Cash advance apps like Current and EarnIn exist for one reason: payday is Friday and the bill is due today. They front you cash you have already earned, then pull it back when your paycheck lands.
Most of them do more than that, too. They track your spending and warn you before you overdraft, which is the part people keep using long after the emergency passes.
Short on time? Here are the best apps for interest free cash advances.
What Is a Cash Advance App?
It puts money you have already worked for into your checking account before payday arrives. That is the whole idea.
What separates it from borrowing is the cost. There is no interest, so you repay exactly what you took. Fees are either nonexistent or small enough to ignore. And there is no credit check, because your paycheck is what qualifies you, not your score. That combination makes an advance cheaper than a payday loan and cheaper than carrying a balance on a credit card.
If cash flow is your real problem, these apps are one of the few tools that can break the paycheck to paycheck cycle instead of deepening it.
How are cash advance apps different from payday loans?
Payday loans come with hefty, mandatory fees. Cash advance apps mostly avoid them.
Take Current. No monthly fees, no late fees, no interest, no credit check, and advances up to $750 once you set up direct deposit. No hidden hands in your pocket.
Repayment is easier to live with, too. Cash advance apps give you more flexibility than a payday lender does, so you can pick a plan that fits your budget instead of scrambling to cover a lump sum on a fixed date.
How are cash advance apps different from personal loans?
The terms are shorter and the interest is little to none.
A personal loan stretches over months or years and charges you for the privilege. A cash advance covers a few hundred dollars for a few days and usually costs nothing. If you need money quickly and want to avoid high interest charges, the advance is the better fit.
What are the benefits of using cash advance apps?
Speed is the obvious one. Money can hit your account in minutes instead of five business days, and you are not paying high interest charges to get it there.
Beyond that, repayment terms give you more room than a payday loan or personal loan would, so you can choose a plan that works for your budget. And because most of these apps cost less than a single $35 overdraft fee, they often end up saving you money even when you are not taking an advance.
So if you need a cash advance, here are the best cash advance apps today.
Best for getting cash the fastest
Top pickBest paycheck advance — zero fees
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1. EarnIn
EarnIn lets you access up to $1,000 of your paycheck before payday with no interest, credit checks, or mandatory fees. The app tracks your hours worked via timesheets or direct deposit activity and gives you access to the money you’ve already earned.
What makes EarnIn stand out is its optional tipping model, you can support the service by tipping what you think is fair, rather than paying high fees. It also offers features like Balance Shield alerts to help you avoid overdraft fees, and Lightning Speed for instant transfers.
If you want early access to your wages without the hidden costs or traps of payday loans, EarnIn is a solid choice.
- No fees if you choose standard delivery
- Works with most jobs if you have a steady paycheck
- No credit check and won’t hurt your score
- Borrow up to $1,000 as you build history in the app
2. Current
Current is a financial technology company offering modern banking services through its mobile app. By signing up you can get paid up to two days early, with no minimum balances or hidden fees. Plus, there’s no credit check, so your credit report stays untouched.
With Paycheck Advance, you can access up to $750 from your next paycheck before it arrives. To qualify, ensure you receive at least $500 in payroll deposits into a Current account or a linked external account.
We love that this feature doesn’t involve credit checks or affect your credit score and everything is 100% free without any fees.
- No interest on cash advances
- Advances of up to $750 (based on eligibility)
- 100% free, no catch
3. Brigit
If you have a low balance in your checking account, Brigit will see that your balance isn’t enough for upcoming expenses and send you up to $500 to cover your expenses. You can save hundreds by avoiding overdraft fees with this app.
Download Brigit on either your iOS phone or Android device to have the chance at up to $250 in cash advance funds without a single credit check.
Plus, you won’t pay interest on your advance or any hidden fees. Check out Brigit to see what else the cash advance app can offer you.
- Access between $25 - $500 in Instant Cash with no interest
- Built-in alerts to prevent overdrafts
- No FICO needed
4. Cleo
To access up to $250 in cash advance funds, you’ll need to subscribe to Cleo Plus. It will cost you $5.99 per month but you’ll have access to cashback rewards as well.
Cleo lets you choose your repayment timeframe, from three days to 28 days. Plus, your cash advance won’t affect your credit score.
