9+ Best Cash Advance Apps Like Dave To Get Payday Loans

Are you already low on cash before your next payday? Many people borrow money through cash advance apps since they’re fast and convenient.

Users prefer the Dave app for its high cash advances and low monthly costs among the cash advance platforms.

If you want to try other apps and platforms, this article lists other cash advance apps like Dave. Check each one, and see which suits your financial needs.

An Overview of Dave

Dave provides a personal finance app that offers a cash advance feature without overdraft fees and minimum balance fees. The app also includes features for early paycheck access, financial goal tracking, and side hustle opportunities.

Where Does Dave Excel?

Many people use Dave for its higher-than-average cash advance limit. Most cash advance apps offer up to $250, but Dave loans up to $500.

The platform doesn’t require credit checks and doesn’t charge overdraft or interest fees. Plus, they have an affordable $1 monthly membership fee, one of the lowest in the market.

Dave makes it convenient to pay your debt back since it automatically schedules your repayment date on your next payday.

Where Does Dave Fall Short?

Although Dave charges a $1 subscription fee, you can’t use the platform without paying the membership fee. Besides this, the platform charges a pretty high fee for express direct deposits, which costs $1.99 to $9.99 for Dave accounts and $2.99 to $13.99 for an external bank account.

Also, Dave isn’t accessible to students and individuals without a checking account, as the app requires users to connect the platform to their external checking account.

Our Top Picks

• EarnIn: High Cash Advance Limit
• MoneyLion: Popular Cash Advance App
• Chime: The Lowest Fees
• Empower: Suitable for Freelancers
• Brigit: Well-Rounded Financial App
• Varo: Ideal Online-Only Banking Service
• Albert: Access Most Features for Free
• PayActiv: Ideal Payday Cash Loan App
• DailyPay: Best On-Demand Pay App

The Best Dave Alternatives at a Glance

Here’s a quick summary of the best apps like Dave.

What Is the Best Alternative to Dave?

EarnIn provides an ideal alternative to Dave due to its high cash advances.

You can borrow up to $750 per pay period or small cash advances of $100 daily without lots of fees, interest rates, or credit checks. You can even borrow up to $1,500 if you have a Visa EarnIn Card.

What Is the Best Free App Like Dave?

Albert offers a no-fee cash advance feature alternative to Dave.

It’s one of the cash advance apps with no monthly fees and lets users access most of its tools for free.

The Best Dave Alternatives In 2024

If you want to try other apps like Dave, check out these nine reliable alternatives.

1. EarnIn

• Good: EarnIn lets you borrow up to $750 per pay period or up to $1,500 if you have the Visa EarnIn Card.
• Bad: The app has strict qualifications and primarily accommodates those with regular, full-time work.
• When to Choose This Dave Alternative: Choose EarnIn if you want high cash advances directly from your salary.

EarnIn lets you take a part of your earned salary before your next payday. Then, they’ll charge the advance amount you borrowed from your bank account during payday.

So far, their products include their Cash Out feature and Credit Monitoring tool that enables you to track your credit score for free.

Why Is EarnIn a Great Option?

Most payday apps like EarnIn let you get early access to your earned salary by up to $500, but EarnIn offers a maximum advance amount of $750 per pay period or up to $1,500 if you have their Visa EarnIn Card.

Besides the high payday loans, the app notifies you if your bank account drops below EarnIn’s required minimum balance. Plus, it’s one of the cash advance apps that doesn’t charge monthly fees or require credit checks.

Drawbacks to EarnIn

To use EarnIn, you must earn a regular paycheck from the same employer, present your timesheet, and have a bank account receiving 50% of your direct deposit. As a result, this app doesn’t suit independent contractors or freelancers. Also note that EarnIn isn’t available outside the U.S.

2. MoneyLion

• Good: MoneyLion offers a popular, well-rounded financial and cash advance platform with high cash advances and no overdraft rates.
• Bad: The platform delivers the money after a few days and charges relatively high express fees.
• When to Choose This Dave Alternative: Try MoneyLion if you’re looking for popular cash advance apps like Dave.

MoneyLion isn’t a bank, but it’s a financial technology company providing members with services on cash advances, investment, and financial advisory.

They also include credit-boosting options, custom investment portfolios, and cryptocurrency services. Overall, MoneyLion offers a well-rounded platform that’s widely popular in digital money lending.

Why Is MoneyLion a Great Option?

Most apps like MoneyLion lend up to $250, but MoneyLion offers cash advances of up to $500. You can increase your limit by availing the $1 monthly membership to get up to $700 per pay period or paying $19.99 to receive up to $1,000 of personal loans before your next payday.

Drawbacks to MoneyLion

Despite its popularity, MoneyLion delivers cash advances within two to five days if you transfer to an external bank account. Meanwhile, you’ll receive your money within 12 to 24 hours if you transfer to a MoneyLion checking account.

In addition, most cash advance apps only take days to increase your limit, but MoneyLion tends to take weeks to upgrade the cash limit.

3. Chime

• Good: Chime charges the least type of fees than other cash advance platforms.
• Bad: They have strict requirements and have a starting cash limit of $20.
• When to Choose This Dave Alternative: Consider getting Chime if you want to save money and avoid various fees.

Although it’s not a bank, Chime offers digital banking services by partnering with national banks. Their services include a cash advance app feature, early payday loans, savings accounts, online transfers, a Visa credit card, and a credit builder.

