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Best Cash Advance Apps Like Dave, Chime, Earnin

Although top-rated cash advance apps like Dave, Chime, and Earnin provide users quick access to cash, they come with plenty of disadvantages compared to bad credit personal loans from legit online marketplaces like MoneyMutual and ZippyLoan, particularly with low borrowing limits and shorter repayment terms. If you need a little more than what cash advance apps have to offer and learn the differences between cash advance apps and bad credit personal loans, you come to the right place.

Best Cash Advance Apps Like Dave, Chime, Earnin
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Best Cash Advance App Alternatives To Dave, Chime, Earnin

MoneyMutual - Up to $5,000 / Min Credit Score: 0 / 5 Minute Approval / Rating: 4.9/5.0 - Best Overall

VivaLoan - Up to $15,000 / Min Credit Score: 0 / 5 Minute Approval / Rating: 4.8/5.0 - Best Cash Advance Alternative for Payday Loans

FundsJoy - Up to $5,000 / Min Credit Score: 0 / 5 Minute Approval / Rating: 4.7/5.0 - Best for Bad Credit

ZippyLoan - Up to $15,000 / Min Credit Score: 0 / 5 Minute Approval / Rating: 4.5/5.0 - Best for Same Day Funding

Keep reading to learn more about the best instant cash advance loans with no credit check, including in-depth reviews on four top-rated online marketplaces, the differences between instant cash advances and personal loans for bad credit, and ways to boost your credit score to achieve the most borrower-friendly terms possible.

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Rating: 4.9/5.0

Amount: Up to $5,000

APR: Up to 35.99%

Min. Credit Score: 0

Approval: 5 minutes

For a quick source of emergency cash, we highly recommend Las Vegas-based MoneyMutual.

Consider MoneyMutual one of the more well-rounded lending networks we've covered. For starters, hundreds of participating legit direct lenders on the platform are willing to extend anywhere from $200 to $5,000 at competitive APRs below 35.99%. In addition, many customers have provided positive feedback, citing MoneyMutual's speedy transactions and fair terms, unlike traditional payday, auto title, and pawnshop loans.

Another benefit of using MoneyMutual is its transparency. On every web page, disclaimers let users know it is not a lender but an intermediary connecting prospective borrowers with a network of legit direct lenders. However, it is essential to know that not all lenders will provide up to $5,000, as every loan applicant has different “creditworthiness” based on their income, debt-to-income ratio, and similar factors not related to credit score.

All in all, we wholeheartedly recommend MoneyMutual for your short-term emergency cash needs.

How to Apply: Applying to MoneyMutual is a simple process. On the homepage, click the orange "Get Started" button and provide all details, including your contact and depositing information. If you are approved by a daily 5:00 pm cutoff, you will receive funds as early as the next business day.

Eligibility:

  • You have to be 18 or older
  • US citizen or permanent resident
  • Making at least 800 bucks a month
  • Need a legit bank account
  • No Connecticut or New York residents allowed
  • Complete the application on MoneyMutual's website

Highlights:

  • Loans: $200 to $5,000
  • APRs: up to 35.99%
  • Available in nearly all states
  • Acts as intermediary for bad credit loans from direct lenders
  • Member of Online Lenders Alliance (OLA)
  • Comprehensive financial education guides
  • Excellent source of cash advance loans

Fees:

  • No prepayment or origination fees
  • Late/insufficient funds fees vary by lender

Pros:

  • Loans from $200 to $5,000
  • APRs up to $35.99%
  • Fully transparent website disclaimers
  • Easy and quick online application
  • Deposit to your bank account and as little as 24 hours
  • Excellent source of emergency cash

Cons:

  • Maximum borrowing limit is low ($5,000)
  • Unavailable to residents of Connecticut or New York
  • Cash transfer times may vary among lenders

Terms: MoneyMutual is not a direct lender. It is a lending network connecting bad credit borrowers with direct lenders offering a variety of loan products and services, including bad credit personal loans, instant cash advances, and no credit check loans. Expect loan offers up to $5,000 with most Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) not exceeding 35.99%. All policies regarding origination, prepayment, late, insufficient funds, and extension/rollover fees are determined by each individual direct lender. Representative loan example: a 34% APR, $20,000 loan on a 1-year repayment term with no finance charges would have you pay a total of $23,871.65 ($3,871.65 in total interest paid). Every borrower pays a different rate based on a combination of credit score, debt-to-income ratio, requested loan amount, and any applicable state laws.

