5 alternatives to Cleo in Canada

Cleo is a US app that offers free personal financial management tools and cash advances of up to $70 at first, then up to $250 once borrowers establish a solid payment history. Customers must pay a monthly subscription fee of up to $5.99 to request loans via Cleo’s app.

There’s an extra fee starting at $3.99 for same-day funding. Otherwise, it takes three to four days to receive money. To access credit builder tools, Cleo charges an additional subscription of up to $14.99 per month, which is higher than similar apps.

Can you get a Cleo loan in Canada? Unfortunately, no. Instead, compare these payday loans and cash advance apps like Cleo.

Cash advances like Cleo

9.3 Excellent Nyble Credit Line

9.3 Excellent

0%

$30 - $250

31 days, extendable

Use code CFIND1J to get 500 extra points and a $5 higher approval. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it Like Cleo, Nyble offers small interest-free cash advances with no credit check required. Apply online for up to $250, and get funds in 1-3 business days with a free account. Access extra perks like express funding in 1-30 minutes, a free Equifax credit report and identity theft protection for $11.99 per month. Pros & cons Pros Easy application process No credit check No interest Can improve your credit score Roll over your loan Cons Loan amount may not be enough for your needs $11.99 for fast transfers and other premium perks

8.8 Great KOHO Cover

8.8 Great

0% + monthly fee from $2

$20 - $500

Flexible

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Why we like it Toronto-based fintech company KOHO offers interest-free cash advances ranging from $20 to $250 with a subscription fee starting at $2/month. Repayments are flexible—you can pay back funds any time. Pros & cons Pros No late fees Zero interest No impact to credit score No income required to qualify Repay any time Cons $2/month subscription fee Won't improve your credit score

8.8 Great Bree Early Pay

8.8 Great

0%

$20 - $750

Next pay cycle

Refer a friend and get a $20 credit limit increase on your next withdrawal. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it Cover expenses until your next payday with a Bree cash advance of up to $750. There's no interest charged on your loan, and you'll receive an instant decision after applying. Express funding is available for a small monthly subscription fee plus an additional fee. Pros & cons Pros Easy application Instant decision No credit check 0% interest and no late fees Cons $2.99 – $45.99 for instant transfers Loan amount may not be enough for your needs May not improve your credit

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Payday loans like Cleo

iCash Payday Loan

$14 per $100 borrowed

$100 - $1,500

7 - 62 days

AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON and PEI

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Why we like it iCash offers 24/7 online payday loans with a fast, fully-automated application process. You can apply, get approved and get funded in hours. Customer support is available 24/7 if you need it, and you can conveniently manage your loan via mobile app. Pros & cons Pros Fast online application and instant decisions Good and bad credit accepted 24/7 customer service Fast funding via Interac e-Transfer Cons High cost Not available in every province and territory

Wagepay Wage Advance Loan

$14 per $100 borrowed

$100 - $1,500

Up to 62 days

BC, AB and ON

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Why we like it Australia-based Wagepay started offering payday loans in Canada in 2023. You can borrow up to $1,500 with no credit check or late fees. Wagepay's interest rates are lower than most payday lenders, and you can get funded 24/7 by Interac e-Transfer. Pros & cons Pros Fast application and funding No credit check Cheaper than most payday loans Apply online or via mobile app One payment postponement and one split payment per advance Cons High cost Only available in BC, AB and ON

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How does Cleo compare?

Cleo charges a $5.99 monthly membership fee for access to cash advance services. In addition, it offers budgeting tools, spending insights and notifications about upcoming bills and expenses. But other cash advance apps in Canada may offer higher amounts or lower fees than Cleo.

Compared to predatory payday loans—which charge extremely high interest rates and fees—Cleo is likely cheaper since it doesn’t charge any interest. The app gets high praise for its useful (occasionally entertaining) AI interactions and convenient design, but some users complain about system glitches and problems receiving funds.

Alternatives to cash advance apps

Cash advances aren’t for everyone. You typically only get the money until your next payday, and most apps only offer small amounts of money—some as low as $20—until you’ve used the app long enough to borrow more.

If those terms won’t help enough when you need emergency funds, consider the following alternatives:

• Credit card cash advance. Most credit cards let you withdraw cash when you need it. You’ll probably be allowed to withdraw more than you can get through a cash advance app, though you’ll have to pay a transaction fee and possibly a special interest rate. But not all credit cards treat advances the same. If you think you’ll use this feature more than once, you may want to consider a card like the Scotiabank Value Visa Card, which offers a lower-than-average cash advance rate.
• Vehicle title loan. If you own a fully paid off vehicle, you could use it as collateral to secure a loan. Typically, you can borrow as much as 50% of your car’s value. It’s possible to get approved even with bad credit, and you can still drive your car. But be aware that if you fail to repay the loan, the lender can repossess your vehicle.
• Credit counseling. If you find yourself in a cycle of borrowing money to keep your bills paid, you may consider credit counseling. A counselor can help establish a budget to make sure your bills are paid and your spending is in line with your income.

Written by

Stacie Hurst

Editor

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Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio

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Heather Petty

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Heather Petty was a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in home and personal loans. After falling victim to a disreputable mortgage broker when buying her first home, she’s on a mission to help readers avoid similar experiences when managing their own finances. A self-proclaimed word nerd, her writing and analysis has been featured on MSN, Credit.com and MediaFeed, among other top media. Heather previously worked as a technical writer and editor for the casino systems industry and is an internationally published young adult mystery author. She earned a BA in English with a minor in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno. See full bio

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