CashNetUSA offers payday loans, installment loans, and credit lines, serving borrowers with less-than-stellar credit who need cash fast. Available in 12 states, it acts as a financial stopgap.
Heads up: CashNetUSA’s parent company, Enova International, was ordered by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in 2023 to pay a $15 million penalty for illegal lending practices, including unauthorized withdrawals and deceptive loan disclosures. The company was banned from offering certain short-term loans for seven years.
However, triple-digit APRs and high fees make CashNetUSA an exorbitantly expensive borrowing option, which is why we recommend turning to these more affordable lenders:
Need cash, like, right now? EarnIn lets eligible users access up to $300 from their earned wages with no interest or mandatory fees.¹ First-time users may be eligible for expedited funding at no cost.²
EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1-2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply; see the Lightning Speed Fee Table and Cash Out User Agreement for details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available in all states and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.
Table of Contents
1. EarnIn and other cash advance apps
Why it’s better than CashNetUSA
- No interest
- Borrow from your upcoming paycheck
- Small cash amounts
- Slower processing
EarnIn and similar cash advance apps let you borrow from your next paycheck, with payments deducted automatically, usually on payday. It’s a fast and affordable solution; you pay no interest like with a conventional loan. If you need cash right away, EarnIn can transfer funds to your linked bank account within 30 minutes for a modest fee.
The main limitation of cash advance apps is the amount you can access. EarnIn, for example, caps the borrowing amount at $150 per day and $1,000 per pay cycle. Also, keep in mind that over-relying on these advances can seriously deplete your cash flow, so use them with discernment.
| Max. advance | $1,000 per pay period |
| Fees | $0 for standard delivery (1–3 days); $3.99 – $5.99 for Lightning Speed |
| Direct deposit required? | Yes |
| Credit check? | No |
2. Upstart short-term relief loans
Why it’s better than CashNetUSA
- Much lower APR
- Transparent fees
- Stricter requirements
- No same-day funding
Upstart is an AI lending platform where borrowers can match with lenders offering quick, short-term relief loans. The APR for these loans is 35.99%, high but much more affordable than CashNetUSA.
Upstart’s relief loans are transparent and flexible: Borrowers who make consistent payments may be able to extend their repayment period by up to five months for a one-time fee.
While Upstart will consider applicants with less-than-stellar credit, its eligibility requirements are still more stringent than CashNetUSA’s: for example, a borrower’s annual income must be at least $12,000.
Also, if you’d prefer a traditional personal loan, Upstart offers them.
| Rates (APR) | Up to 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $200 – $2,500 (for short-term relief loans; Upstart also offers traditional personal loans up to $75,000) |
| Repayment terms | 3 – 18 months (3 – 5 years for traditional personal loans) |
| Funding time | Next business day (if loan offer accepted by 5 p.m. Eastern) |
| Min. credit score | 300 (lowest possible) |
3. LendingClub
Why it’s better than CashNetUSA
- Affordable
- Flexible terms
- Origination fees may apply
- Favors borrowers with good credit
LendingClub is an online bank that offers unsecured personal loans and can fund approved loans as soon as the next business day. If you need emergency cash, it’s one option to consider.
Unlike its original peer-to-peer model, LendingClub no longer connects borrowers with individual investors. Today, it operates as a traditional digital lender, using its own underwriting process to evaluate applications. When you apply, LendingClub reviews factors such as your credit score, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), income, and overall financial profile to determine eligibility and loan terms.
Borrowers typically need fair to good credit to qualify. Approval is possible with mid-range credit scores, but applicants with poor credit are less likely to be approved or may receive higher interest rates.
| Rates (APR) | 7.90% – 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 – $60,000 (depending on state) |
| Repayment terms | 2 – 7 years |
| Funding time | From 24 hours |
| Min. credit score | 600 |
| Origination fee | Up to 8.00% |
4. Oportun
Why it’s better than CashNetUSA
- Much more affordable
- Longer repayment terms
- Stricter requirements
- Reports missed payments (may harm credit)
Oportun, originally a lender serving California’s lower-credit Latino community, now operates in 40 states. It accepts borrowers with little to no credit history and those with a bankruptcy record. You may even add a cosigner to boost your chances of approval or secure a lower interest.
Oportun funds both unsecured and secured loans, although the latter are available only in California, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas, and Utah. Borrowers who qualify for secured loans may access larger amounts at potentially lower APR.
