ACE Cash Express is a short-term lender that offers same-day loans both online and in-store at 850 locations nationwide. It offers payday, installment and title loans, as well as cash advances, which typically range from $100 to $2,500 — depending on the state. The exception is Texas, where it offers $1,500 title loans.
But its rates run high, with APRs exceeding 660%, making ACE Cash Express loans best for emergencies only. Because the rates charged are so steep, repeatedly using short-term installment loans from lenders like ACE Cash Express can lead to a cycle of debt that can be hard to break.
But there are alternatives, particularly cash advance apps, which offer paycheck advances from $20 to $250 per pay period in most cases without interest or fees on what you borrow. These alternatives offer speedy funding, low fees and a cheaper way to access cash for emergencies.
Cleo can save you money over ACE Cash Express, with no interest charged on its cash advances. Members can request a cash advance through customer support for free, starting with $20 to $70 advances at first and eventually qualifying for up to $250. Advances are easier to request through the app if you pay the $5.99 monthly subscription fee, which also comes with personal financial management tools.
If you're willing to pay $14.99 per month, you can access credit builder tools, which include a secured credit card, early access to your paycheck and up to $500 in emergency cash advance if you set up direct deposits. And Cleo reports to all three credit bureaus, which can help you build credit if you keep up on your payments.
Loan Amount
$20 - $250
Turnaround time
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Costs
$5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances
Available in all states
Cleo can save you money over ACE Cash Express, with no interest charged on its cash advances. Members can request a cash advance through customer support for free, starting with $20 to $70 advances at first and eventually qualifying for up to $250. Advances are easier to request through the app if you pay the $5.99 monthly subscription fee, which also comes with personal financial management tools.
If you're willing to pay $14.99 per month, you can access credit builder tools, which include a secured credit card, early access to your paycheck and up to $500 in emergency cash advance if you set up direct deposits. And Cleo reports to all three credit bureaus, which can help you build credit if you keep up on your payments.
Pros
New advance available 24 hours after payoff
One-time due date extension
Budgeting and saving tools through app
Build credit with Credit Builder subscription
Cons
$5.99 to $14.99 monthly subscription fee
Non-subscribers must contact customer service to apply for cash advances
$3.99 express fee for same-day funding
Loan amount
$20 to $250
Loan Term
Next deposit
Turnaround time
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Loan Amount
$20 - $250
Turnaround time
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Costs
$5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances
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 significantly higher than most cash advance apps, and unlike payday loans, there’s no interest or financing fees to use Cash Outs.
To qualify for EarnIn Cash Outs, you need to be employed, have regular direct deposits and earn a minimum of $320 each pay period. You can transfer $150 a day to a linked bank account or more than $150 per day to an EarnIn card. Regular transfers are available in one to three business days or in minutes for a fee.
Finder Reward
Get $50 from Finder Finder members get a $50 digital Visa gift card when they open their first EarnIn account and complete a Cash Out. Offer ends on May 15, 2026.
1–2 business days standard; minutes with Lightning Speed
Costs
Free to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $3.99 per transfer
Not available in: Connecticut
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 significantly higher than most cash advance apps, and unlike payday loans, there’s no interest or financing fees to use Cash Outs.
To qualify for EarnIn Cash Outs, you need to be employed, have regular direct deposits and earn a minimum of $320 each pay period. You can transfer $150 a day to a linked bank account or more than $150 per day to an EarnIn card. Regular transfers are available in one to three business days or in minutes for a fee.
Pros
No credit check required
No interest or mandatory tipping
Free credit score tracking included
Cash Out more than $150 per day with an EarnIn card
Cons
Verification of employment earnings required
Same-day (Lightning) transfers attract a fee
Can only qualify with employment income
Not ideal for gig workers
Loan amount
Up to $150/day, with a max of $1000 between paydays
Loan Term
1 to 4 weeks
Turnaround time
1–2 business days standard; minutes with Lightning Speed
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.
Loan Amount
Up to $1,000
Turnaround time
1–2 business days standard; minutes with Lightning Speed
Costs
Free to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $3.99 per transfer
Albert is a popular all-in-one money app that provides up to $1,000 to members. You don't need a subscription to use Albert Instant, it's available to any eligible Albert member subject to eligibility requirements.
Albert also offers optional subscription tiers which include extra tools like budgeting insights, automated savings, spending alerts, and other financial management features. Combined with Albert Instant, these features help users manage short-term cash gaps and stay on top of their finances.
Loan Amount
$25 - $1,000
Turnaround time
Within minutes
Costs
No subscription required
Albert is a popular all-in-one money app that provides up to $1,000 to members. You don't need a subscription to use Albert Instant, it's available to any eligible Albert member subject to eligibility requirements.
