Many people sometimes need to access part of their salary earlier. If you’re trying to get a short-term cash advance, your options are few and far between. Showcase payday loans promise to help you bridge the financial gap between today and your next payday, but they’re so expensive that they usually make your personal finance problems worse.
You can set up a payday advance app right now and be ready for your next shortfall. The best part is that a payday advance app can provide you with a cash advance for free or at low cost.
Where to get a loan if you have bad credit? Citrus – no check loans is here for you to help.
7 free and low cost cash advance apps
1. Boro
Characteristics
You can access a loan of up to $ 2,000 at an interest rate that depends on your credit score. The refund must be complete within 12 months. You don’t need to have set up a direct deposit or a job. But you will be responsible for the monthly payments.
Cost
Membership is free. Interest rates are based on your creditworthiness. If you pay off your loan within a month, it is interest free.
Who can use it
Boro is for students. You must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in an American college or university. Recent graduates can also qualify. Boro loans (called BoroCash) are only available in about half of the country. You will need to check the website to see if there are any loans available in your state.
Other features to know
Paying off your loan will help you build up credit. Payments are automatically deducted from your linked checking account.
2. Brigitte
Characteristics
Get a free cash advance of up to $ 250. No credit check is required. The first time you take a cash advance, it will automatically be deducted from your next paycheck, or you can request an extension of the due date once. As you use the app, you will benefit from further payment due date extensions (up to three).
Cost
Brigit is free but not instant. For same day cash advance, you need a premium membership for $ 9.99 per month. With this option, Brigit automatically funds your checking account to avoid potential overdrafts and allows more time for loan repayment, among other benefits.
Who can use it
You must have an active bank account with a recurring direct deposit to be eligible for Brigit Instant Cash.
There is no minimum credit score requirement and the use of Brigit does not affect your credit. However, Brigit may limit or deny services if:
- Your bank account is new (opened within the last 60 days).
- You have an overdraft history on your account.
- You haven’t received at least three direct deposits from your main source of income.
Other details to know
Brigit provides free updates on financial health, as well as information on additional income opportunities.
3. Chime
Characteristics
If you have direct deposit, Chime releases your pay the same day your employer deposits it. Most banks hold the funds for 1 to 3 days. It’s not quite an emergency loan, but it speeds up access to the money you’ve already earned.
Cost
Release. There are no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft fees on your account and no fees to use the 38,000 ATMs in its network.
Who can use it
Anyone can apply to join Chime. You will need to provide your social security number, cell phone number, and address. You may need to provide a copy of your ID. Chime says opening an account will not affect your credit score. Some features, like free overdraft protection, require a minimum direct deposit amount each month.
Other details to know
- Chime is an app that partners with an FDIC insured bank to help you manage your money.
- You will earn more with Chime High Yield Savings than at most banks.
- Chime offers a secured credit card by a credit builder with no credit check required. The card has no annual fee, no maintenance fee, and does not charge interest (as the account is pre-funded by you like a prepaid debit card).
- Automatic savings are streamlined at Chime. Like most banks, Chime allows you to set aside a portion of each paycheck. Chime also allows you to round off each debit card purchase and put that currency into your savings account.
- Overdraft protection is capped at $ 20 initially, but increases to $ 200 for members with a positive account history.
4. David
Characteristics
You can get a cash advance of up to $ 200 when Dave advises you that you are at risk of overdrafting. No credit check required. If you have a direct deposit, Dave gives you the money as soon as your employer transfers it.
Cost
A Dave subscription costs $ 1 per month. There is no minimum balance requirement for a Dave checking account. Qualified members can pay additional fees to get up to $ 100 in cash above the regular limit. Tips are accepted, but optional.
Who can use it
Anyone can join Dave. You will need to provide credentials and connect your bank account. You may be asked for proof of address or a copy of your identity document.
Other details to know
Dave offers a free rent report service to help you build credit and information on how to make more money. In addition, you can access your account through 32,000 toll-free ATMs.
5. Win
Characteristics
Get cash advances of up to $ 100 per day and $ 500 per pay period. No credit check required. The repayment date is your next pay day, unless you request a different due date at least two business days before that date.
Cost
Free, but Earnin accepts tips up to $ 14 per $ 100 withdrawal transaction. Tips are optional, but Earnin says they support the app financially.
Who can use it
Anyone with a job, bank account and direct deposit. You will first need to set up your Earnin account by downloading the app, entering your information, and connecting your bank account.
Other details to know
Earnin is an app that partners with an FDIC insured bank to help you manage your money. Earnin offers other features besides the cash advance product, including a savings tool, financial information, and low balance alert. If enabled, the low balance tool will automatically transfer an advance of $ 100 to your bank account when your balance falls below that amount (to help you avoid overdrafts).
6. Empower
Characteristics
You can get an instant cash advance of up to $ 250 anytime during your pay cycle. No credit check is required.
Cost
Empower membership is $ 8 per month after a 14 day free trial period. Instant cash advances require an Empower checking account; if you want the money to be transferred to an external bank account, you may need to pay a fee of $ 3 and it will not arrive in your account the same day you request it.
Who can use it
To be eligible for the free cash advance, you must have an account established with Empower and a minimum of direct deposits. To join, Empower will need your address, phone number and social security number. You may need to provide a copy of your ID and proof of your current address.
Other details to know
- Empower is an app that partners with an FDIC insured bank to help you manage your money.
- You can take advantage of an automatic savings plan that sets aside small amounts of money each week.
- You will have free access to 37,000 ATMs.
- If you have a direct deposit, Empower usually gives you the money the same day your employer deposits it. In many other banks it takes 1-3 days.
- You can earn up to 10% cash back on debit card purchases.
- Set your own spending limit to help you manage your money.
7. Silver lion
Characteristics
You can get a free cash advance of up to $ 250. No credit check is required. If you transfer your direct deposits to a MoneyLion account (called RoarMoney) or take out a MoneyLion credit builder loan, you can potentially access up to $ 300.
Cost
Free, but cash advances take anywhere from 12 hours to 5 business days, depending on the type of checking account you have linked. If you want the cash instantly, you will have to pay a fee of $ 3.99 to $ 4.99 for each cash advance.
Who can use it
You will need to have already linked your checking account and verified your identity to qualify for the free cash advance. Your cash advance limit will depend on the level and consistency of your direct deposits. Limits start at $ 25. In addition, your checking account must be established (at least two months) and active (regularly used).
Other details to know
- Credit Builder Plus is a low interest rate loan that helps you build a 12 month payment history so you can build credit and save money. The loan amount can go up to $ 1,000, but you will not have access to all of these funds immediately. You will receive some of it and the rest is held in a reserve account and released as you make payments. The program fee is $ 19.99 per month and interest is charged on the loan.
- Members who open a RoarMoney checking account can earn money on debit card purchases. Cash back is automatically invested in a managed wallet account where you can access it or let it grow.
Emergency loans
If you need the cash right now and haven’t set up any of these apps yet, you may still have options. If you have a credit card, you may be eligible for a credit card cash advance. Members of some credit unions can get a low cost alternative loan (PAL). Homeowners and tenants can even qualify for a Small Business Association (SBA) disaster loan under certain circumstances. See our article on emergency loans to learn more.
If what you want is a payday always earlier, here are a few apps besides Chime that help you get your direct deposit faster (but might not offer payday loans or cash advances):
- Axos Bank
- Go2Bank
- SoFi Money
- Varo (Varo also offers free cash advances of up to $ 20 to eligible members, and larger cash advances for a fee.)
- Wealthfront Cash Account
