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8 Best cash advance apps to cover you until payday

Compare our top eight picks to find one that works with your employment situation and budget.

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By

Kat Aoki

Updated

Fact checked

Cash advance apps are a convenient way to borrow small amounts of money before payday – typically between $20 to $500. Unlike other types of loans, cash advance apps don’t charge interest. Instead, you pay a monthly fee or tip to use the service, although some apps are free. This generally makes them cheaper than payday and installment loans which may charge APRs of 700% and up.

Here are 8 of the best apps to help you make it to payday.

  • Best for free fast transfers: Brigit
  • Best for smaller cash advances: MoneyLion
  • Best for bigger cash advances: Earnin
  • Best for low fees: Dave

Best for free fast transfers: Brigit

Brigit

Go to site Read review

Brigit is a financial app that has a free and paid subscription. To get cash advances, you need to sign up for the paid plan, which costs $9.99 a month. Included in this fee are instant, 20-minute transfers to a linked debit card.

While this is pricier than Apps like Dave or Earnin, Brigit doesn't charge any fees for its instant transfers. With Brigit, you can borrow up to $250 each pay period and it will monitor your bank account and send an advance automatically if you're at risk of an overdraft.

  • Available in all states

Best for smaller cash advances: MoneyLion

MoneyLion Instacash advances

Go to site Read review

MoneyLion offers no-fee cash advances from $25 to $500 depending on your direct deposit activity. And you can qualify for 15% or 20% of your paycheck per pay period if you open a RoarMoney account or sign up for its CreditCredit Builder Plus program for $19.99 a month, respectively.

MoneyLion offers a suite of products, including an investment account and a crypto trading feature. The MoneyLion app gets mostly positive reviews on Trustpilot, but some customers have complained about glitches with the app on Google Play.

  • Available in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Best for bigger cash advances: Earnin

EarnIn

Read Review

Unlike Dave or Brigit, Earnin lets you borrow a generous $100 a day, up to $750 every pay period, but your advance depends on the hours you've worked. There are no fees or tipping required to use Earnin, but you need to upload your work schedule.

Normal transfer times are one business day or within minutes if you qualify for Earnin's Lightning Speed program — but some users might pay a fee for this.

  • Available in all states

Best for low fees: Dave

Dave ExtraCash

Read Review

Dave is a low-cost banking app that offers cash advances of up to $500 every pay period. For $1 a month, Dave transfers funds to your bank account within three business days. For same-day transfers, you need to pay from $0.99 to $11.99.

Dave can also help you better track your finances: It notifies you when you're about to run out of funds and has an automatic budgeting feature so you can see your upcoming bills.

  • Available in all states

Best for accessing your full paycheck: B9

B9 pay advance app

Go to site Read review

B9 is a cash advance app that offers up to 100% of your paycheck as soon as 15 days before your next payday. B9 has two monthly membership tiers: $9.99 or $19.99 for transfers up to $300 and $19.99 for transfers up to 100% of your paycheck.

While you can get a bigger advance with B9 than with an app like Brigit or Dave, you have to build your income and payment history with B9 before you can receive a full advance.

  • Available in all states

Best for gig workers: Vola Finance

Vola Finance

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Vola Finance is a monthly fee-based cash advance app, with its basic tier starting at $2.99 a month. But unlike other apps that require a work schedule, you don’t necessarily need to work regular hours to get a Vola advance.

As long as you maintain an average account balance over $150 and have deposits into the account, you may qualify for an advance of up to $300 at a time. In addition to cash advances, Vola can monitor your finances to help you avoid overdraft fees.

  • Available in all states

Best for budget planning: Even

Even

Read Review

Even is a budgeting app that also offers a free advance on wages you've already earned through its Instapay feature. Instapay is part of Even's premium service — Even Plus — which costs $8 a month.

While you must work for an eligible employer to use it, Even lets you access up to 50% of your earned income. It also helps you stick to a budget by alerting you about upcoming bills and how much you need for them.

  • Available in all states

Best for overdraft protection: Chime SpotMe

Chime SpotMe

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Chime SpotMe is a no-fee service offered through Chime that provides overdraft protection of up to $200 for your Chime Checking account. To qualify for an advance, you need to make Single qualifying $200 direct deposit into Chime checking account in the last 34 days..

Limits also start at a low $20 — but with regular deposits and a solid account history, this limit can increase to $200. And if you receive your paycheck via direct deposit to your Chime Checking Account, you can get your paycheck up to two days early.

  • Available in all states

Methodology: How we chose the best cash advance apps

Our team of loan experts looked at 16+ cash advance apps before narrowing it down to the best eight. We also regularly review and update our selections to make sure our picks are the best in the market and best suited for their categories.

Each app is weighed across 10 key metrics: Borrowing limits, monthly subscription fees, turnaround time, transfer fees, tip requirements, ease of use, state availability, additional financial features, ease of verifying accounts and overdraft protection features. We also consider customer reviews and BBB accreditation.

