KOHO Cover
- Borrow up to $500 with no income required
- Exclusive: Get an extra $75 reward from Finder
- No interest


By
Leanne Escobal&
Chelsey HurstEdited by
Romana KingUpdated
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.
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseTo make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 5+ cash advance providers 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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No matter which app you choose, you can be confident in 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) |
Cash advance apps focus on the same borrowers as payday loans. It’s simple to qualify. Credit checks are not required, and as long as you have a bank account with recurring direct deposit income, there’s a chance of getting approved. In KOHO’s case, you don’t even need to have a job or an income.
No, cash advances 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 |
| Eligibility | Age of majority, linked bank account, proof of employment and income | Age of majority, linked bank account, proof of employment and income |
| 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 and 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 few days, apply to Nyble or Bree to take advantage of the free loan option.
Nyble reports payments to the credit bureaus to help improve your credit score, while KOHO and Bree don’t.
No, EarnIn is not available in Canada. In order to be eligible to use the EarnIn pay advance app, you need to be a U.S. resident. You can explore pay advance apps available to Canadians here or explore our full guide to apps like EarnIn.
No, Klover is unavailable to most Canadians since a requirement for approval is that the borrower is a U.S. citizen. Check out our list of alternative cash advance loans in our list above.
No, Brigit does not service Canada. Brigit is based in New York and operates throughout the U.S. If you’re looking for cash advances in Canada, check out our list of apps here, or explore our full guide to apps like Brigit here.
No, Dave is not available in Canada. In order to apply for a cash advance loan through Dave, you’ll need to have a Social Security number and live in the U.S.. Instead, you can explore our list of payday loan apps available in Canada here or read our full guide to apps like Dave here.
No, MoneyLion is not available to Canadians. You’ll need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply for a MoneyLion loan. Alternatively, you can check out our list of cash advance loans Canadians can apply for here or explore our guide to apps and loans like MoneyLion here.
Chime is not available in Canada because Chime requires applicants to be U.S. citizens in order to be eligible. Instead, you can explore our list of reputable alternative payday loan apps in Canada here.
MoneyUp and Woveo used to be available, but they've ended their cash advance services. Learn more about MoneyUp alternatives.
KOHO, Bree and Nyble all provide instant approval and funding.
An early payroll loan lets you borrow funds through an instant money app that works with your employer to give you early access to part of your paycheque. These apps let you borrow money interest-free against funds you've already earned through work.
It doesn't seem like you can borrow funds using Cash App in Canada. With a Cash App account, you can receive paycheques up to two days early, but you can't borrow funds against your paycheque. Learn more about loans like Cash App.
KOHO, Nyble and Bree are all available in Ontario.
No, Nyble and Bree are not payday loans.
Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.
Leanne Escobal is a senior publisher at Finder with more than 13 years of experience in financial products and services, with a focus on content strategy and marketing. She has completed the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) as well as the Personal Lending and Mortgages course through the Canadian Securities Institute. Leanne holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English literature and creative writing from Western University. See full bio
Chelsey Hurst is a Growth Manager at Finder, specializing in banking and investments. She loves empowering people to avoid financial pitfalls and make better decisions with their money. Chelsey has a Bachelor of Science from Redeemer University, a Master of Science from McMaster University, and has won multiple awards for research communication. In her spare time, Chelsey enjoys cooking and taking long walks in nature. See full bio
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If you’re searching for apps or loans like Cash App in Canada, check out these alternatives.
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