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EarnIn vs Brigit: Which Is the Better Cash Advance App? (2026)

Both apps offer cash advances, but each has its pros and cons.

Megan B. Shepherd's headshot

By

Megan B. Shepherd

Edited by

Richard Laycock

Posted

Fact checked

Key takeaways

  • Brigit wins if you don’t have a fixed job or employer email. It qualifies you off your bank account’s activity instead, while EarnIn requires a work email or fixed job location.
  • Both apps skip credit checks and charge no late fees. That makes them a solid option if you have a poor credit history or just need a small bridge between paychecks.
  • Brigit isn’t BBB accredited. It discloses a government action on its BBB profile tied to a 2023 FTC settlement over its advance marketing; EarnIn has been BBB accredited since 2019.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors or omissions.

Cash advance apps are a handy way to borrow money between paychecks without having to go through a hard credit check. EarnIn and Brigit share some similarities, but each app isn’t suitable for all borrowers. Let’s take a deeper dive and see which one is better.

EarnIn vs Brigit: A quick comparison

EarnIn
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Brigit
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Finder score 4.7★★★★★ 4.2★★★★★
Monthly subscription No membership fee $8.99 to $14.99
Optional tipping? Yes No
Fees Fast transfers: $3.99 to $5.99
Loan amount Up to $150/day, with a max of $1000 between paydays $50 to $500
Turnaround Time 1–2 business days standard; minutes with Lightning Speed 1 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
Requirements At least 18 and a US resident, Valid Social Security number, At least 60 days of banking history, Proof of consistent income, Positive bank balance, Get paid by direct deposit. Bank account must have at least 60 days of activity, Balance must be above $0 and have an average minimum balance on pay day
Ratings
  • A+ BBB rating
  • 4.8 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot
  • A+ BBB rating
  • 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot
State availability Not available in: Connecticut Available in all states
Pros
  • No monthly subscription required
  • Advances up to $1000
  • Only charges for fast transfers
  • Due date extensions available
  • Overdraft predictions
  • No interest or late fees
  • Can request advance through customer service for free
Cons
  • Requires direct deposit
  • Must have work email or fixed job location
  • Requires earnings of at least $320 per pay period
  • Customer support only through email
  • Monthly fee for full app experience
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EarnIn vs Brigit: Which one’s better?

Both EarnIn and Brigit offer no-credit-check advances with no late fees and share other characteristics. But EarnIn charges no mandatory subscription, while Brigit requires a paid Plus or Premium plan before you can request an Instant Cash advance through the app (Brigit’s own terms of service note you can instead email its support team to ask about an advance without subscribing). EarnIn also offers a higher ceiling, up to $1,000 per pay period versus Brigit’s $500 maximum ($250 in Maine). Still, either app may be a good fit for you, depending on your employment situation and other factors.

When to consider Brigit

There are a few situations where Brigit might be the better choice.

  • You don’t have a fixed job location or work email. Brigit qualifies users based on their checking account’s activity and deposit history instead of employer verification.
  • You want budgeting and credit tools bundled in. A Brigit subscription also includes budgeting features, credit monitoring, identity theft protection and access to its Credit Builder product.
  • You don’t want to be asked for a tip. Brigit doesn’t request tips on its advances.

When to consider EarnIn

Here are a few scenarios where EarnIn might make more sense for some people.

  • You want to avoid a required subscription. EarnIn doesn’t charge a monthly fee — you only pay if you choose Lightning Speed or leave a tip, making it a mostly free cash advance app.
  • You need a bigger advance. EarnIn’s $1,000 per pay period cap is double Brigit’s maximum.
  • You have a steady job with a fixed location or employer email. EarnIn is built around verifying traditional employment.

The similarities

Even though the two apps qualify borrowers differently, they’re designed to do the same basic job: spot you some cash between pay periods that you’ll typically repay on your next pay date. Neither runs a credit check, meaning they’re accessible to people with poor credit, and neither charges late fees or interest.

Alternatives to EarnIn and Brigit

EarnIn and Brigit have their high points, but here are some similar apps worth comparing before you commit.

  • Dave. Advances up to $500 through ExtraCash, though it comes with a monthly membership fee plus a mandatory overdraft fee.
  • Chime MyPay. Advances up to $500 for existing Chime Checking customers, free within 24 hours.
  • Cleo. Cleo cash advances through a paid Builder subscription, with budgeting tools built in.

See how other lenders stack up

Check out these comparisons of other cash advance apps and personal loan lenders.

Richard Laycock's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Laycock as part of our fact-checking process.
Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
Editor, Loans & Insurance

Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance expert and editor for loans and insurance at Finder. Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics. Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company. See full bio

Megan B.'s expertise
Megan B. has written 121 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal loans, business loans and home loans
  • Underwriting guidelines
  • Life, disability, car, health, accident, critical illness, dental and vision insurance
  • Policy comparison
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