Cash advance apps that don’t require a credit check

Worried about getting fast cash due to your credit score? You may be able to use cash advance apps that provide a no-credit-check, low-cost alternative to more expensive solutions such as payday loans and credit card cash advances.

8 top cash advance apps with no credit check required

These cash advance apps don’t require a credit check but may require subscription fees and specific banking activity.

EarnIn

EarnIn is a free cash advance app that doesn’t charge interest or mandatory fees and doesn’t conduct a credit check. Eligible users can borrow up to $100 a day or up to $750 per pay period. The repayment is automatically deducted from your bank account as soon as your paycheck is deposited. While EarnIn has some of the largest advances among cash advance apps, not all users are eligible for the highest borrowing limits.

Chime SpotMe

Chime SpotMe isn’t a cash advance app, but it serves a similar purpose by allowing you to overdraft your Chime account by up to $200. If you make a purchase and your account balance is short, Chime makes up the difference and then deducts the amount from your next deposit.

Chime is free to use, and if you exceed your SpotMe limit, your purchase is declined. There is no fee for declined transactions. You’ll need direct deposits to qualify for Chime SpotMe, but there are no credit checks.

Cleo

Like Dave, Cleo cash advances do not require a credit check or direct deposit to qualify for an advance. This feature is nice for freelancers or gig workers who don’t have access to direct deposit.

Cleo doesn’t charge interest but has a $5.99 subscription fee and extends loans up to $250 for eligible users. Unlike many other apps, Cleo lets you choose your own repayment date, although it must be within 14 days of borrowing.

Dave

The Dave app advances up to $500 with no credit check required, and you’ll typically repay it on your next payday. To receive the funds right away, you can have the money deposited to an external debit card or your Dave Spending Account for a small fee. You can also have it transferred to a linked bank account within three business days for free.

Dave only costs $1 per month, and unlike most cash advance apps, it does not require users to have direct deposit to qualify for loans. Dave doesn’t charge interest or late fees, and tips are optional.

Brigit

Users can borrow up to $250 on the Brigit mobile app with no credit check needed, but only if you have direct deposit and one of its paid subscriptions, which range from $8.99 to $14.99. Like other cash advance apps, you’ll typically repay your Brigit advance on your next payday, but eligible users can request up to three extensions if they need more time.

Albert

In addition to saving, budgeting and investment tools, Albert offers overdraft protection up to $250, which can apply to purchases, ATM withdrawals and qualified electronic transfers. Albert doesn’t require a credit check, but to access the overdraft (and some other services), you’ll need to upgrade to the Genius subscription at $14.99 a month. You can try out the Genius subscription for 30 days before you’re charged, which can give you time to decide if it’s worth the monthly fee.

MoneyLion

There is no credit check, monthly fees or interest charges to access up to $500 in Instacash advances from MoneyLion. Once your bank account is linked to MoneyLion, tap the Instacash button on your mobile app to find out how much you’re eligible to borrow.

To unlock larger loan amounts (up to $1,000), you can open a RoarMoney account with recurring direct deposits for $1 per month. Keep in mind that each disbursement is limited to $100 at a time, regardless of your total Instacash borrowing limit.

Vola

Users can receive cash advances up to $300 from the Vola app with no credit check, interest charges or direct deposit required. Vola has a free version, but Premium subscriptions start at $1.99 for the fastest and easiest access to cash advances.

Vola never charges for transfers, regardless of whether you have the funds sent to your bank account or Vola card, but the Vola card is the fastest method.

How do cash advance apps work?

Cash advance apps are generally user-friendly. You download the app and link your external bank account. You’ll also need to provide some basic personal information and have your identity and bank account verified. You may also be required to have direct deposit to qualify for an advance, but in most cases there is no credit check.

Once the app provider determines you qualify for a cash advance, you can usually request as much as you want up to your approved borrowing limit. Borrowing limits are usually low at first but should increase with activity. In most cases, you’ll repay the loan on your next payday. Some apps let you choose a repayment date, which is normally within two weeks of when you take the advance.

Pros and cons of using cash advance apps with no credit check

Cash advance apps are convenient and typically cheap but have some drawbacks.

Pros

• No credit checks. Most apps don’t require credit checks, but some still help you build credit.
• Fast funding. If you don’t mind paying a small fee to expedite the transfer, you could have a loan in minutes.
• Easy lending requirements. Typically, you only need regular deposits and frequent banking activity to qualify for a cash advance from a mobile app.
• No interest charges. Most cash advance apps don’t charge interest or late fees.

Cons

• Small loan amounts. With a few exceptions, cash advance apps typically only offer loan amounts up to a few hundred dollars.
• May not be eligible. Not every user is eligible for cash advances.
• Membership fees. Having to pay monthly subscription fees could be a deterrent to some users. However, not all apps have a subscription fee.
• Fees for expedited transfers. If you need the funds immediately, most apps charge a small fee for instant transfers.

Popular cash advance apps and whether they require a credit check

Compare cash advance apps and whether they require a credit check to qualify for an advance.

Alternatives to cash advance apps

Bottom line

Cash advance apps can be an excellent convenience when you require a short-term loan and need the funds right away. And, while most cash advance apps don’t require a credit check to qualify, it’s always a good idea to check the fine print to be sure.

It’s also a smart move to consider multiple apps and compare subscription fees, eligibility requirements and fees for expedited transfers to find the one that makes the most sense for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a cash advance app instantly?

Downloading cash advance apps can be done in minutes, and in some cases, you might even be eligible for an advance on the same day. But it could also take a day or two to verify your identity, deposits and other banking activity before you can request an advance.

What if I’m only eligible for a small advance?

Some cash advance apps start users at small loan amounts, like $10 or $20. However, as you continue to use the app and repay small advances, your borrowing limit should increase accordingly.

What if the app says I’m not eligible for a cash advance?

Unfortunately, not all borrowers are eligible for cash advances. For example, if the app requires direct deposit for paychecks — and you don’t have it — you may need to find an app that doesn’t require direct deposit. Another possibility is that you don’t meet minimum bank balance requirements or activity, which you can try to work on.