Dave, Brigit and EarnIn are mobile banking apps that provide access to cash advances of up to $500, with no interest charges or credit checks to worry about.
Unfortunately, these providers aren’t available in Canada. So if you need access to a small loan fast, check out these instant loans like Dave, Brigit and EarnIn.
Cash advances like Dave, Brigit and EarnIn in Canada
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. Your account is free if you have direct deposit set up or if you move $1,000 into your account each month.
No late fees
Zero interest
No impact to credit score
Free financial coaching available
KOHO account required
Costs
0% + monthly fee from $2
Loan Amount
$20 – $250
Loan Term
Flexible
Credit Check
No
Turnaround Time
Immediately
Requirements
KOHO account—access higher loan amounts over time by using KOHO for everyday spending, repaying your monthly fees and using its other services
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.
Easy to use
Bad credit doesn't matter
No interest or late fees
$11.99 for fast transfers, full credit report and other premium perks
Small loan amounts only
Costs
0%
Loan Amount
$30 – $250
Loan Term
31 days, extendable
Credit Check
No
Turnaround Time
1-30 minutes with a paid membership or 1-3 business days with a free membership.
Requirements
You must be 18 years or older and have a minimum monthly income of $1,000.
Bree is a cash advance service that lets you borrow up to $500 to help get through to your next paycheque. You can apply within minutes and there are no interest charges, but there's a small monthly subscription fee plus an extra fee if you want fast access to funds.
Simple application process
No interest
No credit checks
$2.99 optional monthly membership fee for express funding
Extra fee for fast transfers
You have to connect your bank account to Bree's app
Costs
0%
Loan Amount
$20 – $500
Loan Term
Next pay cycle (90 days max)
Credit Check
No
Turnaround Time
Receive funds within 5 minutes with express delivery (the fee is based on the advance amount) and within 1 to 3 business days for standard delivery.
Requirements
You must have a bank account with regular income deposits and a Visa or Mastercard debit card with a CVV
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for long-term borrowing, with up to $14 charged per $100 borrowed. If you're experiencing financial hardship, consider calling Credit Counselling Canada for free financial counselling (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm at +1 866-398-5999). You may also want to consider payday loan alternatives.
Cashco Financial offers payday loans of $50-$1,500 with instant approval. Repayment is due on your next payday, up to a maximum of 62 days. You can apply online or at one of their branch locations, and funding is typically available the same day with no credit check.
Wagepay is a wage advance service that lets you access up to 25% of your earned but unpaid wages to a maximum of $1,500. Repayment is automatically deducted from your next paycheque. Applications are fully online with instant approvals and Interac e-Transfers available 24/7.
Quick online approval
No late or NSF fees
No credit checks
Limited loan size
Only suitable for short-term borrowing
Available in Ontario and British Columbia only.
Loan Amount
$100 – $1,500
Loan Term
Up to 62 days
Cost
$14 per $100 borrowed
Serviced Provinces
BC, ON
Speed
As little as 2 minutes with Interac e-Transfer
Credit Check
No
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old in Ontario or 19 in BC - You must live and work in Canada - You must be employed and receive a regular, consistent income from your employer of at least $400/week ($1,600/month) - You must leave enough of your income each pay cycle in your account to be able to repay an advance - You must have a generally good banking history
Next on our list of instant loans like Dave, iCASH is an online payday lender available 24/7. It's possible to access a payday loan within an hour from iCASH and bad credit is accepted.
Apply, get approved and get funded 24/7
Fast access to funds
Flexible eligibility requirements
High cost of borrowing
Short loan terms
Not available in all provinces
Loan Amount
$100 – $1,500
Loan Term
7 - 62 days
Cost
$14 per $100 borrowed
Serviced Provinces
AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PEI
Speed
As little as 2 minutes with Interac e-Transfer
Credit Check
Yes
Requirements
- At least 18 years old (for applicants in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and PEI) - At least 19 years old (for applicants in British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) - Canadian resident in a province that iCASH services - Valid cell phone number, address and email address - Net income of at least $800/month deposited into bank account - Receiving the same source of income for the past 3 months - Have a Canadian bank account that's been open for at least 3 months with online banking
Must read: FTC taking action against Dave
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action against Dave for charging undisclosed “tips” for its cash advance service and has found many other issues with the app. The FTC has issued a complaint for permanent injunction, monetary judgment and other consumer relief. The fintech is said to be violating the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, as reported by the agency in November 2024.
Reportedly, Dave is not living up to its promises, such as the app claiming consumers can get cash advances up to $500. However, multiple consumers report not ever being offered amounts that high.
