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Need a $500 loan fast? Installment loans, cash advances and payday loans are available. Installment loans let you break up payments, but a high fee might be included. Payday loans offer instant access to funds but are extremely expensive. Cash advances don’t require credit checks and offer more flexible repayment schedules and lower costs than payday loans.
Explore your options here.
Compare $500 loans
Looking for a no credit check loan? Bree and KOHO skip the credit check.
| Lender | Cost | Loan amount | Loan term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% + monthly fee from $2 | $20 – $500 | Flexible | ||
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Exclusive
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Personal Loan |
9.99% - 34.95% | $500 - $35,000 | 6 - 84 months | Go to site |
Personal Loan |
8.99% - 35.00% | $500 – $50,000 | 3 - 120 months | Go to site |
| 9.99% - 35.00% | $500 – $50,000 | 3 - 60 months | Go to site | |
Credit Line |
0% | $30 – $250 | 31 days, extendable | Go to site |
|
Early Pay |
0% | $20 - $750 | Next pay cycle (90 days max) | Go to site |
⚠️ Warning: Be cautious with payday loans
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for long-term use, with up to $14 charged per $100 borrowed. If you're experiencing financial hardship, call the Credit Counselling Society for free financial counselling (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm at 1-888-527-8999). Also consider payday loan alternatives.Last resort option: A $500 payday loan
Payday loans are convenient for emergencies, but their very high costs may impact borrowers in the long run. If you have already explored alternatives and have decided a payday loan suits your situation, make sure the lender you choose is licensed.| Licensed payday lender | Interest rate | Loan amount | Loan term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Payday Loan |
$14 per $100 borrowed | $100 - $1,500 | Up to 62 days | Go to site |
Payday Loan |
$14 per $100 borrowed | $100 – $1,500 | 7 – 62 days | Go to site |
Key takeaways
- If you only need $500, you can apply for an installment loan, payday loan or cash advance. Payday loans are costlier than cash advances and personal loans.
- Some lenders don’t require a credit check, focusing on income and bank account verification instead.
- Be wary of lenders promising “no refusal” because this could be a scam.
Where to apply for a $500 loan?
The right loan depends on your personal situation, but here are a few options:
- KOHO. Funds are available instantly in your account once you’re set up. However, a $2+ monthly fee applies.
- Spring Financial. If you need $500 fast, Spring offers same-day e-Transfer funding. Payments are reported to the credit bureaus to help build your credit.
- LoanConnect. It’s a loan search platform that matches you with suitable lenders, including bad credit options.
- Bree. It offers a free loan option: pay no interest or mandatory fees if you choose standard funding, which takes one to three business days. The downside is that Bree might not approve you for $500 if you’re a new customer who hasn’t yet built up a history of on-time payments with them.
Can I get a no refusal $500 loan in Canada?
Getting a no refusal $500 loan in Canada is challenging. If you see someone advertising “no refusal,” be cautious because it could be a scam. Legitimate lenders need to examine your finances before approving a loan. One exception we’ve found is KOHO, which doesn’t have credit check or income requirements for its Cover product.
Payday lenders like Wagepay also have lenient eligibility requirements, but since they’re very expensive, it’s best to avoid them.
Can I get a $500 loan with no credit check in Canada?
Yes, you can get a $500 loan with no credit check from select installment loan, payday loan and cash advance lenders in Canada. Rather than performing a credit check, these lenders will examine your bank statements.
Examples of installment loan lenders that offer $500 loans with no credit check are Vancity and Credito. However, while Vancity doesn’t check credit, it still places importance on your ability to keep up with debt and bill payments.
Licensed payday lenders that don’t check credit include PAY2DAY, Wagepay and Money Mart.
For cash advance lenders, Bree and KOHO don’t check credit.
How do $500 installment loans work in Canada?
An installment loan is a lump sum of money you borrow and repay over a set period through a series of scheduled, fixed payments. You can get $500 installment loans from online direct lenders or brokers.
Features of $500 installment loans
- Funding turnaround time: Within 24 to 48 hours.
- Bad credit accepted? Yes, and some lenders offer no credit check $500 loans.
- Interest rates: Typically range from 18% to 35%, with rates on the higher side for bad credit.
- Fees: If you’re applying to a broker of short-term, no credit check installment loans, like Credito and Green Loans, a broker fee applies, which typically costs in the hundreds of dollars. It’s added to your loan payments and significantly drives up the cost of your loan.
- Loan amounts: Usually $500 to $10,000.
- Loan terms: Term lengths usually last between 3 - 60 months.
