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Short-term loan reviews

What details should you be looking for when comparing payday loan reviews?

Browsing lenders to find the right short-term loan for you – one that isn’t given by a predatory lender – can be tiresome when all you want to do is get a quick fix for a financial emergency.
That’s where payday loan reviews come in. Compare lenders based on your needs and find a reputable business to help you during a crisis.

Why should I read a short-term loan review?

There are dozens of short-term lenders across the country. Many are trustworthy and follow state laws to the letters. Others are predatory and use payday loans as a way to take advantage of others. By reading reviews, you give yourself the chance to learn about a company before applying, saving yourself time and, potentially, money.
A good review covers the benefits and drawbacks of the lender without too much bias. If the review is too positive or negative, watch out. It could be someone paid to leave a good review or someone with bad budgeting skills leaving a bad one. The more moderate a review is, the more trustworthy it is.
If you think there might be a chance the lending company you’re looking at is a scam, check with your local government. Many states require a license to operate a payday loan business. If they’re legitimate, they’ll have one.
More ways you can tell if a loan is legit or not

Reviews of top short-term loan lenders

ReviewNotable feature
OppLoansHigh maximum loan amount of $4,000
Check Into CashOption to apply online and pick up your cash in-store
CashNetUSAQuick approval and fast funding
ACE Cash Express72-hour satisfaction guarantee to change your mind and return the funds with no penatly
LendUpFast application process and quick approval
Check CityMultiple repayment options, including electronic withdrawal from bank account and paying by debit card over the phone

What can I find out from a short-term loan review?

A good short-term loan review gives you all the information you need to make an informed decision and should cover these aspects:

  • Interest rate and APR. While you have to pay interest on a short-term loan, the APR represents the true cost. It includes the interest as well as all associated fees. The amount varies considerably from one lender to the next.
  • Fees. short-term loan reviews should give you a clear indication of all the fees and charges you could end up paying over the course of your loan, including financing fees, ongoing fees and fees you might have to pay if you miss a payment.
  • Access to funds. Some lenders only operate online, meaning you’ll have to provide a bank account so the lender can deposit the money directly. If you want to pick up your money in cash or as a prepaid debit card, you’ll need to find reviews of lenders who have storefronts.
  • Repayment options. There are a number of ways you can repay a loan, but some lenders don’t allow all of them. Read reviews to find out what the company you’re looking at prefers. Keep in mind that some lenders also charge a fee for early payment.
  • Application process. A good review should tell you how simple or complicated the application process is and how long it might take to complete.
  • About the lender. Reading a short-term lender’s review should give you some idea about the company’s history and the other products the lender offers.

A–Z listing of payday and installment loan reviews

Compare short-term loans and other alternatives

Name Product Filter Values Loan amount Turnaround time Requirements
Chime SpotMe®
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Chime SpotMe®
Up to $200
Instant
Qualifying $200 direct deposits into Chime checking account each month. Chime debit or Credit Builder card.
Access fee-free overdrafts up to $200 when eligible. Plus get your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit. See Chime terms and conditions.
EarnIn
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
EarnIn
Up to $750 per pay period, but only $100 per day
1 to 3 business days or instant for a fee
Direct deposit sent to a checking account, a regular pay schedule, a fixed work location or an online timekeeping system at work
No mandatory fees, no interest and no credit checks. Subject to EarnIn terms & conditions.
Cleo
Finder Score: 4.1 / 5: ★★★★★
Cleo
Up to $250
3 to 4 days standard transfer. Same day with $3.99 to $9.99 express fee.
Not stated
Automatically monitor your spending plus access cash advances up to $100 at a time.
Sorbet
Not rated yet
Sorbet
Based on the amount of accrued PTO
Up to 5 business days for approval and 5 business days for funding, or instant for a fee
18 years of age, W-2 employee, US citizen or permanent resident, employer must carry over PTO and payout upon termination
Tap your unused PTO for a cash advance so you can access that money early. Available in all 50 states.
Go to site
Dave ExtraCash
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Dave ExtraCash
Up to $500
Up to 3 business days or instant for a fee
At least two direct deposit paychecks to your bank account from your employer, extra money in your bank account
Borrow up to $100 to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
Brigit
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Brigit
$50 to $250
2 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.
Bank account must have at least 60 days of activity, Balance must be above $0 and have an average minimum balance on pay day
Have up to $250 automatically deposited into your account — for a $8.99 membership fee.
LendYou Short-term Loans
Finder Score: 2.5 / 5: ★★★★★
LendYou Short-term Loans
Up to $1,000 for payday loans and up to $5,000 for installment loans
1 business day
$1,000+ monthly income, direct deposit, US citizen or permanent resident, ages 18+
Get offers from potential lenders in minutes by filling out just one online form.
Fast5kLoans Short-term Loans Connection Service
Finder Score: 0.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Fast5kLoans Short-term Loans Connection Service
$100 to $35,000
As soon as the next business day
Regular source of income, Verifiable bank account, US citizen, Ages 18+
Get connected with multiple lenders you might qualify with — even if you have bad credit.
Go to site
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How can I use reviews to find the right short-term loan?

Going through short-term loan reviews or consumer reports can help you narrow down your choices. Pay attention to these factors:

  • Eligibility criteria. If you don’t meet the required eligibility criteria, there’s no point in applying, and doing so might damage your credit rating. Checking the eligibility criteria ahead of time minimizes the chance of a rejected application.
  • Loan amount. Find out the minimum and maximum amount a lender is willing to give to be sure you can get the exact financing you need. Some lenders set high minimum amounts so you have to borrow hundreds of dollars to be considered.
  • Repayment method. Most lenders allow payments via direct debits from your bank account, but this can be bad if you don’t have the money in your account to repay. If you wish to repay the loan using cash or check, you have more limited options since you’ll have to go to a storefront location.
  • Additional features. Does the lender offer any additional features that might be of use to you? For example, some lenders offer higher loan amounts and better interest rates to repeat borrowers.
  • Money processing. If you need money soon, you’ll want to read reviews about lenders with storefronts. Online lenders can approve you quickly, but it will usually take one or two business days for the funds to reach your account.

Are payday loans available in my state?

Elizabeth Barry's headshot
Senior editor

Elizabeth Barry is Digital Managing Editor for Entertainment at Are Media and formerly the lead editor for Finder's global financial niches which includes banking, crypto and investments. She has written about finance for 10 years and specialises in personal finance, including new and emerging areas of banking in Australia and globally. Elizabeth is regularly featured in a range of publications and media including Seven News, the ABC, MSN, the Irish Times and Singapore Business Review. See full bio

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