Updated December 31, 2023

Apps Like Dave

Read more about Dave
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Dave can let you borrow up to $500 for only a $1/month. It's a great deal. But do you have better options? Read on to learn more.

Is there another app like Dave?
Here are 13 best apps like Dave:
  1. Earnin: Up to $750
  2. Klover: Up to $200
  3. Brigit: Up to $250
  4. MoneyLion: Up to $500
  5. Empower: Up to $250
  6. Chime SpotMe: Up to $200
  7. Varo: Up to $250
  8. Even: Up to 50% of your pay
  9. Branch: Up to 50% of your pay
  10. Albert: Up to $250
  11. PayActiv: Up to $500
  12. DailyPay: Up to 100% of your earned wage
  13. Possible: Up to $500

Dave is a reliable cash advance app when you need to borrow up to $500. But what if you need more than that?

You never know when you can use an extra buck. And sometimes, you need it right away.

It's a good thing there are other cash advance apps like Dave. So if you're ever cash strapped, all hope is not lost.

Read on to learn your options.

13 Best Apps like Dave

Here are 13 good Dave alternatives for when your cash runs low. They each have their own perks too.

Let's start with an app for the employed.

Earnin

  • Up to $750 per pay period
  • Balance shield feature
  • No monthly fees, no interest, no credit checks
  • Requires your bank details
  • Asks for your timesheet
  • Only for employed people

Loan amount: Up to $100 per day; Up to $750 per pay period
Processing time: 1-3 business days, or in minutes for a fee
Repayment date: On or after your payday

Why we like it:
Need a bit more than Dave's $500 maximum? Earnin steps in to bridge that gap. Depending on your earnings, you can cash out up to $750 per pay period. But there's a daily cap of $100 per day.

With Earnin Cash Out, you get access to your pay before payday through seamless transfer to your linked bank account. Need funds in a flash? Their Lightning Speed transfer gets you your money instantly.

There are no credit checks, interest, or mandatory fees. Plus - no late fees, so there's no risk of dinging your credit if you miss a repayment.

And it's free to use. Just an optional tip if you like what they do (but there's zero obligation).

Does Earnin give you money instantly?
Earnin's Lightning Speed can transfer your earnings instantly within 1-30 minutes. It costs $1.99-$4.99 depending on your amount and direct deposit.

Earnin Requirements:
Here's what you need to use Earnin Cash Out:[1]

  • Permanent work location, an electronic timekeeping system, or a PDF timesheet to track your hourly earnings
  • Checking account with more than 50% of your direct deposit
  • Regular pay schedule

Other Features:
Earnin's Balance Shield feature acts as a safety net. If your checking account balance gets low, Earnin can automatically transfer $100 of your earnings to keep you afloat.

What happens if I don't pay my Earnin?
Earnin will not affect or hurt your credit score. They will not report you to a bank or debt collector. If you fail to pay, you will receive an email.

Klover

  • No credit check
  • No late fees and no interest
  • Earn points for more cash
  • Lower loan amount than other apps
  • Need consistent pay schedule

Loan amount: Up to $200
Processing time: 1-3 days; or within 24 hours for a fee ($2.99 to $8.49)[2]
Repayment date: Automatically based on your next payday

Why we like it:
Klover is quick and easy to get started, and there's no monthly fee. As soon as you're approved, you can get up to $200 cash advance, even if your paycheck is still 2 weeks away.

But that's not all - Klover gives you ways to win even more cash! You can earn points by doing simple things like taking surveys, watching ads, and scanning receipts. And then cash out your points for a bigger advance.

Or you can use points to enter the daily sweepstakes. Everyday, Klover awards a $100 winner and five $20 winners. Who knows, you just might get lucky.

Klover Requirements:
Here's what you need to use Klover Balance Boost:[3]

  • At least 3 direct deposits sent to your primary checking account within the last 60 days
  • Checking account must be in good standing and active for the last 90 days

All your deposits must come from the same employer. And you need to be paid on a weekly or bi-weekly pay schedule, 7 or 14 days apart.

Other Features:
The Klover app also has helpful tools to level up your money game. You can create budgets and savings goals and track your credit score. Get spending insights so you see where you can cut back.

This next app provides more than a cash advance. It also helps you build and protect your credit. Read on.

Brigit

  • Flexible repayment date
  • No credit checks or interest
  • Free finance tools
  • Credit builder feature
  • High subscription fee
  • Lower cash advance amount

Loan amount: Up to $250
Processing time: 1-3 business days; w/in 20 mins. for a fee
Repayment date: Flexible repayment date

Why we like it:
Compared to Dave's $1 monthly fee, Brigit charges $9.99 - $14.99 a month.[4] But you get more features that could be worth the fee.

