Cash Central is a US-based lender that offers payday and installment loans. It’s upfront about its rates and terms, and if US residents apply at a store, they could receive the loan within the same day.
But like other payday loan lenders in both the US and Canada, Cash Central charges high fees resulting in APRs exceeding 500% in some cases. Pay advance apps are typically a cheaper alternative, as they typically don’t come with interest or fees on what you borrow, which can help you avoid a cycle of debt.
Since Cash Central only operates in the US, we’ve rounded up this list of Canadian alternatives including pay advance apps, payday loans and installment loan options. These alternatives come with features like lower fees, same-day funding and Interac e-Transfer depending on the type of loan.
Is Cash Central in Canada?
No, Cash Central is not available in Canada. In order to apply for a Cash Central loan product, you’ll need to have a Social Security number, which you can only have if you’re a US citizen, permanent resident or temporary resident.
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for borrowing over a continued period of time and are expensive as a means of longer-term borrowing. View payday costs and regulations by province here. If you're experiencing financial hardship call 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.
iCash provides quick funding and accepts non-employment income. You can get e-Transfer funding in as little as 2 minutes after approval. iCash provides payday loans similar to what Cash Central offers.
4.7/5 stars based on over 2,300 Trustpilot reviews
GoDay offers payday loans you can apply for and get approved for within minutes. Once approved, loan funds can be transferred within minutes. Like Cash Central, GoDay offers payday loans, allowing you to borrow up to $1,500 at a time.
4.5/5 stars based on over 2,400 Trustpilot reviews
Get loan funds via e-transfer
Apply and get funding 24/7
Very expensive APR
Can easily trap customers in a cycle of debt
Only available in AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PEI, SK
Loan amount
$100 – $1,500
APR
Varies by province
Term
Up to 62 days
Min. Turnaround time
As little as 2 minutes with INTERAC e-Transfer®
How to apply
Online In Store
Credit Check
Yes
Alternative for in-store payday lenders: Cash Money
Through its payday loans, Cash Money offers similar loan amounts and interest rates compared to Cash Central. Get instant approval and funding in as little as 15 minutes when you apply with Cash Money.
Instant decisions
Fast access to funds
Established lender with A+ Better Business Bureau rating
Not available in all provinces
High cost of borrowing
Loan amount
$100 – $1,500
APR
Varies by province
Term
5 - 40 days
Min. Turnaround time
As little as 15 minutes with INTERAC e-Transfer®
How to apply
Online In Store
Credit Check
Yes
Maximum borrowing costs of payday loans per province
Always refer to your contract for exact repayment amounts and costs.
Province
Max. cost of borrowing a $100 payday loan
Cooling off period to cancel loan
Max. penalty for returned cheque or pre-authorized debit
Apply online for an interest-free line of credit of up to $150 to cover small expenses and build your credit. Get funds in 1-3 business days with a free account. For $11.99 per month, get access to premium services, including funding in 1-30 minutes, a free Equifax credit report and identity theft protection. Repay on your next payday or extend the deadline.
No credit check required
No application fee
No late payment fee
More affordable than payday loans
$11.99 per month for fast transfers, full credit report and other premium perks
Small loan amounts only
Loan amount
$30 – $150
APR
Starting at 0%
Term
30 days, extendable
Fees
No interest or fees to access credit line, optional $11.99/month membership to get premium services such as instant funding
Turnaround time
1-30 minutes with a paid membership or 1-3 business days with a free membership.
Get a zero-interest cash advance ranging from $20 to $250 when you pay a subscription fee starting at $2/month. You'll need a KOHO account to access this service.
Like Cash Central, LoansLoans.ca offers fast short-term installment loans with no credit check. NCR Financial, the company that operates LoansLoans.ca, has been in business for over 15 years and is registered in Quebec.
Apply online and get approval within one hour
Interest rates can reach as high as 32%
Services: All of Canada (except Manitoba)
Small loan amounts between $500 and $1,000
The broker fee can be as high as $300
Loan amount
$500 – $1,000
APR
28% – 32%
Term
3 months
Min. credit score
300
Fees
Late payment fee (2.66% per month), $45 NSF fee, broker fee
Origination fee
$300
Turnaround time
Receive funds in less than 24 hours
Serviced provinces
All of Canada (except Manitoba)
How does Cash Central compare?
Cash Central offers payday loans and installment loans in the 22 states across the US where it’s licensed to operate. US residents can apply online or at a retail location with funding as soon as the same-day. That said Cash Central payday loans comes with very high rates – sometimes exceeding 500% APR.
Pros
24/7 online application
Many years in the industry
Upfront about payday loan fees
Offers loan refinancing
Cons
High volume of BBB complaints
Typical APR of 500% or more
Only available in the States
How to decide which Cash Central alternative is right for you
Because Cash Central isn’t available in Canada, it’s important to decide which Canadian alternative lender is the right fit for your needs.
You’ll first need to decide what type of loan to apply for based on how much money you need. If you only need a small loan to tie you over to the next payday, a 0% interest pay advance from an app like Nyble might be your cheapest option.
If you need to borrow a larger amount and you have bad credit, consider an installment loan from a lender like LoansLoans.ca.
Because they’re one of the most expensive loan options on the market, and can easily trap borrowers in a cycle of debt, it’s usually best to only use payday loans as a last resort. If you do opt for a payday loan, consider reputable lenders like GoDay and iCash, which offer online applications for up to $1,500 with loan funding within minutes of applying.
Chelsey Hurst is an associate editor at Finder. She loves empowering people to avoid financial pitfalls and make better decisions with their money. Chelsey has a Bachelor of Science from Redeemer University, a Master of Science from McMaster University, and has won multiple awards for research communication. In her spare time, Chelsey enjoys cooking and taking long walks in nature.
Borrowing $100 can be a quick and easy process. This guide covers how you can get a small loan in Canada, including benefits, drawbacks and eligibility requirements.
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