APRs you pay on a $100 payday loan

The APRs on cash advance apps vary widely, depending on how you use them. To help you compare apples to apples, here are the APRs you’ll pay on a $100 loan with a 14-day repayment period, including a same day transfer fee.

APRs on a $100 loan with a 14-day repayment period (instant transfer fee included)

Cash app providerTransfer time without paying an instant transfer feeInstant transfer feeAPR
BrigitSame day to an eligible linked debit card
  • Free – same day transfers are included in Brigit’s monthly fee of $9.99
  • APR: 260.45%
Go to site
MoneyLion3 to 5 business days for transfers
  • $5.99 (to RoarMoney account)
  • $7.99 (to external bank account)
  • APR: 156.16%
    (RoarMoney account)
  • APR: 208.31%
    (external account)
Go to site
Earnin2 to 3 business days
  • $3.99
  • APR: 104.02%
Read review
DaveUp to 3 business days
  • $5.99
  • APR: 156.16%
Read review
B9Same day
  • Free – same day transfers are included in B9’s monthly fee of $9.99
  • APR: 156.16%
Go to site
Vola FinanceAs soon as same business day
  • Unknown
  • APR: unknown
Read review
EvenSame day
  • $8
  • APR: 208.57%
Read review

Remember: If you don’t need your funds the same day, APRs can be as low as 0% since some providers, like MoneyLion or Earnin, don’t charge monthly fees. But if you see yourself taking out frequent same day cash advances, you can save money by choosing an app that:

  • Includes instant transfers in the monthly fee, like B9 or Brigit.
  • Has low instant transfer fees for the amounts you want to borrow.

Pros and cons of cash apps

Compared to payday and installment loans, which can be predatory and charge sky-high interest rates exceeding 700% or more – cash apps are a cheaper alternative to borrowing money.

Here are the main pros and cons of using a cash app.

Pros

  • No interest charged. Unlike payday, installment and personal loans, cash apps don’t charge interest.
  • Low or no fees. Most cash apps come with nominal fees, usually between $1 and $10 per month. Some charge no fees and only require you to pay for optional instant transfers.
  • No credit check. Unlike most loans, cash apps don’t require a credit check and have no minimum credit score to qualify.
  • Overdraft protection. Many cash apps monitor your bank balance and will alert you or send funds automatically if you’re at risk of an overdraft.
  • Good for emergencies. A cash app is generally a cheaper way to access small amounts of cash than using a credit card advance or in-store payday loan which typically cost $10 to $30 per $100 borrowed.

Cons

  • Low amounts. Most apps only lend up to $250 per pay period. This is fine for smaller expenses like gas, but won’t cover major ones like car repairs.
  • Transfers can take a few days. Most cash apps offer free transfers, but they can take a few days. To get cash sooner, you typically have to pay a fee. Brigit is one app that allows free instant transfers with a linked bank account.
  • May overdraft your account. Cash apps deduct money from your bank account to repay your cash advance, which could cause an overdraft if you’re not careful.
  • Can feel invasive. Cash apps require a link to your bank account to monitor your direct deposits, and some require you to upload your work schedule or enable GPS tracking to verify you’re at work.
  • May lead to dependency. Repeatedly borrowing against your paycheck can lead to poor financial habits that discourage you from spending wisely.

Are cash apps payday lenders?

Cash apps are not payday and installment lenders. Payday lenders and the like are known for charging mega-high rates, often exceeding 700% APR or more. Cash apps never charge interest on what you borrow — and you only borrow against your future earnings, which can help keep you out of a cycle of debt.

How cash advance apps work

Cash advance apps analyze your finances and offer cash advances of varying amounts — anywhere from $20 to $500 and up. How much you can borrow typically depends on a mix of the following factors:

  • Direct deposit history
  • Minimum bank balance
  • Number of hours worked
  • Spending habits
  • Upcoming bills

How to find the best loan app

Here are six considerations when choosing a cash advance app:

  1. Customer reviews. Online reviews on Google Play, the App Store and Trustpilot are great places to get a sense of real-life customer experiences as well as how easy or difficult it is to qualify for advances and receive money.
  2. Fees. Compare monthly fees, tipping requirements and instant transfer fees. For example, if you do more than one instant transfer each pay period, you may be better off paying $9.99 a month for an app with free instant transfers versus a $1 a month app that charges $11.99 for every instant transfer.
  3. Cash advance limits. Apps vary widely in how much you can borrow, with limits ranging anywhere from $20 to $500 and up. To get higher advance amounts, you need to set up direct deposit and establish a history of regular deposits.
  4. Instant transfer fees. Some apps, like Brigit, don’t charge a same-day transfer fee to a linked debit card, which means you can get your advances faster without having to pay for the convenience. This can be economical if you do multiple instant transfers per pay period.
  5. Repayment requirements. Most apps automatically deduct what you owe from your next paycheck, but some apps, like Brigit, allow you to change or extend your repayment due date if you need more time. This can be helpful if you’re worried about overdrafts.
  6. Employer requirements. Most apps don’t require you to work for a specific employer, but apps like Even, Payactiv, FlexWage and Branch require that your employer supports the app.
  7. Security and hacks. While no app provider is 100% secure, most use 256-bit encryption and adhere to PCI DSS standards – the same used by all major banks. But hacks and data breaches can occur on cash advance apps. For more information, do a Google search on the app name plus the word “hack.”

