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Branch cash advance app review
Hourly workers can get an interest-free advance of up to $150 per day on earned wages.
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 waitlisted if your employer hasn’t yet set up an account.
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, $2.99 to $4.99 for instant deposit |
| Requirements | Not stated |
Pros
- No interest or membership fees
- Same-day funding available for $2.99 to $4.99
- Withdraw up to $500 per pay period
- Option to send cash advances to a Branch debit card
- Platform to manage your work schedule and finances
Cons
- Two month wait to get approval for cash advances
- Cash amount based on your paycheck and spending habits
- Three-day turnaround for cash advances with free option
- Limited information about the service on the website
- Waitlist for employees at companies that don’t currently offer Branch Pay
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.
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2 Comments
November 19, 2019
Do you offer payday loans for pensioners?
November 19, 2019
Hi Wanda,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
If you’re referring to Branch Pay Advance, I’m afraid they don’t offer payday loans for pensioners. Instead, they offer an interest-free advance on wages already earned by the hourly workers.
You may check our pensioner loans guide. It provides information on the types of pensions considered by lenders and how to apply for a loan on a pension.
On the same page, you will also see a table that allows you to compare personal loans you may be able to apply for while on pension. Simply specify your state of residence and that table shows you your options. You can then compare based on APR, minimum credit score, and max loan amount. After you’re done comparing your options, you can then click on the “Go to site” green button to learn more.
Please make sure that you’ve read the relevant T&Cs or PDS of the loan products before making a decision. Moreover, check the eligibility requirements as well and consider whether the product is right for you.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua