How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Cash advance apps lend small amounts before payday, while personal loan apps lend larger amounts with interest.
- EarnIn, Dave, and Brigit suit small, short-term advances, while MoneyLion and Albert suit broader banking plus borrowing.
- Chime SpotMe and Varo Advance suit existing account holders who want overdraft-style cover.
- Borrowing costs add up fast, so compare fees, tips, and repayment terms, and avoid borrowing to cover recurring shortfalls without a plan.
Quick comparison
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The best apps to borrow money
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
EarnIn lets workers access pay they have already earned before payday, with advances based on hours worked and verified income. There are no mandatory fees or interest, though optional tips and a fee for instant Lightning Speed transfers add cost. That model suits hourly workers facing a bill a few days before payday.
Advance limits start small, often 100 dollars or less for new users, and grow with history, so EarnIn does not solve large expenses. Repayment comes from the next paycheck automatically. For a small, short-term gap before payday, EarnIn is the most established advance app.
What we like- Advances based on hours worked
- No mandatory fees
- Fast Lightning Speed option
Watch out for- Advance limits start small
- Optional tips add cost
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Dave offers small cash advances with no interest, plus budgeting tools and a spending account in one app. Advances suit short-term gaps, such as a bill due before payday, and the app shows upcoming bills to help plan. That combination helps users who need both a small advance and better visibility into spending.
Full features need a monthly membership, and express transfers for instant money carry a fee, so the cheapest path is standard delivery over a few days. Advance limits depend on income and history. For a small advance plus budgeting help, Dave is a friendly choice.
What we like- Small advances with no interest
- Budgeting tools
- Easy app
Watch out for- Monthly membership for full features
- Express fees for instant transfers
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Brigit offers advances up to 250 dollars with no interest, plus budgeting, credit monitoring, and financial tools in one subscription. Its algorithm predicts upcoming shortfalls and can advance money before an overdraft hits, which suits users who want protection against bank fees. That predictive help sets Brigit apart from simple advance apps.
Advances need a monthly Plus plan, so the subscription cost must be weighed against advance size, and limits vary by income and history. For a user who wants advances plus budgeting and overdraft protection, Brigit gives the most complete package.
What we like- Advances up to 250 dollars
- Budgeting and credit tools
- No interest
Watch out for- Monthly plan needed for advances
- Limits vary by user
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
MoneyLion combines cash advances, banking, investing, and cashback rewards in one app, suiting users who want a full financial account rather than a single-purpose advance tool. Advances carry no interest, and the app tracks spending, savings, and credit in one dashboard. That breadth appeals to users building broader financial habits.
Advance limits vary by income, account activity, and history, and the best features reward regular use. For a user who wants advances inside a fuller banking app, MoneyLion gives the broadest package.
What we like- Advances, banking, and investing in one app
- No interest on advances
- Cashback rewards
Watch out for- Advance limits vary
- Full features need account activity
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Chime SpotMe lets eligible Chime account holders overdraw their debit account up to a limit with no overdraft fees, covering card purchases and cash withdrawals that would otherwise decline or trigger bank fees. Limits start small, often 20 dollars, and grow with direct deposit history and account activity, up to several hundred dollars for established users.
SpotMe only works for Chime account holders, so it is not a standalone advance app, and it covers debit transactions, not every bill type. For a Chime user who wants fee-free overdraft cover, SpotMe is the simplest safety net available.
What we like- No overdraft fees up to limit
- Automatic cover for debit purchases
- Free with Chime account
Watch out for- Only for Chime account holders
- Limits start small and grow slowly
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Current offers overdraft cover similar to Chime, letting eligible account holders spend beyond their balance up to a limit with no fees, plus fast direct deposit that can arrive up to two days early. Budgeting tools and savings pods help users manage money alongside cover, which suits workers paid by direct deposit.
Cover only works for Current account holders, and limits depend on direct deposit history, so new users start small. For a Current user who wants fee-free overdraft protection plus early pay, Current is a strong banking choice.
What we like- Overdraft cover with no fees
- Fast direct deposit
- Budgeting tools
Watch out for- Only for Current account holders
- Limits depend on deposits
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Albert offers cash advances up to 250 dollars with no interest, plus budgeting, savings, and investing tools in one app. Its Genius subscription adds human financial advice, which suits users who want guidance alongside advances. The app tracks spending and suggests savings automatically, helping users build a buffer over time.