Compare cash advance apps

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Updated regularly
Name Product Filter Values Max. amount per pay period Turnaround time Costs
Brigit
Brigit
$250
1 to 3 days or same-day in some circumstances
$9.99 monthly membership fee
Have up to $250 automatically deposited into your account — for a $9.99 membership fee.
Go to site
More Info
OppLoans Installment Loans
OppLoans Installment Loans
$500 to $4,000
1 business day
59% to 160% APR, varies by state
Comes with the option to change your due date so you won’t fall behind on repayments.
Go to site
More Info
MoneyLion Instacash advances
MoneyLion Instacash advances
$250, $300 with RoarMoney account
3 to 5 business days to external checking account, 12 to 48 hours to RoarMoney account
$29 monthly fee if you have a Plus membership
Fee-free, interest-free cash advances up to $250.
Go to site
More Info
Possible Finance Mobile Installment Loans
Possible Finance Mobile Installment Loans
$500
As fast as 1 business day
Rates vary by state, though you’ll likely be charged around $15 or $20 per $100 borrowed.
Borrow up to $500 with just a few swipes — but only for residents of 21 states.
Go to site
More Info
LendYou Short-term Loans
LendYou Short-term Loans
$2,500
Same business day to 1 business day
Depends on your credit score and state of residency
Get offers from potential lenders in minutes by filling out just one online form.
Go to site
More Info
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Should I use a cash advance app?

You might be a good candidate for a cash advance app if:

  • You receive a biweekly paycheck that doesn’t align with your monthly billing cycle.
  • You regularly find yourself overdrafting your account and paying hefty fees.
  • You’re willing to pay extra for services that can improve your personal finances, such as credit-building programs.
  • You rarely need to borrow more than $250 per pay period.

You want to avoid a cash advance app if you have trouble maintaining a positive bank balance due to overdraft fees.

If you’re self-employed and don’t think you’ll be eligible for a cash advance app, read our guide a loan while self-employed. Those who just started a new job or have a job offer, consider your options as a new employee.

What if I can’t pay back my cash app advance?

If you can’t pay back your advance, your bank account will likely be overdrawn, leading to an overdraft fee. However, some apps, like Brigit, may let you change your due date if you foresee not being able to make your repayment on time. You’ll want to stay on top of your bank balance to make sure you don’t end up paying overdraft fees on your cash app loan.

If you’re struggling with cycle of debt with payday loans and cash advances, check out our guide on getting out of the payday loan cycle.

Alternatives to cash advance apps

Cash advance apps can’t help in every situation. If you have irregular paychecks or need to borrow higher amounts, you may want to look into these alternatives:

  • Ask your employer for an advance. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, your employer is a logical place to ask for help. If it’s a one-time situation, HR may be willing to help by advancing part of your paycheck.
  • Consider a loan from a CDFI. You may be able to get a small-dollar, short-term loan at a lower cost than from a payday lender by going through a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). These are typically local banks or credit unions that serve low-income or rural areas.
  • Compare alternative short-term lenders. While more expensive than a personal loan from a bank, providers like LendUp offer short-term loans at a lower cost than payday lenders, with a chance to build your credit.
  • Take out a personal loan. If you’re willing to borrow at least $500, check out Monevo to choose the best offer from several lenders that meet your needs.
  • Take out a credit card cash advance. If you have enough credit available, you can consider getting cash from an ATM in an emergency. Cash advance rates run high, so have a plan to pay it off sooner than later. Consider a card like the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card that offers a lower than average cash advance rate.
  • Get a payday loan — as a last resort. If you’ve exhausted other options, payday lenders can get you cash as soon as the same day. But beware — a typical $375 payday loan comes with $520 in fees and borrowers can stay in debt for as long as 11 months. Consider OppLoans for lower rates.
  • Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) apps. While not a cash advance, BNPL apps let you purchase items you need and pay them off later. Choose from the best BNPL apps for cash free purchases today.

Compare local resources and more payday loan alternatives to explore more alternative funding options.

Need cash right away?

Not all cash advance apps have an instant turnaround time — it may take up to three business days for many of them.

If you need instant cash, check out our guide to best instant money apps.

  1. Fast Cash and Payday Loans,Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
  2. CFPB Data Point:Payday Lending,The CFPB Office of Research

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