5 Popular Cash Advance Apps with Same-Day Online Transfers
Cash advances provide short-term financial relief until payday. Apps like True Finance, EarnIn, and Cleo offer convenience, but caution is advised with apps facing scrutiny like FloatMe. Choose wisely based on fees and reliability.
Key Points
- Cash advances are short-term loans intended to get you to payday without going into debt or getting hit with an overdraft fee.
- True Finance is a newer cash advance app in comparison to the others listed in this article. However, this isn’t a downside—the app feels fresh, it’s easy-to-use, and their team is highly responsive.
- Most cash advance platforms deliver your funds within one to three business days. If you need an instant transfer, some apps allow it with a small fee.
They’re great for moments you’re in a pinch, but they shouldn’t be viewed as a permission slip for overspending. The following are four cash advance apps with same-day online transfers, as well as one popular cash advance app you might want to stay away from.
| Cash Advance App | Our Rating | Amount You Can Get | Fees | Repayment Process | Time to Fund |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Finance | 4.4 | Up to $100 | $3.99 per month subscription fee | Automatic withdrawal from linked bank account on next paycheck date | 1-2 business days (free); $1.99 for instant transfer |
| EarnIn | 4.3 | Up to $750 per pay period; Up to $100 per day | None; Tips optional | Automatic withdrawal from linked bank account on next paycheck date | 1-3 business days (free); Under 30 minutes (with a small fee) |
| Cleo | 3.9 | Up to $250; Up to $100 for first-time users | $5.99 per month subscription fee | Automatic withdrawal on a repayment date you choose | 3-4 days (free); $3.99 express fee for instant transfers |
| Albert | 3.0 | Up to $250 | $14.99 per month subscription fee | Automatic withdrawal from linked bank account on next paycheck date | 2-3 days (free); instantly with a $6.99 fee |
| FloatMe | 2.0 | Up to $50 | $3.99 per month subscription fee | Automatic withdrawal from linked bank account on next paycheck date | 3 days or less (free); $3 to $7 for instant Floats |
1. True Finance: Best for Small Advances
True Finance is a newer cash advance app in comparison to the others listed in this article. However, this isn’t a downside—the app feels fresh, it’s easy-to-use, and their team is highly responsive.
With True, you can receive between $25 to $100 via cash advance—which is smaller than some competing platforms. This makes it ideal for smaller advances, or moments where you need a small bit to get you to the next payday. As of now, it does seem like they plan to increase this limit down the road.
Receiving your cash advance will take one to two business days, but you won’t get hit with a fee. If you need the funds instantly, you’ll have the option to pay $1.99 for an instant transfer—which is lower than competitor’s instant transfer fees.
True Finance is available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Within the app, you’ll also find free credit monitoring and a marketplace of money-saving financial offers curated for you.
| True Finance At-a-Glance | |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.4 |
| Online Ratings | 3.7 on the Apple App Store 3.1 on the Google Play Store |
| Amount | between $25 to $100 |
| Fees | No interest, no late fees; You will need to subscribe to the platform for $3.99 per month to access the cash advance. |
| Repayment Process | Funds are automatically pulled from your linked bank account on your next paycheck date. |
| Time to Fund | 1 to 2 business days with no fee; $1.99 for instant transfer |
2. Albert: Best for People who need money
Albert is a fairly straightforward cash advance app—see if you’re eligible, borrow the funds, then repay it on your next payday. That said, we weren’t impressed by their fees and recent ratings.
To receive a cash advance from Albert, you’ll need to pay for a Genius subscription. This costs $14.99 per month, or $12.49 per month if billed yearly. While the subscription comes with other features, like some budgeting help and access to financial experts, the fee doesn’t seem worth it if you’re subscribing simply to get the cash advance.
Albert is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, which we love. That said, we noticed that nearly all of the reviews left in the past few months on the Google Play Store were one-star ratings. Given that, in addition to the high fees, we’d recommend sticking to other cash advance apps for now.
| Albert At-a-Glance | |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 3.0 |
| Online Ratings | 4.6 on the Apple App Store 4.1 on the Google Play Store |
| Amount | Up to $250 |
| Fees | No interest, no late fees; You'll need to pay for a Genius subscription, which will cost $14.99 per month. |
| Repayment Process | The advance amount is withdrawn from your bank account on your next paycheck date. |
| Time to Fund | 2 to 3 days for free; instantly with a $6.99 fee |
Not every job in the gig economy is equal. Here are the best side hustles to consider during your layoff to make the most cash.
3. Cleo: Best for Self-Employed Workers
Cleo stands out against other cash advance apps because of its “freelancer-friendly” features. Rather than proving employment at a specific institution, Cleo simply asks for your name and address to verify you’re a real human. This is ideal for freelancers, and other self-employed folks, that don’t have an employer to verify their working status.
