When your paycheck arrives, but unexpected bills show up first, it’s easy to feel stuck. According to MarketWatch, 57% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, so you’re definitely not alone.
That’s why instant cash advance apps like Empower have become so popular: they let you borrow money against your next pay cycle, often with same-day transfers straight into your bank account.
For people who need quick cash to cover groceries, gas, or small emergencies, these services can feel like a lifeline. But not all cash apps are created equal. Some charge monthly subscription fees, others rely on instant transfer fees, and the repayment terms are often tied directly to your pay period. Below, I’ll explore other cash advance apps—including MoneyLion, Dave, EarnIn, Brigit, and Chime—so you can see how they compare to Empower.
Key Takeaways
- Cash advance apps like Empower, MoneyLion, Dave, EarnIn, Brigit, and Chime can help cover small emergencies before your next paycheck.
- These apps usually tie repayment to your pay period and may charge monthly subscription fees, instant transfer fees, or both.
- BNPL apps like Sezzle offer a safer alternative with interest-free installments and flexible repayment plans.
- Apps like MoneyLion and EarnIn provide the highest advance amount—up to $1,000 with the right account setup and direct deposit.
- Relying too often on cash advance services can mimic the risks of traditional payday loans, so consider longer-term solutions.
MoneyLion: Higher Limits and Extra Features
MoneyLion’s Instacash program is one of the more generous, with higher advance limits than most competitors. Depending on your account type, you may be eligible for up to $1,000 in an advance amount. The app doesn’t require credit checks and encourages recurring direct deposit to unlock bigger limits.
- Pros: Higher maximum advances; optional financial tools like credit monitoring; no strict credit approval barrier.
- Cons: Instant transfer fees can add up if you want access right away; without direct deposit, the max limit is much smaller.
Dave: Mainstream and User-Friendly
Dave is one of the most recognizable payday loan apps, offering advances of up to $500. It charges a small monthly membership fee and often a per-advance cost. If you use a Dave checking account, you can avoid some of these charges, but sending money to external accounts usually triggers extra fees.
- Pros: Easy to set up; transparent terms; widely accepted by people who are new to other apps in this space.
- Cons: Multiple charges for larger advances; limited flexible payment plans; recent regulatory scrutiny over its borrowing costs.
EarnIn: Pay As You Go
EarnIn has built its reputation on flexible borrowing. You can access up to $1,000 each pay period (if you have an EarnIn deposit account), and instead of mandatory fees, the app asks for voluntary tips. If you need your money immediately, though, you’ll pay a few dollars depending on the size of the advance.
- Pros: Larger potential advances; tipping-based model keeps costs low for disciplined users.
- Cons: Instant transfer fees make “free” borrowing less realistic; without direct deposit, your limits remain small.
Brigit: Budgeting Tools Included
Brigit focuses on financial stability as much as lending. Advances range up to $250, and membership includes budgeting tools and protection features that can help users avoid overdraft fees. Unlike traditional payday loans, Brigit tries to frame itself as part of a long-term plan.
- Pros: Access to credit protection; extensions available if you can’t repay on time; useful extras like budgeting and credit monitoring.
- Cons: A required monthly membership fee; lower advance amount compared to competitors like MoneyLion.
Chime: Simple and Direct
Chime’s SpotMe service lets you access cash when your bank account balance dips too low, covering you until your next paycheck. While smaller than some other apps, it’s seamless for existing Chime users.
- Pros: No overdraft fees; funds arrive quickly; no monthly subscription fees.
- Cons: You must already bank with Chime; new users face strict advance amount limits at first.
The Risks of Cash Advance Apps
Cash advance services may be more consumer-friendly than traditional payday loans, but they aren’t risk-free. Most are designed for advances under $500, meant to be paid back by your next paycheck. If you rely on them too often, you can end up paying steep borrowing costs in the form of tips, subscription fees, or instant transfer fees.
