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Nowadays, getting your hands on cash when you need it is easier than ever – no need to wait for your paycheck to clear. Cash advance apps can be a helpful way to borrow money from your paycheck when you need to pay for everyday expenses or emergency bills without committing to a loan with a lengthy term.
Cash advance apps are popular with gig workers, who earn money whenever they work but don’t get paid immediately. These apps are usually interest-free, and some are fee-free, making them a low-risk way of accessing your money when needed.
But how do cash advance apps work, and are they safe? Here’s what you need to know.
How do cash advance apps work?
When you apply for a cash advance through an app, you may be asked for your employment and earning info. If approved, you can request a small amount. The average advance amount is around $100 to $200.1
You will then need to pay the advance back on your next payday. Most apps require a connection to your bank account to withdraw the money automatically when you’re paid.
Best cash advance apps
With several cash advance apps on the market, choosing the right one for you can prove challenging. Here are the best cash advance apps to help you access your money early, as well as details on MyPay that allows you to access your pay when you say, in the Chime® app.
1. Chime
One of the perks of being a Chime member is access to up to $500 through MyPay® when you set up qualifying direct deposits.^ After a qualifying direct deposit, you’ll see your available advance amount in the app and see how much is available to access ahead of payday.
Advances are fee-free within 24 hours, or you can access the advance instantly for a $2 fee per advance. Chime members have many options for pay access, including MyPay® and SpotMe®.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to MyPay for Chime members | Not available for non-Chime members |
| Up to $500 advance | |
| Fee-free advance within 24 hours or instant deposits for $2 |
2. EarnIn
EarnIn® lets you access up to $150 per day up to your Pay Period Max.2 Accessing the funds without a fee will take 1-2 business days, while instant deposits start at $2.99.3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Anyone can sign up | Fee-free deposit may take up to 2 business days to clear |
| No mandatory fees | Instant deposits start at $2.99 |
| Access up to $150 per day up to your Pay Period Max |
3. Dave
Dave’s ExtraCashTM service provides a cash advance of $25 to $500 with no interest, credit check, or late fees. You don’t need a Dave® checking account to get ExtraCash, but you’ll pay a fee to transfer the funds to a non-Dave account, as well as a monthly membership fee.4
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A Dave checking account isn’t required to sign up | Transferring funds to a non-Dave checking account comes with a fee |
| Up to $500 cash advance | Available advance amount changes daily |
| No interest, credit check, or late fees | Monthly membership fee up to $5 |
4. Brigit
Brigit Instant Cash provides qualified users with a cash advance of $25 to $250. There’s no credit check to qualify, and Brigit doesn’t charge late fees or have a tipping option. However, you may have to pay a monthly subscription fee of up to $14.99 and an instant transfer fee ranging from $0.99 to $3.99.5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Up to $250 cash advance | Monthly subscription fees range from $8.99 to $14.99 |
| No credit check | Express Delivery fee applies to instant transfers |
| No late fees or tipping |
5. MoneyLion
MoneyLion® Instacash® provides up to $500 without monthly fees or interest. Transfers are free but take one to five business days. If you need the money sooner, you’ll pay an instant transfer fee based on your disbursement amount, up to $8.99.6,7
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Up to $500 cash advance | Fee-free transfers take up to 5 business days |
| No credit check | Instant transfer fees of up to $8.99 |
| No interest or monthly fees |
6. Empower
EmpowerTM Cash Advance will transfer up to $400 to your checking account. There are no late fees or interest charges, but instant transfers can cost up to $8 or 3% of the advance. There’s also an $8 monthly subscription fee, but Empower offers a 14-day free trial to try the service before committing.8,9
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Up to $400 cash advance | Instant transfer fees of up to $8 or 3% of the advance amount |
| No credit check | Monthly subscription fee of $8 |
| No interest or late fees |
7. Varo
Varo Advance® will cover you up to $500, though initially, you can be approved for $20 to $250. Once you receive the money, you have up to 30 days to repay it. You must have a Varo checking account to qualify for an advance, and transfer fees can be up to $40 depending on the advance amount.10
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Up to $500 cash advance | Must have a Varo checking account to qualify |
| Up to 30 days to repay the advance | Transfer fees of $1.60 to $40, depending on advance amount |
| No tip requests |
Are instant cash advance apps safe?
Cash advance apps are generally safe. Most use encryption to keep your data private, so you don’t have to worry about your information getting into the wrong hands.
