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- App Store: 4.9 – 152k reviews
- Get $250 with no credit check
- App Store: 4.8 – 116k reviews
- Receive up to $250 today
When it comes to taking out a payday loan, there is no question that it can be beneficial if you need money in a hurry. You've probably seen payday loan stores or online ads for cash advances at some point in your life.
Whether you need money to cover an expense to avoid overdraft fees or just need access to money in a rush, these loan apps can help you get paid today. In this article, we will cover the most popular payday loan apps for iOS and Android.
Cash Advance Apps Like Brigit for Instant Money
These cash advance apps that loan you money are all highly reviewed and legitimate. In a hurry? Here are the top loan apps for instant money.
- Best overall: Albert
- Best for cash advances: Empower
- Best payday membership: MoneyLion
- Best for gig workers: Cleo
- Best for saving on overdraft fees: Brigit
- Best banking app: Chime
- Best option for instant money: Dave
1. Albert: Best Overall
Albert can spot you up to $250 so you can make ends meet. No late fees, interest, credit check, or hidden hands in your pocket. As long as you have a paycheck and have repaid your past advances, you can request up to 3 cash advances per pay period.
Albert is a super app that offers:
- Checking account with debit card: Offers one of the best sign up bonus offers currently ($150 for new users)
- Savings account: Set your schedule or let Albert analyze your spending and automatically move money into your savings account. (On average, they save people $400 in the first six months.)
- Cash advances: Up to $250
- Investing: Invest yourself or enable Robo investing
- Budgeting: AI-driven auto save feature is a big differentiator and very effective
- Genius: Text with a certified financial advisor anytime for a $6/month fee
There’s no catch. Albert is legit.
- Get a no-fee and interest-free cash advance of up to $250
- Pay a small fee to get your money instantly or get cash within 2–3 days for free
- Costs $8 per month after a 30 day free-trial
Where to get it?
2. Empower: Best for Cash Advances
Empower is an application built for today's generation. They'll be there for you every step of the way, whatever comes your way. You may get a cash advance of up to $250 when you need it most by downloading the app, and save for your future.
They're always there for you, and they'll get a cash advance up to $250 straight into your bank account. Free instant delivery is available for eligible Empower Checking Account customers with an activated debit card.
To determine if you're qualified to receive a Cash Advance, Empower calculates your bank account history and activity, recurring direct deposits, and average monthly direct deposits.
There are no applications, interest or late fees, or credit checks or risks involved. You simply reimburse them as soon as you receive your next payday. There's nothing hidden about it. It's that easy.
- Get a no-fee and interest-free cash advance of up to $250
- Use AutoSave to automatically set money aside every week
- Costs $8 per month after a 14-day free trial
Where to get it?
3. MoneyLion: Best Payday Membership
This payday loan app packs a big punch with a plethora of features that can help you. MoneyLion provides you with access to 0% APR cash advances of up to $250, low-interest personal loans, helps track spending and savings.
The app also provides financial advice to help you improve and control your financial life. It is no surprise that the MoneyLion community has over 2,000,000 members.
How MoneyLion works:
- Download the MoneyLion app and enroll in free MoneyLion Core. Receive your new black debit card in approximately 7 days.
- Fund your MoneyLion Checking account with an instant transfer, and then use it everywhere you go with no fear of hidden fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance fees!
- Add direct deposit of just $250 or more to your MoneyLion checking account to unlock instant 0% APR cash advances.
- Upgrade your membership to MoneyLion Plus to get any time access to a 5.99% APR credit-builder loan, $1 daily cashback, exclusive perks, and more.
Since this app has so many bells and whistles you can learn more in a comprehensive MoneyLion review that goes through each feature. MoneyLion is a wonderful choice for people who want to improve their financial situation, but cannot due to high-interest loan rates and many others. It helps them take control of their financial lives and improve their savings and can be downloaded for iOS or Android.
- The maximum advance is $250
- No interest. No monthly fee. No credit check
- Link your checking account to qualify for 0% APR cash advances
Where to get it?
