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Hourly workers can get an interest-free advance of up to $150 per day on earned wages.
finder.com’s rating: 3.5 / 5.0
★★★★★
Are you an hourly worker? Branch Pay is a quick way to get an interest-free advance on wages you’ve already earned. But you could be put on a waitlist if your employer doesn’t already have an account set up.
Kellye Guinan is a writer and editor with Finder and has years of experience in academic writing and research. Between her passion for books and her love of language, she works on creating stories and volunteering her time on worthy causes. She lives in the woods and likes to find new bug friends in between reading just a little too much nonfiction.
How does Branch Pay work?
Branch Pay is a feature of the Branch app that allows you to take out an advance on your paycheck before payday — without paying interest or fees. How much you qualify for depends on how many hours you’ve already worked. You can either pay to get your money right away or wait three days for a free advance.
Maximum withdrawal: $150 per day and $500 per pay period
Instant cost: $3.99
Three-day option: Free
To sign up, you simply need to 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.
How repayments work with Branch Pay
With the Branch app, you can request and receive an advance on the same day — making it easier for you to manage your finances and budget for unexpected expenses. Paying it back is just as simple. You’ll be given a payback date that’s usually the same day as your next paycheck, and the advanced amount will be automatically deducted from your account.
Additional programs available to Branch users
Branch isn’t just a pay advance app. It also focuses on making your work schedule easier to manage. 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.
Financial wellness tools
Branch also recently added several financial wellness tools to the app. These include
Overdraft notices
Budgeting tool
Earnings tracker
Overview of bills
Low balance alerts
The full scope of Branch’s capability depends on your workplace, so see if your manager and coworkers are into using the app to take full advantage of its programs. After all, the more people who use it, the easier it will be to utilize all of its features.
Branch is free to use for employees if you choose to wait three days. Otherwise it costs $3.99 per advance.
It doesn’t charge a membership fee, interest or any other fees to process your advance. And while it allows you to include a tip, it’s not a requirement to borrow.
What are the pros and cons of Branch Pay?
Same-day availability. Get up to a $150 advance on the hours you’ve already worked on the same day you request it for $3.99.
No interest or membership fees. As an employee using Branch, you don’t have to worry about paying a membership fee or interest on your advance.
More than just a pay advance app. Aside from getting an advance on your paycheck, you can also review your schedule, swap shifts and chat with coworkers.
May be on a waitlist. Branch Pay is available in all 50 states, but you may not have access to it immediately if your employer doesn’t already have an account set up.
Limited information. There aren’t many details about how Branch Pay works on its website — and what’s there is geared more toward employers, not employees.
Advance based on previously worked hours. If you didn’t work many hours in a given week, you won’t be able to borrow as much through Branch Pay.
Is the Branch app 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.
What are users saying about Branch Pay?
The Branch app — which includes Branch Pay — is highly rated on both the App Store and Google Play. It earns an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from users on both platforms. Positive reviews revolve around the convenience of using the app and the ease of getting an advance. Users with negative experiences cite technical problems, but most state that these bugs were quickly taken care of thanks to Branch’s frequent app updates.
Branch Pay vs. payday loans
While Branch Pay gives you an advance on your paycheck like a payday loan — that’s where the similarities end. It doesn’t charge any interest or fees, plus it’s available in all 50 states.
Branch Pay
Payday loans
Borrowing amount
$150 per day and $500 per pay period
Typically up to $1,000, and most states allow only one at a time
Turnaround time
Same day or three days
Typically next business day, but varies by lender
Application process
No application process, just need to connect your bank account and work schedule
Simple online application, typically requires Social Security number and bank account numbers
Costs
Instant advance: $3.99
Three-day advance: Free
High interest rate due to fees of $15 to $25 per $100 borrowed
To get started using Branch Pay, download the Branch app from the App Store or Google Play. If you already have an account, select Log In. Otherwise, you can sign up with a new account or use a company account. Follow these steps:
Find your workplace by entering your employer’s name and your city. Then select Find My Workplace.
Enter your first name, last name and email address to create your profile. You can also add a profile picture.
Enter your phone number to receive a PIN to register your phone with your account.
From here, you can upload a schedule, enter your hourly wage and fill out your profile. And depending on your business and state, you may have to join the Branch Pay waitlist. While this means you won’t be able to get an advance right away, you’ll still have access to Branch’s scheduling and messenger features.
If you don’t have to join the waitlist, you can get started by supplying your debit card details, bank account information, current work schedule and location to confirm your employment. From here, you can start requesting advances based on the hours you’ve already worked.
More about Branch
Branch was founded to give hourly workers — often overlooked by fintech companies — an opportunity to address scheduling needs and cashflow issues. The app can be used for a variety of purposes, including getting a paycheck advance, looking ahead at your schedule and picking up extra shifts. However, most of Branch’s website is dedicated to how employers can use the app to increase worker efficiency.
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.
You can email Branch at hi@branchapp.com or chat with a customer service representative on its website or through the app.
Yes, Branch allows you to use its desktop website to access the same information as on the app.
To delete your account, navigate to the My Workplaces tab on the app. Then either click Remove Workplace if you’re on an iPhone or the Trash can icon if you’re using an Android. Once your workplaces are removed, your account will be deleted.
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