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

Loans like Elastic

Elastic offers lines of credit to those with less-than-perfect credit — but fees run high. Here are 6 loans that may be cheaper.

Avatar

By

Kat Aoki

Edited by

Holly Jennings

Reviewed by

Megan B. Shepherd

Updated

Fact checked

Geared toward bad credit borrowers, an Elastic line of credit (LOC) offers a revolving credit line between $500 and $4,500 as soon as the next business day. But this convenience comes at a high price. Each advance on your line costs 5% to 10%, and if you carry a balance, you could be on the hook for a “carried balance fee” of $5 to $350 every billing cycle.
Here are 6 loans like Elastic that may offer lower borrowing costs, including cash advance apps and bad credit personal loans.

Our 6 top picks for loans like Elastic

Alternative for no fees: MoneyLion Instacash

MoneyLion Instacash advances

Go to site

MoneyLion Instacash is a feature of the MoneyLion money app that lets you borrow up to $500 against your next paycheck. Unlike Elastic, there's no charge for using this service with 0% interest on your balance. The only catch is that you must pay the loan off by your next paycheck, although payment extensions may be available.
MoneyLion also offers the option of increasing advances to $700 with a paid Credit Builder subscription and up to $1,000 with a Roar Money account with direct deposit set up. While the app is free to use for regular turnaround transfers of 24 to 48 hours — same-day Instacash “turbo” transfers to your bank account attract fees that can add up quickly.
  • Available in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Pros
  • No credit check required
  • Other banking and investment services available
  • Options to increase advances to $1,000 per pay period
Cons
  • Normal funding takes 24 to 48 hours
  • Takes 3 to 8 weeks to be eligible for maximum Instacash
  • Instant delivery costs $8.99 per $100 borrowed
Loan amount$50 - $500
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan TermVaries
Turnaround time3 to 5 business days to external checking account, 12 to 48 hours to RoarMoney account

Alternative for account overdrafts: Chime SpotMe

Chime SpotMe®

Go to site

If you're worried about bank account overdraft fees, SpotMe has you covered. SpotMe is a free, optional feature for Chime customers that lets account holders overdraw their accounts from $20 to $200 when they use their Chime debit card to make purchases or ATM withdrawals — with no overdraft fees.
To qualify for Chime, you need a Chime account with direct deposits. In the beginning, you'll qualify for $20 overdraws, but this could increase to $200 with a history of direct deposits and account activity. As long as you have $200 direct deposited into your Chime account every month, you may qualify.
  • Available in all states
Partner terms and conditions
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 obligation to tip
  • Low monthly direct deposit requirement
  • Get paid two days early with direct deposit
Cons
  • SpotMe limits start at $20
  • Must have Chime Checking account and debit card
  • Only covers debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals
Loan amount$20 - $200
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan TermN/A
Turnaround timeSame day

Alternative for bad credit: OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial personal loans

3.4 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site

OneMain Financial offers bad credit personal loans from $1,500 to $20,000 — much higher than Elastic's LOCs — and caps its rates at 35.99%. OneMain doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement, making it ideal for bad credit borrowers. And unlike a lot of personal loan lenders, it offers secured loans and allows cosigners to increase their chances of approval.
OneMain's rates start at a relatively high APR of 18%, but its rates won't exceed 35.99% even if you have bad credit — which could make it significantly cheaper than Elastic or a payday or installment loan. But it charges an origination fee of 1% to 10%, as well as late and nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees, which can run high.
  • Not available in: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont
Partner terms and conditions
* OneMain Disclosures:

Not all applicants will be approved. Loan approval and actual loan terms depend on your ability to meet our credit standards (including a responsible credit history, sufficient income after monthly expenses, and availability of collateral). If approved, not all applicants will qualify for larger loan amounts or most favorable loan terms. Larger loan amounts require a first lien on a motor vehicle no more than ten years old, that meets our value requirements, titled in your name with valid insurance. Loan approval and actual loan terms depend on your state of residence and your ability to meet our credit standards (including a responsible credit history, sufficient income after monthly expenses, and availability of collateral). APRs are generally higher on loans not secured by a vehicle. Highly-qualified applicants may be offered higher loan amounts and/or lower APRs than those shown above. OneMain charges origination fees where allowed by law. Depending on the state where you open your loan, the origination fee may be either a flat amount or a percentage of your loan amount. Flat fee amounts vary by state, ranging from $25 to $500. Percentage-based fees vary by state ranging from 1% to 10% of your loan amount subject to certain state limits on the fee amount. Visit omf.com/loanfees for more information. Loan proceeds cannot be used for postsecondary educational expenses as defined by the CFPB’s Regulation Z such as college, university or vocational expense; for any business or commercial purpose; to purchase cryptocurrency assets, securities, derivatives or other speculative investments; or for gambling or illegal purposes.

Borrowers in these states are subject to these minimum loan sizes: Alabama: $2,100. California: $3,000. Georgia: Unless you are a present customer, $3,100 minimum loan amount. North Dakota: $2,000. Ohio: $2,000. Virginia: $2,600.

Borrowers (other than present customers) in these states are subject to these maximum unsecured loan sizes: North Carolina: $7,500. An unsecured loan is a loan which does not require you to provide collateral (such as a motor vehicle) to the lender.

