When it comes to taking out a payday loan, there is no question that it can be beneficial if you need money in a hurry. You've probably seen payday loan stores or online ads for cash advances at some point in your life.
Whether you need money to cover an expense to avoid overdraft fees or just need access to money in a rush, these loan apps can help you get paid today. In this article, we will cover the most popular payday loan apps for iOS and Android.
Cash Advance Apps Like Albert for Instant Money
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Best for a mobile banking solution
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Best for all-in-one financial app
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Access up to $500 today
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Access up to $250 today
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MMG Rating:
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MMG Rating:
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Pros:
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- Access up to $500 without fees or interest
- 100% free, no monthly fees at all
- Mobile banking app with variety of services
- Rewards program and convenient features
- No physical locations
- Cash advances up to $250
- All-in-one app, banking, budgeting, saving
- Free trial for 30 days
- 30 day free-trial; $14.99/month after
- No physical locations
These cash advance apps that loan you money are all highly reviewed and legitimate. In a hurry? Here are the top loan apps for instant money.
- Best payday membership: MoneyLion
- Best for gig workers: Cleo
- Best for saving on overdraft fees: Brigit
- Best banking app: Chime
- Best option for instant money: Dave
1. MoneyLion: Best Payday Membership
This payday loan app packs a big punch with a plethora of features that can help you. MoneyLion provides you with access to 0% APR cash advances, low-interest personal loans, helps track spending and savings.
The app also provides financial advice to help you improve and control your financial life. It is no surprise that the MoneyLion community has over 2,000,000 members.
How MoneyLion works:
- Download the MoneyLion app and enroll in free MoneyLion Core. Receive your new black debit card in approximately 7 days.
- Fund your MoneyLion Checking account with an instant transfer, and then use it everywhere you go with no fear of hidden fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance fees!
- Add direct deposit of just $250 or more to your MoneyLion checking account to unlock instant 0% APR cash advances.
- Upgrade your membership to MoneyLion Plus to get any time access to a 5.99% APR credit-builder loan, $1 daily cashback, exclusive perks, and more.
Since this app has so many bells and whistles you can learn more in a comprehensive MoneyLion review that goes through each feature. MoneyLion is a wonderful choice for people who want to improve their financial situation, but cannot due to high-interest loan rates and many others. It helps them take control of their financial lives and improve their savings and can be downloaded for iOS or Android.
- The maximum advance is $250
- No interest. No monthly fee. No credit check
- Link your checking account to qualify for 0% APR cash advances
Where to get it?
2. Cleo: Best for Gig Workers
Cleo is your AI pal that looks after your money. Budget, save and track your spending. It’s available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
After downloading the app and signing up for a free account — ask Cleo anything from ‘what’s my balance’ to ‘can I afford a coffee’, and she’ll do the calculations instantly. Drill down with personalized updates, graphs, and data-driven insights.
Let Cleo do the work, as she puts your spare change aside automatically, sets you a budget, and helps you stick to it.
If you upgrade to Cleo Plus, you can qualify for getting spotted up to $100* to stop you from going into overdraft. This money is given to you interest-free and without a credit check, so they are literally spotting you $100.
You can still get a cash advance as a gig worker as they don't check W2s or require proof of employment.
Keep in mind that cash advance is available to Cleo Plus ($5.99/month) and Cleo Builder users ($15.99/month).
- Borrow up to $250 instantly with no credit check or interest
- Personalized tips on how you can save more
- Get help creating and sticking to a budget
- Costs $5.99 per month for Cleo Plus
Where to get it?
*First timers can usually qualify for $20 to $70 to start with. Once you pay it back you'll unlock higher amounts up to $100.
3. Brigit: Best for Saving on Overdraft Fees
With the Brigit app, you can get up to $250 with no interest or credit check quickly. It's easy and fast relief when you need it and helps you avoid low balances.
If you have a low balance in your checking account, Brigit will see that your balance isn't enough for upcoming expenses and send you up to $250 to cover your expenses. You can save hundreds by avoiding overdraft fees with this app.
How Brigit works:
- No red tape. No hoops. Connect your bank account and that’s it!
- Brigit works with thousands of banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, TD Bank, Chase, Navy Federal Credit Union and 15,000+ more.
- Get paid up to $250 instantly.
This is best for those users who keep low balances in banking accounts and are prone to overdraft. You can learn more here.
- Tap to get an advance within seconds
- Get up to $250
- No credit check is required and no interest
- Pay it back without hidden fees or “tips"
Where to get it?
4. Chime: Best Banking App
Chime is one of the best checking accounts we've reviewed and allows you to overdraw up to $200 on debit card purchases without charging a fee with SpotMe®.
If you set up a Chime account with direct deposit through them — you can get early access to your paycheck, up to 2 days earlier than some of your co-workers*.
Plus, they don't charge any overdraft fees, no foreign transaction fees, no minimum balance fees, or no monthly fees at all.
Top that off with 60,000+ fee-free ATMs at stores you love, like Walgreens, CVS, and 7-Eleven1.