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Rating: 4.6/5.0

Amount: Up to $15,000

APR: Up to 35.99%

Min. Credit Score: 0

Approval: 5 minutes

Looking for a quick solution to pay off a $780 primary doctor's bill or an unexpected broken water heater? If so, then VivaLoan may be an excellent place to start.

Many legit direct lenders on the VivaLoan platform are willing to offer anywhere from $100 to $15,000 with excellent APRs up to 35.99%, along with no origination, or prepayment penalties. Repayment terms are arranged from six to 60 months, and funds can be disbursed to your bank account as soon as the next business day. In addition, eligibility criteria are relaxed, only requiring proof of age (18 years or older) and a regular income.

Since you will be matched with at least three direct lenders matching your credit profile, you will be presented with favorable rates that beat traditional payday, auto title, and pawnshop loans. In addition, a quick and easy five-minute online application makes VivaLoan one of the better instant cash advance loan sites we've researched.

How to Apply: VivaLoan makes it very easy to apply for a loan. You can enter your desired loan amount, zip code, and email address on the homepage before hitting the "Get Started" button. Then, continue throughout the application process, providing additional contact and depositing details before submitting. Once approved, you will be paired with several legit direct lenders offering competitive rates and terms.

Eligibility:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Must be a US citizen or permanent resident
  • Must provide a government-issued photo ID
  • Must have a valid email address, home address, and bank account
  • Complete application through the VivaLoan portal

Highlights:

  • Loans up to $15,000 at sub 35.99% APRs
  • 256-bit SSL encryption technology
  • Positive credit reporting to bureaus
  • Member of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA)
  • Excellent source of instant cash advances
  • Works for excellent credit, average credit, or poor credit borrowers
  • Funds will be received in your checking or savings account before the next business day

Fees:

  • No origination or prepayment penalties
  • Late and insufficient funds fees vary depending on the lender

Pros:

  • Offers loans ranging from $100 to $15,000
  • Competitive APRs up to 35.99%
  • Excellent for all credit types
  • Some lenders report on-time payments to credit bureaus
  • Free personal loan service
  • Member of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA)
  • Loose eligibility criteria (18 or older with a consistent income)

Cons:

  • Not a direct lender, acts as a facilitator between borrowers and lenders
  • No dedicated customer support line

Terms: VivaLoan is not a direct lender. It is a lending network connecting bad credit borrowers with direct lenders offering a variety of loan products and services, including bad credit personal loans, instant cash advances, and no credit check loans. Expect loan offers up to $15,000 with most Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) not exceeding 35.99%. All policies regarding origination, prepayment, late, insufficient funds, and extension/rollover fees are determined by each individual direct lender. Representative loan example: a 28% APR, $9,000 loan on a 3-year repayment term with no finance charges would have you pay a total of $13,401.80 ($4,401.80 in total interest paid). Every borrower pays a different rate based on a combination of credit score, debt-to-income ratio, requested loan amount, and any applicable state laws.

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Rating: 4.8/5.0

Amount: Up to $5,000

APR: 5.99% to 35.99%

Min. Credit Score: 0

Approval: 5 minutes

FundsJoy is an excellent online platform for a higher dollar and longer repayment term instant cash advance app loans.

Lenders on the platform are willing to extend up to $5,000 at competitive APRs up to 35.99%. Repayment terms are also flexible, as long as 60 months. However, it has a lower maximum borrowing limit ($5,000) than competitors like VivaLoans and Upstart, which offer up to $15,000 and $50,000, respectively. Thankfully there are no prepayment penalties, although late and insufficient funds fees vary by lender.

Another thing we appreciate about FundsJoy is its quick and intuitive online application. It takes up to five minutes to complete, requesting your details, including desired loan amount, income, and depositing information before a likely same day approval and next business day deposit. We highly recommend FundsJoy for your emergency fast cash advance needs.

How to Apply: FundsJoy offers a quick and easy way to apply for a loan. Click on the "Get Started" home page and start filling out an application, providing your desired loan amount, employment status, depositing information, and more. Once you submit your application for review, multiple direct lenders will assess your eligibility and provide competing loan offers with a borrower amount, repayment term, and applicable fees. Be sure to read all terms carefully before committing to any one loan.