Example Loan: A $6,000 loan with a 24.99% APR that is repayable in 60 monthly installments would have monthly payments of $176.07.

Time to Fund Loans: Funding within one hour after closing through SpeedFunds must be disbursed to a bank-issued debit card. Disbursement by check or ACH may take up to 1-2 business days after loan closing.
Pros
  • Same-day turnaround available
  • Secured and unsecured options
  • Bad credit applicants considered
Cons
  • Hard credit check required
  • Origination fee charged
  • Full coverage property insurance required for collateral
Loan amount$1,500 to $20,000
APR18% to 35.99%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit scoreVaries
Turnaround TimeAs soon as the same day
Maximum Loan Term6 years
Minimum Loan Term2 years

Alternative for joint applications: Achieve

Achieve personal loans

3.4 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site

Achieve is a highly-rated fair credit personal loans lender offering loans between $1,000 and $100,000 — much higher than most online lenders. Its rates are also lower than most online lenders too, with APRs starting at 7.99% and capping out at 29.99%. It charges an origination fee up to 5.99%, which is less than origination fees of up to 10% charged by other bad credit lenders 620.
To qualify, you'll need a minimum credit score of at least 620, which is considered fair credit. Achieve differs from many lenders because it offers three ways to lower your rate: by adding a co-borrower, using at least 50% of the loan proceeds to pay your creditors directly or showing proof of retirement savings.
  • Available in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington
Pros
  • Multiple rate discounts
  • Highly rated by customers
  • High maximum loan amount
Cons
  • Origination fee between 1.99% to 5.99%.
  • 620+ FICO score required to qualify
  • Hard credit check required
Loan amount$1,000 to $100,000
APR7.99% to 29.99%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit score620
Turnaround TimeAs soon as the next business day
Maximum Loan Term5 years
Minimum Loan Term2 years

Alternative for a no credit check loan: OppLoans

OppLoans Installment Loans

4.7 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site

OppLoans is a bad credit online installment lender offering personal loans with no credit check. While APRs on its loans range from 59% to 160%, it's still cheaper than what payday and installment lenders typically charge. And it's known to be quick: same-day funding may happen if your loan is approved before noon CT.
OppLoans offers loans of $500 to $4,000 with repayment terms between 9 to 18 months in most states. It also reports your payments to the three major credit bureaus, which could help increase your credit score. While pricey compared to some lenders, its no credit check policy could help you qualify if your credit score is poor to very poor.
  • Not available in: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia
Pros
  • No credit check required
  • Reports to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
  • No prepayment penalties
Cons
  • Rates run high compared to many personal loans
  • Bank account must be at least 90 days old
  • Must receive income through direct deposit
Loan amount$500 - $4,000
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan Term9 to 18 months
Turnaround timeAs soon as the same business day

Alternative for installment loans: LendYou

LendYou Short-term Loans

2.5 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site

LendYou isn't a direct lender like Elastic or the other lenders on our list. Rather, it's a connection service that matches you to short-term payday and installment lenders. You can apply for short-term loans from $100 to $1,000, and if approved, turnaround time is the same business day or the next.
As LendYou isn't a direct lender, the actual loan costs, fees and terms depends on the lender you get a loan with — and rates could reach up to 400% APR or more. The lender may or may not run a credit check depending on the loan you apply for. LendYou doesn't have a Better Business Bureau page, so be sure you're visiting the official site before applying.
  • Not available in: Arkansas, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia
Pros
  • Quick online application
  • Compare multiple lenders with a single form
  • Low $1,000 a month income requirement
Cons
  • Not a direct lender
  • Partners may check your credit
  • Military may not qualify
Loan amount$100 - $1,000
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan TermVaries
Turnaround timeSame business day to 1 business day

How does Elastic compare?

Elastic is a bad credit lender that doesn’t specify a minimum credit score, which could make it a viable option if you have less-than-stellar credit. But compared to other bad credit lenders, Elastic may cost you more to use — especially if you carry a balance across billing cycles.
Here’s an example of Elastic’s costs:
Cash advance amount: $1,000
Cash advance fee of 5%: $50 (reduces your advance to $950)
Carried balance fee: $35 to $70 per billing cycle
Based on a cash advance fee of $50, plus a carried balance fee of $35 or $70, this works out to be around 221.60% APR to 146.00% APR on a $1,000 advance, respectively.
This makes Elastic expensive compared to 0% interest cash advance apps and lenders like OneMain Financial that caps rates at 35.99%. And its costs are similar to bad credit lenders like OppLoans, which has a maximum APR of 160%. But Elastic is still cheaper than most payday and installment loans, which can have rates exceeding 400%.
So, if you can pay your balance off every billing cycle and just pay the 5% to 10% advance fee — it’s actually similar to taking out a credit card cash advance, which typically costs between 3% and 10% per advance. Customers also like Elastic, with the majority giving it excellent reviews on Trustpilot.

Pros

  • Bad credit ok
  • Request advances online
  • Transfers by the next business day
  • Accredited by the Better Business Bureau
  • Excellent customer reviews on Trustpilot

Cons

  • 5% to 10% advance fee
  • Carried balance fee of $5 to $350 every billing cycle
  • May be more expensive than other types of loans

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

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