Varo Cash Advance: 2025 Review
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Our Take
3.5
Varo's cash advance funds instantly to a Varo bank account, but it charges an expensive mandatory fee.
Pros
- Funds available instantly.
- Does not request tips.
- Can choose payment date.
Cons
- Charges mandatory fee.
- Users must have separate Varo account.
- Limited customer protections.
Full Review
Varo offers cash advances to existing customers who can show a history of direct deposits, among other requirements. Varo charges a mandatory fee for this service.
Compare Varo to other cash advance apps, and consider alternative ways to get quick cash.
» COMPARE: The best cash advance apps in 2025
Varo cash advance amounts, fees and terms
Cash advance amounts | Up to $500. |
Fees | Advance fee: $1.60 to $40. |
Repayment | You choose an auto-repayment date between 15 and 30 days after you receive the advance. |
Time to fund | Instant. |
How does Varo work?
Varo works by giving you a cash advance, ranging from $20 to $500, though the maximum for new customers is $250. You’ll need a Varo bank account with a history of direct deposits to qualify.
Varo charges a mandatory flat fee for its advances. This fee is based on the advance amount and ranges from $1.60 to $40. Once approved, you’ll receive the money in your Varo bank account instantly for no additional fee.
You then choose a date for Varo to autowithdraw repayment from your account (anywhere between 15 and 30 days after receiving the advance). If you’re unable to repay the advance within 30 days, Varo will continue deducting funds from your Varo bank account until you’re caught up, and you likely won’t be eligible to take out other advances during that time.
Unlike other cash advance apps, Varo doesn’t request a tip.
How to get a Varo cash advance
To get a Varo cash advance, you’ll need to download the Varo mobile app, open a Varo bank account and set up recurring direct deposits to that account. You can then make a cash advance request by clicking the “Advance” tile in the app.
You’ll also need to meet the following requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be a U.S. resident with a verifiable street address.
Varo bank account must remain open and active, with an available balance of $0.00 or more.
Must have received a combined $800 or more in total qualifying direct deposits to your Varo bank account in either the current or previous calendar month.
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 Varo, limit it to one-time use and avoid fees if possible.
Should you take out a Varo cash advance?
Here are some of the pros and cons of using Varo to get a cash advance.
Where Varo stands out
Funds available instantly: Varo is unique among competitors for its free fast funding. Once you’re approved, funds are available instantly in your Varo bank account, and you don’t have to pay an additional fee for this perk. Other cash advance apps charge anywhere from $2 to $20 for instant funding.
No tipping: Unlike other apps, Varo doesn’t ask for tips. While tipping other apps is optional, many users still choose to do so, which only increases the cost of the advance. Varo eliminates this temptation by removing tips altogether.
Can choose payment date: Most cash advance apps automatically withdraw the money you owe on your next payday. Varo is unique in that it lets you pick a repayment date anywhere between 15 to 30 days after you receive the advance. This flexibility can help borrowers better manage their cash flow.
Where Varo falls short
Charges mandatory fee: Varo charges a particularly expensive fee for its cash advance service ($1.60 to $40), and there’s no way to avoid it. This is different from other cash advance apps, many of which charge optional fast-funding or subscription fees, but no mandatory fees. To minimize Varo’s advance fee, which varies based on the amount you request, make sure to only borrow what you need.
Must have a Varo bank account: You’ll need to be a Varo customer with a Varo bank account that receives direct deposits from your employer in order to request a cash advance. Other apps let you connect an existing external bank account, so you don’t have to open a new account or move over your direct deposits.
Limited customer protections: Varo’s eligibility requirements aren’t as strict as other cash advance apps, which may require up to 60 days of checking account history and three consecutive payroll deposits from an employer. Varo only requires an active account with a positive balance and $800 of direct deposits.
Though some customers may see these more relaxed requirements as a positive, they could lead to overborrowing if you’re approved for an amount you can’t easily repay.
How we rate Varo
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: 4.5/5 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: 5/5 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: 2.5/5 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: Yes
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.
Varo reviews
Consumer ratings and complaints
At the time of writing this review, Varo holds an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with over 820 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, Varo is rated 3.9 out of five stars. Most reviews are positive, with users praising the convenience of Varo’s online banking services and their strong customer service.
In the Apple app store, Varo is rated 4.9 out of five stars, with over 230,000 ratings. In the Google Play store, Varo is rated 4.7 out of five stars, with over 240,000 reviews.
On Reddit, Varo users discuss many of Varo’s banking services, including its line of credit, debit card, checking account and cash advance.
Frequently asked questions about Varo cash advance
Do you need direct deposit for Varo advance?
Yes, you need to show a history of direct deposits to get a Varo advance. Varo requires you to show a combined total of $800 or more in qualifying direct deposits made to your Varo bank account in either the current or previous calendar month.
What happens if you don’t pay Varo back?
If you don’t pay Varo back, Varo will continue withdrawing funds from your Varo bank account as they become available, until you’ve fully repaid. You likely won’t be able to request another advance during this time.
Is Varo good for cash advance?
Varo offers a strong cash advance product for its existing customers, with only one real downside: its high mandatory advance fee, up to $40. Only borrow what you need to keep this fee as small as possible.
Compare Varo to other cash advance apps
Varo’s cash advance amounts are similar to other apps, though some offer amounts as high as $750. Varo charges one mandatory fee, which can be high depending on the advance amount.
Loan app | Loan amount | Funding time | 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-$400. | Up to five days. | $1 to $8 up to $299.99, then 3% of advance amount. | Subscription fee: $8 per month. | |
Up to $200 (higher amounts may be available for some users). | Up to three business days. | $1.49 to $19.99. | None. | |
Up to $500 (higher amounts may be available for some users). | Up to five business days. | $.49 to $8.99. | None. | |
Up to $625. | Up to 20 minutes. | 1.99% of advance amount (applies to external debit card transfers only). |
| |
Up to $500. | Instant. | None. | Advance fee: $1.60 to $40. |
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.
