US-based Uprova is a tribal lending entity owned and operated by the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, California. It offers fast turnaround loans of $300 to $5,000 to bad credit borrowers. It states online that APRs fall between 34.5% and 35.99% and repayment terms range from 9 to 36 months.
However, Uprova customers have complained about paying interest charges 3x higher than their original loan amount—and regret getting a loan with the company.
You can’t get a loan from Uprova in Canada, but there are legit ways to access cash with bad credit if you live north of the border. Our Canadian alternatives to Uprova include cash advance apps with 0% interest and other bad credit loan lenders.
Like Uprova, you can get a loan online through Loans Canada. However, Loans Canada is a loan search platform, not a direct lender. Worried about getting stuck with a predatory loan? You can compare your options for free with Loans Canada. Submit a single application, and get matched with suitable lenders from its extensive partner network. Options are available for bad credit.
Loans for good and bad credit
Compare multiple lenders
APRs starting at 8.99%
Get funded in one to three business days
High rates for bad credit
Not a direct lender
Limited to Loans Canada's partner network
Loan Amount
$500 – $50,000
APR Range
8.99% – 35%
Loan Term
4 - 60 months
Serviced Provinces/Territories
All of Canada
Turnaround Time
Receive funds in as little as 24 hours.
Min. Credit Score
300
Fees
No application, origination or brokerage fees
Requirements
Canadian resident, age of majority in your province of residence
If you want a short-term installment loan: Green Loans
Like Uprova, Green Loans can help you find an installment loan online. It specializes in bad credit loans and quick 24-hour funding. However, it's not a direct lender but a broker. If you get a loan through Green Loans, a broker fee may apply, which could significantly drive up your APR.
Bad credit is okay
Fast access to funds
Easy online application
No collateral required
No early repayment fees
Brokerage fee applies
Self-employed workers are not eligible
Requires a minimum monthly income of $1,200
Loan Amount
$100 – $1,000
APR Range
22% – 35%
Loan Term
3 - 12 months
Serviced Provinces/Territories
all provinces except Manitoba
Turnaround Time
within 24 hours
Min. Credit Score
300
Fees
2.66% late fee
Requirements
• Share banking access via our secure IBV system (Instant Banking Verification) • Have a Canadian bank account open for 90+ days with online access • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a job • Be 18 or older (or provincial age of majority) • Earn at least $1,200 monthly in net income • Provide a valid phone number, email, and home address • You must not be in a bankruptcy or a consumer proposal. • You must not be planning to declare bankruptcy or a consumer proposal.
If you’re looking for easy eligibility: KOHO Cover
Need help covering an unexpected expense? KOHO Cover offers fast access to an interest-free cash advance of up to $250, though a membership fee starting at $2 applies. It doesn't require you to go through a credit check or have a job or income.
No credit check
No interest
Instant access to funds
No income required to qualify
Monthly subscription fee starting at $2
May have to pay a monthly KOHO plan fee
$250 may not be enough
Won't improve your credit score
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
Serviced Provinces
All provinces and territories
Apple App Store Rating
4.8
Google Play Rating
4.3
If you’re looking for quick funding: Spring Financial
Spring Financial is an online lender that prioritizes fast funding via e-Transfer or direct deposit. You can get your funds as soon as the same day, and bad credit applications are welcome.
High-risk applications are okay
Flexible loan amounts from $500 to $35,000
No early repayment fees
Interest rates of up to 35% for bad credit
You may be offered a credit builder loan (The Foundation loan) instead of a personal loan
Loan Amount
$500 – $35,000
APR Range
9.99% – 35%
Loan Term
6 - 84 months
Serviced Provinces/Territories
All of Canada
Turnaround Time
Within 24 hours
Min. Credit Score
550
Fees
No fees except $30 NSF fee
Requirements
Min. income of $2,000, min. credit score of 550, 3+ months employed
If you’re looking for low-cost funding and credit building: Nyble
Borrow up to $250 with an interest-free line of credit from Nyble. Have low or no credit? Repaying your Nyble loan will help improve your credit score, and you can access your Equifax credit score and report through your account. There are no late fees, and funds are available instantly if you sign up for a premium membership. If you can wait up to three days, your loan is free.
Get funds within 30 minutes
Build your credit history
No interest or late fees
Easy application process
Rewards program
Option to extend your payment deadline
May take up to 3 business days to get funds if you're not a member
Monthly membership fee
Amount may not be enough
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.
Compared to other bad credit lenders, Uprova comes with risks you need to be aware of. The lender can charge sky-high interest rates exceeding 700% APR.
Furthermore, Uprova is a tribal lender, which means borrowers don’t have the same legal protections or recourses as they would with other US lenders. Many Uprova borrowers in the US state that interest payments on their loans far exceed the original loan amount.
If you need a bad credit loan, there are other bad credit lenders on the Canadian market. In addition to 0% interest cash advance apps, lenders like Spring Financial and Loans Canada cater to bad credit borrowers and cap rates well below Uprova’s highest rates, helping you avoid getting stuck in a cycle of high-interest debt.
Pros
Bad credit okay
Fast funding available
Pay back over 9–36 months
Cons
Not available in Canada
High APRs and interest payments
Can lead to a cycle of debt
Concerning customer complaints
Not subject to US state usury laws
Avoid payday loans
We didn’t include payday loans as alternatives to Uprova, as these can charge excessive interest rates.
Consider the following:
Example: In Ontario, lenders charge up to $14 for every $100 you borrow. So, if you take out a $500 loan, it'll cost $570 to repay. And if the loan has a term of 14 days, that equals an APR of 365%.
The average APR on a 14-day payday loan in Canada can reach over 300%.
While payday loans are designed for one-time emergencies, many borrowers use the money for recurring costs like utilities and bills.
For short-term borrowing, cash advance apps like the ones on our list are almost always cheaper than a payday loan, as there are no finance fees or interest charges on what you borrow.
Alternatives to cash advance apps
If you prefer not to use a cash advance app, consider these other methods for accessing quick cash instead:
Personal loan. If you need more than a few hundred dollars, compare personal loan providers to find loans between $500 and $50,000. Same-day loans may even be available.
Auto title loan. If you own a fully paid-off car, you could use it as collateral to secure a loan. Auto title loan providers don’t require top-tier credit, so it’s easier to qualify for funding than an unsecured loan. But you could lose your car if you fail to make repayments.
Credit card cash advance. Credit card cash advances are a convenient way to access quick cash, but it’s best to limit them as fees can run high. Compare the best credit cards.
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) app. While not a source of cash, BNPL apps let you buy items you need today and pay off the bill later. Popular BNPL apps in Canada include Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna and Sezzle.
Explore our payday loan alternatives guide for more short-term borrowing options to cover emergency expenses or tide you over until the next payday.
Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family.
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Kat Aoki was a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in consumer and business lending. She’s written thousands of articles to help consumers make better decisions on their home loans, bank accounts, credit cards, cryptocurrency and more. Kat is well versed in working with leading brands in the real estate, mortgage and personal finance industries, and her expertise has been featured on Lifewire and financial comparison sites like iSelect and realestate.com.au. She holds a BS in business administration from California State University, Sacramento and enjoys hiking and yoga in her spare time.
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Here’s how to get a $500 loan to see you through until your next payday.
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