Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

7 best cash advance apps to cover you until payday

7 cash advance apps that can offer quick cash in an emergency.

Cash advance apps are a convenient way to borrow small amounts of money before payday — typically between $20 to $500. Unlike other types of loans, cash advance apps don’t charge interest. Instead, you pay a monthly fee or tip to use the service, although some apps are free. This generally makes them cheaper than payday and installment loans, which may charge APRs of 700% and up.
Name Product USFSL Filter Values Max. amount per pay period Turnaround time Costs
Cleo
Finder Score: 4.1 / 5: ★★★★★
Cleo logo
Up to $250
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
$5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances
Automatically monitor your spending plus access cash advances up to $100 at a time.
EarnIn
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
EarnIn logo
Up to $750 per pay period, but only $150 per day
1 to 3 business days or instant for a fee
Free to use or instant with a fee as low as $3.99.
No mandatory fees, no interest and no credit checks. Subject to EarnIn terms & conditions.
OppLoans Installment Loans
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
OppLoans logo
$500 to $4,000
As soon as the same business day
160% - 179% APR
Not available in: CO, CT, GA, IA, MD, MA, NY, SD, VT, WA, WV. Comes with the option to change your due date so you won’t fall behind on repayments.
Dave ExtraCash
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Dave logo
Up to $500
Up to 3 business days or instant for a fee
Undisclosed
Borrow up to $100 to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
Wisely
Not rated yet
Wisely logo
Undisclosed, based on earned wages
Instant to Wisely card
No fees for early direct deposit
Go to site
loading

Best cash advance apps

Here are 7 of the best apps to help you make it to payday.

  • Best for gig workers: Cleo
  • Best for employees: EarnIn
  • Best for building a portfolio: Albert
  • Best for payment flexibility: Brigit
  • Best for low fees: Dave
  • Best for larger cash advances: MoneyLion
  • Best for budget planning: ONE@Work

Why trust Finder

  • 15+ cash advance products reviewed by our team of experts
  • 20+ years of combined experience covering financial topics

We're big on editorial independence. That means our content, reviews and ratings are fair, accurate and trustworthy. We don't let advertisers or partners sway our opinions. Our financial experts put in the hard work, spending hours researching and analyzing hundreds of products based on data-driven methodologies to find the best accounts and providers for you. Explore our editorial guidelines to see how we work.

Best for gig workers: Cleo

Cleo

4.1
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Loan amount$20 - $250
Turnaround time3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Costs$5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances
  • Available in all states

Best for employees: EarnIn

EarnIn

4.7
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Loan amountUp to $750
Turnaround time1 to 3 business days or instant for a fee
CostsFree to use or instant with a fee as low as $3.99.
  • Not available in: Connecticut

Best for building a portfolio: Albert

Albert

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Loan amount$25 - $250
Turnaround timeInstant
Costs$16.99 monthly subscription to access overdraft protection
  • Available in all states

Best for payment flexibility: Brigit

Brigit

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Loan amount$50 - $250
Turnaround time2 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
CostsBrigit Plus: $8.99/month; Brigit Premium: $14.99/month
  • Available in all states

Best for low fees: Dave

Dave ExtraCash

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Loan amountUp to $500
Turnaround timeUp to 3 business days or instant for a fee
CostsUndisclosed
  • Available in all states

Best for larger cash advances: MoneyLion

MoneyLion Instacash advances

4.5
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Loan amount$50 - $500
Turnaround timeUp to 5 days or instant for a fee of $0.49 to $8.99
Costs$19.99 monthly fee if you have a Plus membership
  • 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

Best for budget planning: ONE@Work

ONE@Work

4.7
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Loan amountUp to 50% of earned wages
Turnaround timeSame day if employer has configured this benefit. If not, small fee applies
Costs$8 monthly membership fee
  • Available in all states

Methodology: How we chose the best cash advance apps

Our team of loan experts looked at 16+ cash advance apps before narrowing it down to the best eight. We also regularly review and update our selections to make sure our picks are the best in the market and best suited for their categories.

Each app is weighed across 10 key metrics: Borrowing limits, monthly subscription fees, turnaround time, transfer fees, tip requirements, ease of use, state availability, additional financial features, ease of verifying accounts and overdraft protection features. We also consider customer reviews and Better Business Bureau accreditation.

