Spotloan is a pricey and limited tribal lender. You can only borrow $300–$1,500 for up to 10 months and APRs can run as high as 490%.
Cheaper, shorter-term cash advances can beat Spotloan on cost. For example, Varo offers $20–$500 with no interest or late fees, just a small flat fee, and up to 30 days to repay if you’ve had $800 in direct deposits in the last 30 days.
Freelancers and gig workers aren’t shut out.Cleo doesn’t require employer verification, offers $20–$250, and lets you take a new advance 24 hours after repayment.
Here are some companies and lenders that offer loans similar to Spotloan so you can avoid costly tribal or payday lenders.
Varo offers a simpler, lower-cost alternative to high-interest installment loans like Spotloan. You can borrow $20 to $500 with no credit check, no interest, no late fees, and no tipping prompts, just a flat fee between $1.60 and $40.
You'll get up to 30 days to repay, which is longer than most cash advance apps and avoids the extended high-cost repayment cycles of many installment lenders. To qualify, you'll need a Varo Bank account and at least $800 in direct deposits over the past 30 days.
Loan Amount
$20 - $500
Turnaround time
Instant, once qualified
Costs
No membership fee, transfer fee up to $40
Varo offers a simpler, lower-cost alternative to high-interest installment loans like Spotloan. You can borrow $20 to $500 with no credit check, no interest, no late fees, and no tipping prompts, just a flat fee between $1.60 and $40.
You'll get up to 30 days to repay, which is longer than most cash advance apps and avoids the extended high-cost repayment cycles of many installment lenders. To qualify, you'll need a Varo Bank account and at least $800 in direct deposits over the past 30 days.
Pros
30 day repayment window
No monthly membership fee
Same-day advances without extra fees
Cons
Fees can run as high as $40 depending on borrowed amount
Cleo is much cheaper than Spotloan, with no fees or interest charges required to get an advance. But more importantly, Cleo appeals to freelance workers specifically by not asking for employer verification or timesheets. Advances are easier to navigate through the app with a $5.99 subscription, but you can apply with customer service for free, without one.
Cleo also allows you to take a new advance just 24-hours after paying off your previous advance. And you can reschedule your payment one time, if your finances don't allow you to pay back the money at the agreed upon time.
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 is much cheaper than Spotloan, with no fees or interest charges required to get an advance. But more importantly, Cleo appeals to freelance workers specifically by not asking for employer verification or timesheets. Advances are easier to navigate through the app with a $5.99 subscription, but you can apply with customer service for free, without one.
Cleo also allows you to take a new advance just 24-hours after paying off your previous advance. And you can reschedule your payment one time, if your finances don't allow you to pay back the money at the agreed upon time.
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
Up 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 are 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.
Loan Amount
Up to $1,000
Turnaround time
1 to 2 business days or within 30 minutes for a fee
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 are 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 to 2 business days or within 30 minutes for a fee
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 to 2 business days or within 30 minutes for a fee
Costs
Free to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $3.99 per transfer
Albert is a banking app that allows members to get up to three cash advances up to a total of $1,000 within one pay period — most cash advances allow only one advance per pay period. There are also no late fees, interest charges or inactivity fees. But while there are no late fees, missing a payment means you may no longer qualify for the cash advances or multiple advances per pay period.
Albert also doesn't require you to have the paid monthly membership to access most of its features or the cash advances. However, you'll automatically be enrolled in its paid membership program — called Genius — when you sign up, which you have 30 days to cancel.
Genius gives access to Albert's investing features with customized investing advice and costs between $8 to $16 per month. While less than many other banking apps, it comes with fewer perks than we've seen similar apps offer.
Loan Amount
$25 - $1,000
Turnaround time
Instant
Costs
Optional $14.99 monthly subscription to access budgeting and basic savings
Available in all states
Albert is a banking app that allows members to get up to three cash advances up to a total of $1,000 within one pay period — most cash advances allow only one advance per pay period. There are also no late fees, interest charges or inactivity fees. But while there are no late fees, missing a payment means you may no longer qualify for the cash advances or multiple advances per pay period.
Albert also doesn't require you to have the paid monthly membership to access most of its features or the cash advances. However, you'll automatically be enrolled in its paid membership program — called Genius — when you sign up, which you have 30 days to cancel.
Genius gives access to Albert's investing features with customized investing advice and costs between $8 to $16 per month. While less than many other banking apps, it comes with fewer perks than we've seen similar apps offer.
Pros
No credit check required
Gives you 10 days to repay the overdraft
Saves you from overdraft fees
Cons
No customer service phone number
Mixed customer reviews
Loan amount
Up to $1,000
Loan Term
Within 6 days of overdraft, with possible 7-day extension
Turnaround time
Instant
Loan Amount
$25 - $1,000
Turnaround time
Instant
Costs
Optional $14.99 monthly subscription to access budgeting and basic savings
Brigit is a banking app with multiple features, but it's one of the few apps that allows you to extend your due date up to three times if you can't make your repayment.
Brigit also offers an overdraft protection service and advances on your next paycheck for up to $250 per pay period regardless of whether you're at risk of overdrafting. Advances are free and come with no interest charges or tip requirement, but you must sign up for its $8.99 to $15.99 monthly subscription to access this service.
While this amount is higher than some cash apps, this fee includes instant, 20-minute transfers to a linked debit card. Membership with Brigit also comes with other financial wellness services, such as credit-builder loans and identity-theft protection.
Loan Amount
$50 - $250
Turnaround time
1 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
Brigit is a banking app with multiple features, but it's one of the few apps that allows you to extend your due date up to three times if you can't make your repayment.
Brigit also offers an overdraft protection service and advances on your next paycheck for up to $250 per pay period regardless of whether you're at risk of overdrafting. Advances are free and come with no interest charges or tip requirement, but you must sign up for its $8.99 to $15.99 monthly subscription to access this service.
While this amount is higher than some cash apps, this fee includes instant, 20-minute transfers to a linked debit card. Membership with Brigit also comes with other financial wellness services, such as credit-builder loans and identity-theft protection.
Pros
Overdraft protection
No interest paycheck advances
Credit-builder program
Identity-theft protection
Cons
$8.99 to $15.99 monthly subscription fee
Some users complain it's hard to cancel the service
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.
LendYou is a connection service that allows you to compare multiple lender offers with a simple online form. It specializes in helping borrowers find lenders that offer payday and installment loans.
It's one of the few connection services that's a member of bad-credit lending organizations like the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA). But you might have to field calls and emails from short-term lenders after you use this service — even after you choose a loan. And you won't know the rates and fees available until after you submit personal information.
You also must earn at least $1,000 in monthly income to qualify with one of its partners.
Loan Amount
$100 - $5,000
APR
Varies based on lender
Turnaround time
1 business day
Not available in: Arkansas, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia
LendYou is a connection service that allows you to compare multiple lender offers with a simple online form. It specializes in helping borrowers find lenders that offer payday and installment loans.
It's one of the few connection services that's a member of bad-credit lending organizations like the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA). But you might have to field calls and emails from short-term lenders after you use this service — even after you choose a loan. And you won't know the rates and fees available until after you submit personal information.
You also must earn at least $1,000 in monthly income to qualify with one of its partners.
Cash App by Square is one of the most popular banking apps, ranked #1 in the App Store. It features a simple peer-to-peer payment system, you can buy crypto and stock, get paid early and even file your taxes.
Its most recent feature is Cash App Borrow which allows eligible users to borrow up to $200. However, it's still a pilot program so it's not available to everyone. Reports say that the most active users with qualifying credit scores in select states have access to this new feature.
Cash App has overwhelmingly negative reviews on Trustpilot, but is accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating. Most negative reviews complain of poor customer service, but many complaints revolve around users sending money to a scam or to the wrong person.
Loan Amount
$20 - $200
Turnaround time
Same day
Costs
5% flat fee
Available in all states
Cash App by Square is one of the most popular banking apps, ranked #1 in the App Store. It features a simple peer-to-peer payment system, you can buy crypto and stock, get paid early and even file your taxes.
Its most recent feature is Cash App Borrow which allows eligible users to borrow up to $200. However, it's still a pilot program so it's not available to everyone. Reports say that the most active users with qualifying credit scores in select states have access to this new feature.
Cash App has overwhelmingly negative reviews on Trustpilot, but is accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating. Most negative reviews complain of poor customer service, but many complaints revolve around users sending money to a scam or to the wrong person.
Possible Finance offers short-term loans of up to $500 as an alternative to payday loans — though it's still not cheap. Installments are paid over four months with no interest, scheduled on your paydays to help avoid default. There are fees, likely around $15 to $20 per $100 borrowed, but exact cost varies by state.
The APRs listed on Possible Finance's website range from 150% to 460%. Unlike a payday loan, you have the option to repay it over four installments over as long as two months in some states. This makes it easier to budget for payments.
Possible also reports payments to TransUnion and Experian, so you may see an increase in your credit score when you make timely repayments. And it doesn't use your credit score to determine eligibility for a loan. However, Possible is only available in 16 states.
Loan Amount
$50 - $500
APR
150% to 460%
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 offers short-term loans of up to $500 as an alternative to payday loans — though it's still not cheap. Installments are paid over four months with no interest, scheduled on your paydays to help avoid default. There are fees, likely around $15 to $20 per $100 borrowed, but exact cost varies by state.
The APRs listed on Possible Finance's website range from 150% to 460%. Unlike a payday loan, you have the option to repay it over four installments over as long as two months in some states. This makes it easier to budget for payments.
Possible also reports payments to TransUnion and Experian, so you may see an increase in your credit score when you make timely repayments. And it doesn't use your credit score to determine eligibility for a loan. However, Possible is only available in 16 states.
Monevo is a highly-rated connection service that links you to personal loan lenders with a single application and no impact to your credit score. The service is completely free and carries no obligation.
It partners with around 20 lenders and banks that cater to borrowers with poor to excellent credit. As with most connection services, you may receive multiple marketing emails and calls after submitting the application.
Loan Amount
$500 - $100,000
Turnaround time
Varies by lender
Available in all states
Monevo is a highly-rated connection service that links you to personal loan lenders with a single application and no impact to your credit score. The service is completely free and carries no obligation.
It partners with around 20 lenders and banks that cater to borrowers with poor to excellent credit. As with most connection services, you may receive multiple marketing emails and calls after submitting the application.
Spotloan offers small short-term loans from $300 to $1,500, with terms up to 10 months. Loans this small usually have terms lasting only a few weeks, so some borrowers may appreciate the longer repayment terms compared to traditional payday loans.
Funding can happen as soon as the next day, it features a short no-credit-check online application, there’s no origination fee and requirements are clearly listed on the site. It’s also available in all but 11 US states.
But these loans don’t come very cheap. Spotloan’s maximum APR is 490%. Return customers may qualify for a lower APR on their next loan, but with rates this high, it may be wise to consider other options.
Read our review of Spotloan to get a full picture of how this provider works.
Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto.
Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt.
Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others.
Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine.
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