What to Do If You Need $10, $20, or $30 Right Now

We’ve all run into tight spots where we just need a small amount of money, but we need it now. Maybe you’re running low on gas or need to put food on the table for tonight’s dinner. If so, you have more options than you might think. 

Many communities have resources like food banks and quick, low-cost grants. It’s best to spend a few minutes looking for these options first. But if that’s not available, cash advance apps can help if you need $10, $20, or $30 right now. 

Company	Amounts	What to know
Varo	$20 – $500	Affordable advances with no subscription required
Brigit	$25 – $500	Get repayment flexibility
Empower	$10 – $350	Option for non-citizen U.S. residents
MoneyLion	$10 – $1,000	Increase the limit you can borrow by completing actions in the app
Cleo	$20 – $250	Option for gig workers and freelancers

Cash advance apps for when you need $10, $20, or $30 now

Cash advance apps work similarly to payday loans, with a few differences. You can get money instantly and without a credit check, but you get cash advances through an app and pay different costs. 

Many cash advance apps advertise no fees, but that’s not entirely true if you’re in a bind. If you need $10 now, you can expect to pay expedited transfer fees if you want the money within a few minutes. 

You may also need to pay subscription fees for the service, which can make cash advance apps just as expensive as payday loans in some cases. Below, we’ve noted what fees each of our recommended companies charges and whether it’s a one-time or subscription fee. Cash advance apps are more convenient than other options and can help when needed. 

Varo

Affordable, No-Subscription Advances

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Why we selected it

Varo Bank offers excellent lending and banking options, including its high-yield savings account, where you can build an emergency fund so you no longer need cash advances. But before you get there, Varo offers one of the cheapest and cleanest ways to get a short-notice, small-dollar cash advance.

• No subscription fee
• Up to 30 days to repay
• No extra instant transfer fees

• Need at least $800 in direct deposits into a Varo bank account

Funding amounts	$20 – $500
Speed of advance	Instant
Fees	$1.60 – $40 flat funding fee

Brigit

Best for Repayment Flexibility

4.6 _/5

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Why we selected it

You don’t technically need a subscription to get a Brigit cash advance if you email its customer service team. But a subscription can make repayment smoother because you can log in and request payment extensions independently.

• Free payment extensions
• Doesn’t prompt you for tip fees
• Credit-building and financial management tools

• Reddit users indicate the app can be stingy with unlocking higher loan amounts
• Clunky process for subscription-free cash advances

Funding amounts	$25 – $250
Speed of advance	20 min. (express delivery); 2 – 3 business days (free delivery)
Fees	$0.99 – $3.99 express delivery; $8.99 – $14.99 monthly subscription

Empower

Options for Non-Citizen U.S. Residents

4.6 _/5

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Why we selected it

U.S. residents—not necessarily only citizens—who are at least 18 years old may be eligible for an Empower cash advance with a bank account and mobile phone number. It’s an intuitive app, too, with no flashy gimmicks to distract you into borrowing more than you need.

• 14-day free trial
• Simple interface, fewer upsells
• Non-citizen U.S. residents may be eligible
• Money management tools

• Requires a paid subscription
• Not available in Connecticut, Maryland, or Washington, D.C.
• Prompts you to pay optional tip fees

Funding amounts	$10 – $350
Speed of advance	15 min. (instant delivery); 2 – 5 days (free delivery)
Fees	$1 – $8 instant delivery; $8 monthly subscription

MoneyLion

Best for Building Eligibility

4.5 _/5

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Why we selected it

MoneyLion is a massive fintech app that offers many other tools for investing, budgeting, borrowing money, games, and more. It’s great if you find the tools useful. Otherwise, it could be a little too much.