Brigit's cash advance feature is called Instant Cash. There are no credit checks or interest fees. And you can choose when to repay, which can help you budget according to your own terms.

It also offers peace of mind with credit monitoring and up to $1 million in identity theft reimbursement.

Premium members get access to the Credit Builder. This lets you build credit by saving as little as $1/month. Payments are reported to the credit bureaus, and you get a nice little savings nest egg at the end.

Brigit Requirements:
To get Brigit Instant Cash, you need:[5]

  • A checking account that has been active for at least 60 days
  • More than $0 in your balance
  • 3 recurring deposits on your account from the same source

Other Features:
The Brigit app helps you find side gigs to make extra cash. You can also get offers and discounts from Brigit's partners.

But if you just need a little help with budgeting, the app comes with free tools to help you keep track of spending, earnings, and bills.

Does Brigit affect your credit score?
No, using Brigit Instant Cash will not affect your credit score. [6]

This next app offers many features. It's particularly useful if you want to get into investing.

MoneyLion

  • Free cash advance feature
  • No credit checks and interest
  • Many finance tools
  • Needs bank account access
  • Regular delivery to an external account takes a longer time

Loan amount: Up to $500
Processing time: 2-5 business days; w/in minutes for a fee
Repayment date: Next payday

Why we like it:
Known for having multiple features, MoneyLion can be your all-in-one finance app. MoneyLion's Instacash is free and gets you up to $500 cash advance.

Regular delivery to an external bank account takes 2-5 business days. But you can get your money quickly for a fee. Just opt for Turbo delivery.

There are also finance tools you can use to manage your money better. This makes MoneyLion a great app for making better financial decisions.

MoneyLion Requirements:
To access their no-interest and no-credit-check service, here's what you need:[7]

  • An account that has been active for two or more months
  • A positive balance on the account
  • A history of recurring income deposits in the account

Other Features:
Crypto Auto Invest helps you start your crypto portfolio, specifically Bitcoin and Ethereum. This feature costs $19.99.[8]

On the other hand, Managed Investing is a beginner-friendly investing feature. Through it, MoneyLion can help you kick-start the right investments.

Need a faster processing time with no fees? This next app provides just that.

Empower

  • 1-day processing time
  • 14-day free trial
  • Debit card with cashback deals
  • Lower cash advance amount
  • Costly $8 subscription fee

Loan amount: Up to $250
Processing time: 1 business day; w/in 1 hr. for a fee
Repayment date: Next payday

Why we like it:
Empower Cash Advance lets you take a $250 cash advance with a 1-day standard delivery. It's good for emergencies.

However, this fast processing time comes at a cost. Their subscription fee costs $8/month.[9] But there is a 14-day free trial you can use before you commit.

There are also no interest, late fees, and credit checks.

Other Features:
The Empower Card is a debit card you can get with no overdraft fees. It has up to 10% cashback offers.[10] And you can get instant cash advance delivery for free.

Is Empower a bank?
Empower is not a bank, but a financial technology company. Their banking services are from nbkc bank, a member of FDIC. [11]

Speaking of overdraft fees, do you need spotting features? You can go for Chime instead.

Chime SpotMe

  • Immediate spotting
  • No credit checks
  • No monthly fees
  • $200 qualifying deposit
  • Needs a separate Chime debit card

Loan amount: Spot $20 to $200
Processing time: Immediately
Repayment date: On your next deposit or payday

Why we like it:
SpotMe is Chime's debit card feature that can spot you up to $200. With no need for a credit check or minimum balance, you can automatically avoid overdraft fees.

And compared to Dave, Chime doesn't charge monthly fees. But you would need a separate debit card to receive the cash spot.

Because spotting is immediate, it's convenient for urgent needs.

Chime Requirements:
Here's what you need for Chime SpotMe:[12]

  • An activated Chime Visa Debit Card
  • A deposit account that is connected to Chime
  • A qualifying deposit of $200 or above, 34 days before requesting an overdraft spotting
  • You should be at least 18 years old or older

Other Features:
With a Chime Checking Account, you get no overdraft or monthly fees. And it can get you your wages 2 days before your payday.

Chime has no foreign transaction fees and is fee-free at over 60,000 ATMs in stores like CVS, Walgreens, and 7- Eleven.

Next, let's talk about a cash advance app that can help you avoid impulsive buying.

