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Money borrowing apps like Dave, Chime and EarnIn promise quick funds that can help cover you if you’re short on cash.
These apps typically look at your checking account history and income to qualify you. Once you’re approved, they’ll deposit the funds in your bank account within a few days (or instantly for a fee) and automatically withdraw repayment from the same account on your next payday.
Though using a mobile app to borrow money isn’t necessarily a bad thing, be careful it doesn't become an costly habit, since some apps charge mandatory fees or ask for tips.
Here are our picks for the top apps that let you borrow money, plus more information on the pros and cons of cash advance apps and other quick ways to get cash.
Best apps that let you borrow money
Chime MyPay: Best overall
Advance amounts: $20 to $500.
Funding time: Up to 24 hours.
Fees: Optional fast-funding fee of $2.
What to know about Chime MyPay
You must be a Chime user to get a MyPay advance, but the service is fast and free if you don’t need funds instantly. To see whether you qualify, Chime looks at your Chime checking account history, including recurring payroll deposits. You’ll also get access to special perks with an automatic Chime+ membership.
EarnIn Cash Out: Best for larger advances
Advance amounts: $150 to $750.
Funding time: Up to two business days.
Fees: Optional fast-funding fee up to $5.99.
What to know about EarnIn Cash Out
EarnIn’s paycheck advance is larger than competitors, giving you access to up to $750 per pay period. As long as you don’t request instant funding and avoid tipping, you’ll get the advance for free. EarnIn looks at your checking account and direct deposit history to qualify you.
MoneyLion Instacash: Best for existing MoneyLion customers
Advance amounts: $10 to $500.
Funding time: Up to five business days.
Fees: Optional fast-funding fee up to $8.99.
What to know about MoneyLion Instacash
MoneyLion customers will get the most benefits out of MoneyLion Instacash, including access to larger advance amounts (as high as $1,000) and faster funding (one to two business days). MoneyLion looks at checking account history, including payroll direct deposits, to qualify you.
Varo Cash Advance: Best for repayment flexibility
Advance amounts: $20 to $500.
Funding time: Instant.
Fees: Mandatory advance fee up to $40.
What to know about Varo Cash Advance
Varo’s instant cash advance service requires an active Varo bank account that receives direct deposits. While most cash advance apps autowithdraw what you owe on your next payday, Varo lets you pick a repayment date between 15 to 30 days after receiving the advance.
Dave ExtraCash: Best for fast funding
Advance amounts: $25 to $500.
Funding time: Instant to Dave checking account.
Fees: Mandatory service fee up to 5% of advance amount (capped at $15) and monthly subscription fee up to $5; optional fast-funding fee up to 1.5% of advance amount.
What to know about Dave ExtraCash
Dave gives existing customers an Extracash advance that’s repaid from their next paycheck. It also funds advances instantly to a Dave checking account for no additional fee, though it charges other mandatory fees. You’ll need to show a history of direct deposits to qualify.
Brigit Instant Cash: Best for smaller advances
Advance amounts: $25 to $250.
Funding time: Up to three days.
Fees: Optional fast-funding fee up to $3.99.
What to know about Brigit Instant Cash
Brigit’s smaller advances may help prevent overborrowing and be enough to cover a small emergency expense. Though Brigit charges a subscription fee, you can opt out via email. You’ll need to show three payroll deposits and a well-established checking account to qualify.
Tilt Cash Advance: Best for overdraft fee refunds
Advance amounts: $10 to $400.
Funding time: Up to one business day.
Fees: Optional fast funding fee up to $12.
What to know about Tilt Cash Advance
Tilt, previously Empower, offers small to medium cash advances that are repaid from your next paycheck. If you don’t have enough money in your account when repayment is drawn, your bank may charge an overdraft fee. Tilt will reimburse this fee, which is a rare feature among cash advance apps.
More apps to borrow money
These apps aren’t highly rated by NerdWallet, but they provide cash advances.
Current Paycheck Advance
Advance amounts: $50 to $750.
Funding time: Up to three days.
Fees: Optional fast-funding fee (max amount not disclosed).
What to know about Current Paycheck Advance
Current offers a large advance you can qualify for with a linked external bank account. But you’ll have to wait a few days to get the money, and paying for instant delivery is more expensive than other apps, with a fast-funding fee starting at $4.99 for $50.
Klover Cash Advance
Advance amounts: $5 to $200.
Funding time: Up to three business days.
Fees: Optional fast-funding fee up to $19.99.
What to know about Klover Cash Advance
Klover offers small advances, though some users may qualify for amounts up to $300 by participating in Klover’s points program. Klover has limited customer service support, including no option to speak by phone, and it requests an optional tip for its service.
