Apps Like Dave: 10 Instant Cash Alternatives

Sometimes, you just need a little extra cash. Whatever the reason, you can get short-term help. And it’s never been easier with instant cash apps like Dave.

While it’s not free money (though tell me if you find that app), cash advance apps like Dave can give you a quick cash infusion, and you can often get it without penalties so long as you pay the money back, typically from your next paycheck.

However, Dave isn’t the only option or even necessarily the best option for you. You need to know the differences between apps to make the best choice between payday loan apps like Dave.

Here is an overview of ten apps like Dave:

Apps Like Dave: Top 10 Alternatives

App	Loan amount	Processing time
Chime SpotMe	Up to $200	Same-day
Varo	Up to $250	Immediately
Empower	Up to $250	Within 1 day, within 2 hours for a fee of $1-$8
EarnIn	Up to $750 per pay period	1-2 business days, within minutes for a fee of up to $4.99
MoneyLion	Up to $500	Minutes for an express fee of up to $8.99; 1-5 days for free
Brigit	Up to $250	20 minutes for an express fee, 1-3 days for free
One@Work (Formerly Even)	Up to 50% of your paycheck	Instant, may vary
Albert	Up to $250	In minutes for $6.99, 2-3 days for free
Axos	Paycheck-dependent	N/A
PayActiv	Up to 50% of your earned wages; Up to $1000 in some conditions	Instant, or up to 48 hours

Cash Advance Apps Like Dave: The Bottom Line

If you need a bit of cash quickly and know you’ll be able to repay a small loan quickly, then money-borrow apps like Dave can be a good way to solve your immediate problem.

However, when used poorly, these apps can become a huge problem and even predatory, damaging your credit and cash flow in the long term.

The best option among instant cash apps like Dave will be the one you qualify for and can use as part of your daily life.

Our top pick is Empower  — we’ll explain why later on in the post.

But to help you make your own decision, we’ll offer an overview of ten apps like Dave that can help you bridge the gap between now and your next payday when the need arises.

What is the Dave App?

The Dave app is not just some guy named Dave loaning you money. It’s a personal finance app that provides information and tools to help people manage their money.

Dave is known for its ExtraCash™ feature, which effectively provides users with a short-term loan of up to $500, depending on your income, credit score, and other factors.

(Important note: You need a Dave checking account set up to use The Dave App in this way.)

After setting up an account with Dave, you can access the feature. Without performing a credit check or charging interest, it will provide you with a loan of up to $500 until your next payday or the nearest Friday.

Note that while you can get funds the same day, there is a fee of up to $14. A free advance can take up to three days. Additionally, users must set up a checking account with Dave to use the ExtraCash™ feature. There is also a subscription fee of $1 a month.

You should also know that while you can borrow up to $500, this is not guaranteed. Typically, a first-time borrower will only be able to borrow a little, typically a few hundred dollars at most. After you use Dave for a while, you’ll likely be able to borrow more.

When to Use Apps Like Dave

Life throws you curveballs sometimes. It might be an unexpected vet bill or expense. Or maybe your checks got mismanaged and now you’re in danger of an overdraft.

You use Dave or apps like it to help you escape that tight spot. In any case, that small little thing or minor emergency that needs to get done today? Dave and apps like it might be able to help.

Most people will use the Dave app to get an advance for minor rent shortfalls and groceries.

You should not use money-borrow apps like Dave, however, to try and supplement your income, or if you aren’t sure you’ll be able to pay back the difference in your debt over a short period.

This is a short-term loan on the shortest of terms. Think of it as a safety net against an overdraft or a very unexpected expense.

Instant Cash Apps Like Dave

Sure, we’ve talked about Dave, but there are other payday loan apps like Dave, some with equally interesting names.

Here are ten instant cash apps like Dave to consider:

1. Chime SpotMe

• Loan amount: Up to $200
• Processing time: Same Day
• Repayment date: Date of your next paycheck

Chime SpotMe is less of an instant cash app or loan provider and more of an extra layer of overdraft protection for specific users.

It doesn’t allow you to get a cash advance, but it does provide overdraft protection of up to $200, though it will likely start at about $20.

However, this protection will only be through your Chime debit card/checking account.

If you’re looking for an app like Dave from which you can get a cash advance, this isn’t it. If you want to avoid fees during a tough time, you have the right app.

2. Varo

• Loan amount: Up to $250
• Processing time: Immediately
• Repayment date: Within 30 days

Varo advertises you can get up to a $250 advance from them. To use Varo in this way, you need to have an active Varo Bank account, have direct deposits set up (and have received direct deposits), and qualify via other methods. This can take a bit of time to set up.

Once you qualify, however, you can get your money quickly (for a flat fee), without extra hassle. Varo is an excellent option if you’re willing to work with Varo as your bank and financial services provider, and there are plenty of reasons to do so.

Other features:

• No credit checks or hidden charges are involved
• A straightforward and easy-to-understand arrangement

3. Empower

• Loan amount: Up to $250
• Processing time: Within 1 day, within 2 hours for a fee of $1-$8
• Repayment date: A predetermined due date

You might have heard about Empower from their other financial products and services offerings. Still, they are among the cash advance apps like Dave providing qualifying users a cash advance of up to $250.

Users will need to use the Empower App and connect a checking account where they receive regular deposits.

