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Payday loans like Advance America
Find similar funding with lenders that offer loans online and in store.
Updated
But if you live outside a state serviced by Advance America or don’t have a regular source of income, it might not be your best choice when you’re narrowing down short-term lenders.
- More than 2,000 store locations nationwide
- Payday, installment and auto title loans available
- Member of the Community Financial Services Association
- Limited information available online
- Recent settlement with state of California
Click here to see Advance America
1. Check Into Cash
Check Into Cash offers up to $1,000 in some states and is a founding member of the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA), a trade organization representing the payday lending industry.
It services 30 states and offers payday loans, installment loans and title loans to its borrowers. But if you aren’t 21 years old, you won’t be eligible to borrow.
2. ACE Cash Express
ACE Cash Express serves a wide variety of lending needs through its website and more than 1,000 store locations. Like many lenders, it offers payday loans and other short-term credit options, including installment loans and auto title loans. And unlike many lenders, it has a 72-hour satisfaction guarantee: If you decide you no longer want your loan, cancel it within three days with no penalty — much longer than the single business day offered by Advance America.
However, ACE Cash Express services only 23 states and isn’t licensed to offer payday loans everywhere it services. So even if you have an ACE Cash Express location in your state, you may not be able to borrow.
3. CashNetUSA
CashNetUSA doesn’t cap its payday loans at $1,000 — in a few states, you may be able to borrow up to $1,800. Because its entire loan process is online, you won’t have the option of leaving a check or picking up your cash in person. And even though CashNetUSA offers a variety of short-term loans, payday loans are only available in 18 states.
4. Cash Store
Cash Store’s website offers an informative FAQ that answers how much you can borrow and how much you’ll pay back. You can complete a portion of your application online, which speeds up the process of getting your loan at a store. And special offers mean you might be able to save more on your first financing charge or by referring a friend.
But if you’re looking for an online payday loan, it might not be the right choice for you — you must visit a store in one of its serviced states to apply.
5. Check ‘n Go
Check ‘n Go offers loans up to $1,500, depending on where you live. It also has a $50 bonus per referral, and its website includes informative pages about the states it services.
Unlike Advance America, Check ‘n Go requires a $100 minimum loan. Which means it might not be your best bet if you need less to get you to the next paycheck.
6. Speedy Cash
Speedy Cash offers loans online and in person. And your options aren’t limited to payday loans — it has installment loans and title loans, just like Advance America. It also has the ability to load your funds onto one of three prepaid debit cards, giving you access to emergency funds without ATM fees when you withdraw at a Speedy Cash store.
Unlike many of its competitors, however, Speedy Cash isn’t represented on the Better Business Bureau’s site. You also won’t find a physical location in all states, potentially limiting its “instant” options.
7. LoanByPhone
LoanByPhone offers payday loans between $100 to $1,500 either online or by phone. Its online rate calculator can help you estimate the amount you’ll owe based on how much you borrow. Simply select your state and use the slider to adjust your loan amount to see the APR, fee and total you’ll pay back over the life of your loan.
But while you can prequalify through the company, you’re redirected to Check Into Cash for the actual application. If you’d rather stick with one direct provider, look to Advance America or other competitors.
8. LendUp
LendUp is an online lending platform focused on helping its borrowers rebuild their credit histories. Through the LendUp Ladder, you can increase the amount you borrow at lower interest rates as you pay off existing loans. Once you reach Platinum or Prime status, your loans are reported to a major credit bureau, allowing you to improve your score with responsible repayments. While its licensed to lend in only eight states, its free educational courses makes it an excellent resource for people looking to improve their financial health.
Your state of residence affects how much you can initially borrow — likely under $500 for a first-time borrower. The structure of the LendUp Ladder also varies by state, and you may not be able to access every tier with a payday loan. If you’re looking for larger amounts or don’t live in a state LendUp services, look into competitors.
Compare other payday loan lenders
See how other top providers compare to Advance America by checking out our selection of the best payday lenders available.
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