Cash Advance Apps
Cash advance apps let you snag a quick loan, usually tied to your paycheck, to cover short-term expenses. After digging into 10 top apps and scoring them against 22 factors, Varo took the crown for its speedy deposits, straightforward fees, and longer repayment options.
That said, if your job hooks you up with Payactiv, you might wanna lean that way. It’s cheap, fast, and gives you more wiggle room with loan amounts—just gotta have an employer that’s on board.
Best Cash Advance Apps
Varo
Varo’s been doing its thing since 2015, repping San Francisco as its home base. The deal’s simple: a fee cap of $40 on a $500 advance, no sneaky extras. Yeah, you’ll need a Varo bank account, but that just means cash hits your account instantly, and there’s zero chance of overdraft drama if your balance comes up short. You gotta show at least $800 in direct deposits this month or last to qualify, though.
They give you up to 30 days to pay it back, which is way longer than most apps, but don’t expect to get the full $500 upfront. You’ll start small and work your way up as you repay. The site’s refreshingly upfront about the rules, and customer support’s got your back, whether it’s live chat or other options. Plus, that Varo account gets you perks—think an interest-free secured credit card, a high-yield savings account, and a free debit card.
Payactiv
Payactiv’s been around since 2012, running things out of San Jose, California. It’s hands-down solid for quick, cheap cash and decent loan limits, but here’s the kicker—it only works if your employer’s in on the deal. Your boss also sets the borrowing cap, but you might swing up to $1,000 if you’ve got direct deposit hooked up, or $500 without it.
No annoying tips or subscriptions to worry about—just a fee for express transfers. Still, there are free ways to snag your cash, like ACH transfers or sending it straight to a Payactiv Visa card if you’re on direct deposit. Plus, you can use your earned wages for Uber rides, Amazon orders, or even paying bills without extra fees. Payback’s pulled right out of your next paycheck, so no need to stress about overdraft messes.
If your job isn’t in the Payactiv club, you can always pitch it to HR. Might as well give it a shot, right?
MoneyLion
MoneyLion’s been in the game since 2013, calling New York City home, and it’s killing it in customer reviews and borrowing limits. You could snag up to $500 for a cash advance—or even $1,000 if you link your RoarMoney account—but don’t get too hyped; they’ll probably start you lower. Once they spot regular deposits in your account, your limit can climb, but even then, it might not hit the full $500.
Getting your money isn’t instant either—it’s a two-to-five business day wait with a linked account, unless you spring for Turbo Delivery, which runs up to $8.99. They’ll nudge you to tip, but it’s totally up to you. And if you decide to bail on the service, no sweat—you’re not locked into paying back advances, though you’ll need to square things up to get more cash later. They’re one of the most trusted names on Trustpilot and offer 24/7 customer support, which is a nice little safety net.
Dave
Dave’s been doing its thing since 2016, repping Los Angeles as its base. Beyond the ExtraCash feature—which can hook you up with up to $500 before payday, depending on your situation—it’s got other ways to snag cash. One cool perk? Side hustle gigs, like paid surveys, with real-time payments. Best part? That money’s yours, no payback required.
That said, Dave’s got a bit of a fee thing going on. There’s a $1 monthly subscription, and express funding fees can sting—like $25 to get a $500 advance to an external bank in under an hour. If you’re cool waiting 1–3 business days, ACH transfers are free, though they’ll still nudge you to tip (totally optional, so no pressure). Repayment’s automatic, but here’s the chill part: Dave won’t let you overdraft your account, so no worries about extra fees from your bank.
EarnIn
EarnIn’s been around since 2013, holding it down in Palo Alto, California, and it lets you grab up to $100 of your paycheck the same day you sign up—if you’re cool with Lightning Speed. That first transfer’s free, but after that, it’s $3.99 for every $100 you pull. No need to open a special account, but they’ll want to see a steady pay schedule, and state rules might mess with your setup. They also nudge you for tips, but it’s totally your call and won’t mess with your chances of borrowing later.
Payback comes straight out of your next paycheck. It’s not supposed to cause overdrafts, but on the off chance it does, their support team can usually help cover the fee. Reviews? Kinda all over the place—some love it, some don’t—but the app itself is highly rated and even throws in free credit score monitoring.
Empower
We’re not usually into cash advance apps that make you pay a monthly fee, but Empower’s $8-a-month deal does come with a few perks. You get credit monitoring, budgeting tools, and a smart autosave feature that stashes cash based on how you spend. It’s been doing its thing out of San Francisco since 2016.
They skip the whole tipping suggestion thing, which is nice, but if you’re in a rush, express funding can still cost you up to $8 for a $300 advance. Otherwise, you’re looking at a wait of up to five business days for free funding. No need to set up an account with them either—they just wanna see that your income’s steady.
If subscriptions aren’t your vibe, maybe EarnIn or MoneyLion are more your speed. EarnIn’s got a flexible setup, and MoneyLion shines when it comes to customer service. On the flip side, if your employer’s tied in with Payactiv, that’s hands-down the easiest way to snag your earned wages with minimal hassle. But hey, if you’re also gonna use Empower’s tools—or you’re into Dave’s side hustle gigs—that monthly fee might not feel so bad.