Need money before your next paycheck? The best cash advance apps can help cover a short-term gap without going through a traditional loan application.
The six options below work differently, so the amount you can access, fees, repayment process, and eligibility depend on the service you choose.
1. EarnIn
EarnIn lets eligible users access wages they have already earned before payday through its Cash Out feature.
You can access:
- Up to $150 per day
- Up to $1,000 per pay period
- Standard transfers with no mandatory fee
- Lightning Speed transfers starting at $3.99
EarnIn does not charge interest or require a credit check for Cash Out. The amount available can change based on factors such as your earnings, bank balance, spending patterns, and account history.
To use Cash Out, you need information that allows EarnIn to verify your employment and earnings, along with a linked bank account.
Standard transfers generally take 1–3 business days. Lightning Speed can deliver funds in minutes for a fee.
2. Dave
Dave offers ExtraCash, which gives eligible members access to between $25 and $500.
Not every member qualifies, and Dave says relatively few users qualify for the $500 maximum.
What does Dave charge?
Dave’s current membership costs up to $5 per month.
ExtraCash also has a fee equal to the greater of:
- $5
- 5% of the ExtraCash amount
An optional 1.5% fee may apply when transferring money to an external debit card.
To use ExtraCash, you must open a Dave Checking account and an ExtraCash overdraft deposit account.
Dave’s app remains available through the U.S. App Store and Google Play.
3. MoneyLion Instacash
MoneyLion’s Instacash allows eligible users to access part of their earned income before payday.
The standard service offers:
- Up to $500
- No interest
- No mandatory fees
- No credit check
MoneyLion says eligible users can potentially increase their limit to $1,000 by becoming a MoneyLion Spend customer and setting up qualifying recurring direct deposits.
Your actual limit appears in the app and can change over time.
Standard delivery can take 1–5 business days without a fee. Faster delivery is available for an additional charge.
4. Chime MyPay
Chime’s MyPay gives eligible members access to part of their earnings before payday.
The current limits are:
$20 to $500 per pay period
Some eligible members can receive up to $1,000. Chime determines the available amount using factors such as direct-deposit activity and account history.
You can receive a MyPay advance:
- Within 24 hours for free
- Instantly for a 3% fee
- With a $2 minimum instant-transfer fee
- With a $5 maximum instant-transfer fee
MyPay does not charge interest, mandatory fees, or late fees.
The feature is available through the Chime mobile app for eligible members.
5. Albert Instant Advance
Albert offers Instant Advance to eligible customers through its financial app.
The current limits range from:
$25 to $1,000
Albert states that not all customers qualify and that relatively few qualify for the $1,000 maximum.
There is no Albert subscription requirement for Instant Advance. The company also states that the product has no interest and no late fees.
Instant Advance is separate from Albert’s Instant Line of Credit, which has different terms and fees.
Albert’s app remains available through the major U.S. app stores.
6. Cleo
Cleo combines budgeting tools with a cash advance feature for eligible users.
Its current pricing information shows:
- $20–$250 for standard Cash Advance
- $150–$500 for eligible users with the higher cash advance offering
First-time users may receive lower amounts.
Cleo bases advances on accrued, unpaid income, and the amount can change according to eligibility.
Same-day transfers can carry an express fee ranging from $4.49 to $14.99, depending on the amount.
A subscription is not required to request a standard Cash Advance, although some additional features are connected to paid plans.
How to compare cash advance apps
The advertised maximum is only one part of the comparison. When comparing the best cash advance apps, look at the amount you actually qualify for and the cost of receiving it.
Before requesting money, check:
- Actual advance: Your personal limit may be lower than the advertised maximum.
- Mandatory costs: Look for membership or account fees.
- Transfer fees: Faster delivery can cost extra.
- Repayment: Check when the provider will collect the money.
- Eligibility: Some services require qualifying direct deposits.
For example, Chime charges no mandatory fee for MyPay but charges 3% for instant delivery. Dave has a monthly membership cost, while EarnIn charges for its optional faster transfer.
Are cash advance apps loans?
Not necessarily. The six services use different structures. EarnIn and MoneyLion describe their products as ways to access earned income, while Chime’s MyPay operates as a line of credit. Dave structures ExtraCash through an overdraft deposit account.
The structure can affect how repayment works and which fees apply, so check the terms for the specific product before accepting an advance.
What should you consider before taking an advance?
A cash advance can solve a temporary timing problem, but repayment still affects your next paycheck or bank balance.
For example, if you access $300 today and the provider collects it after your next qualifying deposit, you will have $300 less available from that deposit.
Before accepting an advance, ask:
- Can I cover my regular expenses after repayment?
- How much will I receive after fees?
- Is this a one-time expense or a recurring need?
- When exactly will repayment occur?
Repeatedly relying on advances can make it harder to manage future paychecks because part of each deposit goes toward money already spent.
Choose based on the terms, not just the maximum
The best cash advance apps can differ significantly in their fees, limits, delivery speeds, and eligibility requirements. A higher advertised limit does not necessarily make an app more useful if you qualify for less or pay more to receive the money.
Check the current terms inside the app before accepting an advance, since limits and eligibility can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cash advance apps check your credit?
Several of the services covered here state that their cash-access products do not require a traditional credit check. They can still review income, direct deposits, account history, and other information when determining eligibility.
Can I get an advance without direct deposit?
It depends on the provider and product. Some require qualifying direct deposits, while others use different methods to verify income or account activity.
How much can I get from these apps?
The advertised limits vary from $250 to $1,000 or more, depending on the service. Your personal limit can be lower than the maximum advertised.
Do these services charge interest?
The products covered here currently state that they do not charge traditional interest. Some can still charge membership, transfer, or other fees.
How quickly can I receive the money?
It depends on the provider, transfer method, and bank. Standard transfers can take one or more business days, while faster delivery may be available for a fee.
Can I use multiple cash advance apps?
You may be able to, but each advance creates another repayment obligation. Using several at once can leave less money available from your next paycheck.