EarnIn App Cash Advance: 2025 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

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.

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.

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.

» MORE: What is BNPL and how does it work?

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.

» MORE: How to make extra money online, offline and at home

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.