Almost 60% of Americans still live paycheck to paycheck, and 34% like early access to their paychecks to handle expenses. That’s where apps like Dave, also known as cash advance apps, come in as lifesavers as they help you access funds during a financial emergency.

While Dave remains one of the most well-known cash advance apps, it’s not the sole option. Several other apps, similar to Dave, empower you with enhanced financial control and the flexibility to access cash in emergencies.

12 Apps Like Dave For Cash Advance and Payday Loans

Get payday loans using apps like dave — Image Credits: Adobe Stock

EarnIn

Formerly known as Activhours, Earnin is an excellent alternative for Dave as it offers a higher limit and does not require a subscription fee. Instead of a fee, it works on a tipping method where you can tip up to $14 per withdrawal.

The app allows you to withdraw some of your earned but unpaid wages based on the hours worked. You must link your bank accounts and employment info to the app to understand your pay schedule.

There are three ways to add your earnings:

An electronic or printed timesheet
Your employer-provided work email address
Automatically, with their GPS earnings feature, if you work from a fixed work location

At a glance:

Advance up to $750 per pay period, $100 per day.
You can get the advance in 1-2 days, depending on your bank.
It involves a lightning processing fee of up to $5 if you want to cash in minutes.
It has a balance shield feature where Earnin will deposit $100 automatically if your checking account balance gets low.
Earnin will automatically deduct the advance amount once your paycheck is credited to your bank account.

Empower:

The next-best alternative is Empower. It gives you a cash advance of up to $250 with no credit checks, interest, or late fees. The app also offers a checking account with a free ATM or debit card.

But there is a catch: to be eligible for cash advances, you must make direct deposits to your Empower checking account. It also offers free budgeting tools like monthly expenditure reports, financial recommendations, etc.

At a glance:

Cash advance up to $250 with 1-2 day standard delivery.
Instant delivery is available at a fee
It has a subscription fee of $8 monthly with a 14-day trial period.
Offers a debit card with no overdraft fees and 10% cashback.
No charge is levied for cash advances received through Empower checking accounts, but Empower charges $3 per transfer for other banks.
You can access your paycheck up to 2 days early with Empower’s Early Paycheck feature.

Brigit:

Brigit is one of the best cash advance apps, offering its users the dual advantage of cash advances up to $250 and credit-building features. The app has three types of plans: free, plus, and premium.

The free app version only offers users new side gigs and financial advice, while the Plus and Premium features offer cash advances and many other features.

Brigit works on a subscription model where its Plus users are charged $9.99 and Premium users are charged $14.99 monthly. Moreover, you can schedule your repayment date to suit your budgeting plan.

At a glance:

Get up to $250 as a cash advance with no credit check or interest applicable.
Must have a checking account that has been live for over 60 days with a balance above $0.
At least there must have been three paychecks deposited from the same source.
You can build your credit using Brigit and earn credits that can help with extensions of the due date.
The app has a list of side gigs for that second source of income and also gives access to offers and discounts at its partner stores.
Offers overdraft and identity theft protection.

MoneyLion:

A multi-faceted cash advance app is the best way to describe the MoneyLion app. It offers up to a $500 cash advance, similar to apps like Dave. If you have an external bank account, it may take up to a few days to access your cash advances, but with the MoneyLion’s Roar account, you can get the funds quicker within a day or two. They also offer a “Turbo” payment option that transfers funds within minutes for an additional fee.

At a glance:

The cash advance feature works on an incremental model based on the deposit pattern of your checking account.
Using an external checking account, you can borrow up to $500 as cash advances.
If you opt for MoneyLion’s RoarMoney account, you can get cash advances as high as $1000.
The basic subscription costs $1 monthly, while the Credit Builder Plus membership costs around $20.
You can also postpone your repayment schedule and have no additional mandatory fees.
It also provides avenues for investment based on risk tolerance and investment goals.

Albert:

Albert offers a spot and cash advance feature to its users. You can request a cash advance up to 3 times per pay period, and the total cannot exceed $250. The app charges no interest or late fees and does not initiate credit checks. The funds will be transferred within 2–3 days if you are going for the cash advance feature. But if it is a spot, the credit line is available instantly.

At a glance:

It comes with a hefty monthly subscription fee of $14.99.
To be eligible for the $250 cash advance, you must have a healthy checking account that has been active for two months or more.
You also need to have a consistent income record from the same employer.
You can sign up for an Albert Cash account to get instant cash advances and early access to your paycheck.

Axos:

Axos stands out from typical cash advance apps like Dave by prioritizing early access to user paychecks instead of offering cash advances. Axos’s Direct Deposit Express service disburses funds promptly once the employer deposits the paycheck before the usual clearing period. This mechanism implies that Axos forwards the money to you before your paycheck officially clears, effectively holding those funds once the deposit is processed.

At a glance:

It comes with no monthly fees.
It does not come with a cash advance feature but gives you early access to your paycheck.
You need to set up a direct deposit account with $50 as account set-up expenses.
It offers 1% cashback for all transactions.

cash advance from paycheck — Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Chime’s Spot Me:

Chime’s Spot Me is not exactly a cash advance app but more of a feature offered to Chime savings account holders. It is completely free to use and is devoid of zero maintenance fees, transaction fees, minimum balance fees, or any other hidden fees. Chime offers up to a $200 overdraft on its debit card purchases. Also, just like Empower, it offers early access to your paycheck.