How much a $100 cash advance will cost you

Cash advance apps do not charge interest rates. However, we’ve factored in the possible fees and subscriptions associated with each cash advance app to put together what an equivalent APR would look like for each provider. This way, you can compare the cost of cash advance apps against other types of loans that charge interest rates. The equivalent APRs we show are what you’d page on a $100 instant transfer cash advance with a 14-day repayment period.

Equivalent APRs on a $100 loan with a 14-day repayment period

Cash app providerNormal transfer timeInstant transfer feeEquivalent APRDevices
EarnIn1 to 2 business days$1.99 to $4.99104.02%iPhone, Android
CleoUp to 4 business days$3.99260.19%iPhone, Android
Albert2-3 days$6.99 instant transfer fee
+
$14.99/month membership
573.04%iPhone, Android, web
Brigit1-3 days$0.99 to $3.99 instant transfer fee
+
$9.99/month membership
Or
$14.99/month membership that includes free instant transfers
195.40%iPhone, Android
MoneyLionUp to 5 business days$1.99 to $8.99234.38%iPhone, Android, web
DaveUp to 3 business days$5 to $25130.35%+iPhone, Android
ONE@WorkImmediatelyFree, when employer has enabled this benefit0%iPhone, Android

Remember: If you don’t need your funds the same day, APRs can be as low as 0% since some providers, like MoneyLion or EarnIn, don’t charge monthly fees. But if you see yourself taking out frequent same-day cash advances, you can save money by choosing an app with low instant transfer fees.

Pros and cons of cash apps

Compared to payday and installment loans — which can be predatory and charge sky-high interest rates exceeding 700% or more — cash apps are a cheaper alternative to borrowing money.

Here are the main pros and cons of using a cash app.

Pros

  • No interest or finance fees charged. Unlike payday, installment and personal loans, cash apps don’t charge interest or finance fees.
  • Low or no fees. Most cash apps come with nominal fees, usually between $1 and $10 per month. Some charge no fees and only require you to pay for optional instant transfers.
  • No credit check. Unlike most loans, cash apps don’t require a credit check and have no minimum credit score to qualify. This is great if you have bad credit or no credit history.
  • Overdraft protection. Many cash apps monitor your bank balance and will alert you or send funds automatically if you’re at risk of an overdraft.
  • Good for emergencies. A cash app is generally a cheaper way to access small amounts of cash than using a credit card advance or in-store payday loan, which typically costs $10 to $30 per $100 borrowed.

Cons

  • Low amounts. Most apps only lend up to $250 per pay period. This is fine for smaller expenses like fuel but won’t cover major ones like car repairs.
  • Transfers can take a few days. Most cash apps offer free transfers, but they can take a few days. To get cash sooner, you typically have to pay a fee. Brigit is one app that allows free instant transfers with a linked bank account.
  • May overdraft your account. Cash apps deduct money from your bank account to repay your cash advance, which could cause an overdraft if you’re not careful.
  • Can feel invasive. Cash apps require a link to your bank account to monitor your direct deposits, and some require you to upload your work schedule or enable GPS tracking to verify you’re at work.
  • May lead to dependency. Repeatedly borrowing against your paycheck can lead to poor financial habits that discourage you from spending wisely.

Are cash apps payday lenders?

Cash apps are not payday and installment lenders. Payday lenders and the like are known for charging mega-high rates, often exceeding 700% APR or more. Cash apps never charge interest on what you borrow — and you only borrow against your future earnings, which can help keep you out of a cycle of debt.

How cash advance apps work

Cash advance apps analyze your finances and offer cash advances of varying amounts — anywhere from $20 to $500 and up. How much you can borrow typically depends on a mix of the following factors:

  • Direct deposit history
  • Minimum bank balance
  • Number of hours worked
  • Spending habits
  • Upcoming bills

How to find the best loan app

Here are six considerations when choosing a cash advance app:

