Best Payday Loans and Alternatives 2026

Payday loans are short-term, no-credit-check loans that are typically paid off on your next payday. They’re aimed at bad credit borrowers and typically range from $50 to $1,000. Instead of charging interest, most lenders charge a flat fee called a “finance charge” of around $15 to $25 per $100 borrowed. That’s the equivalent of about 390% to 650% for a two-week loan.

While a payday loan can provide fast cash, they’re expensive. The good news is that cheaper borrowing options are available, even if you have bad credit. To help you, we’ve narrowed down the best payday loans and alternatives, including cash advance apps that are free to use.

Best payday lenders and alternatives

• Best for larger loan amounts: Upstart
• Best no-fee payday advance: EarnIn
• Best for same-day advance without a fast-transfer fee: Varo
• Best for repeat cash advances: Chime MyPay
• Best alternative for building credit: OppLoans
• Best for comparing short-term lenders: LendYou
• Best payday lender: ACE Cash Express

Finder Score	Loan amount	Loan term	APR
Best for larger loan amounts
Finder score 9.3 Excellent Upstart personal loans	Finder score 9.3 Excellent	$1,000 to $75,000	36 or 60 months	6.5% to 35.99%	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Upstart is a loan marketplace that connects borrowers with banks and credit unions offering much larger loans than payday or installment loans. You can borrow anywhere from $1,000 to $75,000 and repay it over three or five years, giving you more flexibility than the typical payday loan. Upstart might also be a good fit if you have bad credit. Its partner lenders consider factors beyond your credit score, like your job history and education, which can help more applicants qualify. APRs are much lower than payday loans, but an origination fee of up to 12% could cut into your loan amount. Pros & cons Pros Low credit score requirement of 300 Funding as soon as the next business day Loans up to $75,000 Cons Must borrow at least $1,000 Origination fees up to 12% Only two repayment options

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Finder Score	Loan amount	Loan Term	Costs
Best no-fee payday advances
Finder score 9.5 Excellent EarnIn	Finder score 9.5 Excellent	Up to $150/day, with a max of $1000 between paydays	1 to 4 weeks	Free to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $3.99 per transfer	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it EarnIn is a cash advance app that lets you borrow up to $1,000 of your earned wages before payday with its Cash Out feature. This borrowing limit is higher than most cash advance apps, and unlike payday loans, there's no interest or financing fees to use it. But you can't take it all out at the same time — you can only withdraw $150 maximum per day. To qualify for EarnIn Cash Outs, you must be employed, have regular direct deposits and earn a minimum of $320 each pay period. Regular transfers are available in one to two business days for free. If you need the money faster, you can transfer funds immediately for a small fee that ranges from $3.99 to $5.99. Pros & cons Pros No interest or late fees No monthly membership required Advances up to $1,000 per pay period Cons Verification of employment earnings required Same-day (Lightning) transfers require a fee Can only qualify with employment income
Best for same-day advance without a fast-transfer fee
Finder score 9.4 Excellent Varo Cash Advance	Finder score 9.4 Excellent	Get up to $250 today and up to $500 over time, qualifications apply.	15 to 30 days	No membership fee, Flat Fee of $1.6 to $40	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Varo offers a straightforward alternative to payday loans, letting you access up to $500 same day with no expedited transfer fee, credit check or late fees. Funds are deposited directly into your Varo Bank account, and you can take up to 30 days to repay it, unlike most apps that are due on your next payday. There's no interest, but it charges a flat fee from $1.60 to $40 based on how much you borrow. To qualify, you'll need at least $800 in monthly direct deposits and an active Varo Bank account in good standing. Pros & cons Pros Up to 30-day repayment window No monthly membership fee Same-day advances without extra fees Cons Fees as high as $40, depending on borrowed amount Low starting advance limits Must have Varo bank account
Best for repeat cash advances
Finder score 9.4 Excellent Chime MyPay®	Finder score 9.4 Excellent	Up to $500	Until next deposit	No subscription fees, $2 to $5 instant transfer fee	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Chime MyPay offers fast access to cash advances, making it a simple way to bridge the gap between paychecks without taking out a loan. If you're eligible, you can borrow up to $500, with no tipping or credit checks required. Because it's not a loan, there's nothing to repay and no interest or fees to worry about. The amount you access is automatically deducted from your next direct deposit. That makes it a useful alternative to payday lenders, especially if you just need a small amount to cover expenses before payday. Pros & cons Pros No interest, fees or tipping No credit check required Advances up to $500 Cons Only available to Chime users with direct deposit Advance limit depends on income and pay history Not available in all 50 states