SoLo Funds Cash Advance
Advance amounts: $20 to $625.
Funding time: Up to 20 minutes.
Fees: Optional fast-funding fee up to $12.44.
What to know about SoLo Funds Cash Advance
SoLo Funds is a peer-to-peer lender, so users both request and fund advances in the SoLo marketplace. There’s no guarantee of funding, and inactive requests are removed after three days. Unlike other apps, SoLo may charge multiple fees if you don’t repay an advance.
Pros and cons of cash advance apps
Money borrowing apps — often called cash advance apps — can help cover emergency expenses, but financial experts say they aren’t sustainable, long-term solutions.
Consider the pros and cons before using a cash advance app.
Pros of cash advance apps
- Fast cash in an emergency: Some apps can immediately deposit money into your checking account. Others may charge an extra fee for that service. Either way, a cash advance app is a quick way to get access to amounts up to $750 if you’re in a tight spot.
- May be cheaper than an overdraft fee: If your choice is between a cash advance app and overdrawing your checking account, the advance is likely cheaper. Many apps charge no mandatory fees, and any optional fast-funding fees may be less than $10. Bank overdraft fees, on the other hand, can be up to $35.
- No credit check: Cash advance apps don't check users’ credit, so a low score won’t keep you from qualifying for an advance. Most cash advance apps also don’t report repayment history to the credit bureaus or work with collections agencies, so there may be no credit consequences if you don’t pay the advance back.
Cons of cash advance apps
- May cause an overdraft fee: Cash advance apps require access to your bank account to withdraw money when it’s due. Most companies say they try to avoid triggering an overdraft, but they don’t guarantee it. The exception is Tilt, which will refund overdraft fees.
- Fees add up: Though advances are generally cheaper than other fast financing options, like payday loans, subscription fees, fast-funding fees and optional tips can add up. Avoid fees where you can by opting for standard delivery and cancelling unnecessary subscriptions, and don’t tip for a cash advance.
- May lead to repeat borrowing: Because apps make borrowing from your next paycheck easy, they could lead to a cycle of debt if you rely on advances to cover regular expenses.
Alternatives to cash advance apps
It’s smart to compare all options before you use an app to borrow money. You may have cheaper alternatives that can help boost your finances, credit or both.
Other ways to make quick money: Instead of borrowing, you may find a way to earn extra money. You can become a rideshare driver, take online surveys or babysit. You can choose a temporary side gig to cover an emergency expense or find one you enjoy enough to keep as an extra income stream.
» MORE: How to make extra money
“Buy now, pay later”: Buy now, pay later apps like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay can split a large purchase into smaller payments at almost any retailer nationwide. The most common structure is the pay-in-four plan, where you pay 25% of the expense upfront and then make three more biweekly payments. These plans typically have no interest and don’t require good credit to qualify.
Friend and family loans: It can be difficult to ask for money, but it may be your best option if you’re in a bind. Borrowing from someone you trust, like a friend or family member, can get you the money you need without red tape or risk to your finances. You can even draw up a contract that details repayment terms and interest.
Small personal loans: You may qualify for a small personal loan from an online lender. These loans can be as small as $1,000, and APRs are below 36%, which many financial experts say is the highest rate an affordable loan can have. Some online lenders tailor their loans to bad-credit borrowers, making it easier to qualify.
» COMPARE: Best small personal loans
Credit union loans: If you’re already a member of a credit union, you may qualify for a small personal loan with a rate of 18% or lower. Some credit unions offer personal loans of $500 or less, and though they review your credit score to qualify you, they’ll consider your standing as a credit union member in a loan decision. Some credit unions offer payday alternative loans, which are small-dollar loans with low interest rates that you repay over a few months to a year.
» MORE: Learn about credit union loans
Cash advance app star rating methodology
NerdWallet reviews and rates cash advance products from financial companies that provide cash advance apps. We collect over 25 data points from each company, verify the information with company representatives as needed and compare the app with others that seek the same customer or offer a similar cash advance product. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary.
The maximum allowable rating for cash advance apps that we review is five stars. Our star ratings award points to cash advance apps that offer consumer-friendly features, including: no voluntary tips, protections from overdraft fees caused by app withdrawals, low cost of borrowing and an assessment of the user’s finances before providing an advance. The system also rewards points for features that a consumer seeking an advance would find useful, such as: fast funding without a fee, flexible borrowing amounts, overall funding speed and positive customer ratings. Additional points are awarded to apps that have stricter eligibility requirements, which can help prevent a user from overborrowing. We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important for consumers and how they impact consumers’ experiences.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for cash advance apps and our editorial guidelines.
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