At a glance:

The Chime Spot Me limits begin at $20, but you can increase them to $200 with a good history.
You will need a checking account connected to your active Chime debit card.
A deposit of $200 or more must have been made within the last 31 days before requesting the spot-me feature.

Varo:

Varo provides cash advances through their ” Varo Advance ” feature,” offering $250 to $500 based on a flat fee model. The fee varies depending on the amount of the cash advance you require. Users must have an active checking account with Varo for more than 30 days to utilize this feature. Additionally, Varo offers a range of banking features without imposing monthly maintenance or overdraft fees.

At a glance:

Upon establishing direct deposit with Varo, you benefit from accessing your paychecks and tax refunds two days early.
However, to qualify for this perk, you must maintain a minimum of $1,000 in eligible direct deposits.
While you receive instant access to funds, it’s important to note that the fee for each cash advance request is relatively high.

One@Work (Formerly Even):

One@Work (Formerly Even) stands out as an excellent cash advance app, often used by specific employers to provide their employees early access to their earned wages. Your eligibility for a cash advance through this app is directly tied to your salary, meaning a higher paycheck allows for a more significant cash advance. The app offers two modes for accessing cash advances: transfer funds directly to your bank account or pick up cash from a Walmart Money Center.

At a glance:

This employer-centric cash advance app enables you to borrow up to 50% of your paycheck.
Additionally, you may qualify for cashback offers at Walmart and benefit from overdraft protection.
The app includes budgeting tools and notifications for upcoming bills.
Typically, the app requires a monthly subscription fee, often partially or fully covered by the employer.

PayActiv:

Payactiv is an employer-centric cash advance app and a digital wallet accessible to individual users. Geared towards employers aiming to offer early wage access to their employees, it also extends its services to individuals regardless of their employer’s participation. When your employer isn’t affiliated with Payactiv, you can enroll for the PayActiv debit card, enabling you to access your paycheck up to two days earlier.

At a glance:

Since Payactiv is predominantly employer-backed, the employer sets the cash advance limit.
The app imposes a fee of under $3 for instant fund transfers.
Bank transfers typically require 1-2 days for processing. Another option is to collect cash from nearby Walmart Money Centers.
Additionally, Payactiv provides financial literacy resources and access to certified financial counselors.

Daily Pay:

If you seek an app like Dave that helps manage urgent financial needs without adding hefty fees, then DailyPay is a good alternative. However, like Payactiv, DailyPay’s availability depends on whether your employer has signed up for its service. It offers earned wage access, allowing employees to access their earnings right from the very first day. The app offers both standard and instant transfer options to its users.

At a glance:

You can only use DailyPay only if your employer has partnered with them.
You can access your wage from day one, as the app displays how much funds you can access from the day’s wage.
The app has a $3.49 transfer fee for instant access to funds.
It offers financial and budgeting tools.

Branch:

Branch provides cash advances based on earned wage access and operates as an employer-backed service. You can access up to 50% of your paycheck or a predetermined amount set by your employer. It is a digital wallet for storing or transferring your cash advance to your checking account. Additionally, it offers cashback and rewards for expenses such as gas, groceries, and food.

At a glance:

You can get up to 50% of your paycheck.
A standard transfer to a bank account takes up to 3 days to process.
It offers a digital wallet and a physical Branch debit card.
You can also get your daily tips and mileage expenses via the digital wallet.
There are no credit checks, overdrafts, or maintenance fees involved.

What Are Cash Advance Apps?

Cash advance apps, also called paycheck or payday loan apps, offering the convenience of borrowing against your paycheck before it’s due. With these apps, you can access anywhere from $100 to $500 in advance, which is then automatically deducted from your paycheck once it’s issued.

While these apps typically don’t charge interest on the borrowed amount, they impose fees such as subscription fees, tipping, or express funding fees, especially if you urgently need funds.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of using these apps:

Pros:

Instant access to funds
No interest or late payment fees are involved.
Doesn’t require the traditional credit check.
A better alternative to traditional loans

Cons:

Requires a subscription to use or might require tipping once you have availed of the service.
An express funding fee will be applicable in some cases.
You can only borrow small amounts.
A physical work location or checking account with a direct deposit must sometimes be borrowed.

Things To Keep In Mind While Using Apps Like Dave

Key considerations when evaluating cash advance apps, such as Dave, include:

Processing Time: Assess the speed of cash disbursement and associated fees.
Loan Amount: Review the maximum loan limit before registering with the lender.
Repayment Terms: Check for flexibility in repayment schedules, as some apps offer next-day repayment.
Fees: Understand the fee structure for app usage and cash transfers.
Availability: Confirm whether the app caters to the general public or specific employers.
Features: Compare app features and select the most suitable option.

Final Thoughts On Cash Apps Like Dave

Cash advance apps are a relatively new concept yet to be explored for its benefits and risks. At the same time, they can be helpful if you are facing an emergency financial situation and need access to a quick cash spot.