Albert also offers optional subscription tiers which include extra tools like budgeting insights, automated savings, spending alerts, and other financial management features. Combined with Albert Instant, these features help users manage short-term cash gaps and stay on top of their finances.
Pros
Advances up to $1,000
Transfers funds straight to your account within minutes
Cons
Fees to transfer funds to external account
Mixed customer reviews
Loan amount
$25 to $1,000
Loan Term
2 weeks
Turnaround time
Within minutes
Albert is not a bank. Savings account provided by Wells Fargo, N.A., Member FDIC. Albert plans start at $19.99/mo. Try for 30 days before you're charged. Fees auto-renew until canceled. Cancel in the app. Terms apply. Albert Instant Line of Credit is an unsecured line of credit issued by FinWise Bank, a Utah chartered bank, Member FDIC. Limits range from $25-$1,000. Draw fees apply. Terms and eligibility criteria including geographic restrictions apply. In some states, Albert may offer you an Albert Instant Advance instead. Limits range from $25-$1,000, subject to terms and eligibility criteria. No Albert subscription is required for Albert Instant Line of Credit or Albert Instant Advance. See Albert Terms of Use for additional important terms.
Brigit is a no-credit-check cash advance app that can help you cover emergency expenses between paydays — and unlike ACE Cash Express, never charges interest or fees on what you borrow. Brigit offers cash advances up to $250 per pay period and lets you extend your due date, as long as you've made two consecutive on-time payments.
To get advances, you need to sign up for Brigit's paid subscription, which costs $8.99 to $14.99 a month. This fee includes Brigit's credit builder program and up to $1 million in identity theft protection. Brigit can also auto-advance money to your bank account if you're at risk of an overdraft.
Loan Amount
$50 - $250
Turnaround time
1 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
Brigit is a no-credit-check cash advance app that can help you cover emergency expenses between paydays — and unlike ACE Cash Express, never charges interest or fees on what you borrow. Brigit offers cash advances up to $250 per pay period and lets you extend your due date, as long as you've made two consecutive on-time payments.
To get advances, you need to sign up for Brigit's paid subscription, which costs $8.99 to $14.99 a month. This fee includes Brigit's credit builder program and up to $1 million in identity theft protection. Brigit can also auto-advance money to your bank account if you're at risk of an overdraft.
Pros
Store up to three payment extensions
Save on bank overdraft fees
Credit builder program included with subscription
Cons
$8.99 to $14.99 monthly membership fee
Instant transfers cost extra
No phone support
Loan amount
$50 to $250
Loan Term
Until your next payday, but can extend
Turnaround time
1 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
Loan Amount
$50 - $250
Turnaround time
1 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
OppLoans is a highly rated online lender that offers loans up to $5,000 — which is higher than ACE Cash Express' typical loan amount of $100 to $2,500, depending on the state and type of loan. OppLoan's APR is 195% — significantly lower than ACE's rates, which could help you save money.
But unlike ACE Cash Express, there are no storefront locations, so you won't have access to services like check cashing and prepaid debit cards. That said, it's one of the most transparent lenders in terms of costs, and it reports your activity to the three major credit bureaus to help boost your credit score.
Loan Amount
$500 - $5,000
APR
99% - 195% APR
Turnaround time
As soon as the same business day
Online application
Yes
Not available in: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia
OppLoans is a highly rated online lender that offers loans up to $5,000 — which is higher than ACE Cash Express' typical loan amount of $100 to $2,500, depending on the state and type of loan. OppLoan's APR is 195% — significantly lower than ACE's rates, which could help you save money.
But unlike ACE Cash Express, there are no storefront locations, so you won't have access to services like check cashing and prepaid debit cards. That said, it's one of the most transparent lenders in terms of costs, and it reports your activity to the three major credit bureaus to help boost your credit score.
