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Apps like Empower

9 apps like Empower that may give you a bigger bang for your buck.

Empower is a financial services company that offers up to $300 cash advances with no credit checks or interest. But to get advances, you need to pay a monthly membership fee of $8. This fee covers instant transfers to your Empower card, or transfers to your linked bank account usually within one business day. Instant transfers to your bank account are also available but cost between $1 and $8 depending on the advance amount.

While many people like it, Empower isn’t the only cash advance app on the block. These other apps like Empower are similar, but may offer higher advance limits, lower fees and additional features like free overdraft, which could help you save.

LenderLoan amountFeesSpeed
CleoUp to $250$5.993 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Chime SpotMeUp to $200FreeInstant
Albert$25 to $250$14.99Instant
EarnInUp to $750 per pay period, but only $150 per dayFree1 to 3 business days or instant for a fee
DaveUp to $500UndisclosedUp to 3 business days or instant for a fee
Brigit$50 to $250$8.99 to $14.99 monthly membership fee2 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
B9$30 to $500$9.99 or $19.99Instant
Solo Funds$20 to $575FreeAs soon as same day or instant for a fee
MoneyLionUp to $500 or $1,000 with RoarMoney accountFree (or $1 to $5 for RoarMoney account)Up to 5 days or instant for a fee of $0.49 to $8.99

Our 9 top picks for apps like Empower

  • Alternative for freelancers: Cleo
  • Alternative for large advance amounts: EarnIn
  • Alternative for overdraft feature: Chime SpotMe
  • Alternative for building a portfolio: Albert
  • Alternative for a spending account: Dave
  • Alternative for flexible repayments: Brigit
  • Alternative for no instant transfer fees: B9
  • Alternative for peer-to-peer advances: SoLo Funds
  • Alternative for no monthly fees: MoneyLion

Alternative for freelancers

Cleo

4.1 / 5 ★★★★★

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If you're a freelancer or gig worker with multiple jobs, Cleo may be a good fit. Cleo is a financial budgeting app with a free and paid version. The free version offers a plethora of tools to help you track your spending and save more. The paid version offers the free features plus cash advances in the app, overdraft protection and cashback to your Cleo wallet.

What makes Cleo good for freelancers is that it doesn't require employment verification and has no minimum income requirement. As long as you have consistent income, you could qualify for cash advances. Its cash advance amounts start at $20 to $70, but could increase to $250 over time. Empower also has a $250 borrowing limit, but charges more for its monthly subscription than Cleo.

  • Available in all states
Pros
  • No direct deposit requirements
  • No credit checks or interest charged
  • Free AI financial planner, bill tracker and low balance alerts
Cons
  • Monthly membership is $5.99
  • Same day transfers cost $3.99
  • First time users only eligible for up to $100
  • Mixed customer reviews
Loan amountUp to $250
Loan TermNext deposit
Turnaround time3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.

Alternative for large advance amounts

EarnIn

4.7 / 5 ★★★★★

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EarnIn is a popular wage-based app with no monthly fees. Unlike Empower, EarnIn lets you borrow up to $150 a day and up to $750 every pay period on wages you've already earned. But as a wage-based app, the advance amount you qualify for depends on the number of hours you've already worked.

While it doesn't cost anything to use EarnIn, you need to upload your time schedule so it can track your hours. Normal transfer times are one business day — or within minutes if you use EarnIn's Lightning Speed service. This service costs between $3.99 and $4.99 per transfer, which, depending on the amount, is cheaper than Empower and many other apps.

  • Not available in: Connecticut
Pros
  • Higher advance limit than other apps
  • Relatively low instant transfer fees
  • No monthly subscription fees
Cons
  • Can only request up to $150 a day
  • Cash advances depend on hours worked
  • Must upload a work timesheet
Loan amountUp to $750 per pay period, but only $150 per day
Loan Term1 to 4 weeks
Turnaround time1 to 3 business days or instant for a fee

Alternative for overdraft feature

Chime SpotMe®

4.2 / 5 ★★★★★

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Chime's SpotMe is an optional service for Chime account holders that allows you to overdraw your account. Eligible account holders can overdraw their accounts between $20 and $200 without incurring any fees. To qualify, you must have at least $200 direct deposited into your Chime checking account every month.

