4.3 _/5

Get Cash

Because of Dave’s FTC complaint, we recommend you consider the best cash advance apps instead. These companies charge reasonable fees and earn editorial ratings between 4.3 and 5.0.

Cash Advance

No interest or late fees
No credit check required
Maximum limit of $500
Reports repayment to the 3 major credit bureaus

An ExtraCash™ account and a $1 monthly subscription fee are required
Not compatible with PayPal
FTC complaint for misleading marketing practices

Funding	Up to $500
Speed of advance	2 – 3 days; Instant (with fee)
Subscription fees	$1/month
Instant funding fees	$1.99 – $13.9

Dave is a digital banking app that promises to help users avoid overdraft fees and access small cash advances. Its headline feature, ExtraCash™, lets you borrow up to $500 with no interest or late fees—but you’ll pay if you want the money fast. While Dave claims to have saved users $2.5 billion in overdraft fees since 2017, not everything has gone smoothly.

In 2024, the FTC filed a complaint against the company for misleading marketing practices. Dave has since responded, but we think it raises valid concerns about transparency and trust.

Table of Contents

How a Dave cash advance works
Who’s eligible?
What are the costs?
Alternatives to Dave
FAQ

How a Dave cash advance works

Term	Details
Advance amounts	Up to $500
Interest rate	None
Fees	$1 monthly sub fee; $3 – $25 optional fast funding fee
Repayment time	Varies (often your next payday)
Funding time w/ fee	Instant (Dave account) or within 1 hour (external bank account)
Funding time w/o fee	Within 3 business days

Dave advertises four products on its homepage:

Dave ExtraCash™

Dave’s ExtraCash™ account lets you borrow up to $500 with no interest or credit check. It’s designed to help cover unexpected expenses between paychecks. While standard delivery is free, you’ll pay a fee if you opt for express funding.

Like many cash advance services, Dave aims to make borrowing money simple. You can get a cash advance without extra fees but must pay a $1 subscription fee. And if you want an instant cash advance, the fees can be higher than what competitors charge.

How to increase your Dave advance

Dave doesn’t just hand out the full $500 to everyone. Your ExtraCash™ limit is personalized, and most users start with a lower amount—typically around $160. But if you want to boost your advance, here’s how to improve your odds:

Set up recurring deposits. Dave recommends having at least three regular paychecks deposited into your linked bank account. This helps the app predict your income more reliably.
Maintain consistent income. The higher and more consistent your monthly income, the better. Dave looks for at least $1,000 in total monthly deposits before increasing your advance.
Build good habits. Your spending patterns matter, too. Staying in the black, avoiding overdrafts, and using the app responsibly can help improve your eligibility over time.

There’s no guaranteed way to unlock the full $500 right away, but meeting these criteria signals to Dave that you’re a reliable borrower. The longer you use the app and demonstrate steady financial behavior, the more likely you are to qualify for higher advances.

Dave Checking Account

Dave’s spending account is a fee-free checking account with no minimum balance. You can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit and manage your money through the Dave app. It’s FDIC-insured and includes access to ExtraCash™.

Dave Side Hustle

The Side Hustle feature connects users to gig opportunities directly through the Dave app. Whether you’re looking for flexible work or a way to boost your income, Dave helps match you with local and remote job listings.

Dave Goals Account

The Goals account is a simple savings tool that lets you set aside money for short- or long-term goals. You can create multiple goals, track your progress, and automate savings to build better financial habits.

Who’s eligible for a Dave cash advance?

To use the Dave mobile app and website, you must meet the following requirements:

Be a legal resident of the United States
Be of legal age
Not prohibited by law from using the mobile app, website, or other services

How old do you have to be to use Dave?

You must be at least 18 years old to use Dave. This is the minimum legal age required to enter into a financial agreement and use the app’s services.

Dave uses additional factors to determine the cash advance you qualify for through ExtraCash, including:

Whether you have at least three recurring deposits
Your income history and spending patterns
Whether you have total monthly deposits of $1,000 or more to qualify for higher advances
Whether you have at least a 60-day history and a positive balance on the bank account you link

Most of these requirements are comparable to similar services that extend cash advances without requiring a credit check. Because no credit check is required, these companies use alternative factors to determine eligibility.

What are the costs of a Dave cash advance?

Dave’s ExtraCash™ advances don’t charge interest or late fees. However, you can end up paying several optional costs depending on how you use the service:

Express fee: If you want the money instantly or within hours, Dave charges an express delivery fee. This varies based on the advance amount and delivery method.
Tips: Dave encourages users to leave an optional tip. While tipping isn’t required, the app makes it part of the checkout process.
Dave sub fee: To access ExtraCash, you must subscribe to Dave for $1 per month.

While these fees may seem small individually, they can add up—especially with frequent use.

Example 1: Small advance with express delivery

Advance amount: $75
Tip: $4
Express fee: $5.99
Total cost: $10.99
Effective APR: Very high if repaid quickly (e.g., in 7 days)

Example 2: Larger advance with no tip and standard delivery

Advance amount: $200
Tip: $0
Express fee: $0 (choosing standard delivery)
Membership fee: $1 (monthly)
Total cost: $1
Effective APR: 0.5% if repaid in a week

These examples show how your costs can vary based on how fast you need the money and whether you choose to tip. While Dave markets itself as a low-cost alternative to overdraft fees, the real cost depends on how you use it.