• Other personal finance tools
• Gamified ways to boost your cash advance limits
• Offers $10 trial cash advance if you have trouble qualifying

• Funds are deposited in $100 increments; new fees for each chunk
• Higher fees or slower service to get cash in a non-MoneyLion account
• Prompts you to pay optional tip fees

Funding amounts	$10 – $1,000
Speed of advance	Within minutes (Turbo delivery); 1 – 2 business days (free transfer to a MoneyLion account); 2 – 5 business days (free transfer to a non-MoneyLion account)
Fees	$9.99 – $19.99 monthly subscription; $0.49 – $8.99 Turbo delivery fee for every $100 borrowed

Cleo

Options for Gig Workers and Freelancers

4.1 _/5

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Why we selected it

Most cash advance apps rely on viewing your past direct deposit history to know when you’ll be paid next. That’s a problem if you’re a nontraditional worker, though. Cleo is willing to look past that to analyze your income patterns, even if they’re erratic, like most freelancers.

• Offers credit-building tools
• Choose your due date, 3 – 28 days later
• Doesn’t require a banking history with direct deposits

• Clunky process for nonsubscribers to request a cash advance

Funding amounts	$20 – $250
Speed of advance	Same day (express transfers); 3 – 4 days (free transfers)
Fees	$3.99 – $9.99 express delivery; $1.99 – $14.99 monthly subscription

What is an urgent cash need?

Cash advance apps are best used for things you need to buy to continue meeting your basic needs for food, shelter, and security. If you’re stuck on the side of the road because you ran out of gas on your way to work, a cash advance app can help you get to your job. 

But relying on cash advance apps too much can harm you in the long run. Cash advance apps caused a 56% rise in overdraft fees one Center for Responsible Lending study found. People often cope by taking out new cash advances on different apps, not unlike how payday loans trap people in a cycle of debt.

Step-by-step guide to secure a cash advance

Here are the steps to take out a cash advance with an app.

1. Check your options: Some cash advance apps are better than others. Important qualities to look for are transfer speeds, extra fees for faster transfers, subscription fees, and cash advance requirements. 
2. Sign up for the service: Download the app and follow the instructions. You’ll generally need to link your bank account and allow the app to withdraw funds when payment is due. 
3. Request an advance: Cash advance apps tend to offer a small amount of funding the first time you use the service. But if all you need is $10, $20, or $30, that’s perfect because it’s what you’re more likely to qualify for. 
4. Pay it back: You don’t need to do anything now. On the due date, just make sure you have enough money in your account; the app will take it out automatically. 

Make sure you check for hidden fees and charges throughout this process. Some cash advance apps might add extra charges—like “optional tips”—to your agreement, which can drive your costs up further. 

Other short-term financial solutions

Cash advance apps aren’t your only option if you need $10 now. Some are better than others. 

Here are a few quick ideas:

• Ask friends or family for an IOU 
• Sell personal items for quick cash
• Ask for extensions or forbearance on your bills
• Look for charities in your community. Call or visit 211.org to find them.

I recommend setting aside $200 to $1,000 in a separate emergency savings account for essential, unexpected expenses. This fund should be distinct from your regular checking or other savings accounts. Once it’s in place, be intentional about using it only for true emergencies, not wants or conveniences.

Use your emergency fund for essentials like housing costs, utilities, medical bills, car repairs, groceries, job-related needs, minimum debt payments, insurance premiums, and child care. Avoid spending it on non-essentials like dining out, subscriptions, luxury items, vacations, or cosmetic procedures. Knowing the difference can help your fund last when you need it most.

It can also be smart to consider long-term options for help. Opening an account at a credit union that offers payday alternative loans can help you get quick and affordable loans. In contrast, free or low-cost credit counseling can help you develop a holistic plan to get back on track.

Recap of cash advance apps to borrow $10, $20, or $30 now

Company	Amounts	What to know
Varo	$20 – $500	Affordable advances with no subscription required
Brigit	$25 – $500	Get repayment flexibility
Empower	$10 – $350	Option for non-citizen U.S. residents
MoneyLion	$10 – $1,000	Increase the limit you can borrow by completing actions in the app
Cleo	$20 – $250	Option for gig workers and freelancers