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Compare short-term cash solutions
These loans can cover you until your next paycheck — but watch out for high fees and always consider your alternatives.
When the unexpected happens and you have nowhere else to turn, a payday loan might be the solution. But treat it as a last resort — it’s one of the most expensive types of financing. We’ll help you understand how these loans work and what to consider before borrowing, plus provide you with some alternatives.
Our top pick: LendYou Short-term Loans
Min. Loan Amount: $100
Max. Loan Amount: $15,000
Turnaround Time:
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Requirements: $1,000+ monthly income, direct deposit, US citizen or permanent resident, ages 18+
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Our top pick: LendYou Short-term Loans
Get offers from potential lenders in minutes by filling out just one online form.
Min. Loan Amount: $100
Max. Loan Amount: $15,000
Turnaround Time:
1 business day
Loan Term:
Varies
Requirements: $1,000+ monthly income, direct deposit, US citizen or permanent resident, ages 18+
Payday loans come with some of the highest interest rates around and are meant as financial relief when you have no other option. They’re one of the most expensive loans out there. And if you’ve lost your job or have limited income, it can be even more costly.
That’s because the real cost of payday loans comes when you renew your loan — it comes with a fee that can double the cost or more. Renewing your loan multiple times can trap you in a cycle of debt, landing you in a worse financial situation than you were in when you took out the loan.
If there’s a chance you’ll miss your repayment, consider alternatives or see if you can negotiate any of your bills down.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Lenders charge a fixed fee that varies based on your state laws and the amount you borrow. In general, it can be anywhere from $10 to $30 for every $100 borrowed. This results in a high APR that can often be 300% or more.
If you decide to borrow, read over your loan agreement carefully. It should outline the total cost of your loan as well as any additional fees you may have to pay. If you don’t understand the costs, speak with a customer service representative before signing the loan agreement.
The fees a lender can charge will vary based on the laws of your state. However, these are the top five most common fees associated with borrowing a payday loan.
Rollover fees. If you borrow an additional loan with the same lender — the lender may tack on a rollover or renewal fee on top of everything else you owe.
Late payment fees. If you fail to make a repayment, you’ll be charged a late fee. The exact amount you can be charged will depend on state law, and some lenders even offer a short grace period before charging you a late fee.
Returned check or nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees. Also regulated by state law, lenders often charge a fee if your check doesn’t clear or they’re unable to withdraw your repayment from your bank account.
Prepaid debit card fees. Some lenders offer prepaid debit cards, but you may be charged application fees, monthly fees and payment fees for using the card.
Bank fees. Although not a fee directly charged by a lender, your bank may charge an overdraft fee if the lender attempts to withdraw money and there isn’t enough in your account to cover your payment.
Will I have to pay interest?
Not usually. Payday loans have a high APR, but it isn’t because of a high interest rate. APR is an expression of the loan’s total cost as a percentage, which includes both interest and fees.
Since payday loans have such short terms — sometimes as little as just seven days — there’s not enough time for interest to add up to a profit. When it comes to payday loans, a high APR is a reflection of the loan’s high fees, not its high interest rate.
How do short-term loans compare to other types of credit?
Payday loans have some of the shortest terms and highest fees, which make them one of the most expensive forms of credit available. These four points are the main differences you’ll find between payday loans and other types of credit:
Higher rates and fees. Payday loans have much higher APRs than other forms of credit. Most states regulate how much a lender can charge, but this may still result in an APR over 300%.
Shorter loan term. Because payday loans are designed to be short-term solutions to financial shortfalls, you generally won’t find a loan that extends beyond six months, although terms differ by state.
Bad credit accepted. Payday lenders often don’t conduct a credit check through the traditional credit bureaus. However, you still need to meet other requirements — like having a steady source of income.
Smaller loan amounts. How much you can borrow depends on the state you’re in, but you can typically borrow between $100 and $1,000.
Although the actual application process will vary based on the lender you choose, these are the typical steps you’ll need to follow to apply for a payday loan.
Provide information about yourself, including your contact details and Social Security number.
Fill in your employment details or benefits information if you’re on welfare or a similar program.
Provide additional information about your income, including how frequently you’re paid and if you receive direct deposit.
Enter your bank account details and agree to electronic transfers. Confirm the website is secure before providing this information.
You’ll need to read over a lender’s terms of service and privacy policy before submitting your application. The best payday loan providers will always have a secure online application and outline your loan’s final amount so you know exactly how much it will cost to borrow.
Common eligibility requirements
Like the application process, the specific requirements you need to meet will vary by lender. However, most lenders have similar criteria:
Open checking account
Regular source of income
US citizen or permanent resident
Employed or receive regular benefits
At least 18 years old
Meeting these eligibility requirements does not guarantee you will be approved for a loan.
Required documents
Though required documents also differ by lender, you’ll generally need to provide the following:
Government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license
Social Security number, alien registration number or individual taxpayer identification number
Personal contact information, such as your address and phone number
Proof of income, such as a pay stub or benefits letter
Before you commit to a lender, consider the following:
Payday loan alternatives. If you haven’t already, try to find room in your budget for the funds you need, and look into low-cost or free alternatives before you apply.