Varo

  • Instant cash advance
  • Choose your repayment date
  • No interest
  • Fixed fee for cash advance above $20
  • Separate debit card
  • Requires a qualifying deposit

Loan amount: Up to $250
Processing time: Instantly
Repayment date: Choose your own (within 15 to 30 days)

Why we like it:
Varo Advance is an interest-free $250 cash advance app. But unlike Dave, Varo doesn't charge a monthly subscription fee.

Instead, there's a fee for every cash advance above $20. So it's definitely on the pricier side. Here's how much it can cost you:

Loan AmountVaro Fee
$20Free
$50$4
$75$5
$100$6
$150$9
$200$12
$250$15

The fee per cash advance can help you control your spending, however. Is paying $15 for a $250 cash advance worth the impulsive buy? It can make you think twice.

Varo Requirements:
If you want to take Varo's deal, here's what you'll need:[13]

  • Varo Bank debit card that has been active for at least 30 days with a positive balance
  • At least $1,000 in qualifying direct deposit to your Varo Bank Account

Other Features:
With a Varo Bank Account, you can access Varo's banking service with no monthly maintenance and overdraft fees.

Now, what if you need more than these loan amounts? The next apps may just offer what you need.

Even

  • Up to 50% of your pay
  • Cash Pick-up at Walmart
  • 1-day processing time
  • Only accessible if your employer is partnered with Even

Loan amount: Up to 50% of your salary
Processing time: 1 business day (no extra charge)
Repayment date: On or after your payday

Why we like it:
With Even, the cash advance amount depends on your pay. You can access up to half of it before payday. So if you make $1,000 per payday, you can get up to $500 with Even.

And it's employer-sponsored. That means your company will handle everything you need to get the account ready.

You can claim your cash advance through your bank. Or you can pick it up at a Walmart MoneyCenter.

If you're a Walmart employee, your salary is available on Even for free. [14]

Other Features:
There are also budgeting tools on the app that can help your cash advance go a long way.

What do I need to bring to get my cash from a Walmart MoneyCenter?
You just need to bring your valid ID.

Branch

  • Up to 50% of your pay
  • Your employer handles your app requirements
  • Convenient digital wallet
  • Employer sets the maximum loan amount
  • Standard bank delivery takes 3 days

Loan amount: Up to 50% of your pay
Processing time: 3 business days (bank account)
Repayment date: On your next payday

Why we like it:
Similar to Even, you can take up to half of your pay in advance using Branch. Their cash advance feature is called Earned Wage Access. And it's also employer-sponsored, so you don't have to worry about the requirements.

That said, the cash advance you can take would depend on your employer. You can withdraw the amount from your bank account. But if you need the money instantly, you can get it through the Branch digital wallet.

There are also built-in cashback rewards for all digital wallet users. You can use it for gas, food, and more.

Other Features:
Branch has a CashFlow feature which gives you information about your spending. It can help you create budgets too.

Pro tip: Branch offers Uber Pro Cards for faster payments of Uber drivers. [15]

This next app offers more than cash advance and finance tools. Check it out.

Albert

  • 2-in-1 cash advance and cash spotting app
  • Instant spotting
  • Optional debit card
  • Slower standard delivery time
  • Lower loan amount

Loan amount: Up to $250 cash advance or spot
Processing time: 2-3 days (cash advance); Instantly (spotting)
Repayment date: On your next paycheck

Why we like it:
Albert has a 2-in-1 app where you can get a spot or a cash advance of up to $250. It's available through the Albert Instant feature. And you can advance up to 3 times per pay period.

You'll just have to repay your last advance to take another. You won't be charged interest or late fees. There will also be no credit checks needed.

Keep in mind that the standard processing of cash advances takes 2-3 days. But you can receive the spot instantly.

Albert Requirements:
Here's what you'll need for Albert Instant:[16]

  • A bank account with a positive balance that has been active for 2 months or more
  • At least 2 months of consistent income from the same employer
  • Your income deposited in your connected bank account
  • Your recent paycheck on time (you should be able to access it a day after your payday)

Other Features:
Albert Cash is Albert's debit card option. You can access your paycheck 2 days earlier with it. You'll also get free instant delivery for your cash advance.

Next, we have another employer-sponsored app with many financial tools.

PayActiv

  • Employer manages the requirements
  • Walmart Cash Pickup option
  • Finance counseling features
  • Employer determines maximum loan amount
  • Charges per debit/payroll card/cash pickup transfer

Loan amount: Up to 50% of your pay
Processing time: 1-3 business days; instantly for a fee
Repayment date: On your next paycheck

Why we like it:
PayActiv's cash advance feature is called Earned Wage Access. It can get you up to 50% of your pay per pay period. But because it is employer-sponsored, your employer determines the maximum loan amount.

You can get your money instantly for less than $3. You can access it through your debit or payroll card. But you can also pick up the cash at Walmart.[17]

If you don't want to pay the fee, you can receive your money for free through an ACH bank transfer. You'll just have to wait 1-3 business days for it.

Other Features:
Practical tools are also accessible on PayActiv. They are useful for improving your finances, spending, and savings. You can even use the app to pay your bills.

There's also a Financial Counseling feature that gives you access to a certified credit counselor. It's useful for those looking for professional help in building their credit, managing debt, etc.

Does PayActiv affect your credit score?
No, using PayActiv will not impact your credit score. [18]

This next app can give you the highest loan amount on this list. It can get you your whole pay in advance.

DailyPay

  • Up to 100% of your pay
  • Fast processing time
  • No pre-existing bank account needed
  • Employer needed
  • Charges a fee for bank account, payroll, and debit card transfers

Loan amount: Up to 100% of your pay; Up to $1,000 per day[19]
Processing time: Instantly or up to 1 business day
Repayment date: Automatically deducted from your pay[20]

Why we like it:
DailyPay's On-Demand Pay can get you up to 100% of your earned pay. You read that right. Using DailyPay's reloadable card, you can get all of your earned pay before payday.

It's great for you when you need more than the $500 Dave offers. They have a quick processing time, too. But they do charge a fee for bank account, payroll, and debit card transfers.

Instant delivery costs $2.99 per transfer. Next business day transfers cost $1.99. You can also make up to 5 transfers per day.

Keep in mind that DailyPay is employer-sponsored. So it's only available if your employer is partnered with DailyPay.[21]

Other Features:
You can use your DailyPay card in any store that takes Visa debit cards. There's no need for a pre-existing bank account.

There are also saving tools that can help you save portions of your money. You can use it for emergencies or future expenses.

For your first three pay periods with DailyPay, your available balance starts at 50% of your gross pay.

This next app can help you manage your payments better. You won't need to worry about paying off your loan in one go.

Possible

  • Gets you a loan even with bad credit
  • Pay in installments
  • No interest or late fees
  • Needs access to financial history
  • Could take up to 5 days
  • $250 limit for California users

Loan amount: Up to $500; Up to $250 (in California)
Processing time: 1-2 days (ACH); around 1 hr. (debit card)
Repayment date: 4 equal payments w/in 2 months (8 weeks)[22]

Why we like it:
Possible Loan lets you take an interest-free loan of up to $500, even with bad credit. And compared to all apps on the list, Possible takes repayment in installments.

There's a 29-day grace period which could provide some leeway for you. There are also no late fees.

Instant Possible transfer to your debit card takes around an hour. While ACH transactions take an average of 1-2 days. Although, the maximum processing time could be up to 5 days.

Unfortunately, if you reside in California, you can only get up to $250.

Possible Loan Requirements:
Here's what you'll need to get a Possible loan:[23]

  • Social Security number
  • Valid state-issued ID or driver's license
  • A checking or savings account with 3 months transaction history, income deposits of $750 per month or more, and positive account balance

Who can avail a Possible Loan?
As of writing, Possible can only accept new loan applications from Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and Washington state.

Now that you've read about these apps like Dave, let's get you a refresher on what Dave actually offers. That way, you can make a better comparison.

What is Dave?

Dave can get you from $25 to $500 in advance. It also doesn't charge an ATM fee to access your money at over 37,000 MoneyPass ATMs.

Compared to banks and lenders, Dave doesn't charge interest or late fees. There are no credit checks needed. And you can repay on your next payday.

Its convenience is definitely one of the reasons why it's rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store.

When should you use Dave?

You can pull Dave out of your pocket during emergencies. It takes 1-3 days to transfer your advance into your bank account via ACH. But you can opt for the express delivery option to transfer immediately for a fee.

If you struggle with spending, however, you may want to keep Dave out of your phone. Its convenience can make it easy to get trapped into a debt cycle.

Why are Apps Like Dave better than Payday Loans?

Payday loans can be tricky to apply for. But with cash advance apps like Dave, you get to have clearer requirements. They also have lower fees and charge no interest.

Most apps don't even need credit checks. While others, like Possible, let you borrow cash even with bad credit.