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Finder Score	Loan amount	Loan Term	APR
Best alternative for building credit
Finder score 9.4 Excellent OppLoans Installment Loans	Finder score 9.4 Excellent	$500 to $5,000	9 to 18 months	129% to 195%	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it OppLoans is a bad credit lender that only does a soft credit check when you apply, which doesn't affect your credit score. While its APRs start at 129% and can reach up to 195%, this rate is still less than what most payday lenders charge. And unlike a payday lender, OppLoans reports your repayments to the three major credit bureaus, which can help improve your credit score. Despite its higher rates, the company gets great customer reviews on Trustpilot and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating. It's known for its fast funding times and excellent customer service, with extended phone support hours on weekdays. However, the short repayment terms of 9 to 18 months may lead to high payments for some borrowers. Pros & cons Pros Reports to the three major credit bureaus Same-day funding possible Only requires a soft credit check Cons APRs as high as 195% Requires bank account at least 90 days old Must be paid with direct deposit
Best for comparing short-term lenders
Finder score 5 Standard LendYou Short-term Loans	Finder score 5 Standard	Up to $1,000 for payday loans and up to $2,500 for installment loans	30 days or less for payday loan and installments	Varies based on lender	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it LendYou is a loan connection service that matches users to short-term payday and installment lenders without a credit check. You may apply for payday loans from $100 to $2,500, and the turnaround time is typically the next business day. LendYou isn't a direct lender, so the actual loan requirements and costs depend on the lender you're matched with. The lender may run a credit check depending on the loan you apply for. LendYou doesn't have a BBB page, making it difficult to assess if the company has any customer complaints. Pros & cons Pros Quick online application Compare multiple offers with a single form Low $1,000 monthly income requirement Cons Rates as high as 1,386% Not a direct lender Partners may check your credit
Best payday lender
Finder score 7.2 Great ACE Cash Express Short-term Loans	Finder score 7.2 Great	Varies by state	Varies by state	400% to 600%	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it In business for over 50 years, ACE Cash Express is one of the oldest lenders on this list. It offers in-store payday and installment loans from $100 to $1,500 in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Online payday loans are also available through its website in six states, with online installment loans offered in four states. While convenient and highly rated by past customers, it's an expensive form of borrowing. Expect to pay around $25 per $100 borrowed, depending on where you live, making it best for emergencies only. Pros & cons Pros More than 750 branch locations Transparent fee schedule Other short-term loans available Cons APRs can hit over 400% Loan amounts vary by state

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Methodology: How we chose the best payday lenders

Finder’s lending experts review legitimate payday lenders against these key metrics to narrow down the best payday loans:

• Finance fees
• Loan repayment terms
• Number of states served
• Online application availability
• Repayment flexibility
• BBB customer ratings
• Trustpilot ratings

We didn’t include tribal lenders on this list, as they’re not subject to the same laws and regulations as licensed payday lenders. They’re known to engage in predatory lending practices and rely on tribal arbitration to resolve customer disputes.

Are there any legitimate payday loans?

Yes, legitimate payday lenders exist. To qualify as “legitimate,” the lender should be licensed to operate in your state, follow local lending laws and clearly disclose fees and repayment terms. Examples of legitimate payday lenders would be ACE Cash Express and Check Into Cash.

But just because they offer legitimate payday loans doesn’t mean they’re a great choice. Payday loans are still one of the most expensive forms of borrowing, as the fees you pay end up equalling triple-digit APRs. So, if you find a less expensive way to fill the gaps in your budget, take advantage of it.