Extremely high costs. Cash advances are notorious for their high APRs — often 300% or more, depending on how much you borrow and your repayment terms. Read your loan agreement carefully and create a budget to ensure you can repay your loan on time.
Disreputable lenders. Some payday lenders operate online to get around state regulations. Make sure the lender you’re applying with is legit and verify with your state banking regulator or attorney general that it is operating legally.
Potential debt cycles. Payday loans are known to lead to a cycle of debt. Make sure you don’t take on a loan you can’t afford by confirming that you’ll have enough to repay your loan on its due date.
Complex loan contract. All lenders are required to provide you with a contract that outlines the total costs of your loan, but it’s not always in plain English. Read it carefully so you know exactly what and when you have to pay.
Continuous payment authority (CPA) agreements. Also known as a recurring payment, this allows payday lenders to charge a payment to your debit or credit card based on how much it believes you owe, whether or not you’re able to afford that payment.
It depends on where you live. Some states prohibit payday loans altogether by enforcing a cap on interest rates, called a usury law. Others restrict how much payday lenders can charge or impose other regulations to protect borrowers. Unfortunately, many states allow payday lending without enforcing heavy regulations. You can browse payday loan regulations by state or view our loan-by-city directory to find out which options are available to you.
Are payday loans available in my state?
Must read: A warning about payday loans
Payday loans are banned in more than a dozen states — and heavily regulated in even more — with good reason: Payday lending is one of the single most predatory forms of credit available and can easily ruin your finances when you’re already in a pinch.
When APRs reach over 1,200%, it’s glaringly clear that these seemingly quick fix-it loans are anything but. State regulations are put in place to protect consumers. Racketeering laws, criminal usury statutes and even state constitutions are used to cap loan rates.
Ultimately, these protections are put in place to help borrowers avoid a debt spiral that payday lenders set them up for. Even former President Barack Obama spoke out against payday lenders during his presidency, accusing them of being predatory and trapping borrowers in a cycle of debt.
Before you dive into a product marketed as a one-stop financial Band-Aid, consider your alternatives. Though they aren’t significantly better, installment loans can come with slightly less egregious terms and more manageable payments. And while it may require a level of humility and openness, asking to borrow from friends or family could be another possibility.
You can also look into alternatives to borrowing. Social services may be available in your area to those in need. Even if you aren’t sure if you qualify, it’s worth researching local assistance programs for food, housing and other necessities. These services may also be able to help you identify and address any structural issues that can keep you in debt, such as a lack of a budget or overspending.
Though you may not have a lot of extra time, a side gig could also be an option. Ideas include driving with a ride-share service like Uber, walking dogs, participating in research studies or even taking online surveys to earn more cash. If you find yourself regularly needing small amounts of money to last you through the week, consider exploring ongoing freelance opportunities in your area of expertise — Upwork and Fiverr are a few places to start.
Payday loans have both a high rate of default and repeat borrowing, which could trap you in a debt cycle and even more financial distress than when you started. By researching your many options, you may be able to avoid getting caught in dangerous lending while still getting the money you need.
How do I repay my payday loan?
How you repay your loan depends on the lender you apply with. Here are three of the most common repayment methods:
ACH withdrawal from your bank account
Post-dated check cashed on your due date
Manual online payment made from your bank account
Make sure you understand your repayment terms before signing the contract. Some lenders may only set up renewal or rollover fees on the day your loan is due, meaning you can extend your loan term instead of paying it off at that time. In some cases, you may get three months or more to repay your payday loan.
What happens if I can’t repay my loan?
It’s not uncommon to have trouble paying off a payday loan, but sometimes it’s unclear what your lender can and can’t do to get the money you owe. If you default, your lender will likely turn your debt over to a collection agency.
Debt collectors sometimes take extreme measures to ensure you repay what you owe, some even going as far as — illegally — threatening you with jail time. While you can’t face criminal charges for defaulting on a cash advance, your lender can sue you for assets to cover what you owe.
Borrowing guides for other types of short-term loans
States have different regulations in place regarding waiting periods and rollover loans. If it’s legal in your state, your lender may offer the option of paying a fee to lengthen your loan term, which is typically referred to as renewing or rolling over.
The fee usually isn’t what you have to worry about, however: It’s the mounting interest over a longer term that can make your loan unaffordable. Before you roll over your loan, consider the potential costs to make sure you aren’t trapping yourself in a cycle of debt.
Payday lenders generally don’t send your information to the main credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. However, they may send information on your loans and repayments to smaller credit reporting agencies, like Teletrack or LexisNexis.
The main danger to your credit scores is repayments. If you’re late on or miss repayments, your credit score could be negatively affected. Your lender may choose to take legal action to bring in unpaid loans or pass your loan on to a debt collection agency, which will affect your score.
In short: It probably won’t help your credit, but it could hurt it.
Check the lender’s state licenses, online reviews and contact information. If you can easily find out how to get in touch with a representative and find its license to operate in your state, then your lender will likely be above board.