This is the best app to get up to $200 spotted to you at any time. It's that simple.
- Experience fee-free overdraft up to $200* when you set up direct deposit with SpotMe.
- Let Chime spot you when you need that little extra cushion to cover an expense.
- Join the millions and make the switch today!
Where to get it?
5. Dave: Best Option for Instant Money
This friendly bear allows you to get up to $500 as an advance with no interest or credit check. With Dave, you can budget your upcoming expenses and be protected from bank fees for only $1/month. Dave can help you budget your personal expenses and avoid overdrafts with friendly announcements. Automatic payments for things like Netflix and insurance can make budgeting tricky, but he can help there too!
How Dave works:
- Instantly advance up to $500 from your next paycheck.
- No interest. No credit checks. Just pay your advance back on payday.
- Connect directly to your bank account to borrow money fast.
- Dave saves the average American an average of $500 a year.
Whether you’re hit by sudden expenses or need a little extra to make it to the next paycheck, Dave is here to help. Download Dave now for iOS or Android and to stay ahead of overdrafts and get a payday advance when you need it.
Where to get it?
- Meet the banking app on a mission to build products that level the financial playing field
- Get paid up to 2 days early, earn cash back with Dave Rewards, and get up to $500 with ExtraCash™ without paying interest or late fees
- Join millions of members building a better financial future
How to Pay Off Payday Loans Faster
Whether you use a payday advance app or get a traditional payday loan to access quick cash, here's what you need to know.
Payday loans are an expensive foray and the interest rates can really add up. So, how do you pay off payday loans quickly and start saving money? Here are some ideas.
- Find a way to boost your income. It goes without saying that it is easier to apply extra money to your payday loan when you have more money coming in. Whether you find a way to make more money at your current job or look for an additional job to supplement your income, increasing your earnings can help you pay off your loan much more quickly. You don't even have to look for a traditional job. For instance, you could raise extra money by selling some of your old items on a site like eBay. Applying this extra cash to your loan can help you pay it off much more quickly. Other activities such as blogging or affiliate marketing can help you add to your income over time. If you want, you can even look for a job that you can do in the evenings or on weekends.
- Make an extra payment whenever you have money. Anytime you get extra money, consider paying it to your loan. The longer you hold onto it, the more likely you are to spend it on something frivolous. Making small payments between your monthly payments can help you tackle your debt much more quickly. Of course, before you do this, you will need to check with the lender to make sure that there aren't any penalties for making extra payments. As long as you get the go-ahead, however, this can be a fast way to pay off your debt.
- Decide whether or not you should pay off your loan early. Some loans have a penalty if you pay them off early. Check the terms of your loan to see whether or not you will be charged extra money for paying it off ahead of time. If so, spend some time crunching the numbers to see whether it will cost you more to pay it off early or to pay interest over the life of the loan. That way, you can decide which option will save you the most money.
- Find a Guarantor. A traditional loan or even a guarantor loan is going to have a far lower interest rate than a payday loan. So, if you can find someone to be a guarantor you can take out this sort of loan at a lower rate, payback the payday loan and save on the high interest rates.
- Negotiate a lower rate with the lender. In some cases, lenders may be willing to offer you a lower interest rate. All that you have to do is ask. If you can convince a company that you are working hard to pay off your debt, they may be willing to work with you to make the process easier. You will be able to pay off your loan much faster if the interest rate is reduced.
- Consolidate. Consolidating your payday loans can be a smart way to cut down on your payday loan costs and help you cut down repayments. This sort of thing is especially useful if you have more than one loan or a loan that has run away in terms of interest.
- Tap into your life insurance. The primary advantage of payday loans is that you can get access to the money very quickly. This is extremely beneficial in emergency situations. Once the emergency has been dealt with, however, you can focus on finding ways to pay that money back. One option is to tap into your life insurance. Although this will decrease your payout in the future, it is usually a much better option than paying a ton of money in interest on a payday loan today. The interest rates on life insurance are exceptionally low, which is what makes this option a good choice.
- Consider borrowing from your retirement. If you have a 401(k), you may want to think about borrowing money to pay off your loan. Although you don't want to deplete your retirement account, borrowing a small amount to pay off payday loans might be a good idea since it can save you a lot of money.
- Work with the lender. If you are struggling to pay off payday loans, contact the lender to see if there is any way that they can help make the process easier. Let them know that you are dedicated to paying it off and that you have a plan in place. They may be willing to work with you to lower your interest or to charge fewer fees. It can't hurt to ask. The worst that they can do is say no. Most lenders will work with you if you let them know ahead of time that there might be a problem. Just be sure to contact the lender well in advance of your payment date so that there is time to come up with an alternate arrangement. The majority of lenders would much rather work with a customer to resolve the debt than have it go unpaid.
Need Financial Help?
Feeling financially overwhelmed? You're not alone. Financial stress may be unavoidable, but there are steps that you can take to help you prosper financially.
Do I have to mention that 50% of American households cannot afford an unexpected bill of $500 or more, or only 35% of credit cardholders pay off their balance each month?
