Quick Comparison: Top 8 Cash Advance Apps
| App | Max Advance | Monthly Fee | Instant Fee | Funding Speed | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave | $500 | $1/month | $3–$15 | Instant or 3 days free | 4.7 |
| Earnin | $750/pay period | Free (tips optional) | $3.99 Lightning Speed | Instant or 1–2 days free | 4.6 |
| Brigit | $250 | $9.99/month (Plus) | Included in subscription | Instant (same day) | 4.4 |
| Albert | $250 | Free / $14.99 Genius | Included in Genius | Instant (Genius members) | 4.3 |
| Cleo | $250 | $5.99–$14.99/month | Included | Instant or 3–4 days | 4.2 |
| Empower | $250 | $8/month | Included | Instant | 4.1 |
| MoneyLion | $500 (Instacash) | Free / $19.99 Credit Builder+ | $0.49–$8.99 Turbo | Instant (Turbo) or 12–48h free | 4.3 |
| Klover | $200 | Free | $2.99–$14.99 or points | Instant or 1–3 days free | 4 |
In-Depth App Reviews
Dave
4.7Best Overall — Low Fees, Up to $500
$500
Max Advance
Monthly Fee
$1/month
Instant Deposit Fee
$3–$15
Funding Speed
Instant or 3 days free
Pros
- Up to $500 advance
- Only $1/month membership
- No interest charged
- Side hustle job board
Cons
- Requires direct deposit connection
- Instant deposit fee varies
- Must maintain ExtraCash checking account
Earnin
4.6Best for Hourly Workers — Access Earned Wages
$750/pay period
Max Advance
Monthly Fee
Free (tips optional)
Instant Deposit Fee
$3.99 Lightning Speed
Funding Speed
Instant or 1–2 days free
Pros
- No mandatory fees (tip-based)
- Up to $750 per pay period
- Balance Shield overdraft protection
- Tip What You Think is Fair
Cons
- Requires consistent hourly pay + timesheets
- GPS location tracking for hourly workers
- Tips can add up over time
Brigit
4.4Best for Financial Health Tools
$250
Max Advance
Monthly Fee
$9.99/month (Plus)
Instant Deposit Fee
Included in subscription
Funding Speed
Instant (same day)
Pros
- Auto-advance before overdraft
- Credit builder included
- Financial health scores
- Identity theft protection
Cons
- Highest monthly fee ($9.99)
- Only up to $250
- Requires bank connection + activity history
Albert
4.3Best All-in-One Financial App
$250
Max Advance
Monthly Fee
Free / $14.99 Genius
Instant Deposit Fee
Included in Genius
Funding Speed
Instant (Genius members)
Pros
- Combines banking, investing, and cash advances
- Human financial advisors (Genius)
- Up to $250 advance
- No interest
Cons
- Limited advance amount ($250)
- Best features require paid Genius tier
- Newer platform
Cleo
4.2Best for Budgeting + Advance Combo
$250
Max Advance
Monthly Fee
$5.99–$14.99/month
Instant Deposit Fee
Included
Funding Speed
Instant or 3–4 days
Pros
- AI-powered budgeting assistant
- Cash advance + credit builder
- Roast mode for spending insights
- Fun engaging UX
Cons
- Up to $250 only
- Monthly subscription required for advances
- Credit builder is separate product
Empower
4.1Best for Quick Approval Speed
$250
Max Advance
Monthly Fee
$8/month
Instant Deposit Fee
Included
Funding Speed
Instant
Pros
- Instant approval and funding
- No tip required
- No interest or late fees
- Up to $250
Cons
- $8/month fee
- Limited to $250
- Requires Empower checking account after first advance
MoneyLion
4.3Best for Highest Advance Limit
$500 (Instacash)
Max Advance
Monthly Fee
Free / $19.99 Credit Builder+
Instant Deposit Fee
$0.49–$8.99 Turbo
Funding Speed
Instant (Turbo) or 12–48h free
Pros
- Up to $500 Instacash with no tip required
- Credit builder loan included
- Crypto investing features
- No mandatory fee
Cons
- $500 limit only for RoarMoney account holders
- Turbo fee required for instant
- Complex product ecosystem
Klover
4Best Truly Free App (Ad-Supported)
$200
Max Advance
Monthly Fee
Free
Instant Deposit Fee
$2.99–$14.99 or points
Funding Speed
Instant or 1–3 days free
Pros
- No subscription fee
- Earn points to pay for instant delivery
- Financial health dashboard
- No interest
Cons
- Only up to $200
- Earn points by watching ads / sharing data
- Limited bank compatibility
Need More Than $500? Apps Can't Help.
Cash advance apps are limited to $100–$750 and require you to be employed with direct deposit. For emergency cash of $500–$5,000, PrimeLendings connects you with licensed lenders in your state — instant decision, same-day deposit, all credit types welcome.
Max Amount
Apps: Up to $750
PrimeLendings: Up to $5,000
APR
Apps: 0% (but has fees)
PrimeLendings: Disclosed upfront
Employment Req.
Apps: Required (direct deposit)
PrimeLendings: Any income source
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cash advance app?
The best cash advance app depends on your needs: Dave is best for low-fee advances up to $500. Earnin is best for hourly workers who want to access earned wages. Brigit is best for those who want financial health tools alongside advances. For larger amounts ($500–$5,000), a direct online lender like PrimeLendings offers more funding with instant decisions.
Which cash advance app gives the most money instantly?
For cash advance apps, MoneyLion offers up to $500 Instacash, Albert can advance up to $250, and Dave advances up to $500. For larger amounts, PrimeLendings connects you with licensed lenders who can fund $500–$5,000 same day or next business day — far more than any cash advance app.
Are cash advance apps free?
Most cash advance apps charge either a monthly subscription ($1–$14.99/month) or an optional express fee for instant deposit ($1.99–$9.99 per advance). Earnin is tip-based (pay what you want). Klover is ad-supported. Standard delivery (2–3 business days) is usually free; instant delivery costs extra.
What is the difference between a cash advance app and a payday loan?
Cash advance apps advance wages you have already earned (typically $100–$500) with no interest. Payday loans are new debt with fees/interest ($100–$1,500). Apps require you to have a job with direct deposit. Payday loans only require income verification. For amounts over $500, a licensed online lender is better than either option.
Can I get a cash advance app with bad credit?
Yes. All major cash advance apps (Dave, Earnin, Brigit, Albert, etc.) do not check your credit score. They approve you based on your paycheck history and bank account activity. However, their advance limits are capped at $100–$500. For larger amounts with bad credit, PrimeLendings offers installment loans with no hard credit pull.