Once you’ve created an account, you’ll need to connect your bank account so Cleo can verify your eligibility for the advance. If you’re eligible, you can choose to receive the amount you’re eligible for as a cash advance. If you need the funds quickly, you can pay a $3.99 express fee to get it instantly. Otherwise, you’ll receive the advance in three to four days.
Cleo is available on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
| Cleo At-a-Glance | |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 3.9 |
| Online Ratings | 4.7 on the Apple App Store 4.1 on the Google Play Store |
| Amount | Up to $250; Up to $100 for first-time users |
| Fees | Cleo’s cash advance has no interest, but it does come with a $5.99 monthly subscription fee. |
| Repayment Process | Select a repayment date that works for you. Cleo will withdraw the outstanding balance on that date. |
| Time to Fund | 3 to 4 days for free; $3.99 express fee for instant transfers |
4. EarnIn: Best for Large Advances
EarnIn isn’t a cash advance platform, but we had to mention it. EarnIn is a platform that provides users with Earned Wage Access (EWA)—access to a portion of your earned wages before your paycheck hits. While some employers offer EWA as an employee benefit, not all do. EarnIn aims to close that gap.
It’s completely free to download EarnIn and request a portion of your paycheck. There are no fees, although EarnIn operates on tips, so you will be asked to tip. That said, it isn’t required, so you can simply skip that step.
If you need the cash immediately, you’ll have the option to select a Lightning Speed transfer. While this does come with a $3.99-$4.99 fee, it’ll get your transfer into your bank account in just a few minutes. Otherwise, you’ll receive the transfer in one to three business days.
EarnIn is available in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and receives rave reviews on both.
| EarnIn Same-Day Pay At-a-Glance | |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.3 |
| Online Ratings | 4.7 on the Apple App Store 4.6 on the Google Play Store |
| Amount | Up to $750 per pay period; Up to $100 per day |
| Fees | No interest, no mandatory fees; EarnIn does suggest you tip them, but you don’t have to. |
| Repayment Process | Advanced amount is pulled from your bank account on your next paycheck date. |
| Time to Fund | 1 to 3 business days with fee-free funding timeline; Up to 30 minutes for Lightning Speed transfers |
5. FloatMe: Best to Stay Away From (For Now, at Least)
On the surface, FloatMe seems perfect—high ratings, transparent fee structure, and decent advance limits. However, at the time of writing, FloatMe is in the middle of a pending case with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC has cited them for empty promises to consumers and discrimination against consumers who receive public assistance.
While their advertisements claimed that users could “get up to $50 instantly,” the FTC found that in Quarter 4 of 2023, less than 5% of consumers received a Float (what FloatMe calls their advances) of more than $20—even after paying subscription fees. In fact, only 0.50% of consumers received a $50 Float, according to the FTC.
While the platform seems great on the surface, it’s important to do your due diligence in researching the platforms you subscribe to and connect bank information to. At this time, we can’t recommend FloatMe given the pending case.
This isn’t to say that the platform doesn’t work—it likely does. But we’re focused on recommending you the best cash advance platforms, and we can’t say FloatMe is one of them. If you plan to use the platform, exercise caution.
| FloatMe At-a-Glance | |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 2.0 |
| Online Ratings | 4.8 on the Apple App Store 4.5 on the Google Play Store |
| Amount | Up to $50 |
| Fees | No interest, no late fees; Membership for $3.99 per month is required to access the cash advance feature. |
| Repayment Process | Funds are automatically pulled from your linked bank account on your next paycheck date. |
| Time to Fund | 3 days or less with no fee; $3 to $7 for instant Floats |
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a Merchant Cash Advance?
A Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) is a type of financing where a business receives a lump sum payment in exchange for a portion of its future credit card sales or daily bank deposits. Unlike traditional loans, MCA providers advance funds based on the volume of credit card transactions or daily bank receipts, and repayment is typically done through daily or weekly deductions from the business's sales or deposits. This can be a quick way for businesses to access cash, but it often comes with higher costs compared to traditional loans.
Are Cash Advances Instant?
Not always. Most cash advance platforms deliver your funds within one to three business days. If you need an instant transfer, some apps allow it with a small fee.
What App Will Let You Borrow Money Instantly?
Cash advance apps like Cleo and Albert allow you to access funds instantly, but they come with a fee. If you don’t need the money right away, True Finance is a great free option.
What App Lends Money Without a Credit Check?
True Finance, Cleo, and EarnIn allow you to access funds without a credit check.
Is it Bad to Get a Cash Advance?
We’ll keep it real—getting a cash advance isn’t bad, but it isn’t ideal. No one wants to need a cash advance to make ends meet before payday. But life happens, and cash advances can be a lifeline for keeping you out of credit card debt. If you need a cash advance, it’s okay. There’s no reason to feel guilty or like you’re doing something wrong for receiving one. However, we recommend looking for the root of the problem so you can address it and avoid winding up in the cycle of needing a cash advance often.