KOHO Cover
- Borrow up to $250 with no income required
- Finder Member Exclusive: Get a $75 reward from Finder
- No interest
Cash advance apps launched in Canada around 2021 and have proven themselves against payday loans and overdraft protection as legitimate solutions for covering small, urgent expenses. They offer instant approval and e-Transfer funding, whether you need to borrow $25, $50, $100 or more.
Compare the options available to you and apply online to pay for your emergency expense fast.
Currently, there are only three cash advance apps in Canada. You pay no interest on these loans, but you may pay a monthly fee.
To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 5+ cash advance apps are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.
The right app depends on your needs. Here are the top features of each app.
| App | Top features | Downsides |
|---|---|---|
KOHO |
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Nyble |
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| Bree |
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Please note: Woveo previously offered a cash advance app to its members, but its services have now shifted to business loans.
No matter which app you choose, you can be confident you’ll get a smooth experience, as all three apps are highly rated with thousands of downloads.
| App | Apple App Store | Google Play Store |
|---|---|---|
| KOHO | 4.8 ★★★★★ (78k reviews) | 4.6 ★★★★★ (66k reviews) |
| Nyble | 4.7 ★★★★★ (817 reviews) | 4.7 ★★★★★ (500+ reviews) |
| Bree | 4.9 ★★★★★ (2.3k reviews) | 4.6 ★★★★★ (1.8k reviews) |
Alternative: Earn money through surveys & games
Cash advance apps focus on the same borrowers as payday loans. It’s very simple to qualify. Credit checks are not required, and as long as you have a bank account with a recurring income being deposited into it, there’s a chance of getting approved. In KOHO’s case, you don’t even need to have an income.
No, cash advance apps are not payday loans. Payday lenders, such as iCash, Cash Money and Money Mart, offer $100 to $1,500, charge $14 for every $100 borrowed, and usually require you to repay the entire loan by your next payday. They must also have a payday loan licence. Cash advance apps offer $20 to $750, charge APRs as low as 0%, and allow you to postpone payments.
Before the launch of cash advance apps in 2021, many people turned to payday loans whenever they needed a small, quick loan to cover emergency expenses. However, data from the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey March 2026 show that in the past 12 months, more Canadians reported using cash advance apps (10%) than payday loans (8%).
If you need to borrow money fast, here are the similarities and differences between these loan apps.
| Cash advance apps (Nyble, Bree, KOHO) | Payday loan apps (Wagepay, iCash, Money Mart) | |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | Up to $750 (first-time customers may be approved for much less) | Up to $1,500 |
| Loan term | By your next payday or extend the deadline as needed | By your next payday |
| Cost | Can be significantly cheaper: 0% interest for many apps, some charge a small monthly fee or request a tip | Can be significantly more expensive: $14 for every $100 borrowed, which works out to APRs in the triple digits |
| Speed | Up to three business days or within a few minutes if you pay a fee | Usually instant or in under 30 minutes |
| Eligibility | Age of majority, linked bank account, proof of employment and income | Age of majority, linked bank account, proof of employment and income |
| Ease of approval | Very easy | Very easy |
| Credit check | Not required | Sometimes required |
| Application process | Through an app or on the website | Through an app or on the website |
| Payment method | e-Transfers | e-Transfers |
| Repayment method | Automatic withdrawal from your bank account | Automatic withdrawal from your bank account |
Ask yourself these questions to help narrow down your options to find the best app for your needs.
Decide how much you need to borrow to cover your expenses before your paycheque comes in. If you need a small amount—like a $50 loan—instantly, then apps like KOHO, Bree and Nyble could be the way to go. If you need a $200 loan or more, you may need to first demonstrate a history of making on-time payments before getting approved for this amount by a cash advance app.
Be wary of paying a monthly subscription fee with a cash advance app, because the cost could add up. If you can wait a day or two, apply to Nyble or Bree to take advantage of the free loan option.
Nyble reports payments to the credit bureau to help improve your credit score, while KOHO and Bree don’t.
Find out how to receive a bonus from popular fintech Nyble.
Find out how to receive a bonus from popular fintech KOHO.
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