However, these loans require using a paid-off vehicle as collateral, so defaulting would put you at risk of losing your car.
| Rates (APR) | Up to 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $300 – $10,000 |
| Repayment terms | Based on loan size, rate, fees, and terms. Payments are fixed installments. |
| Funding time | Within 1 business day |
| Min. credit score | None |
5. PenFed
Why it’s better than CashNetUSA
- Competitive rates
- Flexible repayment terms
- Less availability for borrowers with poor credit
- Slower processing
While not advertised as a payday loan alternative, PenFed’s personal loans can fulfill this role thanks to their competitive rates, fast approvals, and flexible borrowing amounts starting from $600. The credit union charges no origination or prepayment fees.
Unlike many credit unions that restrict membership by location or line of work, PenFed will accept almost anyone as a member. However, those with very weak credit might not be eligible for a personal loan.
| Rates (APR) | 8.99% – 17.99% |
| Loan amounts | $600 – $50,000 |
| Repayment terms | Up to 5 years |
| Funding time | 1 – 2 business days |
| Min. credit score | Not disclosed |
6. OppLoans
Why it’s better than CashNetUSA
- Lower interest rates
- Longer repayment terms
- Can help build credit
- Still expensive
- Requires regular income and direct deposit.
OppLoans is a legitimate, though not a cheap, solution for borrowers who don’t qualify with other lenders but want to avoid predatory payday loans. OppLoans requires no hard credit check, may offer same-day funding, and allows longer, more flexible repayment terms than CashNetUSA. It also reports on-time payments to credit bureaus, which can help repair credit.
The main downside of OppLoans is its interest rates: 99% to 195% APR, which is lower than CashNetUSA’s 229% to 325% but still super high.
| Rates (APR) | More than 100% |
| Loan amounts | $500 – $4,000 |
| Repayment terms | 9 – 18 months |
| Funding time | Same day |
| Min. credit score | None |
7. OneMain Financial
Why it’s better than CashNetUSA
- Lower APR
- Longer repayment terms
- Stricter requirements
- May require a visit to a local branch to finalize loan
OneMain Financial is a major personal loan provider active in almost all states. It will consider borrowers with fair to poor credit, although those with better credit will likely qualify for lower rates. While OneMain is stricter than CashNetUSA in approving loans, it’s still much more accessible than traditional banks.
Compared to payday lenders like CashNetUSA, OneMain Financial offers a far more borrower-friendly loan structure, with APRs up to 36%, flexible repayment terms, and no prepayment penalties. Funding may be as fast as one hour after closing, but loan approval usually takes one to two business days.
| Rates (APR) | 18.00% – 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,500 – $20,000 |
| Repayment terms | 2 – 5 years |
| Funding time | Usually 1 – 2 business days |
| Min. credit score | Not disclosed |
Why avoid CashNetUSA?
Most states restrict or outright ban CashNetUSA’s (and similar lenders’) high-interest payday loans to protect borrowers, and for good reason. Triple-digit APRs, short repayment periods, and late payment penalties can push many borrowers into a never-ending debt cycle.
CashNetUSA generally doesn’t report timely repayments to credit bureaus but will report late or missed payments. Thus, borrowing from this lender won’t help build your credit but may harm your score.
Moreover, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has repeatedly fined Enova (CashNetUSA’s owner company) for unlawful practices like withdrawing funds without consent, cancelling repayment extensions, and misleading borrowers.
With so many more affordable and sustainable personal loan options out there, we advise you to check all alternatives before turning to CashNetUSA.
Recap of best loans like CashNetUSA
Lenders like CashNetUSA should be a last resort for financial emergencies. Even borrowers with poor credit can often find safer, more affordable alternatives like structured personal loans, credit union loans, or peer-to-peer lending. Check the lenders above first to avoid high costs and a potential debt trap.
Article sources
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- PenFed Credit Union, Apply for an Unsecured Personal Loan Online
- LendingClub, Emergency Loans Up to $60,000
- Upstart, Short-Term Relief Loans
- CU Today, A Short-Term Lender Gets Some Long-Term Restrictions on Making Loans
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About our contributors
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Written by Anna TwittoAnna Twitto is a money management writer passionate about financial freedom and security. Anna loves sharing tips and strategies for smart personal finance choices, saving money, and getting and staying out of debt.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their three senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.