These make the apps very accessible to anybody. And instead of going to physical banks and lending offices, you can get an advance at a swipe of a screen. It's quick and easy to use.

How to choose from apps like Dave?

Getting an advance from apps like Dave can be the best solution to your financial hurdle.

But before you sign up for any of them, here are some of the things to consider:

  1. Processing time
    When you're in a rush, the processing time is a top priority. It will determine how fast you can get the money. Most apps take less than 24 hours to 3 days to process loans. But many of them offer express delivery.

  2. Loan amount
    Most apps cap their loan at around $250 to $500. So before signing up, check if the app offers the amount you need.

  3. Repayment date
    Many apps on this list set an automatic repayment on your next payday. But there are other repayment options too. Some apps let you pay in installments or let you choose your own repayment date.

How to pay cash advance faster and break the loan and repayment cycle?

Repayment can sometimes be its own challenge. Budgeting your next pay for your loan and bills can be difficult.

But it's not impossible. Here are some tips for breaking the loan and repayment cycle:

  1. Use budgeting and spending tools
    Many apps on this list offer budgeting and saving tools. You can use them to help improve your finances. It's a good first step to learning how to budget better.

  2. Earn extra income
    Instead of taking loans, you can go for apps that can make you some money. But you can also try a few side hustles to capitalize on your other skills.

  3. Take note of your due dates
    It's essential to be responsible when taking a loan. You can set reminders of your repayment dates. This can help you prepare and pay on time.

How we came up with the list

Dave is a reliable cash advance app. So when making this list, we looked for other apps that you can count on during emergencies.

We also made sure that they could offer you a range of loan amounts. Need only a couple hundred? No problem. Need your full pay right away? We got an app for that, too.

We also looked into their other features. We considered what tools could help you out in managing your finances. That way, we know you're in good hands every time you get strapped for cash.

Bottom Line

Although Dave is a great choice for a cash advance app, we know it's not for everyone. That's why it matters to shop around for what else you can get.

Apps like Dave offer different advance amounts, processing times, and repayment dates. Whether that's choosing your own repayment date, paying through installment, or accessing 100% of your pay before payday, there's an app for that.

When reviewing this list, you're likely to find one more suitable for your needs.

References

  1. ^ Earnin. Who can use Earnin?, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  2. ^ Klover. 6.3 Balance Boost Charges, Retrieved 10/10/23
  3. ^ Klover. Eligibility Requirements, Retrieved 10/10/2023
  4. ^ Brigit. How much does Brigit cost?, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  5. ^ Brigit. How to access Instant Cash, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  6. ^ Brigit. Does Brigit affect my credit?, Retrieved 03/03/2023
  7. ^ MoneyLion. How do I qualify for Instacash advances?, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  8. ^ MoneyLion. Moneylion Fee Schedule, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  9. ^ Empower. Fee Schedule, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  10. ^ Empower. About Empower Perks, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  11. ^ Empower. Empower, Retrieved 03/03/2023
  12. ^ Chime. FAQs: Who is eligible for SpotMe?, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  13. ^ Varo. Varo Advance, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  14. ^ Walmart. Even Infographic, Retrieved 03/06/2023
  15. ^ Branch. Uber, Retrieved 03/06/2023
  16. ^ Albert. How do I qualify for Albert Instant?, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  17. ^ Payactiv. Pricing, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  18. ^ PayActiv. FAQ, Retrieved 03/06/2023
  19. ^ DailyPay. FAQ: How much can I transfer?, Retrieved 4/22/2022
  20. ^ DailyPay. Will I receive my full paycheck if I don't make an early transfer?, Retrieved 03/02/2023
  21. ^ DailyPay. Dailypay, Retrieved 03/02/2023
  22. ^ Possible Finance. What Are My Original Payment Dates?, Retrieved 4/22/2023
  23. ^ Possible Finance. Frequently asked questions about Possible: What do I need to apply?, Retrieved 4/22/2023
Dave

Get up to $500

  • No interest, credit checks, or late fees
  • No lengthy application process or waiting period
  • Sign up in minutes
Earnin

Get up to $750 per paycheck

  • Access up to $750 per pay period of money you've already earned.
  • No mandatory fees
  • No credit check
Kovo

Build Credit & Earn Rewards

  • No credit check
  • Instant approval
  • 0% APR / $0 fees
Brigit

Get up to $250 in minutes with Instant Cash

  • No interest, late fees, or tipping
  • No credit check
  • Just $9.99/mo. Cancel anytime
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Write to Helen Papellero at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

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