Eligibility:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Must be a US citizen or permanent resident
  • Must provide a valid email, home address, and bank account
  • Minimum monthly income requirement of $800
  • Complete application through the FundsJoy portal

Highlights:

  • Loans available up to $5,000
  • APRs can reach up to 35.99%
  • Instant same-day approval
  • No credit check loans for bad credit borrowers
  • Easy and quick 5-minute online application
  • Excellent source of cash advance no credit check loans

Fees:

  • No prepayment penalties
  • Origination fees may apply, up to 5%
  • Late and insufficient funds fees are applicable

Pros:

  • Loans up to $5,000
  • No hidden fees and sub 35.99% APRs
  • Fast and convenient loan application process
  • Several loan options are available e.g., bad credit personal loans, instant online cash advances, and high risk personal loans
  • Lower interest rates than local cash advance stores
  • Excellent source of emergency cash

Cons:

  • No customer support phone number or live chat
  • Not the best source of cash advance online same day
  • Lower than average instant cash advance limit
  • Higher interest rates than instant cash advance apps with no direct deposit required

Terms: FundsJoy is not a direct lender. It is a lending network connecting bad credit borrowers with direct lenders offering a variety of loan products and services, including bad credit personal loans, instant cash advances, and no credit check loans. Expect loan offers up to $5,000 with most Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) not exceeding 35.99%. All policies regarding origination, prepayment, late, insufficient funds, and extension/rollover fees are determined by each individual direct lender. Representative loan example: a 25% APR, $28,000 loan on a 1-year repayment term with no finance charges would have you pay a total of $31,934.85 ($3,934.85 in total interest paid). Every borrower pays a different rate based on a combination of credit score, debt-to-income ratio, requested loan amount, and any applicable state laws.

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Rating: 4.9/5.0

Amount: Up to $15,000

APR: 12% — 35.99%

Min. Credit Score: 0

Approval: 5 minutes

If you are in a tight cash crunch and need a quick $500, ZippyLoan is an excellent place to start.

Like FundsJoy, ZippyLoan is an online intermediary connecting subprime borrowers with a network of qualified direct lenders offering between $100 and $15,000 as early as the next business day. All you need to do is complete a quick and easy five-minute online form, providing your desired loan amount, zip code, depositing information, and other details.

One of the best things about ZippyLoan is its loose qualification criteria. All you need to be is at least 18 or older with recurring income. Along with its commitment to user safety via 256-bit SSL encryption technology, we are highly confident in ZippyLoan's service offerings.

How to Apply: To start the loan request process onZippyLoan, visit the homepage and click the "Get Started" button. From there, fill out the online loan application and key details like your name, home address, desired loan amount, and employment status. Once your application is submitted, expect matching with lenders meeting your eligibility criteria. Remember, not all payday advance loan companies will extend ZIppyLoan’s max $15,000 limit, as every lender has its own underwriting policies. Carefully review all loan offers in terms and conditions before signing any agreement.

Eligibility:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Government-issued photo ID required
  • Minimum monthly income of $800
  • Not available to residents of New York, West Virginia, Oregon, or the District of Columbia
  • Complete application through the ZippyLoans portal

Highlights:

  • Loans up to $15,000 for bad credit
  • Competitive APRs up to 35.99%
  • Five-minute online loan request form
  • Same day approval and next business day funding
  • Loose eligibility criteria
  • Excellent source of bad credit personal loans and high-risk personal loans

Fees:

  • No origination or prepayment penalties
  • Late and insufficient funds fees depend on the lender

Pros:

  • Loans up to $15,000
  • APRs up to 35.99%
  • Available in almost all 50 states
  • Easy and intuitive online application
  • Flexible repayment terms of up to 60 months
  • Plenty of instant cash opportunities
  • Online form compatible with iOS and Android browsers

Cons:

  • No forbearance or hardship options are available
  • No dedicated customer support line
  • Not all lenders extend loans up to $15,000 for bad credit
  • Residents of New York, West Virginia, Oregon, or the District of Columbia are not eligible to apply

Terms: ZippyLoan is not a direct lender. It is a lending network connecting bad credit borrowers with direct lenders offering a variety of loan products and services, including bad credit personal loans, instant cash advances, and no credit check loans. Expect loan offers up to $15,000 with most Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) not exceeding 35.99%. All policies regarding origination, prepayment, late, insufficient funds, and extension/rollover fees are determined by each individual direct lender. Representative loan example: a 28% APR, $10,800 loan on a 3-year repayment term with no finance charges would have you pay a total of $16,082.16 ($5,282.16 in total interest paid). Every borrower pays a different rate based on a combination of credit score, debt-to-income ratio, requested loan amount, and any applicable state laws.