7 ways to tell a payday lender is legit

The following can help you find legit payday lenders more easily:

1. Accredited by the BBB. The BBB is a century-old nonprofit organization that helps identify trustworthy businesses. A high business rating (A+) can indicate the business handles complaints promptly, has adequate licensing and more. However, if it isn’t accredited, you can still confirm legitimacy using other review sites like Trustpilot.
2. Provides contact details. If a lender provides no more than a contact form or an email address, see how responsive it is before you apply. A legitimate payday lender shouldn’t shy away from providing a physical address, phone support or live chat.
3. Transparent. Direct lenders of legit short-term loans are legally required to be up front about the fees and costs over the loan term and must adhere to maximum limits. Your loan contract should clearly set out all applicable fees and charges.
4. Doesn’t guarantee approval. If you encounter a website that claims to provide guaranteed short-term loans, it may be a scam. No legit lender will guarantee approval before you submit an application.
5. Abides by state regulations. With legit payday loans, you don’t have to worry about lenders charging you more than the maximum limits set by the state. Check the regulations in your state to make sure your lender is operating legally.
6. Doesn’t require money up front. One of the biggest red flags is when the lender requests money up front. Origination fees are paid out of your loan amount, and you shouldn’t have to pay anything before you borrow.
7. Checks your ability to repay. Payday lenders are no longer legally required to make sure you can afford repayments in all states. But legit lenders will still ask about your monthly income and expenses when you apply.

How to qualify for a payday loan

To qualify for a payday loan, you typically need to meet the following criteria:

• Have a steady job or a regular income source
• Be a US citizen or permanent resident
• Be at least 18 years old
• Live in an eligible state
• Have a valid US bank account
• These are also the basic criteria to qualify for installment loans or cash advances

Are payday loans available in my state?

Hover over your state to see if payday loans or installment loans are legal where you live. Click or tap to see loan options in your state.

Why go with an alternative instead?

Payday loans can feel like a quick fix, but they often come with high fees and short repayment windows that make it easy to fall into a cycle of debt. If you can’t repay the loan in full by your next payday, the costs can quickly add up, especially with APRs that often reach 300% or more.

Cash advance apps can get you small amounts of cash with no interest or required fees. Installment loans and personal loans give you more time to repay, often with fixed monthly payments and lower overall costs. Even if you have bad credit, you may still qualify for bad credit loans that are more flexible and transparent.

Many of these alternatives offer fast funding — in some cases, as soon as one day — and don’t come with the financial risks of payday loans. Before committing to a high-cost loan, it’s worth comparing your options to find something that works best for your budget.

Bottom line

Payday loans can help in a pinch, but the short repayment window and high fees make them one of the most expensive ways to borrow. And if you miss the due date, costs can add up fast, making it easy to get stuck in a cycle of repeat borrowing.

Before you take out a payday loan, explore less expensive options. Even if you have bad credit, there are other — and often cheaper — options for accessing quick cash, including cash advance apps and alternative bad credit lenders, like OppLoans.

Recap of best payday lenders:

• Best for longer repayment terms: Upstart
• Best no-fee payday loan: EarnIn
• Best for same-day advance without a fast-transfer fee: Varo
• Best for repeat payday advances: Chime MyPay
• Best for building credit: OppLoans
• Best for comparing short-term lenders: LendYou
• Best payday lender: ACE Cash Express

Frequently asked questions

• How do you find the best payday loans?

  To find the best payday lenders, do a search for those in your area or online, then check ratings from past customers on Trustpilot and Google. Also, visit the BBB website to see if the lender is accredited — if so, that's a sign it's legit.

  Once you've narrowed it down to a few payday lenders, compare fees, funding speed and repayment terms to find the best fit.

  Related: How payday loans work

• How long does it take to apply for a payday loan?

  Applying for a short-term loan should take around five to 10 minutes, provided you have all the information needed to complete the application.

• Are there any low-interest payday loans available?

  Not really. Payday loans almost always come with high fees that translate to triple-digit APRs. Even the cheapest payday loans typically cost at least $10 per $100 borrowed. If you're looking for something less expensive, a cash advance app or installment loan might be a better fit.

• What are the top payday loan providers in the country?

  Some of the top payday loan providers in the US include ACE Cash Express, Check Into Cash and Speedy Cash. These lenders are licensed in multiple states and have been around for years, but their loans are still expensive. Always compare fees and terms before borrowing — even from big-name payday lenders.

Written by

Kellye Guinan

Writer

Kellye Guinan is a freelance editor and writer, specializing in consumer lending. Her writing and analysis has been featured on Bankrate, MSN and MediaFeed. She holds degrees in anthropology and German language and literature from Middle Tennessee State University. See full bio

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Co-written by

Kat Aoki

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 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

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Kat has written 142 Finder guides across topics including:

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