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Apps like MoneyLion

MoneyLion is a solid pay advance app, but there are other ways to access your paycheck for less.

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By

Kat Aoki

Edited by

Holly Jennings

Reviewed by

Megan B. Shepherd

Updated

MoneyLion is a banking and cash advance app that offers interest-free cash advances up to $1,000 per pay period with no monthly fee. And if you open a RoarMoney banking account, you can potentially increase your advance amount to $1,000 per pay period. But its instant transfers are expensive, and some users have complained about app glitches.
Our list of apps like MoneyLion includes a range of interest-free cash apps for people with less-than-perfect credit — and offers a range of features that could help you budget better and save money.

Top money apps like MoneyLion

Here are 6 instant money apps that offer similar services and advance amounts to MoneyLion.

Alternative for overdraft feature: Chime SpotMe

Chime SpotMe®

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If you're a Chime customer with an active debit card, you can take advantage of Chime's optional SpotMe service to help you avoid costly overdraft fees. The SpotMe service covers debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, cashback transactions and over-the-counter (OTC) withdrawals.
To qualify for SpotMe, you must have a qualifying direct deposit of at least $200 sent to your Chime checking account every month. While $20 in overdrafts isn't much, Chime may raise your overdraft feature limit up to $200 based on your direct deposit activity, spending habits and other factors.
  • Available in all states
Partner terms and conditions
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Direct deposit: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. SpotMe: Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each at least once every 34 days. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime’s discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won’t cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.
Pros
  • No fees or obligation to tip
  • Could potentially qualify for $200 in overdrafts
  • Easy to enroll for overdraft feature
Cons
  • SpotMe limits start at $20
  • SpotMe doesn't cover bill pay or P2P transfers
  • Must be used with Chime checking account
Loan amount$20 - $200
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan TermN/A
Turnaround timeSame day

Alternative for building a portfolio: Albert

Albert

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Albert is a financial services and banking app that offers up to $250 cash advances between paychecks. Unlike MoneyLion, there's no mandatory repayment date, which means you can borrow money and pay it back when you can. And when you set up direct deposit with Albert Cash, you can get paid up to two days early.
What makes Albert different from MoneyLion is its Genius feature. Genius is a built-in service that can answer your questions about investing, credit cards, student loans and more. Just provide Genius with a few details, and it creates your custom investment portfolio. But Genius costs $8 to $16 a month, and you must sign up for a free 30-day trial if you want cash advances.
  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Offers budgeting, loans and investment help
  • Paid membership not required for advances
  • No late fees or inactivity fees
Cons
  • Must sign up for a free trial of Genius
  • Instant transfer fees not listed
  • No phone support
Loan amountUp to $250
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan TermVaries
Turnaround time2 to 3 days

Alternative for payment flexibility: Brigit

Brigit

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Brigit is a cash advance app that offers advances up to $250 per pay cycle. The monthly membership fee is $9.99 — around $120 per year. This is pricey compared to MoneyLion, which doesn't charge a monthly fee, but included in this price are some value-added features that some users may find useful.
For starters, Brigit lets you extend your repayment date if you've had two consecutive on-time payments. Brigit's monthly fee also includes free overdraft protection, up to $1 million in identity theft protection and a credit builder program. By comparison, MoneyLion's credit builder program costs $19.99 a month.
  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Store up to three payment extensions at a time
  • Monitors your bank account for low balances
  • Budgeting tools to help track your spending
Cons
  • Monthly subscription fee of $9.99
  • Not everyone will qualify for $250 advances
  • Some users report it's hard to cancel the service
Loan amountUp to $250
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan TermVaries
Turnaround time1 to 3 days or same-day in some circumstances

Alternative for building credit: Possible Finance

Possible Finance Mobile Installment Loans

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Possible Finance calls itself the payday loan alternative, offering same-day, short-term loans up to $500 through the Possible app. Unlike MoneyLion, Possible Finance charges a $10 or $15 financing fee for every $100 borrowed, depending on the state. So, for a $100 loan with a four-week repayment period, the APR is 195.53% — the same as most payday loans.
But unlike payday loans, Possible Finance reports your payments to two of the three major credit bureaus, which could help build your credit score. But due to the high cost, it's best to limit the amount of loans you take out Possible Finance. And some users report their credit scores dropping after taking out too many loans.
  • Available in: Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington
Pros
  • No credit check required
  • More flexible loan repayment terms
  • Reports activity to the three major credit bureaus
Cons
  • APRs can reach up to 460%
  • A history of negative customer reviews
  • More costly than using a cash advance app
Loan amountUp to $500
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan Term2 to 8 weeks
Turnaround timeAs fast as 1 business day

Alternative for gig workers: Cash App Borrow

Cash App

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Cash App Borrow is a short-term loan feature for select Cash App users. Borrow lets you borrow up to $200 for a 5% financing fee and gives you four weeks to pay it back. This makes it more expensive to use than MoneyLion, but eligibility requirements appear to be more lenient.
Cash App states that selection is based on your state of residence, your credit score, if you have a Cash Card and your Cash App usage. Users say they gained access after uploading cash and sending payments. Because it looks like direct deposits aren't required as with most cash apps, Borrow could be ideal for gig workers who get paid in cash.
  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Credit check not required
  • Direct deposits may not be required
  • Having a job may not be required
Cons
  • Finance fee is 5% of amount borrowed
  • Limited to $200 per advance
  • Eligibility requirements are unclear
Loan amount$20 - $200
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan TermVaries
Turnaround time1-3 business days

Alternative for non-residents: B9

B9 pay advance app

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B9 is a cash advance app that lets you get paid up to 15 days early or borrow up to $500 per pay period against the wages you've already earned. But compared to MoneyLion, it can be costly. The basic plan, which lets you access up to $100, costs $9.99 a month. And the Premium Plan, which offers $500 advances, costs a hefty $19.99 a month. And same-day transfers cost 2% of the amount transferred.
But B9 could work for you if you're a non-resident and want to take advantage of getting paid up to two weeks early. B9 allows you to use an ITIN to sign up and offers customer service in Spanish. But for advances of $500 or less, MoneyLion and other apps could be easier on your wallet.
  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Get paid up to 15 days early
  • Borrow up to $500 per pay period
  • Non-residents may qualify with an ITIN
Cons
  • History of mixed customer reviews
  • Few additional features compared to other cash advance apps
  • Monthly fee makes it expensive for occasional advances
Loan amount$30 - $500
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan TermNot Stated
Turnaround timeInstant

How does MoneyLion compare?

If you’re looking for a free cash app packing a range of features, including a banking account, investment account, crypto trading feature and credit builder program, MoneyLion could work for you. Unlike other apps, there’s no monthly fee for cash advances, but standard advances to an external bank account take two to five business days.
But if you need money same-day, its instant transfer charges are steep — costing $8.99 per $100 transferred — making it almost as expensive as a payday loan. But if you don’t need advances right away and you want to increase your advance amount up to $1,000 by opening a RoarMoney account, MoneyLion could actually be more economical than other cash advance apps.
But if you do a lot of instant transfers and don’t care about MoneyLion’s other features, you’ll likely save by choosing another cash advance app that doesn’t charge such high instant transfer fees.

Pros

  • No monthly subscription fee
  • Standard transfers are free
  • Other banking and financial services available
  • Can potentially borrow up to $1,000 per pay period
  • Automatic round-up feature with debit card

Cons

  • Standard transfers take three to five business days
  • Instant advances cost $1.99 to $8.99
  • Each $100 instant advance costs $8.99
  • Funds delivery to an external account takes 2 to 5 business days
  • Credit builder program costs a hefty $19.99

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