If you need a fast loan and your credit history is less-than-perfect, a payday loan can provide the funds you need. While there are plenty of established payday lenders to choose from, there are also a range of new payday loans in Canada from lenders in various provinces.
In this guide, we’ll explore a range of new payday loans online in Canada plus introduce you to cash advance apps as a payday loan alternative.
New payday loans in Canada
Alternatives to payday loans
Cash advance apps: A new alternative to payday loans
Payday loans are no longer the only option when you need a fast, short-term loan with no credit check. Recent years have seen the emergence of cash advance apps on the Canadian market. These apps offer payday loan alternatives in the form of small, short-term cash advances.
The features they commonly offer include:
- Small loan amounts. Some providers offer maximum cash advance amounts of $250, but others offer up to $500 or even $1,000.
- Varying loan terms. Some cash advances have flexible loan terms, allowing you to extend due dates as needed, while others are stricter, requiring you to repay within a month or two.
- No credit checks. You can typically apply for a cash advance without submitting to a credit check, so bad credit won’t stop you from getting a loan. Most cash advance providers will consider your income before deciding whether to approve funding.
- No interest. You won’t pay any interest on the money you borrow with a cash advance.
- Fast access to funds. Standard funding can take up to three business days, but instant funding may be available for an extra fee.
- Fees apply. You’ll generally need to pay a monthly subscription fee with most cash advance apps, while there may also be an extra fee if you want an instant loan.
Payday loans vs cash advance apps
Payday loans and cash advance apps have some similarities—but also some key differences that make cash advance apps a more affordable option.
Both options offer:
- No credit checks
- Small, short-term loans
- Funding within minutes
- Short repayment periods
But the main difference is how much they cost. Payday loans cost $14 per $100 borrowed. So, in the case of a $500 loan with a 14-day loan term, you would need to repay $570 to the lender—that’s an APR of 365%.
Meanwhile, you don’t pay any interest on the funds you borrow from a cash advance app. There may be a monthly subscription fee as well as an additional fee if you want an instant loan, but cash advances are still much more affordable than payday loans. That’s why they’re worth considering before you opt for a payday loan.
Avoid getting scammed online
While there are plenty of legit online payday lenders in Canada, you also need to be wary of scammers and sketchy operators. The main risk to be wary of when you come across new payday loans in Canada is that you’re dealing with an unknown lender, so you need to watch out for scams.
The simplest way to find out if a lender is legit is to check if they’re licensed to provide payday loans in your province or territory. The lender should display their licence on their website, but you can also check their details with the consumer affairs office in your province.
You can also find out if a lender is legit be checking if they:
- Follow payday lending regulations. Check if the lender complies with payday lending regulations where you live. For example, the maximum a lender can charge you for a payday loan is $14 for every $100 borrowed.
- Request upfront payment. A lender should never request any money from you upfront when you take out a loan. If they do, look elsewhere.
- List contact details. Check the lender’s website to make sure they list phone contact details and a physical office address. If you can’t find this info, they may not be legit.
- Have positive customer reviews. While new lenders may not have many reviews, it’s worth checking if the lender has received positive customer feedback on sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.
Bottom line
If you need a fast loan with bad credit, there’s a wide range of established and new payday loans online in Canada to compare. But before you do, consider if a cash advance app might offer the funds you need without the high cost of borrowing a payday loan.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
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