In terms of financial risk, cash advance apps are also considered less risky than payday loans because they don’t have a hefty interest rate.
You might be prompted to pay a fee for a faster transfer or to leave a tip to pay for the service, though that cost is generally minimal.
Should you use a cash advance app?
Around 66% of Americans consider themselves to be living paycheck to paycheck.11 Facing an emergency, like a car repair or a medical bill, can throw off your finances. Cash advance apps offer a fast, convenient, and more affordable way to get an advance.
With the average overdraft fee at around $27, cash advance apps are often a cheaper way of getting money fast.12
The downside? Being able to tap into your earnings ahead of payday can do more harm than good financially, especially if you’re not using the apps wisely.
If you use a cash advance app, follow these tips to stay on top of your finances.
- Do your research. Look for options that come with no extra charges, consider the speed of the advance, and find out what the limits are.
- Only borrow what you can afford to repay. You don’t want to get into a cycle of borrowing money to stay afloat.
- Review your bank transactions. Ensure you’re not getting charged unnecessary automatic renewal fees that can cause you to overdraw your account.
Alternatives to cash advance apps
Need cash fast but don’t want to use a cash advance app? Consider these alternatives.
Personal loans
You can get a small personal loan in the amount of as little as $100, depending on the lender.13
Personal loans have lengthier repayment periods than cash advance apps, but they’re often unsecured and may have high interest rates, increasing the cost of borrowing money. However, compared to payday loans, personal loan rates are significantly lower.
Credit cards
Credit cards are valuable tools when paying for an unexpected expense. With a good credit score, you might qualify for a card with a 0% introductory interest rate. If not, you can avoid paying interest by paying off your balance in full every statement period.
However, over-reliance on credit cards can lead to high-interest debt that can be hard to dig out of.
Friend or family loans
If you have no other options, consider asking a close friend or family member for a loan. Make sure you draw up an agreement for the amount you’re borrowing and the repayment schedule. Failure to take these steps can lead to conflict or even estrangement.
Buy now, pay later apps
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps let you split a large purchase into smaller installments over a set period. Most don’t charge interest as long as you repay the money as promised.
However, BNPL apps can make overspending easier – especially if you often make impulse purchases. You may be charged a fee if you can’t pay the installments.
Count on Chime when you need cash now
Whether you use a payday advance app, receive an automatic direct deposit, or get paid via paper check, a budget is critical to making your dollars stretch. If you haven’t nailed down a plan for spending(and saving), you should tackle it ASAP.
You work hard for your money, and want it to work just as hard for you! With cash advance apps or options like MyPay, you can reach your financial goals in a way that makes sense for you and your lifestyle.
Interested in getting an advance from MyPay? Learn how MyPay credit limits work so you know what to expect when applying.
FAQS
What is a payday loan, and how does it differ from a payday advance?
With a traditional payday loan, you give the lender your pay stubs and income information. In return, you’re given a loan you must repay before your next payday. Payday loans typically range from $50 to $1,000,14 but lenders often charge extremely high interest rates – sometimes just under 400%.15
Payday advance apps offer more flexibility and affordability for borrowers than payday loans. The most significant difference between a typical payday loan and payday advance apps is that apps don’t charge any interest since payday advances are not considered loans. Cash advance apps can be helpful budgeting tools when you need cash now.
Can I get a cash advance with no income?
Getting a cash advance with no income is possible, but it’s difficult and not recommended. Some lenders may accept alternative proof of income, like unemployment, child support, or Social Security payments. Alternatively, if you have good credit, you may be able to get a cash advance without proof of income.
Do cash advance apps affect my credit score
Using a cash advance app will not impact your score unless the app reports to the credit bureaus. In addition, if you don’t repay the money you borrow, the lender could send you to collections, which could show up on your credit report and hurt your credit score.
Most cash advance apps don’t require a credit check, so your score won’t be dinged like it would when applying for a loan.
What do I need to apply for a cash advance app?
You will need to show that you have a steady income. Typically, cash advance apps require users to connect their bank accounts – usually a checking account – to the app to monitor their average earnings and repay the advance. However, there are cash advance apps that don’t require direct deposit. Those without a steady income or without a favorable bank history might not get approved for a cash advance app.
What are the costs associated with a cash advance app?
The charges you might encounter with a cash advance app will vary depending on the app. Some apps charge a flat fee for each usage, while others charge a monthly service fee. There are free instant cash advance apps, but most encourage users to leave tips to help the app continue running.