less flexible repayment terms than other financial products, such as personal loans.

Tip

Check out our guide on the best same-day emergency loans if you need emergency financing.

When considering a cash advance app such as those we’ve mentioned or others like Cleo, it’s also important to evaluate why you’re in the situation in the first place to avoid it in the future.

Having frequent cash draws from your next paycheck implies a bigger need to do cash flow funding. Are you spending too much? Are there ways to manage spending? Or do other concerns or items in your overall cash flow need to be addressed?

Read More

How earned wage access works

Alternatives to cash advance apps to borrow money

If you don’t think borrowing from your next paycheck is the right move for you, consider the following alternatives:

• Personal loan
• 0% APR credit card
• Loan from family or friends

Personal loan

A personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender may be a better option if you need to borrow a large amount and spread payments over a longer time frame. Loan amounts vary by lender but may range from $1,000 to $200,000.

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Tip

For a more comprehensive look at your alternatives, consider viewing our ultimate cash advance guide.

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0% interest credit card

If you have a good credit score, you might qualify for a card with a 0% rate offer that allows you to avoid interest during a specific period. But remember that once the promotion ends, the card’s standard rate will kick in, and you must pay interest on any remaining balance.

Family and friends loan

Though asking a family member or friend to borrow money can be difficult, they may be willing to give you more favorable terms than a traditional lender or cash advance app. If you find someone willing to lend you money, repay it as promised to avoid a possible rift in your relationship.

Read More

Borrow $50 instantly with cash advance apps & Lending apps to get money instantly without a job

Cash advance apps may be easy, but they are an expensive source of short-term funding. It would be more cost-effective to work with a bank. Or if you’re borrowing a smaller amount, look into a 0% credit card option. Review any options with alternatives based on cost and the length of time you need the funds.

FAQ

Is a cash advance the same as a payday loan?

Cash advance apps are not payday loans; the same laws don’t regulate them. However, similar to payday loans, some apps charge high fees, which may translate into sky-high APRs.

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Tip

Operate cash advances safely by looking at these 10 cash advance scams to avoid.

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Is a direct deposit required for cash advance apps?

Some cash advance apps, including Bridget and MoneyLion, require direct deposits, but others don’t.

How secure are cash advance apps?

Reputable cash advance apps generally have security measures to protect your personal and banking information. For example, when you connect your bank account to MoneyLion, the transaction is handled by Plaid, a fintech company that uses encryption tools to secure digital transactions.

What happens if you can’t repay on time?

Cash advance apps may automatically withdraw money from your bank account when payment is due. Your bank may charge you an overdraft fee if you don’t have enough cash in your account to repay the loan amount.

Read More

Can you use a credit card to withdraw money from an ATM without charges?

Do cash advance apps affect your credit score?

It depends on the cash advance app. EarnIn doesn’t require a credit check and doesn’t report payments to the three major credit agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. However, Dave reports payments: on-time payments can help build your score, while missed payments can hurt it.

Recap of the best cash advance apps

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¹ Subject to your available earnings, Daily Max and Pay Period Max. EarnIn services may not be available in all states. Restrictions and/or third party fees may apply, for more information please visit http://EarnIn.com/TOS.

²EarnIn does not charge membership fees for use of its services and/or interest on Cash Outs. Restrictions and/or third party fees may apply. For more info visit http://EarnIn.com/TOS

³Fees and restrictions apply to use Lightning Speed. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times. Transfer may take up to thirty minutes, actual transfer speeds will depend on your bank. Some of our services require payment of the Lightning Speed fee upfront, see Cash Out User Agreement for details. Subject to your available earnings, Daily Max and Pay Period Max. EarnIn services may not be available in all states. Restrictions and/or third party fees may apply, for more information please visit http://EarnIn.com/TOS