Written by: Adam West
Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro
There are apps for contacting loved ones, losing weight, and finding a nearby movie theater — but what about apps for instant money?
Sure, those other apps may give you a brief spark of joy or entertainment. But those feelings won’t pay the bills. We’ve researched the best apps available to apply for an instant personal loan or get a short-term paycheck advance loan.
It turns out that you can qualify for a loan in a matter of minutes — even if you have bad credit — and have money in your bank account very quickly. Here are our favorites.
Personal Loan Networks For Instant Money
You can quickly apply for an instant personal loan through an online lending network and receive a direct deposit of your cash loan into a linked bank account by the next business day. The entire process can take an hour or less to complete, and qualified borrowers may receive more than one loan offer to choose from.
While this isn’t free money — your monthly payment will include interest fees — these networks provide an affordable way to get quick cash, even if you have bad credit.
1. MoneyMutual
- Short-term loans up to $5,000
- Online marketplace of lenders
- Funds available in as few as 24 hours
- Simple online form takes less than 5 minutes
- Trusted by more than 2 million customers
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
MoneyMutual makes it easy to apply for a loan because it sends your loan request to several lenders at once. Within minutes, you could receive multiple loan offers via email. These short-term loan offers will deposit money in your checking account or another bank account within one business day.
Your instant cash loan offer will detail every fee the loan charges. You may get an offer for a personal loan or a payday advance loan, depending on your creditworthiness and where you live.
2. CashUSA.com
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Receive a loan decision in minutes
- Get funds directly to your bank account
- Use the loan for any purpose
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
CashUSA provides an easy way to get fast cash without charging oppressive fees. The lenders that partner with this personal loan network consider applications from all consumers and won’t deny you just because you have a bad credit score.
Qualified applicants can use this personal loan app to get money by the next business day. Some lenders on the network can offer instant cash loans for an additional fee. This service deposits money in your bank account right away, so you can instantly withdraw it at an ATM or spend it using your debit card.
- Quick loans up to $5,000 as soon as tomorrow
- Submit one form, get multiple options
- All credit ratings welcome — good or bad
- Requires a checking account and $800 minimum monthly income to apply
- No collateral or cosigner required
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250 to $5,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
You can use InstallmentLoans.com to quickly apply for a personal loan via your mobile device. The application process takes less than five minutes to complete, and you’ll receive a credit decision within minutes.
This network partners with multiple types of lenders, which means you’ll increase your odds of loan approval because you’ll be applying for various loan types at once.
- Loans from $250 to $5,000
- Cash deposited directly into your account
- Get money as soon as tomorrow
- Bad credit OK
- More than 750,000 customers since 1998
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250 to $5,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
CreditLoan.com can provide you with speedy cash through its website that you can access through your desktop or mobile device. Each loan offer will contain its own loan amount, interest rate, loan term, and monthly payment, so be sure to study them carefully.
Lenders will consider applicants who have a bad credit score and will direct deposit the loan proceeds within one business day after being approved.
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Get connected with a lender
- Simple form & quick funding
- Get your money as soon as next the business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 3 to 60 Months | See representative example |
Bad Credit Loans claims that it can often find a personal loan or payday advance loan for consumers who can’t find loans elsewhere. And you can use the proceeds of your personal loan in any way you choose.
This is a great way to consolidate credit card debt, fund a large purchase, or pay for emergency expenses. And since you’ll repay your debt through a series of monthly payments, you don’t need to repay the debt right away as you would with a payday loan.
- Loans from $250 to $35,000
- Large lender network
- Fast loan decision
- Use the loan for any purpose
- Funding as soon as one business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250 to $35,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
PersonalLoans.com has a dedicated lender network that specializes in bad credit score loans. This means your application will only go to lenders that are eager to quickly approve you, meaning you can get fast cash in your checking account within one business day after approval.
Although this network considers loan applications of up to $35,000, the bad credit loan network caps its loan offers at $10,000.
- Short-term loan of $100 to $1,000
- Large network of lenders
- Loan decision as fast as a few minutes
- Funding as soon as the next business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 to $1,000 | 200% – 2,290% | Varies | See representative example |
But unlike a local payday lender, this pay advance service can connect you with multiple lenders at once, which means you’ll have a better chance at finding a competitive interest rate and loan terms that meet your needs.
CashAdvance.com is a payday advance service that offers payday loan options for consumers who may not otherwise qualify for a traditional personal loan. A paycheck advance loan requires repayment in full — usually within seven to 30 days — and will charge a very high interest rate.
Cash Advance Apps For Instant Money
Each cash advance app listed below requires you to link the app to a checking account that receives direct deposits of your paychecks or government benefits checks. The apps analyze your banking information to offer you a small cash advance loan until your next check arrives.
The instant loan app will then deduct the amount of the loan from your next check. Most payment apps are free to use and don’t charge interest, making them an affordable option for a quick loan.
8. Dave
Dave has an unassuming name, but millions of consumers have downloaded this banking app to take advantage of speedy cash loans for account holders.
You can receive a direct deposit of your paychecks via the app’s Cash Account feature and unlock the ability to borrow up to a $100 cash advance without fees or hidden charges.
9. Earnin
With the Earnin app, you can link your external bank account and electronic timesheet at work to track your hours and earnings.
This payday advance app uses your banking information to determine your eligibility for a short-term, quick cash loan. The app limits new users to no more than $100 in loans each pay period. Over time, you can earn an increase to as much as $500 per loan.
10. Possible
Possible doesn’t require a credit check for approval, but this pay advance app requires access to your work history and paycheck stubs to determine loan eligibility.
After signing up for an account, you can apply for a loan of up to $500, with the entire amount, plus any associated fees, due on your next payday.
11. Even
Even claims that its users have saved more than $100 in overdraft fees and interest charges by taking advantage of the payday advance app’s Instapay feature.
Instapay lets employees of companies that partner with Even access their earnings before payday. They can do this by withdrawing a small cash advance loan at no additional cost. Be aware, though, that some partner companies charge employees for the payday advance feature.
12. Brigit
The Brigit mobile app requires you to link your checking account to qualify for fee-free cash advance loans of up to $250.
The app will use your direct deposit history to determine your regular earnings and loan eligibility. If you qualify, the app will deduct your loan amount from your bank account when your next paycheck arrives.
What Is a Cash Advance App?
A cash advance app is a web-based program available on your desktop or mobile device that allows you to apply for a loan.
You can apply for personal loans or short-term cash advance loans, depending on which service you use. The online personal loan networks listed above submit your single loan request to their partner lenders. Requesting a loan won’t affect your credit score and may result in multiple loan offers to choose from.
A personal loan allows you to repay your debt over a series of monthly payments. In comparison, a cash advance loan will deduct your entire loan amount from your bank account when you receive your next paycheck.
The cash advance apps listed above limit the amount you can borrow to between $100 and $500. At least one cash advance app requires you to maintain a bank account with the service and receive direct deposits, which isn’t ideal if you’re not looking to switch banks.
Other apps allow you to link an external bank account and an electronic work timesheet (if required) so they can see your earnings and determine loan eligibility.
How Can I Apply For an Online Loan?
The application process differs for a personal loan and cash advance app. Let’s take a look at the differences and similarities between the two.
You can apply for a personal loan through one of the networks listed above in five minutes or less. This short loan request form won’t harm your credit score because it uses a soft credit pull to access a modified version of your credit report.
The network sends your loan request to every lender it partners with. Within a matter of seconds — at any time of the day or night — each lender can render a credit decision based on your credit history and return with an instant loan offer. You will receive an email from the lending network shortly after submitting your loan request with the loan offers for which you qualify.
Once you choose a loan that works for you, the network will transfer you to the lender’s official website.
On the lender’s website, you’ll undergo a full credit check and complete your loan agreement. The lender will then sign off on your loan and wire the money to your bank account. You’ll have access to the funds within one business day, and you will make your monthly payment directly to the lender — not to the network.
The cash advance apps listed above all have varying ways to apply for a loan. Some will require you to maintain a bank account with the app where you receive your regular direct deposit paychecks. This allows the app to determine how much you make and the loan amount you qualify for.
Other apps may allow you to link your external bank account that receives direct deposits. By accessing your deposit information, the lender can approve or deny your loan request.
Most cash advance apps have a quick loan request process that takes less than five minutes to complete. Once you’re approved, the cash app will deposit your loan of between $100 and $500 (different apps have different loan maximums) to your bank account. The funds will arrive within one business day, but you can pay an additional fee to receive the money instantly.
The app will then deduct your loan amount directly from your bank account on the day your next check is deposited. These loans require repayment in one lump sum — not through a series of payments as with a personal loan.
Is a Personal Loan Better Than a Cash Advance?
This depends on the amount of money you need and how soon you can pay it back. The cash advance apps listed above will consider loan applications for between $100 and $500 — with full repayment due on your next payday.
These aren’t large loans and are designed to bridge the gap between your next payday. Unlike other high-interest cash advance loans, these charge minimal fees or no fee at all. They also don’t require a credit check for approval.
But if you need a large loan or more time to repay your debt, a personal loan is the way to go. You can borrow as much as $10,000 with a personal loan and have as long as 72 months (six years) to satisfy your debt. Your monthly payment will depend on your loan amount and the lender you’re working with.
Another perk of a personal loan is that your lender will report your monthly payment and loan amount to at least one credit bureau. Paying your loan on time each month can help you build or rebuild your credit score. Cash advance loans usually don’t report payments to the credit bureaus.
Research the Best Apps For Instant Money Online
We have you covered with the best apps for instant money — whether you’re looking for a large, long-term personal loan or an instant cash loan to get you to your next paycheck.
Either loan type will give you the cash you need without judging you for having bad credit. But you can use your monthly payment history to improve your credit score with a personal loan, which can help you qualify for a larger and less expensive loan in the future.
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