NotchUp review: Is it legit?

What is NotchUp?

NotchUp is a lender that offers wage advances, allowing you to access up to 50% of your earned wages before your next payday. It provides an easy online application process with no credit checks, and loan funds are distributed quickly via e-Transfer.

Notchup also offers the option to upgrade to a NotchUp Plus membership. For an ongoing subscription fee of $11.99 per month, Plus allows you to split your repayment into four installments, access financial advice, and build credit by reporting your payment history to the credit bureau.

Is NotchUp legit?

NotchUp Financial Inc. is licensed as a payday lender in British Columbia (licence number: 86443). Its website lists phone and email contact details as well as important legal documents like terms of service and a privacy policy.

However, we couldn’t find any customer reviews for NotchUp online.

What we like about NotchUp

• Fast access to funds. When you request a wage advance, you can get funded in as little as 15 minutes via e-Transfer.
• No credit checks. You won’t need to complete a credit check to qualify for a wage advance, so bad credit won’t stop you from getting funded.
• Get 50% of your paycheque. You can access up to 50% of your next paycheque, up to $1,500.
• Flat fee. NotchUp says a flat fee of $5 applies to its wage advances.
• Accepts a wide range of income types. In addition to employment income, NotchUp also accepts child tax benefits, ODSP, CPP, AISH, Old Age Security and more.
• Improve your credit score. If you sign up for a NotchUp Plus subscription, making on-time repayments could improve your credit score.
• NotchUp Relief Plan. If you’re struggling to make a repayment due to a qualifying event such as a death in your immediate family or serious illness, you can take advantage of a 30-day grace period with the NotchUp Relief Plan.
• Quick and easy application. You can apply online with no paper documents in less than 10 minutes.
• Earn giveaway entries. You can also earn entries into cash giveaways by making on-time payments towards your loan and moving up “notches” in the lender’s Credit Ladder loyalty program.

What to watch out for

• NSF fee. An NSF fee of up to $48 applies to any payment you miss.
• Reports to the credit bureaus. If you don’t repay what you borrow on time, it could hurt your credit score.
• NotchUp Plus fee. If you upgrade to a NotchUp Plus subscription, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee of $11.99.
• Additional fee. NotchUp says that advances cost $5 if you connect your payroll account. But if you don’t want to connect your account, you’ll get an advance with a “variable fee” of an unspecified amount.
• Payday loan cost. NotchUp Financial is licensed as a payday lender in BC. Payday loans have short repayment periods and are typically very expensive.
• Unclear if it serves people outside BC. This lender only has a BC licence displayed on its website, but it says it accepts incomes that apply to other provinces, such as ODSP and AISH.

Alternatives to NotchUp

Although NotchUp is a licensed payday lender, cash advance apps serve as comparable alternatives.

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Product	Finder Score	Costs	Loan Amount	Loan Term	Offer	Key Features
Finder score 8.7 Great KOHO Cover	Finder score 8.7 Great	0% + a subscription fee starting at $2/month	Up to $250	Flexible	Sign up for a KOHO account with code SAVINGS and get a $40 cash bonus deposited into your account when you make your first $20 purchase.	Key features: $40 cash bonus, instant, no credit check or income required	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 8 Great Bree Early Pay	Finder score 8 Great	0% + $2.99/month membership fee	Up to $500	Next pay cycle	Key features: Instant e-transfers, 24/7, no credit check	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 8.9 Great Nyble Credit Line	Finder score 8.9 Great	0%	Up to $250	30 days, extendable	Use code CFIND1J to get 500 extra points and a $5 higher approval. Conditions apply.	Key features: Instant e-transfers, 24/7, no credit check	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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Finder Score for cash advance apps

To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 5+ cash advance apps are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.

Read the full methodology

NotchUp reviews

Reviews as of June 12, 2025.

Am I eligible?

You’ll need to be a Canadian resident and the age of majority to apply for a NotchUp wage advance. There are no credit checks, so bad credit or a limited credit history won’t stop you from getting a loan. NotchUp also accepts a wide range of non-employment income types.

What incomes does NotchUp accept?

NotchUp accepts the following types of income:

• Employment income
• Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and other provincial disability benefits
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• More

How to get started with NotchUp

If you’re ready to apply for a wage advance, here’s what you need to do:

1. Visit the NotchUp website and click “Apply Now & NotchUp.”
2. Type your name.
3. Select the amount you want to borrow.
4. Enter your email address.
5. Enter and verify your mobile number.
6. Specify how often you receive your primary income and what type of income it is.
7. Enter your employer’s phone number.
8. Enter the amount you receive each pay period and specify whether the money is directly deposited into your account.
9. Enter the date of your next payday and specify whether you will be able to repay the loan on your next payday.
10. Specify if you know the payroll system your employer uses and how to log in and access your pay stubs.
11. Specify whether you have any other sources of income.
12. Submit your application.
13. NotchUp will contact you with the next steps you need to take.

Bottom line

If you’re searching for a fast loan with no credit checks, NotchUp is worth checking out. Just make sure you’re aware of the full cost of borrowing and any fees before borrowing any money, and compare Notchup with other lenders and loan options before applying.