Branch pay advance app review
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.
$500
Max. Amount
As early as same business day
Turnaround time
Details
| Product Name | Branch |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | $500 |
| Loan Term | Varies |
| Turnaround Time | As early as same business day |
| Costs | No cost for 3-day option, $3.99 for instant deposit |
Branch Pay pros and cons
- No interest or membership fees
- Same-day funding available — for a fee of $3.99
- No credit check
- No bank account required
- Platform to manage your work schedule and finances
- Withdraw up to $500 per pay period
- Advance based on hours you’ve already worked
- Three-day turnaround on free option
- Limited information available on website
- Waitlist for employees at companies that don’t currently offer Branch Pay
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.
Compare more pay advance apps
How Branch Pay compares with 3 alternatives
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 | Earnin | Dave | Payday loans | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borrowing amount | $150 per day and $500 per pay period | Up to $500 per pay period | Up to $100 per month | Typically up to $1,000, and most states allow only one at a time |
| Turnaround time | Same day or three days | Same day to two business days | Same day to three business days | Typically next business day, but varies by lender |
| Application process | No application process, just need to connect your bank account and work schedule | No application after you connect your bank account and work schedule | No application after you connect your bank account | Simple online application, typically requires Social Security number and bank account numbers |
| Costs |
|
|
|
Fees of $15 to $25 per $100 borrowed |
| Availability | Anywhere in the US | Anywhere in the US | Anywhere in the US | Prohibited in some states |
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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.
Compare Branch with other pay advance apps
How much does it cost to use Branch Pay?
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.
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.
What are users saying about Branch Pay?
The Branch app — which includes Branch Pay — gets mixed ratings as of September 2020. It earns an average of 4 out of 5 stars from users on the App store and 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Play 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.
How do I use the Branch app?
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.
Instead, you might want to consider another pay advance app or browse your short-term loan options.
Frequently asked questions
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