Pros
APR capped at 195%
Reports to credit bureaus
Positive customer reviews
Cons
No storefront locations
Must receive income through direct deposit
Loan amount
$500 - $5,000
Interest rate type
Fixed
APR
99% - 195% APR
Loan Term
9 to 18 months
Turnaround time
As soon as the same business day
The advertised APR is an estimate based on currently available information, is not final, and is subject to change. If approved, your actual rate will be determined and assigned based on your creditworthiness, income, application information, and other relevant factors. Applications submitted on the OppLoans platform will be originated by one of our bank partners and serviced by OppLoans. Please see the Rates and Terms for details regarding the availability of products in your state of residence. Subject to credit approval and verification. Actual approved loan amount and terms are dependent on our bank partners’ standard underwriting guidelines and credit policies. Funds may be deposited for delivery to your bank via ACH as soon as the same business day if verification is completed and final approval occurs before 12:00 PM CT on a business day. If approval occurs after 12:00 PM CT on a business day or on a non-business day, funds may be delivered as soon as the next business day. Availability of the funds is dependent on how quickly your bank processes the transaction. Installment loan amounts typically range from $500 to $5,000. Annual percentage rate (APR) ranges from 99% to 195%. Installment loan lengths range from 9 to 18 months. Example: A $2,000 installment loan repayable in 9 monthly payments with an APR of 160% would have monthly payments of $394.58. Loan amount, APR, and repayment terms may vary by state, please see https://www.opploans.com/rates-and-terms for additional information. Approval is not guaranteed. If approved, your actual rate will fall within the marketed range of rates, and will be determined and assigned based on your creditworthiness, income, application information, and other relevant factors. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest available rates. This is an expensive form of credit and you should determine whether the offered product(s) meets your financial needs. OppLoans’ Bank Partners may use credit report information provided by Clarity Services and Experian as part of the application process to determine your creditworthiness. The credit inquiry will appear as a soft credit inquiry on your Experian credit report and a hard credit inquiry on your Clarity report. Therefore it will not affect your FICO credit score. OppLoans and its Bank Partners report customer payment history to the three major credit bureaus. On-time payments may improve credit score.
Cash App Borrow is a pilot feature that hasn't been rolled out to all users yet. But it may become available to you, depending on your app usage. If eligible, you could borrow up to $500 for emergency expenses. But unlike cash advance apps, there's a 5% finance charge to use the service.
While Cash App doesn't disclose eligibility requirements, users have reported getting access to Cash App Borrow after loading funds to Cash App and sending out payments. Some users have also reported getting access without having a job. This could make it ideal for people who get paid in cash or don't receive direct deposits — as having direct deposits is a requirement for most cash advance apps.
Loan Amount
$20 - $500
Turnaround time
Same day
Costs
5% flat fee
Available in all states
Cash App Borrow is a pilot feature that hasn't been rolled out to all users yet. But it may become available to you, depending on your app usage. If eligible, you could borrow up to $500 for emergency expenses. But unlike cash advance apps, there's a 5% finance charge to use the service.
While Cash App doesn't disclose eligibility requirements, users have reported getting access to Cash App Borrow after loading funds to Cash App and sending out payments. Some users have also reported getting access without having a job. This could make it ideal for people who get paid in cash or don't receive direct deposits — as having direct deposits is a requirement for most cash advance apps.
Possible Finance is an online lender that offers short-term installment loans up to $500. Like ACE and cash advance apps, there's no credit check required, making it good for bad credit. But you'll pay a high rate — up to 200% APR — on what you borrow. But you may get up to eight weeks to repay your loan — longer than with a cash advance app.
As part of its service, Possible Finance reports your payments to two of the three major credit bureaus, which could help build your score — ACE doesn't do this. However, taking out too many loans in a short period could actually hurt your score. Due to its high cost, Possible Finance is best for emergencies where you need a longer time to repay your loan.
Loan Amount
$50 - $500
APR
150% to 200%
Turnaround time
As fast as 1 business day
Not available in: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia
Possible Finance is an online lender that offers short-term installment loans up to $500. Like ACE and cash advance apps, there's no credit check required, making it good for bad credit. But you'll pay a high rate — up to 200% APR — on what you borrow. But you may get up to eight weeks to repay your loan — longer than with a cash advance app.
As part of its service, Possible Finance reports your payments to two of the three major credit bureaus, which could help build your score — ACE doesn't do this. However, taking out too many loans in a short period could actually hurt your score. Due to its high cost, Possible Finance is best for emergencies where you need a longer time to repay your loan.
Pros
No credit check required
More flexible loan repayment terms
Reports activity to the three major credit bureaus
Because it’s available both online and in-store, caters to bad credit borrowers and doesn’t require a credit check, ACE Cash Express can be a fast and convenient way to get cash in hand same-day for emergencies.
But it’s pricey compared to cash advance apps, which don’t charge interest or fees on the advances themselves. Even when you factor in membership fees, cash advance apps are less expensive than a traditional payday loan for frequent borrowers.
If you have bad credit or don’t want to get verified with a cash advance app, an installment loan from ACE Cash Express may be worth the higher cost. But for ongoing borrowing, a cash advance app is a more economical choice that can help you stay within your budget.
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.
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OpenCashAdvance.com specializes in what is known as cash advance loans, which are payday cash loans. Learn more about them here.
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