Am I eligible for a $500 installment loan?
Installment loans are harder to get than payday loans, but they have easier requirements than traditional personal loans:
- Be 18 years old, or the age of majority in your province or territory
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Have a bank account
- Have a steady income (employment income preferred)
- Meet the minimum credit score for lenders who do credit checks
How to apply for a $500 installment loan
The application process is also straightforward with installment loans:
- Fill out the application. Provide your name, address, housing situation and employment information.
- Get pre-approved. Find out whether the lender wants to proceed with your application. Get your $500 loan offer.
- Get verified. Provide access to your bank statements via instant bank verification, and submit to a credit check.
- Receive your contract. Review the payment schedule and make sure you can afford the monthly payments. Be aware of any extra charges you might encounter.
- Get funded. Get your money via Interac e-Transfer or direct deposit.
Second option: Payday loans
Payday loans are small loans that you can get within an hour, and sometimes with no credit check. That said, payday loans are an extremely expensive option, so be sure to consider your alternatives before applying for one.
Each province has its own rules for payday loans, such as how much you can borrow and how much you can be charged. Choose a licensed lender that follows all of them.
Features of $500 payday loans
- Funding turnaround time: Within a few minutes after submitting your contract.
- Bad credit accepted? Yes. Plus, no credit check loans are also available from some lenders.
- Cost: Payday loans cost $14 for every $100 borrowed.
- Loan amount: Usually between $100 and $1,500.
- Loan term: You typically repay in full by your next payday, up to 62 days. In Alberta, however, you have a minimum of 42 days, and you repay in at least two installments.
Am I eligible for $500 payday loans?
Payday loans have lenient eligibility requirements. You’ll need to meet the following:
- Be 18 years old, or the age of majority in your province or territory
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Have an active bank account
- Have a recurring income, whether that’s from employment, government assistance, private disability and others
How to apply for a $500 payday loan
The application process for payday loans is straightforward. Follow these steps to get your $500 loan:
- Fill out the application. Provide your name, address, housing situation, job title, income and payment frequency. Some payday lenders may also request one or two references from you.
- Get a decision. Get instant approval if you’re eligible.
- Review the contract. Read your contract carefully, taking into account the repayment schedule and costs. Sign when you’re ready.
- Get funded. You’ll get your money within minutes via Interac e-Transfer.
Consider cash advance apps before payday loans
Cash advance apps let you borrow a small amount of money, typically between $20 and $750, before your next payday. Unlike payday loans, these apps often charge little to no interest and may instead request an optional tip or membership fee. They’re designed to help cover short-term expenses and prevent overdraft or late payment fees.
Features of cash advance providers
- Funding turnaround time: Up to three business days or instant.
- Bad credit accepted? Yes, most cash advance apps don’t even check your credit score; they review your income instead.
- Cost: Many apps don’t charge traditional interest, but may include optional tips or monthly membership fees of $2 - $12.
- Loan amount: $20 to $750, though some cash advance apps only offer up to $250.
- Loan term: You typically need to repay a cash advance by your next payday, but some apps offer extensions or renewals.
Am I eligible for a $500 cash advance?
Eligibility for cash advance apps is simpler than for traditional loans. Most platforms approve borrowers based on income consistency rather than credit history. To qualify, you’ll typically need to:
- Be the age of majority in your province or territory
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Have an active Canadian bank account
- Have a steady source of income
KOHO is an exception, as it doesn’t have any job or income requirements.
How to apply for a $500 cash advance
Each cash advance app has its own application process, but you typically need to:
- Download the app and create an account. Enter basic personal information like your name, address and banking details.
- Connect your bank account. Most apps use secure, read-only access to verify your income and spending patterns.
- Apply for a cash advance. Select the amount you want to borrow and when you can pay it back.
- Get a decision and receive funds. If you’re approved, you should receive your funds within one to three business days unless you pay extra for instant funding.
- Repay the loan. Most cash advance apps automatically withdraw the repayment amount on your next payday or on the date you selected. Be sure to double-check your repayment terms, though, so you don’t miss any payments.
How much would a $500 payday loan cost vs an installment loan and cash advance app?