4. Cleo: Best for Gig Workers
Cleo is your AI pal that looks after your money. Budget, save and track your spending. It’s available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
After downloading the app and signing up for a free account — ask Cleo anything from ‘what’s my balance’ to ‘can I afford a coffee’, and she’ll do the calculations instantly. Drill down with personalized updates, graphs, and data-driven insights.
Let Cleo do the work, as she puts your spare change aside automatically, sets you a budget, and helps you stick to it.
If you upgrade to Cleo Plus, you can qualify for getting spotted up to $250* to stop you from going into overdraft. This money is given to you interest-free and without a credit check, so they are literally spotting you up to $250.
You can still get a cash advance as a gig worker as they don't check W2s or require proof of employment.
Keep in mind that cash advance is available to Cleo Plus ($5.99/month) and Cleo Builder users ($15.99/month).
- Borrow up to $250 instantly with no credit check or interest
- Personalized tips on how you can save more
- Get help creating and sticking to a budget
- Costs $5.99 per month for Cleo Plus
Where to get it?
*First timers can usually qualify for $20 to $70 to start with. Once you pay it back you'll unlock higher amounts up to $100.
5. Brigit: Best for Saving on Overdraft Fees
With the Brigit app, you can get up to $250 with no interest or credit check quickly. It's easy and fast relief when you need it and helps you avoid low balances.
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 $250 to cover your expenses. You can save hundreds by avoiding overdraft fees with this app.
How Brigit works:
- No red tape. No hoops. Connect your bank account and that’s it!
- Brigit works with thousands of banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, TD Bank, Chase, Navy Federal Credit Union and 15,000+ more.
- Get paid up to $250 instantly.
This is best for those users who keep low balances in banking accounts and are prone to overdraft. You can learn more here.
- Tap to get an advance within seconds
- Get up to $250
- No credit check is required and no interest
- Pay it back without hidden fees or “tips"
Where to get it?
6. Chime: Best Banking App
Chime is one of the best checking accounts we've reviewed and allows you to overdraw up to $200 on debit card purchases without charging a fee with SpotMe®.
If you set up a Chime account with direct deposit through them — you can get early access to your paycheck, up to 2 days earlier than some of your co-workers*.
Plus, they don't charge any overdraft fees, no foreign transaction fees, no minimum balance fees, or no monthly fees at all.
Top that off with 60,000+ fee-free ATMs at stores you love, like Walgreens, CVS, and 7-Eleven1.
This is the best app to get up to $200 spotted to you at any time. It's that simple.
- Experience fee-free overdraft up to $200* when you set up direct deposit with SpotMe.
- Let Chime spot you when you need that little extra cushion to cover an expense.
- Join the millions and make the switch today!
Where to get it?
7. Dave: Best Option for Instant Money
This friendly bear allows you to get up to $500 as an advance with no interest or credit check. With Dave, you can budget your upcoming expenses and be protected from bank fees for only $1/month. Dave can help you budget your personal expenses and avoid overdrafts with friendly announcements. Automatic payments for things like Netflix and insurance can make budgeting tricky, but he can help there too!
How Dave works:
- Instantly advance up to $500 from your next paycheck.
- No interest. No credit checks. Just pay your advance back on payday.
- Connect directly to your bank account to borrow money fast.
- Dave saves the average American an average of $500 a year.
Whether you’re hit by sudden expenses or need a little extra to make it to the next paycheck, Dave is here to help. Download Dave now for iOS or Android and to stay ahead of overdrafts and get a payday advance when you need it.
Where to get it?
- Meet the banking app on a mission to build products that level the financial playing field
- Get paid up to 2 days early, earn cash back with Dave Rewards, and get up to $500 with ExtraCash™ without paying interest or late fees
- Join millions of members building a better financial future
What is a Cash Advance App?
In our modern, fast-paced world, financial emergencies can arise at unexpected moments, and the traditional banking system doesn't always offer immediate solutions. This is where cash advance apps step in.
Definition: A cash advance app provides users with an early access to a portion of their earned wages before their regular payday. Think of it as a bridge that allows workers to tap into their earnings ahead of schedule to cover unexpected expenses or shortfalls.
Features & Benefits of Cash Advance Apps
- Instant Access: One of the most significant benefits of cash advance apps is the immediacy. Traditional loans or credit cards might take days or even weeks for approval, but cash advance apps can grant access to funds in a matter of minutes or hours.