Additionally, Dave used to clearly advertise the $1 monthly fee to its consumers. But as of late, Dave is failing to clearly list its $1 monthly fee which it debits directly from consumer accounts.
And perhaps one of the most shocking findings comes from Dave’s claim that it donates a percentage of all consumer tips for its cash advances to help feed hungry children. The app clearly states, “We also provide a meal for every % you tip.” However, it was found that Dave donates just 10 cents for each percentage and it keeps the rest. And reportedly, if you reduce the tip amount to $0, Dave shows a picture of a cartoon child with an empty plate.
Which apps are most similar to Dave?
In Canada, the app that’s most similar to Dave is KOHO. KOHO offers a cash advance if you sign up for a membership, and like Dave, it offers other products and services, such as savings accounts and budgeting tools. The next option is Bree. Like Dave, you can borrow up to $500 with no late fees, and you get access to budgeting tools to track your spending.
How do loans like Dave, Brigit and EarnIn work?
Apps like Dave, Brigit and EarnIn offer short-term loans that allow you to access a portion of your next paycheque, usually between $100 and $500, before you receive it from your employer. This fast access to cash is designed to help you cover any emergency expenses that arise before your next payday. Other similar providers include MoneyLion and Chime.
At the time of writing, Dave, Brigit, EarnIn, MoneyLion and Chime are not available in Canada.
No credit check
There’s typically no credit check to apply, but you’ll need to connect your bank account to the pay advance app. The lender will then assess how much you’re paid and how often to determine the amount you qualify to borrow.
Instant loan for a fee
The funds you borrow are typically available instantly, sometimes for a fee, and you can use the cash to cover your unexpected expenses. No interest is charged on the cash you borrow and your loan repayment is automatically deducted from your bank account when you get your next paycheque.
Many providers don’t charge any late fees, but there may be a monthly subscription fee to access cash advances. Other apps give you the option to leave a tip if you’re happy with the service they provide.
Cash advance apps vs payday loan apps: What’s the difference?
Cash advance apps in Canada allow you to borrow a percentage of your salary before it is actually paid into your bank account. On the other hand, payday loan apps are designed to make it convenient to apply for a short-term loan.
Payday loans allow you to borrow up to $1,500 and then repay it over a short period. Terms of up to 62 days are available, but in many cases, the loan repayment will be due on your next payday (hence the name).
Along with short loan terms, the main feature of payday loans is that they’re extremely expensive. Provincial regulations restrict how much lenders can charge you, but you’ll pay $14 for every $100 borrowed. This commonly results in APRs of 300–400% or more, so it’s worth considering other options before applying through a payday loan app.
How much will a $100 loan cost for loans like Dave, Brigit and EarnIn vs payday loans?
To help you get a better idea of the costs involved, let’s take a look at how a pay advance app compares to the total cost of repaying a $100 loan in Ontario.
Cash advance app (standard delivery)
Payday loan
Loan amount
$100
$100
Loan term
30 days
7 days
Cost of borrowing
$100
$14 per $100 borrowed
Total cost
$100
$114
What to watch out for with payday loans
If you’re thinking of applying for a payday loan, make sure you’re aware of the risks involved with this sort of financing:
High cost of borrowing. Payday loans are an extremely expensive way to borrow money and commonly have APRs over 300%. That’s why it’s important to consider a range of payday loan alternatives before choosing this type of loan.
Short loan terms. Payday loans are designed to be paid back quickly, often on your next payday. These short terms can make it very difficult to find room in your budget to repay what you borrow. This could lead you to take out another payday loan to pay off the first loan and you could soon be stuck in a cycle of debt.
Sketchy lenders. The payday lending sector also attracts its fair share of disreputable lenders. Make sure you only ever deal with a lender who is licensed to provide payday loans in your province. Watch out for any red flags that could indicate a payday loan scam.
Frequently asked questions
In Canada, you can access instant loans like Dave through pay advance services such as Nyble and Bree. Some online lenders also allow you to apply for a payday loan and get the funds you need within an hour or two, but make sure you're aware of the cost of a payday loan before you apply.
You could apply for a small personal loan from an online lender, use a pay advance service to borrow a portion of your next paycheque or access a cash advance from your credit card.
No. Dave is only available in the US, not in Canada.
No, Brigit is not available in Canada. However, there are other pay advance apps like Brigit available in Canada, such as Nyble and Bree.
No, EarnIn is not available in Canada. You cannot access the EarnIn app outside the United States.
Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors.
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Cash advance service Bree allows you to borrow up to $500 with no interest and no late fees.
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