Branch cash advance app review

Our take on Branch Pay

If you need cash before payday, you might find Branch Pay useful for padding your budget. It’s a feature of the Branch app that allows you to take out an advance on your paycheck — without paying interest or fees. How much you qualify for depends on the amount of your paychecks and your spending habits.
To use Branch Pay, you need to have a supported bank and establish a two-month history of regular paychecks from the same employer. Once you’re qualified for advances, you have two options for receiving your money: Pay a fee to get your money right away, or wait three days for a free advance.
Cash advances are sent to your Branch Wallet for you to access and spend by using a virtual or physical Branch debit card, by withdrawing funds from an AllPoint ATM, or by transferring the funds to another bank account or debit card.
Branch constantly reevaluates your advance limit to determine how much you can access, but tops out at a maximum of $500 per pay period. If you need to access more cash than that, you might want to compare more pay advance options or consider a short-term payday loan.

Branch Pay overview

To sign up with Branch Pay, download the Branch app and connect your bank account and work schedule. However, you might be put on a waitlist if your employer doesn’t already have an account set up with the app. The more coworkers signed up and waiting, the faster your request will be processed.

Features

• Maximum withdrawal: $150 per day and $500 per pay period
• Fees: Instant cost is $2.99 to $4.99 and three-day option is free
• Turnaround: Three days with free option and same day for a fee

To use Branch Pay, you need to a show a history of two months’ worth of direct deposits. For example, if you get paid monthly, you’ll need to show two paychecks and if you get paid biweekly, you’ll need to show four paychecks.

Requirements

To qualify for Branch Pay, you must meet these requirements:

• Direct deposits must be consecutive and from the same employer.
• Direct deposits must go into the same account and be on a predictable schedule.
• Direct deposits need to be over $40.

Other features

Branch is more than a pay advance app. It also focuses on making your work schedule more manageable.
You can easily switch shifts, see how much you’ve worked and track how much money you’ve made. You’ll even be able to communicate with your coworkers through the app, which can help foster friendships outside of work.

Branch Pay reviews and complaints

BBB accredited
BBB rating	NR
Trustpilot Score	2.7 out of 5 stars, based on 7 customer reviews
App Store Score	4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 48,800 customer reviews
Google Play Score	4.3 out of 5 stars, based on 25,526 customer reviews
Customer reviews verified as of	26 April 2022

The Branch app — which includes Branch Pay — gets mixed ratings from thousands of customers on Google Play and the App Store. While the app gets an overall high rating on both sites, many users complain about problems with the app. These include having to link the same bank account over and over, cash advance limits and fees inexplicably changing and general malfunctions with the app.
More satisfied customers report being happy with the easy-to-use app, not having to pay cash advance fees when using a linked Branch debit card and cash advance limits increasing over time when regularly using the service.

Branch Pay cash advance vs. payday loan

A Branch Pay cash advance provides funds to help tie you over, but that’s where the similarities to a payday loan ends. Here’s how the two stack up:

	Branch Pay cash advance	Payday loan
Borrowing amount	Up to $500	Typically up to $1,000, and most states allow only one at a time
Turnaround time	3 days	Typically next business day
Application process	Sign up through the mobile app, requires connection to an individual checking account	Simple online application, typically requires Social Security number and bank account numbers
Costs	No monthly membership fee	High fees that can equal fees of $15 to $25 per $100 borrowed
Availability	Anywhere in the US	Prohibited in some states

Is the Branch safe to use?

In general, yes — though no app or online company can ensure your information stay 100% safe from hackers. Branch does its part by protecting your personal details with a 256-bit encryption system. And it never stores your banking or debit card information on the app itself.
Its privacy policy outlines how your information is used and what could be shared with third-party websites. Review it carefully and reach out to Branch if you have any questions.

Should I use the Branch app?

Branch is designed to give hourly workers a break from scheduling stress, with the added benefit of letting you take out an interest-free advance on the wages you’ve already earned. But you’ll have to join a waitlist if your company doesn’t already have an account, so it may not be useful if you need money today.
Instead, you might want to consider another pay advance app or browse your short-term loan options.

Compare more pay advance apps

Compare Branch with other pay advance apps

Branch is not currently available on Finder

Have you considered Chime SpotMe®?

Access fee-free overdrafts up to $200 when eligible. Plus get your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit. See Chime terms and conditions.

• Get up to $200
• Receive funds on the same day
• Fee free overdraft
• No credit check

Learn more

No thanks, compare other loan options.