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5 pay advance apps like Brigit
Can't meet its strict eligibility requirements? Consider one of these apps instead.
Brigit is available for everybody, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the right choice. With a high membership fee of $9.99 a month and a monthly income requirement of $1,500 — as well as two-day processing for its cash advances — it isn’t the most competitive app out there.
But it does offer due date extensions and automatic advances if you’re low on funds, which could help you avoid unnecessary overdraft fees.
Pros
- Interest-free cash advances of up to $250 per pay period.
- No late fees or obligation to tip.
- Due date extensions available.
- Automatic advances if you’re low on funds.
- Predicts potential overdrafts.
Cons
- High monthly membership fee of $9.99.
- Up to two-day turnaround.
- Rigorous eligibility criteria.
- Advance limited to wages already earned.
Want to compare your options before committing to Brigit? Here are a few other pay advance apps to consider:
1. Earnin
Unlike Brigit, Earnin makes money through optional tips — not membership fees. And it also has a higher advance limit: $100 per day or $500 per pay period. However, this is based on how much you worked, so you may not qualify for a larger amount if you haven’t already earned the money. It also has a faster turnaround than Brigit, depositing your funds in just a few minutes if you qualify for its Lightning Speed program.
However, the apps are similar in that they both offer overdraft protection to prevent those annoying bank charges.
Pros
- Interest-free cash advances of up to $500 per pay period.
- No membership fees or obligation to tip.
- Same-day transfers available.
- Offers overdraft protection.
Cons
- Advance limited to hours already worked.
- Must upload a work schedule.
2. Dave
Dave is a membership-based pay advance app, but unlike Brigit, you’ll only be charged $1 a month. But transfers are slow — unless you’re willing to pay $4.99 for a same-day transfer — and you’ll only be able to borrow up to $75. In addition, Dave doesn’t let you change or extend your payback date.
Pros
- Interest-free cash advances.
- Tracks spending to prevent overdrafts.
- Low monthly membership fee.
- Portion of each tip goes to a good cause.
- Not required to connect a work schedule.
Cons
- Advances limited to $75.
- Turnaround takes up to three days.
- May be banned for missing a payment.
- Can’t change or extend your payback date.
3. Even
Part of Even’s suite of financial tools is its Instapay feature, which allows you to borrow up to 50% of the money you’ve already earned during a pay period. However, you’ll need an Even Plus membership for this feature — and only employees of certain companies qualify.
But unlike Brigit, you can pick up your cash advance the same day at any US Walmart. Plus, it automatically sets aside money to pay your bills and calculates an “okay to spend” amount to help you manage your spending.
Pros
- Interest-free cash advances of up to 50% of money you’ve already earned.
- One-day transfer or same-day cash pickup at Walmart.
- Automatically sets money aside for savings and bills.
- Tracks bills to give an “okay to spend” amount.
Cons
- Cash advance limited to qualifying employers.
- $8 monthly Even Plus membership fee.
- Advance limited to hours already worked.
4. Branch
Unlike Brigit, Branch is designed to help increase your work productivity and make your finances a little easier to handle. It offers same-day turnaround, cash advances of up to $150 per day or $500 per pay period, and gives you the ability to chat with coworkers or exchange shifts — provided they also use the app.
There are no membership fees or costs to use Branch, making it a much cheaper option. However, you may be put on a waitlist for its Branch Pay feature if your company doesn’t already have an account set up. And depending on the company you work for, you may not have access to all of its advanced features.
Pros
- Interest-free cash advances of up to $500 per pay period.
- No membership fees or obligation to tip.
- Same-day delivery available.
- Manage your work schedule and message coworkers.
Cons
- May be put on a waitlist for Branch Pay.
- Some features depend on your employer.
- Advance limited to hours already worked.
5. MoneyLion
MoneyLion is an online bank that also offers Instacash advances for MoneyLion checking account holders. You can borrow up to $250 — the same as Brigit — or 10% of your direct deposit each pay period. And with other features like zero-fee checking and free credit monitoring, it may be worth starting an account.
Pros
- Interest-free cash advances of up to $250.
- Automatic deposit.
- No membership fees or obligation to tip.
- Access other banking services, like credit monitoring.
Cons
- Must have a MoneyLion checking account.
- Not available in Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada or Vermont.
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Updated October 23rd, 2019
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