Or do I need to let you know that missing a credit card payment, or maxing out your card, can lead to a reduction in your credit score, which means a more expensive lease agreement or personal loan agreement when going to borrow money?
Or do I mention that when most people earn more money, they simply upgrade what they have or attain another bill through another subscription, etc., meaning that the extra money that they have earned is negated?
So, regardless of earnings, the same result will always occur at the end of the month.
So given all these statistics how can you fair in the looming prospect of being financially successful?
Save first, then spend.
If you are feeling financially screwed you need to focus on money-saving ideas first. Pay yourself first. When I first heard this phrase, I actually thought, how do I pay myself? What with?
Then I realized that it does not really mean to pay yourself first, but save first and then spend.
At some point in time in our lives, the odds are is that we have been short of money. Whether it be at the grocery store, traveling, or being on vacation.
In that case, what did we do? We simply made smarter choices. You made do with some things and not others. Think about how your decisions changed when you were short of money.
When you know you have less money to spend, you make smarter choices, because you have to think about the best way to spend that money.
Each dollar has a value and you can only spend it once. I would recommend using that same mentality even when you aren't short on cash.
Savings is key.
When you get paid, I suggest putting 10% away immediately. You will soon get used to having less disposable income each month, but guess what, you will be making smarter decisions, which is a win-win.
(If for example you get paid $1,000 per month)
| Month | Month Amount | Cumulative |
| 1 | 100 | 100 |
| 2 | 100 | 200 |
| 3 | 100 | 300 |
| 4 | 100 | 400 |
| 5 | 100 | 500 |
| 6 | 100 | 600 |
| 7 | 100 | 700 |
| 8 | 100 | 800 |
| 9 | 100 | 900 |
| 10 | 100 | 1000 |
| 11 | 100 | 1100 |
| 12 | 100 | 1200 |
By the end of the year, you have a month’s salary in the bank, you no longer are one of the 50% “have not” statistics and you are making smarter choices each month. As you get paid more, you are able to save more and keep grinding and staying at it.
How to Save Your First $1,000
It's possible to save $1,000 this month — if you're having trouble saving, don't worry because I can show you how to save your first $1,000. If I can do it, you can too. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
Here's what I did to save my first $1,000 in 2 months.
Discipline
The first thing I learned when it came to saving $1,000 was that I had zero discipline. I would put money to the side and a day later find an excuse to spend it. It was like an addiction.
I had to spend something and did a ton of impulse buys. After some reflection, I realized that my issue with saving stemmed from not wanting to be without money (ironic; considering I always spent it).
I looked myself in the mirror and asked myself “how much can you live without?” I decided I would dedicate 10% of my weekly paycheck to my savings and keep the rest.
Get motivated
The first paycheck came and I saved $100. I was proud of myself. I occupied my mind with other ways to make money to keep from going into my savings. I read personal finance books that motivated me to reach my goal of saving $1,000 fast such as:
These books helped get me excited about saving money helped me stay on track with my savings plan. Needless to say, I was excited about the pay week to come. The second pay week came and I saved another $100. I now had $200 sitting in my savings account and my desire to spend it was getting less and less. I started to save like it was a game!
Live within your means.
A few more weeks passed and I now was realizing I didn't need much to get by. The kids had a strict budget. My girlfriend cut our date nights to once a month. Once you stop spending money, you realize how much you have!
I was now looking at $700 in my bank account. The next pay week came and I decided to go for the gusto. I had an extra $300 and I put it into my savings and just like that, I had $1,000. I had reached my goal of saving $1,000 fast!
You can do it.
I learned in that short 2-month span, I was capable of more than I give myself credit for. I had developed discipline financially, increased my knowledge by reading the best money books, and became a better provider because of it.
Being Financially Screwed is Not an Option
If you're having trouble saving, read this story and know I was just like you once, and if I can do it you can too. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Start today with these financial tips and be sure to use payday loan apps only when you really need it.
Once you learn how to save money, your savings are now there for a deposit on a house, a car, an unexpected vacation, further tuition, preparing for retirement or whatever priority comes your way.
Like any habit, the good habits are always the hardest to start – no sugar in your coffee etc., but with a little perseverance, you will reap the rewards. Once you get your savings in order, you can learn easy ways to make some extra cash online.
Apps Like Albert Can Help
When it comes to using payday loan apps, there is no question that it can be beneficial if you need money in a hurry. Most of these apps have no fees or interest. This is a radical change from the way the American financial system typically functions. If you only needed a couple hundred bucks to cover all of my bills then payday loan apps can help.
These apps sound way too good to be true but you will soon find they are all true to their mission statement since day 1 of using them.
- Best for cash advances: Empower
- Best payday membership: MoneyLion
- Best for gig workers: Cleo
- Best for saving on overdraft fees: Brigit
- Best banking app: Chime
- Best option for instant money: Dave
Disclosures
*Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each month. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member's Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime's discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won't cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Condition
^Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
1 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