What Are Instant Cash Advances Apps like Dave, Earnin, and Chime?

The best cash advance and payday advance loan apps like Dave, Earnin, and Chime offer users of all credit types to access paycheck funds early. These paycheck advances are short-term loans repaid on your next payday, anywhere from $25 to $750 (depending on the app).

The way instant cash advance apps work is pretty simple. Each company requires downloading a smartphone app and linking to a direct deposit-collecting bank account. Once you submit personal and bank account information, most users are immediately approved for cash advances. Any request can be eligible for same-day funding (for a small fee) or one to three- business day turnaround for a small fee (e.g., Earnin's Lightning Speed program).

Benefits of using instant cash advance apps like Dave, Earnin, and Chime include fast approval times, no credit checks, no hidden fees, flexible repayment options, and various perks such as budgeting tools, credit builders (Brigit), job search help (Dave), identity theft protection, built-in brokerages (Albert), and even access to a fee-free ATM network (Dave).

As with all personal lenders and paycheck advance services, there are also drawbacks. For example, cash advance payday advance loan apps only offer limited loan amounts, not enough for larger expenses like $2,500 automotive repair bills or past due $9,000 hospital invoices escalated to collections. Additionally, the continued use of cash advance apps runs the risk of overspending, forcing users to ignore underlying issues and manage debt poorly.

Remember limited availability, as cash advance apps are only available to some users, subject to eligibility requirements such as a direct deposit collecting bank account or an active checking account at least 60 days old (Brigit).

All in all, while cash advance apps have their advantages, they certainly come with downsides compared to bad credit installment loans, instant cash advances, and high-risk personal loans from reputable online marketplaces like FundsJoy and MoneyMutual.

How to Get the Best Cash Advance App Loans for Bad Credit

Successfully finding the best personal instant cash advance app loans for bad credit may be one of the most important financial decisions you will ever make, even for a smaller instant cash emergency loan.

Nowadays, it's too easy to fall into predatory debt traps offered by traditional payday, auto title, and pawnshop loans. So let's stay ahead of the curve and learn the best strategies for finding the best instant cash advance loan for bad credit you are looking for.

Perform Thorough Research. After submitting a personal loan request through an instant cash advance app or any online lending network, research your matched direct lenders thoroughly. Read third-party reviews, check out App Store/Google Play feedback (if any), and carefully read all disclaimers. Every reputable lending network has written disclaimers mentioning its status as a non-direct lender/intermediary connecting prospective borrowers with a network of direct lenders, so you know exactly where they stand.

Shop Around. Our number one recommendation is to shop around for online cash advances and personal payday advance loans, comparing different instant cash loan options from at least three direct lenders. Taking an extra 15 minutes to perform research may mean the difference between $800 in unnecessary interest charges paid over the life of the loan.

Specifically, compare interest rates, terms, and various perks such as financial consumer education resources and Online Lenders Alliance (OLA) membership. Additionally, you want to apply a magnifying glass to all website disclaimers, reviewing all representative loan examples, states of operation, and how your data may be shared with third parties advertising their loan products and services.

Our only request with loans and the best cash advance apps is to be mindful of applying for multiple loans quickly. Although submitting multiple loan request forms only trigger soft inquiries, the next step of completing actual credit applications will trigger hard inquiries. Try to limit the number and time inquiries wisely, clustering them within a 30-day window if possible (as many credit bureaus count multiple inquiries for the same line of credit as a single inquiry)

Monitor Your Credit Report. There are many reasons why we recommend monitoring your personal credit report. Aside from detecting identity theft, credit reports often contain many inaccuracies, such as incorrect balances, accounts marked as open (which should be closed), and other errors which could easily contribute to a 50+ point drop.

Remember, the difference in interest charges over the life of a loan with a 19% APR and a 35.99% APR could easily equal hundreds of dollars. Therefore, do not allow a credit reporting error to prevent you from better loan offers.

Watch Out for Scams. Unfortunately, you may discover instant cash scams during your payday advance loan for bad credit searches. Also, be wary of lenders requesting upfront fees, marketing "guaranteed rates," or similar jargon. For that, we're strong advocates of lending networks that are members of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA), which focuses on consumer fraud prevention and promotes best practices around responsible lending.

By following the above suggestions with cash advance loans and apps, you'll be best equipped to protect yourself from cash advance fraud and secure a favorable loan option with borrower-friendly rates and terms.

Review of the Top Bad Credit Instant Cash Advance Apps Like Dave, Chime, and Earnin

Instant cash advance apps are an excellent option for people who need quick access to money without necessarily paying in installments. They typically extend from $50 to $750 with no fees and 0% interest. Additional benefits include fast approval times, no credit checks, flexible repayment options, and side features like Dave's Side Hustle program and Albert's built-in brokerage, where users can start investing with as little as $1.

Let's review five highly recommended options to cover paycheck apps or for an emergency - Earnin, Dave, Chime, Brigit, and MoneyLion.

Dave

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  • Cash advances up to $500
  • 0% interest on a payday advance loan
  • Generous fee structure

Excellent source of emergency cash

  • “Side Hustle” feature for gig work searches
  • Easy and intuitive smartphone app
  • 15% cash back on select purchases using Dave debit card

Arguably a top three cash advance app next to Earnin and Brigit, Dave offers cash advances up to $500 at 0% interest, which is repaid with your next paycheck.

However, its benefits go beyond cash advances and dive into budgeting tools. One of its top tools is a credit-building service that allows users to report positive payment history to the three major credit bureaus, which helps secure lower APRs on other lines of credit. We also appreciate Dave's Side Hustle feature, which allows you to search for a side job from its network of participating partners, including survey companies.

Despite Dave's benefits, there are better solutions for high borrowing limits and repayment options. Users are usually limited to $500 per pay period, repaid in two to four weeks. However, lending networks Like MoneyMutual and FundsJoy offer much higher borrowing limits with longer repayment terms of up to 60 months ( even 72 months in some cases).

Overall, look to Dave strictly for paycheck gap coverage or an emergency, not higher expenses like home renovations or a crazy $4,700 Honda Civic engine replacement.

Pros

  • Interest-free cash advances of up to $500
  • Up to 15% cash back using Dave's debit card
  • Innovative "Side Hustle" job search feature
  • Millions of satisfied customers
  • No overdraft, late, and minimum balance fees
  • One of the more popular best cash advance apps

Cons

  • For US residents only
  • Advances limited to $500 per pay period
  • Not adequate for larger expenses
  • Monthly subscription fee required
  • Not too many financial education resources
  • Cannot be paid in installments

Earnin

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  • Advances up to $100 per day/$750 per pay period
  • Works with a valid bank account
  • No "pay it early" penalties
  • User-friendly smartphone app; easy to link a bank account
  • Excellent 24/7 live chat support
  • Recommended source of emergency cash

Earnin offers one of the more innovative ways of allowing users to access earnings early of up to $100 per day or $750 per pay period, repaid with their next paycheck.

Another benefit to using Earnin is its overdraft protection and Balance Shield feature, which helps avoid overdraft fees by automatically transferring funds to a borrower's accounts once balances reach a certain threshold.

Unfortunately, Earnin's borrowing limits are too low for large emergency expenses like a $2,000 hospital bill. Additionally, it's best used by hourly and salary employees who collect recurring direct deposits to a bank account, unlike some self-employed people. A third downside is its tipping model, which accepts voluntary tips of up to $14. Not all users are comfortable with this arrangement.

Pros

  • Up to $100 per day/$750 per pay period
  • 0% interest and no credit checks
  • Highest borrowing limits amongst competitors
  • Over $15B in community earnings
  • Small fee for same-day deposits (Lightning Speed0
  • No cost for 1-3 business day funding
  • Excellent source of emergency cash
  • One of the best cash advance apps

Cons

  • Income verification required
  • Voluntary tip of up to $14
  • Low withdrawal limits for larger expenses
  • Best for hourly or salaried employees
  • Not the best long-term solution
  • Cannot be paid in installments

Chime

  • Paycheck advances up to $200
  • 0% interest and no credit checks
  • Get paid up to two days early
  • Excellent customer support
  • Access to more than 60,000 in-network ATM fees

With a website tagline "the #1 most loved banking app," Chime offers several benefits, notably paycheck advances of up to $200 with no overdraft fees and the ability to be paid up to 2 days earlier.

Other benefits include no overdraft, foreign transactions, monthly fees, and access to more than 60,000 in-network ATM fees. All you need to do is open a Chime Checking account, set up direct deposit online, and enroll in its early direct deposit program.

Unfortunately, Chime has many disadvantages compared to instant cash advances and bad credit installment loans from reputable lending networks like MoneyMutual and ZippyLoans. For starters, it only offers a limited loan amount (up to $200) with stricter eligibility requirements than Earnin.

These eligibility requirements include direct deposit setup and receiving at least $200 in direct deposits within the last month. It's easily one of the least qualification friendly cash advance apps we’ve covered.

Pros:

  • Paycheck advances up to $200
  • Built-in overdraft protection
  • 256-bit data encryption technology
  • Access to 60,000 fee-free ATMs
  • No annual fees with Chime Credit Builder Visa card
  • Strong source of payday advances and emergency cash

Cons:

  • Chime checking account required
  • Higher than average APRs on instant cash advance loans
  • Low maximum advance amount ($200)
  • Recurring direct deposits are necessary for instant loans

Brigit

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  • Cash advance loans up to $250
  • No credit checks and 0% interest
  • Monthly $9.99 membership fee
  • Intuitive and easy-to-use smartphone app
  • The Credit Builder program helps build credit

Brigit is one of the more popular payday advance apps today. With over four million members, its claim to fame is advances of up to $250 with no credit checks and 0% interest.

Arguably its biggest benefit over Earnin is its innovative Credit Builder program, which allows people to start building credit with instant approval and no credit checks. Put away as little as $1 a month and start building a positive payment history, which increases your creditworthiness in any lender's eyes.

Another benefit to Brigit is its stellar App Store and Google Play ratings. As of this writing, it has over 250,000 positive reviews, pulling out everything from speedy transactions to a responsive smartphone app.

However, Brigit's main drawback is that it has a lower advance limit ($250) than competitors, barely enough to cover unexpected expenses like two months of overdue electric bills or a $900 auto repair. Additionally, unlike Earnin's voluntary tip of up to $14, Brigit charges a monthly $9.99 membership fee. If you only plan on taking out a single payday advance, $9.99 is not a fair deal.

Pros

  • No credit checks
  • Fast funding in minutes
  • Easy, intuitive smartphone app
  • Available in most US states
  • Lower fees and many payday lenders
  • 256-bit data encryption technology to safeguard your data
  • Flexible repayment options (e.g., early and extended repayment)

Cons

  • Not a long-term lending solution
  • Lower maximum advance limit ($250) than Earnin
  • Monthly $9.99 membership fee
  • Cannot be paid in installments
  • A flat fee of up to $14.99 on each transaction based on membership level

MoneyLion

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  • Advances up to $500
  • 0% interest with no monthly fees
  • Intuitive and easy-to-use smartphone app
  • Variety of finance products (e.g., Credit Builder Plus and MoneyLion Crypto)

MoneyLion's InstaCash, same day cash advance program extends paycheck advances from $25 to $500, depending on your eligibility.

Benefits to MoneyLion include 0% interest and no monthly fees. Thanks to its variable advance program, MoneyLion works differently than Earnin and Brigit. For starters, an initial advance will only extend a minimum of $10, with recurring deposits "unlocking": incremental amounts. At best, you can be eligible for paycheck advances of about $700 through its Credit Builder Plus and $1,000 through its RoarMoney program.

Unfortunately, MoneyLion's "ladder structure" is its biggest drawback. More than initial advances are needed to cover a $200 utility bill. You need to show recurring deposits in a linked external account to unlock a minimum of $50, with no guarantee you will reach $200 and beyond. Nevertheless, given its same day cash advance service’s low borrowing limit and high barrier to entry, MoneyLion is easily or less recommended of the five payday advance apps covered in this guide.

Looking for higher dollar amounts and greater repayment term flexibility? You are definitely better off taking out a bad credit personal loan or high risk personal loan from online marketplaces. Just be sure to make all on-time payments and understand all loan terms and conditions before committing.

Pros:

  • No credit check
  • A flat fee of only $3.99
  • Flexible repayment options (e.g., early repayment and automatic bank account deductions)
  • Immediate access to cash
  • Receiving government benefits OK to qualify

Cons

  • $3.99 for each payday advance
  • Difficult unlocking additional InstaCash opportunities
  • Need Credit Builder Plus and RoarMoney to open $700+ in advances
  • Up to eight weeks for maximum Instacash eligibility

Are Instant Cash Advance Apps For Bad Credit?

Yes, some payday advance and same day cash advance apps like Dave, Chime, and Brigit work with people of all credit scores without credit checks.

Instead of a minimum required credit score, cash advance apps base eligibility on a user's employment and income verified through paystubs or electronic timesheets. Other requirements include consistent pay schedules, positive earnings history, checking accounts at least 60 days old (Brigit), and a history of regular direct deposits.

Although some online cash advance apps do an exceptional job covering paycheck apps for bad credit Borrowers, they are not a long-term solution. At best, expect short-term relief for unexpected expenses like past due utility bills or emergency automotive repairs, not large-scale expenses like home improvement projects or a $9,500 hospital bill.

Are Same Day Emergency Cash Advance Apps No Credit Check?

No, payday advance loans apps like Dave, Chime, and Earnin generally do not perform credit checks. Instead, they require other eligibility requirements and verify income and unemployment through pay stubs, electronic timesheets, or GPS enablement to your actual work location (Earnin).

Remember, all online cash advance apps require that you have a steady source of income (e.g., regular 9 to 5 job or gig/freelance work, e.g., Doordash and Uber/Lyft). Additionally, you must have a direct deposit collecting checking account consistent pay schedule (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly).

Note the variance between cash advance apps, especially with the county age. For example, Brigit requires that you have an account at least 60 days old and a history of paying bills on time, both of which are calculated using the app's proprietary scoring algorithm from 40 to 100, so that it knows how much to advance you.

Others, like Chime, have a slightly more strict identity verification process.

Keep in mind that cash advance apps are not direct lenders extending credit. Instead, they offer early access to a user's already earned wages, deducting it from their paycheck on the next payday. In short, carefully review all cash advance app eligibility requirements before committing to one.

Do Cash Advance Apps Affect My Credit Score?

Fortunately, one benefit of using same day cash advance apps is that they do not typically report to credit bureaus. As a result, expect your credit score to remain the same.

Cash advance apps apply different methodologies than traditional loans, bad credit installment loans, alternative 1-hour payday loans, or instant cash advances. For starters, cash advance apps do not extend credit. Instead, they allow users early access to their earnings two to four weeks before payday.

Remember, same day cash advance apps automatically withdraw the advance amounts via direct bank account linkage to smartphone apps, withdrawing proceeds on the user's next payday.

Despite same day cash advance apps like Dave, Chime, and Earnin working differently, there are indirect ways they can affect your credit score. For starters, three or more consecutive advances within one or two months are a warning sign you may not be managing your budget correctly, resulting in late payments on other lines of credit (e.g., mortgages and student loans), all of which can negatively impact your credit score.

Additionally, overdraft fees are less likely due to overusing the same day cash advance app. However, if not paid on time, expect it to impact your credit score.

Lastly, remember to consider income with any quick cash advance app. Accessing earnings early may reallocate funds from other expenses like your Netflix subscription, monthly rent, and gym membership. Always know that cash advance apps like Dave, Chime, and Earnin are temporary stopgaps, not long-term solutions. Always use each app responsibly.

How to Find Legitimate Cash Advance Apps and Loans Places

Although quick cash advance apps and cash advance loans offer a quick source of emergency cash, not all are considered equal. Each has different approaches regarding maximum borrowing limits, fee structure, eligibility requirements, and employment verification.

Verify Fee Structure. With online cash advance apps and loans, ensure any cash advance apps charge no annual, late payment, prepayment, balance transfer, or origination penalties. One particular pain point is with origination fees, which lenders usually cost to cover administrative/underwriting tasks. However, an origination fee should not exist, as most of a lender's profits come from interest charges (which should be enough!)

Check Third-Party Feedback. One of our favorite ways to tell reputable quick cash advance apps and loans is through IOS and Android reviews. For example, Earnin has close to 500,000 positive ratings (as of January 2023), with users citing speedy transactions, ease of use, and high borrowing limits as reasons.

Another type of third-party feedback comes from alliances. For example, many of our recommended lending networks are Online Lenders Alliance (OLA) members. This trade organization promotes online lending industry best practices around responsible lending and consumer protection. Members typically include alternative payday loans, instant cash advances, and bad credit personal loan companies.

Rationale Behind Our Recommended Lending Networks

To write this easy cash advance guide, we performed exhaustive research, narrowing down a pool of more than 30 lending networks to a preferred five based on five key grading criteria: APRs, fees, funding speed, transparency, and various perks such as consumer financial education resources and hardship programs.

Rates. To start, 35.99% APR is the upper threshold associated with certain times of bad credit personal loans, instant online cash advances, and high-risk personal loans. Do not expect any of our recommended online marketplaces to feature direct lenders offering predatory rates like payday, auto title, and pawnshop loans.

Remember, these lenders charge higher interest rates to compensate for the increased risk of default by lending to borrowers with credit scores in the 300 to 580 range. Additionally, state usury laws limit the maximum interest rates lenders charge, which vary depending on where you live.

Note that cash advance apps charge 0% interest, but borrowing limits are barely enough to cover larger expenses. Plus, they need to be repaid in two to four weeks, whereas personal credit loans up to 35.99% APRs from FundsJoy and MoneyMutual allow you to pay it as far out as 60 months.

Fees. There are several types of expenses that we highly recommend not paying with a fast cash advance from an online lending network or even cash advance places. Outside of being unfair or deceptive, we are not big fans of origination or prepayment penalties. Origination fees are charged right under us to cover loan processing costs, but it only increases the total cost of a loan and has no value to the actual borrower.

We feel the same with prepayment penalties. To get cash advance, no one should be penalized for repaying their loan early, but lenders charge these fees to compensate for charging less interest over the life of the loan.

The only fees that are acceptable to us are late and insufficient funds fees. However, at most, late payment fees should be $39, a typical operating cost for banks.

Funding Speed. Our recommended online marketplaces offer same-day approval and next business day funding. When it comes to emergency expenses, every single day counts, especially for long-term debt that accrue interest by the day.

Transparency. Do not forget transparency regarding cash advance apps, cash advance loans, and bad credit personal loans from legit online marketplaces. Website disclaimers should indicate that the lending network in question is not a direct lender but an intermediary. Additionally, there should be fine print around states of operation and how your data may be shared with third parties who may advertise their loan products and services. Fortunately, opting out of these using separate forms is very easy.

Miscellaneous Perks. Unfortunately, online lending networks are not mainly known for customer service, as you'll often find no dedicated customer support numbers (except MoneyMutual) or hardship/forbearance options. This means they are not available in case of an emergency. However, we appreciate lending networks with helpful resources(e.g., MoneyMutual's blog articles) and testimonials from real world users that cite its speedy transactions and ease of use as reasons for positive feedback. Never underestimate the power of third-party reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take out a $500 cash advance with no credit check?

Yes, taking out $500 online cash advance loans with no credit check is effortless. 10% interest online cash advance after comes to mind is Earnin, which offers up to $100 per day or $750 per pay period. Almost all other options have maximum borrowing limits of $250.

Alternatively, you may want to borrow more than a $500 online cash advance, no credit check. In that case, you can wait a day to be funded with legit online cash advance opportunities from online marketplaces like FundsJoy and ZippyLoan. Although funds are not received in minutes like Earnin, borrowers enjoy higher borrowing limits and longer repayment terms, all in exchange for our next business day funding which is not a bad trade-off.

Does a cash advance actually work?

Yes, online cash advance loans are an excellent way to get quick emergency cash. However, 0% interest cash advance apps like Earnin and Brigit require that you download a smartphone app and link a bank account before submitting an advance request. From there, you can have same-day (e.g., Earnin's Lightning Speed) or free one to three business-day funding.

You may also take out online cash advances at legit online marketplaces like FundsJoy, which offers much higher borrowing limits and lengthier repayment terms. This is the better option for people with large expenses like a past due $900 automotive or a $2,000 water heater repair bill.

What are the best cash advance apps?

The best online cash advance apps are Earnin, Brigit, Chime, Dave, and MoneyLion. Each offers its unique advantages and disadvantages. For example, Earnin offers the highest borrowing limits possible, whereas Brigit offers extra perks like a credit Builder and identity theft protection tools for a modest $9.99 monthly membership fee.

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Conclusion

Are you facing a jaw-dropping $2,400 hospital bill? What about a smaller $210 bill from your electric company? Are all of these situations forcing you to type “borrow money” or “I need money now” into a Google search? Regardless of the type of expense, the best instant cash advance loans with no credit check from reputable online marketplaces like FundsJoy and 100Lenders are ready to fill the void, equipping bad credit borrowers with the quick cash they need to manage life's financial curve balls.

Disclaimer:

The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.