Even without hard credit checks, some apps monitor your bank account closely and may pull funds automatically once your pay period hits. If you don’t plan carefully, you risk overdrawing, paying more fees, and falling into the same debt cycle these apps promise to help you avoid.
Safer Alternatives to Cash Advance
If you need more than a few hundred dollars or longer to repay, a personal loan may be a safer choice. It spreads repayment across months or years with predictable borrowing costs. Traditional credit cards are another option—yes, they carry interest, but they also offer fraud protection, rewards, and integrations with wallets like Google Pay.
And for purchases that don’t require cash at all?
Buy now, pay later services like Sezzle, Klarna, and Afterpay let you use flexible financing options such as interest-free installments and split payments without tipping, memberships, or short deadlines. Unlike payday-style apps, these services are built around planned online shopping, not last-minute survival.
Sezzle: Build Credit While You Shop
Sezzle isn’t a payday loan app at all; it’s a buy now, pay later service. Instead of pulling money before your next paycheck, it lets you split purchases into interest-free installments over time. Its Pay in 4 plan divides the cost into equal payments, with the first due at checkout. What makes Sezzle unique is Sezzle Up, which can report your on-time payments to credit bureaus, giving you a way to build credit responsibly.
- Pros: Flexible repayment plans (Pay in 2, Pay in 4, Pay Monthly); credit-building through Sezzle Up; no hard credit checks.
- Cons: Small fees for rescheduling or failed payments; initial advance amount limits are low until you establish a history.
Klarna: Flexible Plans and Rewards
Klarna has become one of the most popular BNPL apps, thanks to its variety of flexible payment plans. Shoppers can choose Pay in 4, Pay in 30, or longer-term monthly financing. For those who want more perks, Klarna also offers memberships that add cashback and discounts, making it more than just a way to access money quickly. While not perfect, it offers a safer alternative than relying on other cash advance apps.
- Pros: Multiple repayment structures; membership perks; can be used in online shopping or in-store purchases via Apple Pay.
- Cons: Spending limits can be unclear; long-term financing carries interest charges if balances aren’t paid on time.
Afterpay: Simple and Predictable
Afterpay is another BNPL service that avoids the pitfalls of traditional payday loans. Its system is straightforward: make an initial payment at checkout, then cover the balance with three more installments. As long as you pay on schedule, there are no fees, making it easy to plan around your pay period. Afterpay doesn’t build credit, but for pure simplicity, it’s one of the easiest tools to manage.
- Pros: Always free when on time; predictable payment dates; widely accepted by online retailers and through Google Pay or Apple Pay.
- Cons: No credit-building; late fees capped but still apply; advance amount starts low for new users.
Bottom Line
Other cash advance apps like MoneyLion, Dave, EarnIn, Brigit, and Chime can provide breathing room in emergencies, but they come with trade-offs: monthly membership fee structures, instant transfer fees, and strict ties to your pay period. Used occasionally, they can help when your paycheck arrives late or a bill catches you off guard. But they’re not a sustainable long-term plan.
If you find yourself using these apps regularly to borrow money, it may be time to rethink your approach. Exploring personal loans, traditional credit cards, or BNPL apps like Sezzle, Klarna, and Afterpay could give you more stability and fewer surprises than leaning on payday-style lending forever.
FAQs
It depends on your needs. Empower is popular, Chime keeps it simple, Dave is mainstream, Brigit adds budgeting tools, EarnIn offers daily access, and MoneyLion has higher limits.
Sezzle is generally better if you want a safer, more predictable way to shop. BNPL apps like Sezzle avoid the debt cycle that instant cash advance apps can create.
Most work similarly. Funds arrive instantly if you pay an instant transfer fee, or within 1–2 days for free. Empower, EarnIn, and MoneyLion are among the quickest.
MoneyLion and EarnIn stand out, each offering up to $1,000 in advances if you meet eligibility requirements like recurring direct deposit.
They’re safer than traditional payday loans, but still risky. For everyday purchases, BNPL apps like Sezzle are typically safer and easier to manage.