For illustrative purposes, let’s take a look at how much a $500 payday loan costs in Ontario, how much a $500 cash advance from Bree costs and how much a $500 installment loan at 35% would cost for a six-month term.
| $500 payday loan (in Ontario) | $500 installment loan | $500 cash advance (from Bree, standard delivery) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Cost of loan | $14 per $100 borrowed = $70 (365% APR) | 35% APR | 0% APR |
| Loan term | 14 days | 6 months | 14 days |
| Payment amount | One full payment of $570 | $92.04 for 6 months | One full payment of $500 |
| Total loan cost | $570 | $552.26 | $500 |
How to choose the best $500 loan in Canada
Consider these features as you search for $500 loans to decide which is the best option for you:
- APR. This is the interest plus fees you must pay to get the loan. If you’re looking for an installment loan, watch out for loans that have a low interest rate as they also have fees you must pay. This will drive up the APR. Focusing on the APR from the start will help you compare the costs of different loans.
- Fees. Fees to watch out for include NSF fees, late payment fees, administration fees and membership fees.
- Repayment flexibility. The loan repayment schedule should work with your monthly budget, and as mentioned before, be sure to get a loan that you can pay off early without penalty.
- Lender reputation. Not all lenders of $500 loans are the same. You’ll want to work with a lender that’s clear about the terms of the loan and doesn’t use high-pressure sales tactics to get you to sign. Visit independent review sites to see what people have to say about the lender, and if you notice a recent pattern of complaints, you might want to apply somewhere else.
Pros and cons of $500 online loans
- Quick turnaround time. If your need is urgent, you can get a cash advance within minutes (for a fee), payday loan in less than an hour and an installment loan within 24–48 hours.
- Flexible requirements. People with low income, non-employment income, bad credit or no credit history can qualify.
- High interest rates. $500 online loans may come with high interest rates and fees, so make sure you can afford it before you apply.
- Disreputable lenders. Some lenders will take advantage of people who desperately need cash. Make sure you apply to a legitimate lender, and watch out for personal loan scams and payday loan scams.
Are Canadians in a stronger financial position now than 12 months ago?
If you’re worried about money, you aren’t the only one. A recent survey shows that more and more Canadians are feeling the pinch. In 2024, about 27% of people said they were in a weaker financial spot than the year before. That number grew to 30% in 2025, and by 2026, it jumped up to 37%.
Alternatives to getting a $500 loan in Canada
If you’re looking for that little extra help to get by until payday, installment loans, payday loans and cash advance apps aren’t your only option. Consider these other — and possibly cheaper — options to get fast access to $500 cash:
- Credit card cash advance. Because of its high APR, a credit card cash advance isn’t the cheapest loan alternative. But it’s still cheaper than a payday loan as long as you pay off the balance fast.
- Sell your things. If you take a close look around your house, you’ll probably find a lot of things that you haven’t used in a while, making them perfect candidates for selling on sites like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. Whether it’s an old bookcase, lamp, or toaster oven, someone out there will probably be willing to pay you for it. A few of these sales could easily get you the $500 cash you need.
- Cash out vacation time. If your employer allows it, see if you can get your vacation time paid out to you instead of actually taking the days off work. The extra money may be added to your next paycheque.
- Get a line of credit. If you have a good credit score, getting a line of credit from a bank or credit union will be much cheaper than getting a payday loan or installment loan from an alternative lender.
- Take on a side hustle. If you don’t need the $500 right now, dedicate some time to a side hustle to boost your income. Learn more about making $500.
Compare more $500 loans
Need to borrow $500? You have many options to explore, which we’ve gathered and organized below.
Many $500 payday loans are available, but they’re extremely expensive, so apply only as a last resort.
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseFinder Score for personal loans
To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 40+ personal loans are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseFinder Score for cash advances
To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 5+ cash advance providers are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseBottom line
If you need a $500 loan no credit check in Canada, consider your options carefully. Installment loans, payday loans and cash advance apps each have different costs, approval requirements and repayment terms, so choosing the right one depends on your budget, credit and urgency.
Frequently asked questions
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Typically, no. Bank personal loans tend to start at $2,000 to $5,000. However, you can apply for an overdraft.
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Canada implemented a cap on payday loan costs at $14 per $100 borrowed, which equates to a 365% APR with a 14-day term. This means a $500 payday loan will cost $570.
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It depends on the lender. Lenders that provide $500 payday loans are lenient with credit scores and can approve those with a bad credit score under 560. Most cash advance apps don't even check your credit score. If you're looking for a $500 installment loan, minimum credit scores vary among lenders.
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
- Personal Loans
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Emma Balmforth is a producer at Finder. She is passionate about helping people make financial decisions that will benefit them now and in the future. She has written for a variety of publications including World Nomads, Trek Effect and Uncharted. Emma has a degree in Business and Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She enjoys backpacking, reading and taking long hikes and road trips with her adventurous dog. See full bio
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