Full features need the Genius subscription, and advance limits vary by income and history. For a user who wants advances plus guided saving and advice, Albert gives a thoughtful package.
What we like- Advances up to 250 dollars
- Budgeting and savings tools
- No interest
Watch out for- Genius subscription needed for full features
- Limits vary
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Varo Advance lets eligible Varo Bank account holders borrow up to 250 dollars with no interest, repaid from future deposits. Because Varo is a real bank, advances sit inside a full banking account with direct deposit, savings tools, and debit rewards, which suits users who want borrowing and banking together without a separate app.
Advance only works for Varo account holders who meet direct deposit and activity requirements, and limits are modest. For a Varo user who needs a small, fee-free advance, Varo Advance is the simplest option.
What we like- Advances inside a real bank account
- No interest
- Simple qualification
Watch out for- Only for Varo account holders
- Advance limits are modest
How we chose
We compared vendor pages, product documentation, and public user reviews, and we judged each app on advance size, fees, speed, qualification, repayment terms, and extra tools. Advance apps were judged on short-term help, while bank overdraft tools were judged on account-holder cover, since the two models differ. We did not claim hands-on testing. Fees, limits, and terms vary by user and change often, so check the vendor page before borrowing. This article is general information, not financial advice.
What to check before you pick
Start with how much you need and how fast you need it, since advance apps suit small gaps before payday, while larger expenses need a personal loan, credit union loan, or other borrowing with different costs and terms. Check total cost, including mandatory fees, optional tips, express transfer fees, and subscription costs, since a "free" advance with a large tip and express fee can cost more than a small loan.
Also check repayment timing, since advances usually repay from your next paycheck automatically, which can leave you short again the following week if you borrow repeatedly. Check qualification, since most apps need verified income, direct deposit, and bank history, and limits grow only with use. Check whether the app reports to credit bureaus, since most advances do not build credit, so they help cash flow but not your credit score.
A further check matters for debt cycles: if you borrow every pay period to cover the last advance, you are in a cycle that fees and tips make worse, not better. In that case, seek help from a nonprofit credit counselor, your employer assistance program, or a community lender, rather than stacking advances from several apps at once. Borrowing from one app to repay another is a warning sign that the underlying budget, not the app, needs fixing.
Finally, compare alternatives before borrowing, including employer pay advances, credit union small loans, payment plans with the biller, and help from family, since those options often cost less than app advances with tips and express fees. If you do borrow, borrow the smallest amount that solves the problem, choose standard delivery over express when you can wait, skip optional tips if money is tight, and set a plan to avoid borrowing again next pay period.
One more consideration is state law: cash advance and lending rules vary by state, including fee caps and licensing, so an app available in one state may offer different terms in another. Check your state rules and the app terms for your state before borrowing, and avoid unlicensed lenders that operate outside those rules, since they offer weaker protections.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a cash advance app and a payday loan?
Cash advance apps typically offer small, short-term advances with no interest, funded by optional tips, subscriptions, or express fees, while payday loans charge high interest and fees. Advance apps cost less than payday loans, but repeated use can still create a debt cycle.
How much can I borrow from these apps?
Advance limits usually start at 20 to 100 dollars for new users and grow to 250 to 500 dollars or more with income and history. Bank overdraft tools such as SpotMe start small and grow with direct deposits. Larger needs require a personal loan instead.
Do cash advance apps affect my credit score?
Most advance apps do not report to credit bureaus, so advances neither build nor harm your score directly, though bank overdrafts and missed repayments can affect your bank standing. Personal loans, by contrast, usually report and affect credit.
How fast will I get the money?
Standard delivery takes one to three business days on most apps, while express or instant delivery arrives within minutes for a fee. If you can wait, standard delivery saves the express fee, which is often the largest cost of a small advance.
Are tips on advance apps mandatory?
No, tips are optional on most advance apps, though apps encourage them. If money is tight, skip the tip, since tipping on a small advance can equal a very high annualized cost.
What should I do if I keep borrowing every payday?
Seek help from a nonprofit credit counselor or your employer assistance program, and review your budget for recurring shortfalls in housing, transport, or debt payments. Stacking advances from several apps makes the cycle worse, so address the underlying gap rather than borrowing more.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.earnina.com
- https://www.dave.com
- https://www.brigit.com
- https://www.moneylion.com
- https://www.chime.com
- https://www.current.com
- https://www.albert.com
- https://www.varo.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
EarnIn
Dave
Brigit
MoneyLion
Chime SpotMe
Current
Albert
Varo Advance