Money App is a cash advance app that offers advances up to $250 and doesn’t charge monthly subscription fees as many other apps do. It’s essentially free unless you need an expedited transfer, which costs up to $15.99. Like most apps, it also doesn’t charge interest or late fees.
But it has some poor reviews, with customers complaining of a glitchy app, problems linking bank accounts and verification issues. Many users also say that while they used to get approved for advances, they’re no longer eligible. Plus, its advances are on the low end for these apps, and it really doesn’t have any other features to recommend.
So, if you’re looking for apps with larger loan amounts, more features and potentially more reliable technology, consider these apps that are similar to Money App but may have more to offer.
Like Money App, EarnIn also doesn't charge a monthly fee, but it offers advances up to $750 — $500 more than you can get with Money App. It also offers lower fees for instant transfers than Money App, from $2.99 to $5.99. To qualify for EarnIn, you need to have a job, get paid by direct deposit and earn at least $320 each pay period. But you'll need to upload timesheets or otherwise allow the app to track your hours worked, and you can only access up to $150 per day without an EarnIn card.
EarnIn is not a bank. Access limits are based on your earnings and risk factors. Available in select states. Terms and restrictions apply. Visit EarnIn.com for full details. Expedited transfers available for a fee. Visit Earnin.com for full details.
Pros
Advances up to $750
No monthly fee
No interest charges or credit checks
Cons
Verification of hours worked is required
Only $150 per day without EarnIn card
Requires direct deposit
Loan amount
Up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays
Loan Term
1 to 4 weeks
Turnaround time
1 to 3 business days or within minutes for a fee starting at $2.99 per transfer
Loan amount
Up to $750
Turnaround time
1 to 3 business days or within minutes for a fee starting at $2.99 per transfer
Chime is a popular banking app, and its MyPay feature provides advances up to $500, which is more than Money App. Plus, it only charges $2 for fast transfers of any amount, and free transfers arrive within 24 hours — quicker than most apps. But you need a Chime Checking account and debit card to qualify, and you have to get paid by direct deposit to your checking account.
Not available in: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
MyPay™ line of credit provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. MyPay services provided by Chime Capital, LLC (NMLS 2316451). MyPay eligibility: To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive Qualifying MyPay Direct Deposits to your Chime Checking Account as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A Qualifying MyPay Direct Deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Available Advance Amount may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 - $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details. Instant funds: Option to get funds instantly for $2 per advance or get funds for free within 2 days. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details.
Unlike most apps, including Money App, Cleo doesn't require direct deposit to qualify for advances. It also doesn't require minimum recurring deposits, making it ideal for gig workers, freelancers and other self-employed people. It offers advances for anyone up to $250, which is the same as Money App, but if you set up direct deposit, you can access up to $500. It charges a monthly fee of $5.99, and fast transfers may cost up to $8.99.
Most apps, like Money App, require repayment by your next paycheck. But Current stands out by giving you up to 34 days to pay it back before it cuts off access to advances. It also offers fee-free overdraft protection up to $100 (for eligible users), and you can use it to trade crypto. Advances can be deposited into your Current account or an external bank account if you prefer. However, you can only request expedited transfers to a Current account, and it doesn't disclose the fees for fast transfers.
Available in all states
Pros
Advances up to $750
Flexible repayments
No monthly subscription required
Cons
Requires Current account for fast transfers
Undisclosed fast transfer fees
Loan amount
$50 to $750
Loan Term
Next deposit
Turnaround time
Get instant access to your paycheck in advance for a fee, or get it fee-free within 3 business days
Loan amount
$50 - $750
Turnaround time
Get instant access to your paycheck in advance for a fee, or get it fee-free within 3 business days
Cash App Borrow lets you take advances up to $200, which is far more than Money App, and it doesn't require a monthly subscription, either. It also doesn't have a fee for fast transfers, like Money App does, because your money is transferred the same day you request it. But one of the downsides of Cash App Borrow is it's an invitation-only feature — you either have it or you don't, and you can't request it. Plus, there's a 5% transaction fee per advance, and it charges late fees. Still, all its banking features are free to use, and you'll only incur charges if you need an advance.
Available in all states
Pros
Advances up to $200
No monthly subscription required
Transfers arrive same day for free
Cons
Advance feature is by invitation only
5% fee on advances
Charges a 1.25% weekly late fee
Loan amount
$20 to $200
Loan Term
Varies
Turnaround time
Same day
Loan amount
$20 - $200
Turnaround time
Same day
How does Money App compare
While Money App doesn’t require a monthly membership to qualify for advances, its maximum loan amount is on the loan end at only $250. It also doesn’t have many other features like some apps. Plus, if you have a problem, your only recourse is a chatbot because it doesn’t give out a phone number or email address.
Pros
No monthly fee
Advances up to $250
Sends low balance warnings
Cons
No contact number or email address
Max advance is lower than many apps
Mixed customer reviews
Alternatives to cash advance apps
If a cash advance app isn’t the right move for you, consider these alternatives.
Personal loan. For larger loans and longer repayment terms, a personal loan could be a good choice, but you’ll typically need fair to good credit to qualify.
Payday alternative loan (PAL). Certain federal credit unions offer payday alternative loans to members at reasonable rates. Community banks and other credit unions may also offer similar small loans to customers.
Buy now, pay later (BNPL). A BNPL loan won’t give you access to cash, but it will allow you to make a larger purchase and repay it in four installments — often without interest, as long as you pay on time.
Why to avoid payday and installment loans
We chose not to include payday installment loans in our alternatives to cash advance apps because they often charge predatory interest rates. For example, in states that don’t regulate these loan types, you could end up paying APRs of 400% to 700% or even more. Plus, while short-term loans are only meant for emergencies, many borrowers find themselves caught in a debt cycle that can be difficult to break.
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
Unemployed and need to borrow money? You may qualify for one of these loans or cash advance apps.
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