3 Cash Advance Apps That Use Plaid or Flinks

Cash advance apps offer quick access to funds in advance of your paycheque and typically with no credit check. Instead, they rely on your bank account activity. Most cash advance apps integrate with either Flinks, Plaid or both, which are platforms that allow apps to securely access users’ bank account information, streamlining the verification process and expediting fund disbursement. We’ll walk you through which apps use Plaid or Flinks and how they differ in advance amounts, cost and turnaround time.

Cash advance apps that use Plaid or Flinks

Cash advance apps use Plaid or Flinks because of their reliable security and seamless integration process. Here’s a list of some cash advance apps that use one of them or both.

Costs	Loan Amount	Loan Term
1. Bree
Bree Early Pay	0%	$20 - $750	Next pay cycle	Refer a friend and get a $20 credit limit increase on your next withdrawal. T&Cs apply.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Bree uses either Plaid or Flinks to verify your income and identity. You can borrow up to $750 to help you cover expenses until your next payday. There are no interest or mandatory fees. However, a $2.99 monthly fee plus an extra fee per transfer applies if you opt for funding within a few minutes. If you choose three-day delivery, you won't be charged any fees. Pros & cons Pros Easy application process No credit checks 0% interest and no late fees Higher loan amounts than other apps Cons $2.99 optional monthly membership fee for express funding Won't improve your credit score
2. KOHO
Finder Rewards Exclusive KOHO Cover	0% + monthly fee from $2	$20 - $250	Flexible	ENDS SOON! $75 DIGITAL VISA CARD REWARD 1 Join Finder 2 Open & fund a KOHO account 3 Get a digital Visa card from Finder on or before June 16 Ends by. T&Cs apply.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it KOHO uses Flinks to verify a user's income and identity. Get a cash advance ranging from $20 to $250 when you pay 0% + monthly fee from $2. You'll need a KOHO account to access this service. A KOHO account is free if you have direct deposit set up or if you move $1,000 into the account every month. Pros & cons Pros No late fees Zero interest No impact to credit score Free financial coaching available Cons KOHO account required
3. Nyble
Nyble Credit Line	0%	$30 - $250	31 days, extendable	Use code CFIND1J to get 500 extra points and a $5 higher approval. T&Cs apply.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Like KOHO, Nyble uses Flinks. Apply online for an interest-free line of credit of up to $250 to cover small expenses and build your credit. Get funds in 1-3 business days with a free account. For $11.99, get access to premium services, including funding in 1-30 minutes, credit monitoring and identity theft protection. Pros & cons Pros Easy application process No credit checks 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

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What are Flinks and Plaid, and how do they work?

When you use a cash advance app, chances are it’s using either Flinks or Plaid to link up with your bank and verify your account details. Both streamline the eligibility process, making it easier and faster for apps to access your bank info without you having to jump through hoops or worry about your data getting into the wrong hands.

When you connect your bank account to a cash advance app, Flinks and Plaid use encryption and secure cloud technologies to keep your data safe while fetching the necessary information, like your account balance and transaction history. Once they have all the details, they send them back to the cash advance app, allowing it to verify your identity and determine how much cash you can borrow.

Are there cash advance apps that don’t use Plaid?

Lenders in Canada are more likely to use Flinks than Plaid. Nyble and KOHO, for example, use Flinks. Payday lenders such as Credit Club Loans, Money Mart and PAY2DAY also use Flinks.

Are there cash advance apps that don’t use bank verification?

Bank verification is required if you’re applying to a cash advance app. It allows apps to quickly and easily review your application and provide instant approval without requiring you to send any documents, such as bank statements, T4s and driver’s licence.

Learn more about no bank verification loans.

Are Plaid and Flinks legit?

Plaid is widely recognized as a legitimate and reputable financial technology company known for its robust security standards. The company employs industry-leading encryption protocols and stringent security measures to safeguard user data. Plaid is certified in internationally recognized security standards, like ISO 27001 and ISO 27701, and is SSAE18 SOC 2 compliant.

However, Plaid faced legal scrutiny in 2022 over allegations that it violated users’ privacy rights by pulling and selling their data to third parties. While Plaid denied the allegations and vowed to defend its practices, the lawsuit highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in data handling practices.

Flinks is owned by National Bank, one of the largest banks in Canada. It’s used by leading financial companies, such as Wealthsimple, EQ Bank and Affirm.

Which banks won’t connect with Plaid or Flinks?

Plaid integrates with more than 12,000 financial institutions worldwide, so it’s hard to locate banks that don’t work with Plaid. If you’re wondering whether your bank uses Plaid, you can search Plaid’s directory of partners.

Flinks, on the other hand, integrates with more than 15,000 financial institutions in North America, including the largest banks in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

• What if my bank or credit union doesn't use Flinks or Plaid?

  Your bank or credit union is likely integrated with either Flinks or Plaid, but if it's not, you'll need to apply to a lender that does the traditional manual review.

• Why is my account incompatible with Plaid?

  This error usually occurs when an app requires a particular account type for its services. For example, the app you're using might require that only deposit accounts, like chequing or savings accounts, can be linked via Plaid.

• What are alternatives to Flinks and Plaid?

  An alternative to Flinks and Plaid that lenders also use in Canada is Inverite.

Written by

Leanne Escobal

Senior Publisher

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

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Leanne has written 182 Finder guides across topics including:

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Co-written by

Gabriel Vito

Writer

Gabriel Vito is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder. With over four years of experience, he has crafted helpful guides and articles covering various personal finance topics, including credit cards, investing and banking. Gabriel's work has been featured on Yahoo Finance, NASDAQ, GoBankingRates, and more. He has a Bachelor's Degree in English and is passionate about helping others navigate their financial journey. See full bio

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Gabriel has written 28 Finder guides across topics including:

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