  1. Customer reviews. Online reviews on Google Play, the App Store and Trustpilot are great places to get a sense of real-life customer experiences as well as how easy or difficult it is to qualify for advances and receive money.
  2. Fees. Compare monthly fees, tipping requirements and instant transfer fees. For example, if you do a lot of instant transfers, you’re better off with an app that charges $3.99 per instant transfer versus one that charges $11.99 per transfer.
  3. Cash advance limits. Apps vary widely in how much you can borrow, with limits ranging anywhere from $20 to $500 and up. To get higher advance amounts, you need to set up direct deposit and establish a history of regular deposits.
  4. Repayment requirements. Most apps automatically deduct what you owe from your next paycheck, but some apps, like Brigit, allow you to change or extend your repayment due date if you need more time. This can be helpful if you’re worried about overdrafts.
  5. Employer requirements. Most apps don’t require you to work for a specific employer, but apps like Even, Payactiv, FlexWage and Branch require that your employer supports the app.
  6. Security and hacks. While no app provider is 100% secure, most use 256-bit encryption and adhere to PCI DSS standards — the same used by all major banks. But hacks and data breaches can occur on cash advance apps.

Should I use a cash advance app?

You might be a good candidate for a cash advance app if:

  • You receive a biweekly paycheck that doesn’t align with your monthly billing cycle.
  • You regularly find yourself overdrafting your account and paying hefty fees.
  • You’re willing to pay extra for services that can improve your personal finances, such as credit-building programs.
  • You rarely need to borrow more than $250 per pay period.
  • You currently have bad credit or no credit history.

You want to avoid a cash advance app if you have trouble maintaining a positive bank balance due to overdraft fees.

If you’re self-employed and don’t think you’ll be eligible for a cash advance app, read our guide to getting a loan while self-employed. Those who just started a new job or have a job offer, consider your options as a new employee.

What if I can’t pay back my cash app advance?

If you can’t pay back your advance, your bank account will likely be overdrawn, leading to an overdraft fee. However, some apps, like Brigit, may let you change your due date if you foresee being unable to repay on time. You’ll want to stay on top of your bank balance to make sure you don’t end up paying overdraft fees on your cash app loan.

Alternatives to cash advance apps

Cash advance apps can’t help in every situation. If you have irregular paychecks or need to borrow higher amounts, you may want to look into these alternatives:

  • Ask your employer for an advance. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, your employer is a logical place to ask for help. If it’s a one-time situation, HR may be willing to help by advancing part of your paycheck.
  • Consider a loan from a CDFI. You may be able to get a small-dollar, short-term loan at a lower cost than from a payday lender by going through a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). These are typically local banks or credit unions that serve low-income or rural areas.
  • Compare alternative short-term lenders. While more expensive than a personal loan from a bank, providers like LendUp offer short-term loans at a lower cost than payday lenders, with a chance to build your credit.
  • Take out a personal loan. If you’re willing to borrow at least $500, check out Monevo to choose the best offer from several lenders that meet your needs.
  • Take out a credit card cash advance. If you have enough credit available, you can consider getting cash from an ATM in an emergency. Cash advance rates run high, so have a plan to pay it off sooner rather than later. Consider a card like the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card that offers a lower than average cash advance rate.
  • Get a payday loan — as a last resort. If you’ve exhausted other options, payday lenders can get you cash as soon as the same day. But beware — a typical $375 payday loan comes with $520 in fees, and borrowers can stay in debt for as long as 11 months. Consider OppLoans for lower rates.
  • Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) apps. While not a cash advance, BNPL apps let you purchase items you need and pay them off later. Choose from the best BNPL apps for cash-free purchases today.

Compare local resources and more payday loan alternatives to explore more alternative funding options.

Need cash right away?

A handful of cash advance apps can get you funds within minutes or 24 hours or allow for instant cash pickup at storefront locations. But not all cash advance apps have an instant turnaround time — it may take up to three business days unless you pay an instant transfer fee.

And keep in mind that “instant loans” usually come as a paycheck advance, which means they may only be available to users with a history of regular direct deposits. For example, it may require direct deposits from the same source for 60 days before you’re eligible for advances.

FAQs

Do cash advance apps charge interest?

No, cash advance apps don’t charge interest. However, some apps charge monthly subscription fees and instant transfer fees which can result in relatively high equivalent APRs, depending on how much you borrow and how soon you have to pay back the advance.

Can I get a cash advance if I’m a new user?

Yes, several cash advance apps may let you borrow money right away, but you likely won’t qualify for the maximum amount until you’ve established an income history with the app, which could take several weeks.

Holly Jennings's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
Kat Aoki's headshot
Written by

Writer

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

Kat's expertise
Kat has written 185 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Mortgages
  • Home equity loans
  • Mortgage refinancing
More resources on Finder

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site