Tilt Cash Advance App (Formerly Empower) 2025 Review
Read our 2025 Tilt Cash Advance App review (formerly Empower), how it works, what it costs, and how it compares to other cash advance apps like True Finance.
*Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. Think Save Retire may earn a commission from partner links in this article. Rates and offers are accurate as of publication but may change over time.
Key Takeaways
- Tilt, formerly known as Empower, allows users to borrow up to $400 with no credit check or interest charges.
- The $8 monthly fee includes access to advances, savings tools, and upcoming credit-building products.
- Approval is based on income and spending patterns rather than credit history.
- It’s a practical short-term option for covering expenses, but not a long-term financial solution.
- Compared to payday loans, Tilt offers lower costs and greater transparency, though alternatives may be more affordable for occasional users.
If you’ve ever been stuck waiting for payday with bills piling up, you know how stressful that gap can feel. Cash advance apps have popped up everywhere promising to help, but as you might already know, not all of them deliver.
One of the most talked-about names lately is Tilt, which you might remember as Empower. The company quietly rebranded in 2025, and while the app looks familiar, a few key features have changed.
I downloaded the new Tilt app myself to see whether it actually lives up to the hype, and whether it’s worth paying for in 2025, so you don’t have to!
What Is Tilt?
In August 2025, Empower Finance officially became Tilt Finance, Inc. The new name supposedly represents “fair access to credit,” and from what I’ve seen, Tilt is leaning heavily into credit-building and smarter money management.
The basics haven’t changed: you can still request cash advances up to $400 without a credit check. But the app now includes features like:
- Savings goals and auto-saving
- A line of credit for qualified users
- Early access to Tilt’s new credit card
- Personalized budgeting tips
I’ll be honest… the layout feels cleaner than Empower, and everything’s faster to navigate. The approval process took me less than five minutes.
How the Tilt Cash Advance Works
Here’s what I experienced step by step:
- Connect your main checking account: Tilt scans your deposits and spending patterns. It doesn’t pull your credit score.
- Wait for approval: I was offered $150 right away, which can grow up to $400 as you repay on time.
- Choose delivery speed: I went with the standard option (free), which hit my account the next business day. Instant delivery costs extra, but it arrived within 15 minutes when I tried it later.
- Repayment: Tilt automatically withdrew the amount on my next payday; no surprises, but make sure your balance can handle it to avoid overdrafts.
How Much Does Tilt Cost?
After a short free trial, Tilt charges $8 per month for membership. That fee gives you access to cash advances, savings tools, and credit-building features.
If you want instant delivery, expect a small fee, around 1–3% of your advance.
Compared to traditional payday loans, this is still a bargain. Compared to other apps? It’s a little pricier than some, but Tilt’s higher advance limit makes up for it if you ask me.
Tilt vs. Payday Loans
| Feature | Tilt Cash Advance | Payday Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Max Amount | Up to $400 | Often $300–$1,000 |
| Credit Check | No | Usually No |
| Interest | None | 200–600% APR |
| Fees | $8/month + optional instant fee | High flat fees |
| Late Fees | None | Common |
| Credit Reporting | Not reported | Not reported |
You won’t find 500% APRs or rollovers here. Tilt feels more like a subscription-based safety net than a loan, which, for a lot of people, is exactly what they need.
Get Cash Advances Up to $100 — Instantly
True Finance offers instant cash advances with no interest, no credit check, and funds in minutes.
Available to eligible users only. Terms apply.
Pros and Cons After Testing Tilt
Tilt vs. Other Cash Advance Apps
Tilt isn’t alone in this space. I also looked at how it stacks up against True Finance, EarnIn, Dave, and Brigit, all popular payday loan alternatives.
| App | Advance Amount | Fees | Credit Check | Subscription | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Finance | Up to $100 | $4.99/month | No | Yes | Cash advances, earn-to-cash offers, budgeting, credit monitoring, and ID protection |
| Tilt (formerly Empower) | Up to $400 | $8/month + instant fee | No | Yes | Cash advances, savings goals, line of credit, and credit card options |
| EarnIn | Up to $750 | Optional tips | No | No | Earned wage access and Balance Shield alerts |
| Dave | Up to $500 | $1/month + instant fee | No | Yes | Side-hustle finder and auto-budgeting tools |
| Brigit | Up to $250 | $8.99 – $15.99/month | No | Yes | Predictive overdraft alerts and budgeting help |
True Finance impressed me for a different reason: it costs less than Tilt and packs more features under one roof. You get cash advances, credit monitoring, budgeting tools, and ways to earn extra cash, all for $4.99/month; it’s almost unheard of compared to some of these other cash advance apps.
Tilt wins for higher limits, but True Finance feels like the better value for people who want a full money toolkit rather than just short-term cash.
Is Tilt Legit?
Yes, Tilt is a legitimate company with millions of users and solid investor backing. I never felt like my information was at risk; the app uses bank-level encryption and connects through Plaid, the same service used by most major finance apps.
That said, remember that Tilt is not a long-term solution. It’s best for short-term cash flow fixes or to cover unexpected bills. If you’re using it every month just to stay afloat, that’s a sign to focus on budgeting or building an emergency fund instead.
My Final Verdict: Useful, But Not for Everyone
After testing Tilt for a few weeks, I’d say it’s one of the better-designed cash advance apps out there. It’s fast, transparent, and less stressful than waiting for payday.
However, if you only need occasional advances or want more all-in-one financial tools, True Finance is the more cost-effective choice.
Tilt is for people who:
- Need larger advances (up to $400)
- Want a cleaner app with strong budgeting tools
- Plan to use it regularly enough to justify the $8/month fee
True Finance is for people who:
- Want to spend less
- Value credit monitoring and identity protection
- Like having ways to earn money built right into the app
- And much more at a cheaper price
Either way, both options beat payday loans by a mile.
FAQs
1. Does Tilt run a credit check?
No. Tilt approves users based on income and spending patterns, not credit score.
2. How much can you borrow?
Tilt offers up to $400; True Finance offers up to $100 for new users.
3. What’s the monthly cost?
Tilt charges $8/month; True Finance is $4.99/month.
4. Is Tilt safe?
Yes, it uses secure Plaid connections and encryption to keep your information safe.
5. Can Tilt help build credit?
Not directly through cash advances, but the company has new credit products coming in 2025 that may help.