How do you repay Dave’s cash advance?

Repayment for a Dave ExtraCash™ advance is typically automatic. When you take an advance, you agree to let Dave withdraw the repayment amount from your linked bank account on your next payday or another date you select.

If your account doesn’t have enough funds on the due date, Dave may try again later, but you won’t face late fees or penalties. That said, failed repayments can still cause issues—like overdrafts from your bank or disruptions to your Dave access—so it’s best to plan ahead and make sure the funds are available.

Pros and cons of a Dave cash advance

Consider these benefits and drawbacks before you proceed with Dave.

Pros

No interest or late fees
Fast funding available (in minutes with express delivery)
No credit check required
Low minimum eligibility requirements

Cons

Express delivery costs extra
2024 FTC complaint alleging misleading marketing
Optional tips can inflate the cost
Only available to Dave members ($1/month fee)

Alternatives to Dave

Here’s how Dave stacks up against four competitors:

App	Amounts	Fee for fast funds	Our rating
EarnIn	Up to $150/day; $750/pay period	$0 – $4.99	5.0
Brigit	$50 – $250	$9.99/month	4.6
Empower	$10 – $250	$1 – $7	4.6
MoneyLion	Up to $100 to external acct.*	$1.99 – $8.99	4.5
Dave	Up to $500	$3 – $25	4.3

*Up to $1,000 to RoarMoney account in $100 increments

Most competitors have lower maximums for a single advance than Dave. However, Dave charges the highest potential fast funding fees, depending on the account you want to fund and the size of the advance.

👉 Takeaway: With no-fee options and the potential to borrow a large amount each pay period, we think EarnIn cash advance app is the best bang for your buck.

See more apps like Dave, but with more flexibility and less hassle.

Is Dave legit?

Dave is a legitimate cash advance company. Despite the FTC complaint, it’s making an effort to address the allegations.

Dave app reviews and complaints

Here’s how Dave’s customers rate the app:

Source	Customer rating	Number of reviews
App Store	4.8/5	718K
Google Play Store	4.4/5	545K
Better Business Bureau	1.13/5	394

Collected on March 21, 2025.

In the Apple and Google app stores, users like Dave’s ease of use, early access to paychecks, and its helpfulness during emergencies.

Dave fares poorly on the Better Business Bureau website. The company has been BBB-accredited since 2019 and has an “A–” rating at the time of writing, but the reviews are less favorable. Many customers report unauthorized charges, difficulty with repayment, and slow response times from customer support.

How to get a Dave cash advance

Getting a cash advance through Dave only requires a few steps. If you already have an outside bank account and meet the eligibility requirements, you could sign up for the service in just a few minutes.

Download the Dave: Fast Cash & Banking app from the App Store or Google Play.
Link your bank account. It must be active for at least 60 days and receive recurring deposits.
Submit your application and get approved.
Choose standard or instant delivery to receive your funds.

How to get more money from Dave:

Dave starts most users with a small cash advance limit, but you can increase it over time. To qualify for larger advances—up to $500—make sure your linked account receives at least three recurring direct deposits, has total monthly deposits of at least $1,000, and shows consistent income and healthy spending habits.

How long does a Dave cash advance take for delivery?

Once approved, you’ll typically get your ExtraCash™ in one to three business days with standard delivery. If you need it sooner, you can pay a small fee to get your advance instantly in your Dave Spending account. After you get the funds, Dave will automatically withdraw repayment from your linked bank account on your next payday—or sooner, if funds become available.

Just note: You can only request one advance at a time. You’ll need to repay the first in full before becoming eligible for another.

Why did Dave lower my advance?

Dave reviews your account activity regularly to decide how much you can borrow. If your advance amount dropped, it could be due to:

Lower or inconsistent direct deposits
Changes in your spending patterns
A negative bank balance
Missed or delayed repayments

To rebuild your limit, try to maintain steady income and avoid overdrafts in your linked account.

Dave cash advance FAQ

Does Dave build credit?

No, Dave advances aren’t reported to credit bureaus. Using ExtraCash™ won’t help or hurt your credit score. But consistently paying back your advance on time can help you build good financial habits.

Does Dave work with Cash App?

You can link Dave to the same bank account you use with Cash App, but Dave doesn’t send funds directly to your Cash App balance. To move funds between the two, you’ll need to transfer money from your linked bank account.

If I don’t have the money in my account, will I pay Dave overdraft fees?

Dave doesn’t charge overdraft fees—but your bank might if a repayment causes your balance to go negative. To avoid this, keep an eye on your account balance and consider setting up low balance alerts. You can also contact Dave’s support if you’re having trouble repaying on time.

How do I get $500 instantly with Dave?

To get up to $500 instantly with Dave, you’ll need to qualify for an ExtraCash™ advance and choose express delivery. Express delivery typically sends the money to your linked bank account within minutes, but you’ll pay a small fee for the faster transfer. Without express delivery, funds usually arrive in one to three business days.

Why am I not eligible for a cash advance on Dave?

You may be ineligible for a cash advance if you haven’t linked a valid checking account, if your income history is inconsistent, or if you recently had insufficient funds. Dave uses your transaction history, deposit frequency, and account activity to determine eligibility. Being a new user may also limit your access at first.

How we rated Dave

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.