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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.
Cash advance apps are a convenient way to borrow small amounts of money before payday. Cash advance apps don’t charge interest. Instead, you pay a monthly fee or tip, although some apps are free. This generally makes them cheaper than loans.
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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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 can’t repay on time. Stay on top of your bank balance to make sure you don’t end up paying overdraft fees on your cash app loan.
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.
Explore cash advance apps like Ualett, perfect for gig workers looking for quick funding, budgeting support and flexible borrowing options.
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Finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Finder receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. Finder compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
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