Limits for SpotMe start at a low $20, but you can work your way up to $200 with a history of regular direct deposits and a good account history. Chime also offers account holders the ability to get paid up to two days early — which effectively works similarly to a cash advance without having to request one.

  • Available in all states
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Direct deposit: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. SpotMe: Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each at least once every 34 days. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime’s discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won’t cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.
Pros
  • No fees or tipping obligation
  • No fees for declined transactions
  • Low monthly direct deposit requirement of $200
Cons
  • Overdraft limits start at $20
  • Must have Chime Checking account and debit card
  • Only covers debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals
Loan amountUp to $200
Loan TermNext deposit
Turnaround timeInstant

Alternative for building a portfolio

Albert

4.4 / 5 ★★★★★

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Albert is a banking and cash advance app that goes beyond what Empower offers. It offers overdraft protection rather than cash advances, but the limits are the same as Empower — up to $250 per pay period. But it also packs a mix of saving and investing tools to help beginners build a customized investment portfolio with just a few questions.

It offers investment advice through its Genius service, an AI-driven, human-supported add-on feature for Albert customers. The Genius service costs $14.99 a month, but you automatically get a free 30-day trial before deciding if it's right for your investing goals.

  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Offers 30-day free trial for Genius
  • Overdraft protection up to $250
  • No late fees or interest
Cons
  • Must have Genius subscription
  • Overdraft protection only good for Albert card
  • Monthly fee of $14.99
Loan amount$25 to $250
Loan TermWithin 6 days of overdraft, with possible 7-day extension
Turnaround timeInstant

Alternative for a spending account

Dave ExtraCash

4.2 / 5 ★★★★★

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Dave offers higher cash advances through its ExtraCash advance product, up to $500, with no interest or late fees. However, Dave's delivery speed may be slower than Empower. Getting your funds may take one to three business days. If you want instant delivery, there's a fee from $1.99 to $25, depending on the size of your advance and where you’re having it transferred. Dave also offers extra perks, such as a gig connection service and budgeting features.

  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Higher advance amount that Empower
  • No tipping or interest requirement
  • Side hustle feature
Cons
  • High instant delivery fees
Loan amountUp to $500
Loan TermVaries
Turnaround timeUp to 3 business days or instant for a fee

Alternative for flexible repayments

Brigit

4.2 / 5 ★★★★★

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Brigit allows you to extend your due date up to three times if you can't make your repayment on time, a perk not seen with many other apps. Standard funding takes up to three business days, or get your money as quickly as 20 minutes for a small fee. Brigit's standard overdraft or cash advance features won’t cost you extra but you’ll have to pay a monthly membership fee ranging from $8.99 to $14.99.

  • Available in all states
Pros
  • No interest or fees on advances
  • Due date extensions available
Cons
  • Membership fees up to $14.99
  • Standard delivery can take up to two days
Loan amount$50 to $250
Loan TermUntil your next payday, but can extend
Turnaround time2 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.

Alternative for no instant transfer fees

B9 pay advance app

B9 is a membership-based cash advance app that offers up to $500 per pay period — higher than Empower. Like Empower, it charges a monthly fee: $9.99 for advances up to $100 and $19.99 for advances up to $500. While these fees are high compared to other apps, you don't need to pay extra for instant transfers — which could balance things out.

To use the B9 app, you must open an FDIC-insured checking account with B9 and set up direct deposit through your employer or the B9 app. To qualify for a cash advance, you have to receive at least one direct deposit into your B9 account — but advances are available as soon as one hour after receiving your first deposit.

  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Quick access to deposits
  • No transfer fees or interest
  • Cash back rewards on debit
  • Nonresidents may qualify with an ITIN
Cons
  • Monthly fee of $9.99 or $19.99
  • Must have a B9 account to use
  • Few additional features
Loan amount$30 to $500
Loan TermNot Stated
Turnaround timeInstant

Alternative for peer-to-peer advances

SoLo Funds payday loan alternative

SoLo Funds is a social lending app that offers peer-to-peer (P2P) microloans from $20 to $575. Like Empower's cash advances, it's designed to help you access cash to cover emergency expenses. But it's a no-interest personal loan funded by SoLo members instead of a cash advance. And SoLo gives you the option to give back to your community — not only can you borrow money, you can lend to others too.

