By Ben Luthi
Edited by Michelle Tipsword5 Paycheck Advance Apps to Help You Get Paid Early
Quick Answer
Some of the best paycheck advance apps can provide quick access to emergency cash. Our top picks to consider include Chime, MoneyLion, Earnin, Dave and Brigit.
Paycheck advance apps can help you out when you're in a pinch and payday is still days away. These apps allow you to access a portion of your earned wages before your next scheduled paycheck, helping you cover unexpected expenses without resorting to costly payday loans or overdraft fees.
That said, they only provide a short-term solution to financial challenges, and it's best to avoid relying on them regularly. Here are five popular paycheck advance apps and what they offer.
1. Chime
- Advance amount: Up to $200
- Fees: None (optional tips accepted)
- Funding time: Instant
- Repayment: Your next deposit
Chime's SpotMe feature works as a form of fee-free overdraft protection for Chime checking account holders. You can overdraw your account by up to $200 with no fees when you make a debit card purchase, credit card purchase, cash back transaction or ATM withdrawal.
Your SpotMe limit starts at $20 and can increase to $200 based on your account history, direct deposit frequency and spending activity. Members can also send and receive SpotMe Boosts, which temporarily increase your limit by $5.
To qualify for SpotMe, you need to receive qualifying direct deposits of $200 or more per month into your Chime checking account. The negative balance is automatically subtracted from your next deposit.
Note that Chime also offers Instant Loans, which allow you to borrow up to $500 and repay it over three months. However, these short-term loans come with a $5 fee per $100 borrowed.
2. MoneyLion
- Advance amount: Up to $500 (or up to $1,000 with a RoarMoney account)
- Fees: No mandatory fees for standard delivery; $0.49 to $8.99 for Turbo delivery
- Funding time: One to five business days with standard delivery, or within minutes with Turbo delivery
- Repayment: Automatic withdrawal on your repayment date (typically your next payday)
MoneyLion's Instacash feature allows you to get advances when you link an active checking account you've had for more than two months and shows a positive balance and regular deposits. Your initial limit may start as low as $10 to $50 and can increase over time based on your direct deposit history and account activity.
If you open a RoarMoney account (MoneyLion's checking account) and set up qualifying direct deposits, you can access higher advance limits of up to $1,000. RoarMoney account holders also receive faster standard funding times (one to two business days instead of three to five) and lower Turbo delivery fees.
Beyond cash advances, MoneyLion offers credit-builder loans, an investing platform, credit monitoring and other financial tools. The company also requests optional tips when you take an advance.
3. Earnin
- Advance amount: Up to $150 per day, with a maximum of $1,000 per pay period
- Fees: No mandatory fees (optional tips accepted); $3.99 to $5.99 for Lightning Speed transfers
- Funding time: One to two business days for standard transfers, or within 30 minutes with Lightning Speed
- Repayment: Automatic withdrawal on your next payday
Earnin offers one of the highest maximum advance amounts among paycheck advance apps. The Cash Out feature gives you access to wages you've already earned, up to $150 per day. When you first start using Earnin, your daily limit will likely start around $85 and can increase as you build a history with the app.
Earnin doesn't charge mandatory fees for standard transfers. Instead, the app operates on an optional tipping model, where you can choose to leave a tip or pay nothing at all. If you need funds faster, you can opt for Lightning Speed delivery for a fee ranging from $3.99 to $5.99, depending on your advance amount.
The app also offers Balance Shield, which provides automatic transfers of up to $100 to help prevent overdrafts, and free credit monitoring through your VantageScore® credit score.
4. Dave
- Advance amount: $25 to $500
- Fees: Up to $5 monthly membership fee; 1.5% express fee for external debit card transfers
- Funding time: Instant to a Dave account, within one hour with express delivery to external debit cards or within three business days for external checking accounts
- Repayment: Automatic withdrawal around your next payday
Dave's ExtraCash feature offers advances up to $500, though most users don't qualify for the maximum amount. Your limit is determined by factors including your direct deposit history and account activity.
To use ExtraCash, you must open a Dave checking account and an overdraft deposit account. Dave charges a monthly membership fee of up to $5, and if you want faster access to funds sent to an external debit card, you'll pay a 1.5% express fee.
5. Brigit
- Advance amount: $25 to $250
- Fees: $8.99 to $14.99 monthly subscription; express delivery is free for Premium members or $0.99 to $5.99 for Plus members
- Funding time: One to three business days for standard delivery, or within 20 minutes with express delivery
- Repayment: Automatic withdrawal on your selected repayment date (typically your next payday); can extend up to three business days before your initial due date
Brigit's Instant Cash feature provides advances from $25 to $250. To qualify, your checking account must have been active for at least 60 days, maintain a positive balance and show at least three recurring deposits from the same source.
Brigit assigns you a score between zero and 100 based on your bank account health, spending behavior and earnings profile. You need a score above 40 to qualify for advances. The app requires a monthly subscription fee of $8.99 for the Plus plan or $14.99 for the Premium plan, which includes free express delivery.
Brigit also offers budgeting tools, credit monitoring, identity theft protection and credit-builder loans.
Manage Your Finances
Compare checking accounts
Find a digital checking account with intro bonuses, low or no monthly fees and see current APY on checking.
Featured Account
FDIC Insured
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
- Build credit by paying bills like utilities, streaming services and rentø
- $50 bonus with direct deposit‡
- No monthly fees, no minimums‡
- Secure & FDIC insured up to $250,000§
- Zero liability for fraudulent purchases¶
- 55,000+ no-fee ATMs worldwide**
- Deposit cash at popular retailers#
- Live customer support 7 days a week
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Paycheck advance apps can provide a valuable safety net when unexpected expenses arise before payday. They're generally more affordable than payday loans and don't require credit checks, making them accessible to many people who might not qualify for traditional financing.
However, these apps are best used sparingly for true emergencies rather than as a regular financial tool. Frequent use can create a cycle where you're constantly advancing your next paycheck, leaving you short when payday actually arrives.
As you work to improve your financial situation, make sure to monitor your credit regularly. A free Experian account gives you access to your Experian credit report and FICO® ScoreΘ, along with tools like Experian Boost®ø that can potentially help you raise your credit score by getting credit for everyday bills.
What makes a good credit score?
Learn what it takes to achieve a good credit score. Review your FICO® Score for free and see what’s helping and hurting your score.
Get your FICO® ScoreNo credit card required
About the author
Ben Luthi
Ben Luthi has worked in financial planning, banking and auto finance, and writes about all aspects of money. His work has appeared in Time, Success, USA Today, Credit Karma, NerdWallet, Wirecutter and more.
Read more from Ben