While all fees are optional, one must email customer support and talk with them to cancel the $8 subscription fee to use the app.

Empower also provides other services such as budgeting assistance, credit score monitoring, etc. It is a great overall financial services app and can benefit users greatly.

Other features:

• Gig workers and freelancers might qualify
• Users are refunded if the app causes an overdraft fee
• Accessible to many potential users

4. EarnIn

• Loan amount: Up to $750 per pay period
• Processing time: 1-2 business days, within minutes for a fee of up to $4.99
• Repayment date: Date of your next paycheck

A better-reviewed option among apps like Dave, EarnIn’s goal is to allow you to access the cash you’ve already earned and then pay it back with your next paycheck.

It has a relatively high limit and can provide you with money quickly. However, know that you must be a W-2 employee to use it and have one paycheck deposited into a bank account to prove your income. Also, you can only get $100 daily from the app, maxing out at $750 per pay period.

Other features:

• No credit check is required
• There are no mandatory fees

5. MoneyLion

• Loan amount: Up to $500, depending on Moneylion features used
• Processing time: Minutes for an express fee of up to $8.99; 1-5 days for free
• Repayment date: On the date of your next direct deposit, adjustable

MoneyLion Instacash is a cash advance program that allows you to borrow up to 30 percent of your regular direct deposit per pay cycle, up to $250 for most users and $500 for premium users.

Advances come in $100 increments. Also, it will take time to be able to take out the maximum borrowable amount. You’ll likely only be able to borrow $25 or so initially.

This amount can be increased by showing regular deposits in your account and becoming a Credit Builder Plus Member ($19.99 per month).

It is only worth it if you are a MoneyLion user already.

Other features:

• Users can extend their repayment date
• No mandatory fees

6. Brigit

• Loan amount: Up to $250
• Processing time: 20 minutes for an express fee, 1-3 days for free
• Repayment date: Your next payday, as determined by Brigit

Brigit requires you to have an active checking account over 60 days old with a balance greater than $0 and cash left over after receiving a paycheck.

It also requires that users have recurring deposits from the same source. Your loan limit will depend on your “score” with them.

Brigit is generally an acceptable option if you’re trying to build credit and would have use of their other features and tools, but signing up for and paying for their services is a little expensive ($9.99 per month).

Other features:

• The ability to earn extension credits to delay repayment if needed
• Extra financial management features and options in the app

7. One@Work (Formerly “Even”)

• Loan amount: Up to 50% of your paycheck
• Processing time: Instant, may vary
• Repayment date: N/A

One@Work (formerly known as Even) is an app employers use to help employees and individuals with their finances and budgets. Part of this can be a service allowing people to access part of their paycheck early, effectively acting as a cash advance like Dave’s.

However, note that One@Work is more of an employee benefit for those working at certain companies than something available to the regular public. Additionally, an employer must enable this benefit for it to be offered.

Check to see if it is a good option for you before anything else, but pay it no mind if it is unavailable.

Other features:

• Automatic savings, tracking, and budgeting options within the app.
• Little to no cost to the user.

8. Albert

• Loan amount: Up to $250
• Processing time: In minutes for $6.99, 2-3 days for free
• Repayment date: Date of your next paycheck

Albert is a bank or banking app that is, first and foremost, a financial help and planning app, alongside banking and investment services.

It provides a cash advance of up to $250 after you meet the qualifications. However, you need to sign up for direct deposit with your Albert Cash account (this means getting an Albert Cash account).

Additionally, most of the features of Albert are locked behind a $14.99 month subscription.

Note that Albert is not always an available option and there are times when it is inactive. Before committing to it, see if it is open to you.

9. Axos

• Loan amount: Paycheck-dependent
• Processing time: N/A
• Repayment date: N/A

Axos is a little different. You aren’t getting a loan from Axos so much as getting access to your paycheck a few days early.

Instead, when Axos knows your employer deposited your paycheck, Axos effectively lets you access those funds immediately, reducing the delay and giving you more flexibility.

You do need to set up direct deposit with an Axos account to use this service. You also need $50 to open an account, though there are no monthly fees.

10. PayActiv

• Loan Amount: Up to 50% of your earned wages; Up to $1000 in some conditions
• Processing Time: Instant, or up to 48 hours
• Repayment Date: The end of the pay period

PayActiv is an option to access up to 50% of your paycheck each pay period when you need it. There are also no fees or penalties for using PayActiv.

You will gain access to the money that you’ve worked for but haven’t gotten a check for yet. You will need your name, phone number, employer information, and employer ID to sign up.

I want to draw extra attention to the employer ID part of this. Your employer must work with PayActiv. Also, your employer will determine the potential loan amount, not PayActiv.

Money is given through the app but can be transferred to a bank account (with a few days’ wait), debit card, or a special PayActiv card.

Other features:

• The option to transfer your funds to various cards and options
• You can use the app to pay your bills
• Access through the app to a certified credit counselor

Final Word: Apps Like Dave

Cash advance apps like Dave are relatively new in concept and people are still figuring them out. They can be abused and get you into a worse spot if you aren’t careful, but please consider them if you’re in a tough spot and need a bit of quick cash.

Whether you pick Dave for your needs or something else for the additional features, I hope that you find exactly what you’re looking for.

In the meantime, you might want to consider things such as Empower’s budgeting tool to help you better control your finances to handle more emergencies.

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