You can get your money as soon as a member funds your loan — as quickly as 20 minutes. To use the service, it's customary, although not required, to offer a tip. You're more likely to get funded if you offer a tip, but SoLo caps tips at 15%. Unlike most cash advance apps, you must repay the loan on time or get charged a late fee of 10% plus a third party transaction fee.

  • Not available in: California
Pros
  • Optional tips capped at 15%
  • Borrow as much as $575
  • Same-day turnaround
Cons
  • Website is short on details
  • High late fees for smaller loans
Loan amount$20 to $575
Loan TermUp to 35 days
Turnaround timeAs soon as same day or instant for a fee

Alternative for no monthly fees

MoneyLion Instacash advances

4.5 / 5 ★★★★★

Unlike Empower, MoneyLion charges no monthly fee to qualify for advances. And its advance limits are higher too. Its basic limit is $500 per pay period, but you may qualify for up to $1,000 if you open a RoarMoney account and set up direct deposit.

As a full-suite banking app, MoneyLion offers a range of services, including an investment account, a crypto trading feature and a credit builder program. MoneyLion gets mostly positive reviews on Trustpilot, but some customers have complained about glitches with the app and high instant transfer fees that make borrowing expensive.

  • Available in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Pros
  • Borrow up to $1,000 per pay period with RoarMoney account
  • No fees and no obligation to tip
  • Credit building and investing tools
Cons
  • Free transfer could take up to 5 days
  • Can only borrow $100 at a time
  • Instant delivery costs up to $8.99
Loan amountUp to $500 or $1,000 with RoarMoney account
Loan TermDue by your next pay date
Turnaround timeUp to 5 days or instant for a fee of $0.49 to $8.99

How does Empower compare?

Compared to other cash advance apps, Empower is about average. It offers a standard advance amount — up to $300 — and its monthly fee of $8, and app features are similar to what other cash advance apps offer. However, not all cash apps charge monthly fees: EarnIn and MoneyLion are two exceptions.

On the plus side, it offers a 14-day free trial, so you can test the service before paying. Like many cash advance apps, normal ACH transfers to your bank account are free and usually arrive within one business day, which is quicker than many apps. Instant transfers cost between $1 and $8, depending on the amount — unless you have a qualifying Empower Card. These fees are also about average for most cash advance apps.

For those looking to build their credit, the company is launching Empower Thrive — a credit line that starts at $200 and can increase to $1,000 with a history of on-time payments. However, this is not a unique feature. Cash advance apps like Brigit and MoneyLion also offer credit-building loan programs for a fee.

And if you need to borrow more than $250 between paydays, you’ll likely be better off with an app like B9, EarnIn, One@Work, PayActiv or MoneyLion — all offer potentially higher amounts than Empower. Empower generally gets good reviews online, but some customers have complained about low advance limits.

Pros

  • Other banking services available
  • FDIC-insured automatic savings feature
  • Empower Card with 10% cashback

Cons

  • Monthly subscription fee
  • Not all users will qualify for a $300 advance
  • Instant transfers cost money unless you have an Empower Card

More alternatives to payday and installment loans

We didn’t include payday and short-term installment loans as alternatives to Empower, as they charge sky-high interest rates that can hit up to 700% APR or higher.

For short-term borrowing, cash advance apps like Empower and the other apps on our list are almost always cheaper than a payday loan, as they never charge finance fees or interest on what you borrow.

Alternatives to cash advance apps

If you prefer not to use a cash advance app that monitors your bank account or you don’t get regular direct deposits — often a requirement for cash apps — consider these other methods for accessing quick cash instead:

  • 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.
  • Personal loan. If you need more than $500, compare the best personal loan lenders to find loans between $600 and $100,000. Same-day funding may even be available.
  • Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) app. While they don’t offer cash, BNPL apps let you purchase items you need today and pay them off later. Discover a range of BNPL apps and compare costs.
  • CDFI loan. These are small-dollar, short-term loans at a lower cost than a payday lender. They’re available from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
  • Employer advance. If you need funds before payday, your employer may be willing to advance part of your paycheck. Or, some employers are now partnering with apps like DailyPay and Payactiv to offer cash advance benefits to employees.

See our payday loan alternatives guide for more short-term borrowing options to cover emergency expenses or tide you over to payday.

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
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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 Forbes Advisor, 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. See full bio

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Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20 years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and likes to read and play golf. See full bio

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