Empower App 2025 Review: Cash Advances

Empower is a mobile app that offers cash advances to eligible users who link a primary checking account and show consistent income.

Compare Empower to other cash advance apps, and consider alternative ways to get quick cash.

» COMPARE: The best cash advance apps in 2025

Empower app cash advance amounts, fees and terms

How does Empower work?

Empower works by giving you a cash advance, ranging from $10 to $400, that’s repaid from your next paycheck. This feature is known as Empower Cash Advance.

To be eligible for Empower Cash Advance, you’ll need to link your primary checking account in the Empower mobile app.

Once approved, you’ll receive the advance in your linked account in two to five days, depending on your bank. If you want the money sooner, you can pay a fast-funding fee, which varies based on the advance amount.

On your next payday, Empower autowithdraws the amount you owe — the cash advance, plus any fees or tips — from your linked checking account. If you don’t have enough money in the account, you can reschedule your due date.

Empower charges an $8 subscription fee, but you can opt out via email (more on this lower down).

How to get an Empower cash advance

To get an Empower cash advance, download the Empower mobile app and link your primary checking account. You’ll need to show a consistent source of income to qualify.

Empower says it looks at multiple factors when determining your advance amount, including how often and how much you get paid, your spending habits and any recurring bills.

Not everyone will qualify for the full $400, and first-time users will only qualify for up to $300. In February 2025, the average cash advance offer was $96 for first-time customers and $167 for returning customers, Empower says.

The amount you’re eligible for may also change depending on the activity in your checking account.

Empower Cash Advance is not available to residents of Connecticut, Maryland or the District of Columbia.

The company doesn’t disclose additional borrower requirements, but it says users don’t need a long history of bank account transactions to get an advance. Though tighter requirements may make it harder to get an advance, they help ensure that users can repay.

Should you take out an Empower cash advance?

Here are some of the pros and cons of using Empower to get a cash advance.

Where Empower stands out

Refunds overdraft fees: If you don’t have enough money in your account when Empower takes repayment, your bank may charge an overdraft fee. Empower will reimburse this fee if you send an email to [email protected] with proof of the overdraft. This is a rare feature among cash advance apps.

Can extend payment due date: If you don’t have enough funds in your account to repay a cash advance, Empower lets you extend your payment due date, as long as you submit the request one business day before your original due date. You can do this on the mobile app or by reaching out to customer service. However, you can’t request another cash advance until you’re caught up.

Accepts external bank accounts: Unlike other apps, Empower doesn’t require you to open a separate account with their company to get a cash advance, saving you that step. Instead, you can link an existing bank account in which your paycheck is already deposited.

Where Empower falls short

Charges subscription fee: Empower charges an $8 monthly subscription fee, but Cash Advance customers can email [email protected] and ask to opt out. Still, many cash advance apps don’t require a subscription to begin with.

Slow funding time: Empower’s funding time is slower than competitors, many of which can fund a cash advance request in one to two days. Empower may take up to five days, depending on your bank.

High fast-funding fees: To get an instant cash advance with Empower, you’ll need to pay a fast-funding fee, ranging from $1 to $8 for advance amounts up to $299.99, then 3% of the advance amount. This fee is higher than competitors, some of which charge maximum fees of $5.99 or less.

Requests tips: Empower requests an optional tip as part of its cash advance service. Not all apps accept tips, which removes the temptation to pay more for your advance. NerdWallet doesn’t recommend tipping for a cash advance.

How we rate Empower

Product affordability: 2/5 stars

An affordable cash advance app charges no or minimal fees, doesn’t ask for tips and provides overdraft protection.

Product flexibility: 2.5/5 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: 2/5 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.

Empower app reviews

Consumer ratings and complaints

At the time of writing this review, Empower is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). BBB accreditation is an important feature to consider, since it helps establish legitimacy and provides an additional avenue for customers to file a dispute.

In the Apple app store, Empower is rated 4.8 out of five stars, with over 300,000 ratings. In the Google Play store, Empower is rated 4.7 out of five stars, with 228,000 reviews.

Frequently asked questions about Empower Cash Advance

How do you qualify for an Empower cash advance?

Empower doesn’t disclose many of its borrower requirements. You’ll need to link a primary checking account and show a consistent source of income. Maintaining a higher checking account balance may help you qualify.

How much does Empower cash advance charge?

Empower cash advance charges an optional fast-funding fee, which ranges from $1 to $8 (up to $299.99), then 3% of the advance amount. Empower also charges an $8 monthly subscription fee, but you can email Empower to opt out.

Does Empower give instant cash advances?

Yes, Empower gives instant cash advances up to $400 ($300 if you’re a first-time user), but you’ll need to pay a fast-funding fee, which varies based on the advance amount. According to Empower, 98% of its instant advances are delivered within 15 minutes.

Compare Empower to other cash advance apps

Empower’s cash advance amounts are similar to other apps. However, Empower’s fast-funding fee is high, and not all apps charge a subscription 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.