- Low Fees or No Interest: Many cash advance apps operate with minimal fees, and some even boast no interest. Instead, they might have a monthly subscription fee or rely on optional tips.
- Automated Payback: These apps often sync with a user's bank account, ensuring that the borrowed amount is automatically deducted on the next payday, ensuring timely payback and minimal risk of accumulating debt.
- Budgeting Tools: Beyond just offering advances, some apps provide budgeting tools, expense trackers, and financial insights, helping users manage their finances more effectively.
How Cash Advance Apps Work
- A user downloads the app and connects their bank account.
- The app monitors the user's earnings and spending patterns.
- Depending on the app and the user's financial history, a certain amount of money is available for advance.
- Once a user requests an advance, the funds are transferred either to their bank account or a special card provided by the app.
- On the next payday, the advance is automatically repaid with the agreed-upon fees or tips.
Caveats & Considerations of Cash Advance Apps
While cash advance apps can be a lifesaver in certain situations, users should approach with caution. Reliance on these apps can potentially lead to living paycheck-to-paycheck, or create a dependency cycle. It's always important to budget effectively and consider all financial options before seeking an advance.
Why Are Apps Like Brigit Better Than Payday Loans?
In the rapidly evolving financial landscape, tech-savvy consumers are looking for smarter ways to manage short-term cash shortfalls. Apps like Brigit have emerged as frontrunners, leading the charge in offering alternatives to the traditional payday loan. But what sets them apart, and why should you consider them over the age-old payday loans?
Let's delve into the specifics:
1. Lower Fees and Interest Rates
When it comes to payday loans, exorbitant fees and interest rates are synonymous. In contrast, cash advance apps like Brigit tend to offer more consumer-friendly pricing structures. Instead of being slapped with astronomical interest rates, users can often find low-cost, transparent fees that don't snowball over time.
2. Flexible Repayment Options
Traditional payday loans usually demand a lump-sum payment by your next paycheck, creating a vicious cycle of debt for many. However, cash advance apps like Brigit provide more flexible repayment plans, allowing users to manage their finances with greater ease and autonomy.
3. User-Friendly Experience
In the age of smartphones and instant gratification, seamless user experience is king. Cash advance apps like Brigit are designed with user interface and experience in mind, ensuring intuitive navigation, instant loan approvals, and quick disbursements.
4. Built-In Budgeting Tools
Beyond just lending, some of these fintech apps offer integrated budgeting tools. This assists users in tracking their spending, setting savings goals, and understanding their financial health, ultimately leading to better money management habits.
5. Transparent Terms and Conditions
One of the biggest criticisms of payday loans is their lack of transparency. Hidden fees, unclear terms, and misleading conditions can trap unsuspecting borrowers. In contrast, apps like Brigit emphasize clear, straightforward terms and conditions, ensuring that users are fully aware of their commitments.
6. Positive Impact on Credit
While traditional payday loans can sometimes harm your credit score if unpaid, some modern apps report positive repayment behaviors to credit bureaus, potentially helping users improve their credit scores over time.
7. Safety and Security
With stringent data protection protocols in place, fintech apps prioritize user security. Personal and financial information is encrypted, ensuring that users' data remains confidential and secure.
Apps Like Brigit Can Help
When it comes to using payday loan apps, there is no question that it can be beneficial if you need money in a hurry. Most of these apps have no fees or interest. This is a radical change from the way the American financial system typically functions. If you only needed a couple hundred bucks to cover all of my bills then payday loan apps can help.
These apps sound way too good to be true but you will soon find they are all true to their mission statement since day 1 of using them.
- Best for welcome bonus: Albert
- Best for cash advances: Empower
- Best payday membership: MoneyLion
- Best for gig workers: Cleo
- Best for saving on overdraft fees: Brigit
- Best banking app: Chime
- Best option for instant money: Dave
Disclosures
*Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each month. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member's Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime's discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won't cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Condition
^Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
1 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
Need cash now? Download Albert for free. Open a new account and you can get $250 from your next paycheck straight to your bank account with no credit check. Just repay them when you get paid. Easy.