However, it still pays to be careful. Some scams have been known to adopt the logo and website design of popular lenders. Always confirm that the lender you choose is the real thing before submitting any personal information online or over the phone.
An ACH authorization gives a lender permission to withdraw money from your checking or savings account. Unless the lender allows you make repayments by check, you will need to sign an ACH authorization.
But before you do, make sure you know how much will be debited and on what dates, whether this amount will repay your loan or simply renew it, and how to revoke the authorization.
Lenders will ask for your bank account details, such as the account and routing number, to know where to deposit approved funds, process repayments and confirm you have an operating bank account — which is a requirement for most lenders.
A lender or debt collector can only garnish your wages if it has obtained a court judgment. A court judgment could be the result of you failing to repay the loan and then disputing the lender or collector after you’ve been sued to collect the losses.
If someone is threatening to garnish your wages and you’re unsure if they can, seek the advice of a lawyer or nonprofit credit counselor.
Yes, some lenders like MoneyTree offer payday loans to business owners. And there are other types of business financing that work similarly to payday loans, including merchant cash advances and short-term loans.
However, these are best saved as a last resort since they tend to come with ridiculously high costs and inflexible repayments. You can learn more with our guide to business payday loans.
While you can use your loan funds for a variety of purposes, there are some restrictions in place on how you spend your loan. Loan funds can’t be used to pay for anything illegal, and you typically can’t use them for gambling or college expenses, either.
Other restrictions may vary by lender — so check with yours to ensure you aren’t violating your loan contract when you spend your loan.
Aliyyah Camp is a writer and personal finance blogger who helps readers compare personal, student, car and business loans. Aliyyah earned a BA in communication from the University of Pennsylvania and is based in New York, where she enjoys movies and running outdoors.
Can I receive a cash advance loan from a lender who accepts award letters from SSDI BUT I have no job, bank accounts unemployed, horrible credit, no collateral and no job history ? Can my award letter get me a cash loan within a hour to pay due bills immediately while waiting for award checks from SSDI.
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Some lenders do consider Social Security Disability Insurance as a form of income. However, please note that you might have fewer options. You can find some of your options on this page. On that page, there’s a table that compares your options. You will also learn more how to get a loan when you’re in welfare through that page.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Please note that finder is a comparison website and general information service. While we do not represent any company we feature on our pages, we can offer you general advice.
You may check the list of options on the page you are viewing. Simply click on “Go to site” and “More” for you to have a comparison of the lenders and for you to choose the best one that would best suit your needs.
Please be reminded to check if payday loans are available in your state by scrolling down on the page then hover your mouse to the state where you live to see the result.
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
You may refer to this page for options that may suit your needs. You may review and compare the offers available on the table. Once you have selected one, you may proceed by clicking the green “Go to Site” button.
Short term loans are usually for smaller amount of loans. If you would be borrowing $100,000, you may compare your personal loan options through this page. Please review the criteria, details of the loan product you’ve chosen and contact the lender directly to discuss your eligibility. Once you’ve chosen a loan and you think you are eligible, you may click on the ‘Go to site’ button to be redirected to the lender’s main website and apply from there.
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Can I receive a cash advance loan from a lender who accepts award letters from SSDI BUT I have no job, bank accounts unemployed, horrible credit, no collateral and no job history ? Can my award letter get me a cash loan within a hour to pay due bills immediately while waiting for award checks from SSDI.
Hi Saronda,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Some lenders do consider Social Security Disability Insurance as a form of income. However, please note that you might have fewer options. You can find some of your options on this page. On that page, there’s a table that compares your options. You will also learn more how to get a loan when you’re in welfare through that page.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Can i pawn my car to get cash from u guys
Hi Sheila,
Thanks for your reaching out.
Please note that finder is a comparison website and general information service. While we do not represent any company we feature on our pages, we can offer you general advice.
You may check the list of options on the page you are viewing. Simply click on “Go to site” and “More” for you to have a comparison of the lenders and for you to choose the best one that would best suit your needs.
Please be reminded to check if payday loans are available in your state by scrolling down on the page then hover your mouse to the state where you live to see the result.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Judith
Can i borrowed some money today I need
Hi Earma,
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
You may refer to this page for options that may suit your needs. You may review and compare the offers available on the table. Once you have selected one, you may proceed by clicking the green “Go to Site” button.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
Could I borrow $100,000. for few days and how much would it be the interest? I repay in few days.
Hello Hilda,
Thank you for reaching out.
Short term loans are usually for smaller amount of loans. If you would be borrowing $100,000, you may compare your personal loan options through this page. Please review the criteria, details of the loan product you’ve chosen and contact the lender directly to discuss your eligibility. Once you’ve chosen a loan and you think you are eligible, you may click on the ‘Go to site’ button to be redirected to the lender’s main website and apply from there.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Marlou
I have plied for oak phone and all that and they’re up to $1000 I don’t need $1000 I need two thousand dollar loan and I can’t find it
Hi Deedee,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Lenders offer loans of up to $2,000, you may want to consider the loan options here.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold