When it’s sunny, and the forecast calls for clear skies, carrying around an umbrella can feel unnecessary. But should an unexpected rainstorm suddenly materialize, most people would rather have an umbrella in their hand than be left scrambling for dry cover.
Cash advance apps are similar to umbrellas. We may think we don’t need them, but cash advance apps can be indispensable when life’s twists and turns require fast access to funds.
This list of the best cash advance apps available in 2024 will help you find the best app for you — whether you need a cash advance to pay for an emergency expense or wouldn’t mind a little extra spending money to enhance a special occasion.
MoneyLion
#1 Cash Advance App With No Monthly Fee
MoneyLion, founded in 2013, has a variety of financial tools designed for Americans seeking an alternative to traditional bank products.
MoneyLion offers a cash advance app to provide consumers with advances of up to $500. Users link their checking accounts to MoneyLion when applying for a cash advance. Customers with linked accounts showing consistent deposits can access higher cash advances.
Why We Love MoneyLion
It’s free to use MoneyLion’s cash advance app, allowing users to keep more money in their pockets. Users can transfer their cash advance funds to their linked checking accounts, and MoneyLion will deliver the advance within two to five business days.
Users have the option to pay a fee to unlock expedited cash delivery.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 104K
- Average Android rating: 4.5
- # iOS app reviews: 110K
- Average iOS rating: 4.7
EarnIn
#1 Cash Advance App for Customer Service
EarnIn allows employees to access the money they’ve earned before it arrives in their paycheck. Once EarnIn verifies an employee’s paycheck, employees can use its app to access up to $100 per day and $750 per pay period.
EarnIn doesn’t require individuals to have full-time employment to use its cash advance app, but users need to make at least $320 per pay period to use EarnIn.
Why We Love EarnIn
Consumers who haven’t used a cash advance app before, or even those who have, may have questions as they go through the process of signing up and accessing a cash advance.
EarnIn aims to answer customer questions as efficiently as possible. The company strives to respond to inquiries within 60 seconds, saving users time and frustration.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 226K
- Average Android rating: 4.6
- # iOS app reviews: 263K
- Average iOS rating: 4.7
Brigit
#1 Cash Advance App for Quick Delivery
Brigit’s core customers are individuals living paycheck to paycheck. The company understands that banking fees, such as overdraft fees, can make it difficult for consumers to save money and build their credit.
Brigit offers cash advances to help consumers avoid overdraft fees and access the cash they need to pay for emergencies or essential items, such as groceries and gas.
Why We Love Brigit
For those seeking a cash advance, time may be of the essence. Brigit provides an optional express delivery service to accommodate users seeking quick cash delivery.
Most users receive funds via Brigit’s express delivery service within 20 minutes.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 160K
- Average Android rating: 4.7
- # iOS app reviews: 262K
- Average iOS rating: 4.8
Empower
#1 Cash Advance App With No Interest
Empower provides cash advances based on a user’s banking transaction activity and, if applicable, their repayment history.
Empower supplied its community of users with more than $2 billion in 2023, and the company automatically withdraws repayments from a consumer’s linked account on their scheduled repayment date.
Why We Love Empower
Empower’s cash advances range from $10 to $250. Empower doesn’t charge interest fees on cash advances, allowing users to avoid expenses on outstanding cash advance balances.
Consumers who open a qualifying Empower debit card account are eligible to receive instant cash advances to their Empower account without paying any additional fees.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 128K
- Average Android rating: 4.7
- # iOS app reviews: 143K
- Average iOS rating: 4.8
Dave
#1 Cash Advance App for Charitable Giving
Dave’s mission is to make finances more accessible and provide customers with an alternative to paying overdraft fees. The company designed its app for the underdog, and, as with David’s triumph over Goliath, Dave believes the underdog can win.
Dave has helped its members avoid more than $2.5 billion in overdraft fees since 2017.
Why We Love Dave
Dave’s cash advance app helps individuals access cash efficiently and give back to those less fortunate in the process. The company offers members the opportunity to donate to charity when taking a cash advance.
Donations by Dave members have helped provide more than 108 million meals to local food banks through April 2023.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 503K
- Average Android rating: 4.3
- # iOS app reviews: 664K
- Average iOS rating: 4.8
Branch
#1 Cash Advance App for Financial Wellness
Branch enables employees to access up to 50% of their earned wages before their employer pays them. The company believes in responsible financial management and developed its wage access model to align with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s guidelines.
Branch users don’t have to set repayment reminders as the company automatically deducts an employee’s repayment total from their future paycheck(s).
Why We Love Branch
Branch’s focus extends beyond providing its customers with the cash they need. It also offers financial wellness tools to help consumers learn to budget and save more.
Branch’s free financial literacy content aims to guide consumers toward better financial health.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 30K
- Average Android rating: 4.4
- # iOS app reviews: 56K
- Average iOS rating: 4.7
SoLo Funds
#1 Cash Advance App for Community Financing
SoLo Funds, launched in 2018, helps underserved communities access financing. The company backs a community-financing model that allows members to borrow funds from one another.
Borrowers submit a request to borrow funds through the SoLo app. The borrower receives a notification when another SoLo member has agreed to lend the borrower their requested funds.
Why We Love Solo Funds
SoLo’s community-financing program allows members to set the terms of their requested loan. The borrower has the option to pay any tips or make any donations.
Securing funds through SoLo is a fast process. SoLo members typically receive their money within 20 minutes after requesting it through the SoLo app.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 13K
- Average Android rating: 4.2
- # iOS app reviews: 21K
- Average iOS rating: 4.4
Payactiv
#1 Cash Advance App for Convenience
Payactiv lets workers access their net earnings before their payday arrives. For each day an employee works, they can access up to 50% of their net earnings through the Payactiv app.
Any wages an employee accesses through Payactiv will appear as deductions on their paycheck.
Why We Love Payactiv
Payactiv prioritizes extending convenience to its customers. It offers workers numerous options to access their funds.
Borrowers can transfer their funds directly to their bank account or a third-party payment card, or they can load funds directly onto a Payactiv-issued card. Payactiv also allows borrowers to pick up their cash in person at Walmart locations across the U.S.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 24K
- Average Android rating: 4.4
- # iOS app reviews: 44K
- Average iOS rating: 4.8
FlexWage
#1 Cash Advance App for Earned Wage Access
FlexWage helps employees access a portion of their earned wages before their employer-scheduled payday. FlexWage loads borrowed funds on a FlexWage payment card. Employees can use the card anywhere that accepts MasterCard or Visa.
Employees who are interested in FlexWage must complete an enrollment form through their employer.
Why We Love FlexWage
FlexWage calculates an employee’s earned wages by interfacing directly with an employer’s payroll software. Employers are empowered to configure parameters that govern an employee’s access to funds, including the frequency and amount employees can borrow.
Employees get instant access to their borrowed funds, which they can also transfer to their bank account for free.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 133
- Average Android rating: 4.2
- # iOS app reviews: 735
- Average iOS rating: 4.8
Cleo
#1 Cash Advance App With No Credit Check
Cleo touts itself as a cash advance tool for people with bad credit. Depending on eligibility factors, it offers cash advances of up to $250.
Cleo doesn’t charge interest fees or require borrowers to submit payslips or make minimum recurring deposits.
Why We Love Cleo
Cleo doesn’t perform a hard or soft credit check when determining a prospective borrower’s eligibility to receive cash advances.
It determines eligibility through its algorithm, which analyzes users’ bank accounts and assesses their borrowing patterns, income, and spending habits.
Key Stats
- # Android app reviews: 58K
- Average Android rating: 4.0
- # iOS app reviews: 2K
- Average iOS rating: 4.7
Whether you’re facing an emergency that requires more cash than you have access to at the moment or you’d just like a little extra money in your pockets to get you through the weekend, cash advance apps allow you to secure financing quickly and inexpensively.
Companies offer a variety of cash advance options to suit a borrower’s needs. Find the cash advance app that fits your lifestyle, download it, and experience the relief and peace of mind cash advance apps can provide.