If you don’t want to pay for access to a cash advance, the basic version provides free tools for managing your money.
These include a budgeting tool, a digital wallet, and a weekly quiz you can take to earn cash rewards. Cleo also lets you earn interest on your savings as well.
- Get up to $250 without credit checks
- Chat with an AI that helps you budget and roast your spending
- Automatically tracks and breaks down your expenses
- Fun, no-pressure way to manage your money
5. Klover
You’ll need to have at least three consecutive direct deposits within the last two months, with no gaps in pay with the same employer, to qualify for a cash advance of up to $200 with Klover.
Though this app doesn’t offer a whole lot beyond the simple cash advance framework, it’s a powerful tool you can use to cash in on a cash advance.
- Borrow up to $200 with no interest or hidden fees
- No credit check and no subscription required
- Earn boost points by watching ads, referring friends, and sharing data
- Great for gig workers or anyone with a steady paycheck
6. MoneyLion
MoneyLion works with Instacash to get you up to $500 with no interest or associated fees.
You can apply for a MoneyLion account online, but you’ll have to link your checking account to qualify.
There’s no monthly fee with a MoneyLion account. You can get paid up to two days early with RoarMoney.
Plus, the platform offers several ways to borrow, invest, earn, and save. You’ll never complete a credit check either, keeping your score intact.
- Instantly access up to $500 with no interest
- Includes a RoarMoney checking account
- Build credit with low-risk credit builder loans
- Earn cashback on everyday purchases
How are Cash Advance Apps Different
A cash advance is money pulled from a paycheck you have earned but not received yet, usually because the bank is still clearing the deposit. It can also mean borrowing against your credit limit, though that version comes at a price.
That price is steep. Credit card cash advances carry a higher APR than regular purchases, plus transaction fees on top. Creditors will hand you emergency money, but they charge you for the favor.
Cash advance apps do the same job without the fees or the restrictive repayment terms. You get your money early and in most cases pay zero interest.
The tradeoff is speed of repayment. Unlike payday or personal loans, these apps pull your balance straight from your next direct deposit as soon as it lands. For a lot of people that is a feature, not a drawback, since it closes the loop before the debt has a chance to grow. Funds typically arrive within two to three business days at most.
Pros
Here are some of the best features of cash advance apps:
- Receive the money you rightfully earned quickly
- Costs less in interest payments than payday loans
- Won’t negatively affect your credit score
- Zero-interest terms can help you pay back the advance without any interest
Cons
You should also consider the following if you’re contemplating using a cash advance app:
- It’s not a good idea financially to spend what you don’t have.
- Misuse of cash advances can exponentially increase your debt.
- It’s still possible to overdraft your account, even with a cash advance.
FAQs
Apps like Possible Finance, FloatMe, Albert, Cleo, Empower, Dave, Klover, and Brigit provide members with an instant cash advance, albeit with a price. In some cases, you only have to wait 2-3 days to get your cash advance without having to pay an expedited fee.
The best cash advance apps are those that suit your needs. Features of the best cash advances include zero-interest terms, higher advance limits, and plenty of financial tools to get back on track.
Some cash advance apps offer interest-free loans, but these loans may come with other fees or a suggested tip. For example, some $100 loan instant apps such as Cash App charges interest of 5% of the borrowed amount, and must be paid back to the app within four weeks.
The best type of loan or advance for you will depend on your individual situation. However, you can expect lower interest rates and more flexible repayment terms with a cash advance, whereas personal and payday loans are more restrictive in their approach.
Get a Cash Advance on Your Paycheck
We hope you’ve found this article useful in finding out how you can take out a cash advance on an app without agreeing to high interest rates and long repayment terms. That’s why many individuals choose to download and use a cash advance app over payday and personal loans.
The best cash advance apps, however, are those that ensure they’re simply one part of the financial journey their members are on. They often provide financial resources members can take advantage of to get back on track and provide a brighter financial future for themselves. How will you use your new knowledge of cash advance apps to achieve your financial goals?
- No fees if you choose standard delivery
- Works with most jobs if you have a steady paycheck
- No credit check and won’t hurt your score
- Borrow up to $1,000 as you build history in the app
