EarnIn App Cash Advance: 2025 Review




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Our Take
3.5
EarnIn's large cash advances have no mandatory fees and don't require a subscription, but be careful not to borrow more than you need.
Pros
- No mandatory fees.
- Offers larger advances than competitors.
- Accepts external bank accounts.
Cons
- Limited customer protections.
- Requests tips.
- May trigger overdraft fees.
Lender | Est. APR | Loan amount | Min. credit score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
8.99-
18.00% | $250-
$50,000 | None | Check Rateson NerdWallet on NerdWallet | |
8.14-
18.00% | $500-
$50,000 | 660 | Check Rateson NerdWallet on NerdWallet | |
7.90-
35.99% | $1,000-
$40,000 | 600 | Check Rateson NerdWallet on NerdWallet | |
7.99-
35.99% | $1,000-
$50,000 | 580 | Check Rateson NerdWallet on NerdWallet | |
6.70-
35.99% | $1,000-
$50,000 | None | Check Rateson NerdWallet on NerdWallet |
Full Review
EarnIn offers a paycheck advance to customers who link an external bank account and show consistent payroll deposits. There are no mandatory fees for this service.
Compare EarnIn to other cash advance apps, and consider alternative ways to get quick cash.
» COMPARE: The best cash advance apps in 2025
EarnIn app cash advance amounts, fees and terms
Cash advance amounts | Up to $750. |
Fees | Fast-funding fee: $2.99 to $5.99. |
Repayment | Automatically withdrawn from your bank account on your next payday. |
Time to fund without express fee | Up to two business days. |
Time to fund with express fee | Up to 30 minutes. |
How does EarnIn work?
EarnIn works by giving you an advance on your paycheck. Advance amounts vary, but EarnIn typically limits borrowers to a maximum of $150 per day and a maximum of $750 per pay period. This feature is known as EarnIn Cash Out.
Once approved, you’ll receive the advance amount in your bank account in one to two business days — or within 30 minutes if you pay the fast-funding fee.
You’ll then repay the advance amount, plus any fees or tips, on the date of your next payday (EarnIn will autowithdraw the amount you owe from your linked account).
If you need more time, you can reschedule your payment due date once every 60 days, but you’ll need to make the request at least one business day before the payment is due.
How to get an EarnIn Cash Out advance
To get an EarnIn Cash Out advance, download the EarnIn mobile app, link your bank account and verify your identity and employment.
You’ll also need to meet the following requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be a United States resident.
Must have an email address and valid U.S. cell phone number.
Must link a U.S. checking account that you own.
Must be employed with a consistent direct deposit pay schedule (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly or monthly).
Must supply a fixed work location or an employer-provided email address.
First-time EarnIn users likely won’t qualify for the daily maximum. On average, new users get access to an $85 daily maximum when signing up, Earnin says.
Nerdy Tip
A cash advance app can help cover you in a true emergency. However, NerdWallet recommends against using them regularly. That’s because research shows frequent use of these apps may lead to a cycle of reborrowing that’s hard to quit. And, since the apps often have fees, you may end up with an even smaller paycheck on payday. If you need to use a cash advance app like EarnIn, limit it to one-time use and avoid fees if possible.
Should you take an EarnIn Cash Out advance?
Here are some of the pros and cons of using EarnIn to get an advance on your paycheck.
Where EarnIn stands out
No mandatory fees: EarnIn Cash Out has no mandatory fees, which means you won’t pay anything extra for early access to your paycheck. The only fee is an optional fast-funding fee, which ranges from $2.99 to $5.99, depending on the advance amount and whether you have an EarnIn direct deposit account. This fee is lower than EarnIn’s competitors.
Offers larger advances: EarnIn’s cash advance amounts are particularly high, with a maximum of $750 available per pay period. Few cash advance apps (except for Current and SoLo Funds) offer amounts higher than $500.
Accepts external bank accounts: Unlike other apps, EarnIn doesn’t require you to open a bank account with the company to get a paycheck advance. Instead, you can link your bank account in which your paycheck is already deposited.
Where EarnIn falls short
Requests tips: EarnIn requests an optional tip for its service, which not all cash advance apps do. Tips to EarnIn are capped at $13. NerdWallet doesn’t recommend tipping for a cash advance, since this increases the cost of the advance, and you’re essentially paying to access your own money.
May trigger overdraft fees: If you don’t have enough money in your bank account to repay a cash advance, your bank may charge an overdraft fee. EarnIn says it’s not responsible for overdraft fees, unless it made a mistake that triggered the fee (for example, if EarnIn incorrectly determined your payroll date).
This is different from other cash advance apps, which promise to only withdraw the amount you have available in your account, ensuring you’re never charged overdraft fees.
Limited customer protections: EarnIn’s qualification requirements are less strict compared to other cash advance apps, which may require up to 60 days of checking account history and three consecutive payroll deposits from an employer.
These looser eligibility requirements could spell trouble for borrowers if they take out a large advance amount they can’t comfortably repay.
How we rate EarnIn
Product affordability: 4/5 stars
An affordable cash advance app charges no or minimal fees, doesn’t ask for tips and provides overdraft protection.
Product flexibility: 4/5 stars
A flexible cash advance app has a large enough maximum borrowing amount to meet users’ needs, can provide funds quickly without charging a fee and offers repayment flexibility.
Customer experience: 4/5 stars
A customer-first cash advance app will have multiple ways to contact customer service representatives, maintain a thorough FAQ on its website and clearly disclose all fees.
Customer protections: 1.5/5 stars
A consumer-friendly cash advance app will evaluate a user’s bank account history, require recurring direct deposits and implement safeguards to help prevent overborrowing.
Discretionary additions or deductions: None
A cash advance app may earn a higher star rating by offering unique features that benefit customers. Similarly, an app may lose points by offering features that disadvantage customers.
EarnIn app reviews
Consumer ratings and complaints
At the time of writing this review, EarnIn holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with 110 complaints closed in the last year. BBB accreditation is an important feature to consider, since it helps establish legitimacy and provides an additional avenue for customers to file a dispute.
On Trustpilot, EarnIn is rated 4.5 out of five stars. Most reviews praise EarnIn’s customer service team for being quick to respond and helpful in resolving customer issues.
In the Apple app store, EarnIn is rated 4.7 out of five stars, with over 310,000 ratings. In the Google Play store, EarnIn is rated 4.7 out of five stars, with over 260,000 reviews.
On Reddit, users organize “boost megathreads” in which you can request a “max boost” from other EarnIn community members. An EarnIn Max Boost adds a temporary $50 to your pay period max. You can cash out one boost per pay period.
Frequently asked questions about EarnIn Cash Out
Does EarnIn hurt your credit?
EarnIn doesn’t hurt your credit. Though EarnIn will look at your linked bank account and verify your identity and employment, it doesn’t conduct a credit check. It also doesn’t report Cash Out transactions to the credit bureaus.
How long does it take for EarnIn to give you money?
EarnIn can give you money from a Cash Out advance in one to two business days for no additional fee. If you need the money sooner, you’ll need to pay a fast-funding fee, ranging from $2.99 to $5.99.
What is the downside of EarnIn?
The downside of EarnIn is that its Cash Out service is only a temporary solution. If you’re regularly short on cash, you’ll likely be in the same spot as before, but you may now owe additional fees or a tip on your paycheck advance.
Compare EarnIn to other cash advance apps
EarnIn’s cash advance amounts are larger than other apps and only come with an optional fast-funding fee.
Loan app | Loan amount | Speed without paying a fee | Fast-funding fee | Other fees |
---|---|---|---|---|
$25 to $250. | Up to three days. | $0.99 to $3.99. | $8.99 or $14.99 monthly subscription fee. | |
4.0 NerdWallet rating | $20 to $500. | Up to 24 hours. | $2. | None. |
$50 to $750. | Up to three days. | Starts at $4.99 for $50. | None. | |
Up to $500. | Instant to Dave checking account. | 1.5% of advance amount (applies to external debit card transfers only). |
| |
Up to $750. | Up to two business days. | $2.99 to $5.99. | None. | |
$10-$250. | 1 day. | $1-$10.50. | $8 monthly subscription fee unless you opt out. | |
Up to $500. | 1 to 5 days. | $0.49-$8.99. | None. | |
$20-$575. | Approval takes up to 3 days. Funding takes minutes. | 1.75%. | None. | |
$5-$200. | 3 business days. | $1.49-$20.78. | None. | |
$20-$500. | Instant. | None. | $1.60-$40 flat fee. |
Other ways to get quick cash
Download a BNPL app: If you need cash to purchase an essential item, like a laptop or mattress, “buy now, pay later” apps like Affirm and Klarna may be a good option. These apps split your purchase into smaller installments, usually with no interest and no fees if you pay on time, and you don’t need good credit to qualify.
Explore other ways to make money: Instead of borrowing money, consider a temporary gig to cover small gaps in your budget. You can make money at home or online by selling things you don’t need, taking surveys and testing websites, among other options.
Take out a friend or family loan: Friends and family are often an untapped resource for small loans. Though it may be difficult to ask for help, you can make it easier by drawing up a contract that clearly lists when you’ll repay the loan and if you’ll pay interest.
» MORE: Learn more about family loans
Consider a pawnshop loan: A pawnshop loan lets you borrow money by using a valuable item, like jewelry or electronics, as collateral. You leave the item with the pawnshop and receive a loan based on the item’s value. If you repay the loan, including fees, by the due date, you get your item back. If you don’t repay, the shop keeps the item.
Find the Best Personal Loan
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.