Why Is Chime a Great Option?

Since they partner with national banks, Chime doesn’t charge overdraft fees, monthly maintenance fees, minimum balance fees, or foreign transaction fees.

As a result, they’re one of the best cash advance apps for people who want to avoid paying lots of fees.

Plus, opening a Chime checking account will give you a debit card, a credit card with no credit check or fees, and a savings account with a 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY).

Drawbacks to Chime

One major downside to using Chime is its strict policies on borrowing money. For example, one of its requirements includes having a minimum qualifying direct deposit of $200 in your bank account.

Besides this, it has a low starting limit of $20 that’ll only increase if you maintain regular direct deposit and a positive bank account balance.

4. Empower

• Good: Empower has lax requirements, enabling freelancers to get cash advances easily.
• Bad: It doesn’t offer unique features and has a low APY of 0.01%.
• When to Choose This Dave Alternative: Explore Empower if you’re a freelancer who needs cash advances or someone who wants fewer qualification requirements to borrow instant money.

Empower provides a cash advance app with no credit checks or late fees. Instead, it measures your ability to pay and determines how much you can borrow by looking at the amount and spending habits of your external bank account.

As a result, they offer quick and easy cash advances or loans for gig workers. You can borrow up to $250 via direct deposit.

Why Is Empower a Great Option?

Most apps like Empower enforce strict eligibility requirements, but Empower has fewer qualifications, making it easier for individuals, freelancers, and gig workers to borrow quick money.

Besides its cash advance service, Empower includes a debit card service where you can deposit your advances and receive cashback rewards.

Drawbacks to Empower

Unlike Dave, Empower charges a monthly subscription fee of $8, and you get features you can see in many cash advance apps. Plus, their account only has a 0.01% APY, making it extremely low compared to other platforms.

5. Brigit

• Good: Brigit includes various financial services, from cash advances to budget tracking, making it a well-rounded finance app.
• Bad: You pay a high membership but get a low cash advance limit.
• When to Choose This Dave Alternative: Choose Brigit if you prefer an all-in-one financial app for loans, budgeting, and more.

As one of the popular instant cash advance apps on the market, Brigit offers loans of up to $250, budgeting tools, and financial insights to help you manage your money.

The app claims to have no hidden fees and offers an easy-to-use app, perfect for beginners. Plus, Brigit aims to help customers avoid getting charged overdraft fees.

Why Is Brigit a Great Option?

Most apps like Brigit request tips or charge late fees, but Brigit doesn’t have these. In fact, Brigit’s cash advance feature has no mandatory fee, credit check, or interest.

In addition, connecting your bank account to the platform enables Brigit to monitor your balance and send up to $250 to protect you from overdrafts.

As a bonus, Brigit provides a secure platform, providing users with up to $1 million in case of an identity theft.

Drawbacks to Brigit

You can get and use Brigit for free, but you can only access most of its features if you subscribe to its monthly membership, which costs $9.99.

Plus, this cash advance app offers a lower cash limit compared to Dave. With Dave, get up to $500 in cash advance for only $1 monthly. Meanwhile, you only get up to $250 with Brigit.

6. Varo

• Good: Varo offers a digital-only personal finance app with zero fees and a high-yield savings account.
• Bad: Some might not like that it has no physical branches and limited cash deposits.
• When to Choose This Dave Alternative: Choose Varo if you want a convenient online-only financial bank.

Among the apps on the list, Varo is the only FDIC-insured bank. This online-only banking service provides digital services via a mobile app or browser, meaning it has zero physical branches.

As of writing, its services include Varo Advance, Varo Believe, early direct deposit of your paycheck, and money transfer via Zelle. Users can choose between a Varo bank account or a high-yield savings account.

Why Is Varo a Great Option?

With Varo, you get zero minimum balance, membership fees, foreign transaction fees, transfer rates, and overdraft fees with either type of account. They also don’t require a hard credit check.

If you choose the savings option, you must maintain a minimum balance of $0.01 to get an APY of 3.00%. You can also increase your APY to 5.00% if you meet the requirements.

Despite being a digital-only bank, you can use over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs worldwide.

Drawbacks to Varo

Unfortunately, Varo charges a 6% to 8% fee for cash advances over $20.

Meanwhile, some people may not be able to meet the requirements for increasing their account’s APY. These requirements include receiving a total direct deposit of $1,000 or more and having a positive balance at the end of the month.

7. Albert

• Good: Albert offers most of its banking features for free, making it accessible to everyone.
• Bad: The platform has limited customer service.
• When to Choose This Dave Alternative: Check out Albert if you want a well-rounded financial app you can primarily access for free.

Albert provides a financial service app that functions via the FDIC-insured Sutton Bank. Their services include cash advances and a debit card option without credit checks and late fees. You can access these features for free.

Meanwhile, their paid service called Genius offers users 24/7 access to financial experts for consultation.

Why Is Albert a Great Option?

As mentioned, you can access most of Albert’s services for free. Many apps like Albert require you to pay a subscription fee, but Albert only has one paid service.

If you need help managing and growing your money, getting the Genius feature for $8 monthly will introduce you to financial expert advice.

Besides this, maintaining a consistent, positive bank activity enables you to get more advances per pay period.

Drawbacks to Albert

Unfortunately, this cash advance app offers limited ways to reach them. If you have concerns about your account or transaction, you can only contact them through text or email. They have no hotline number, which may become inconvenient for urgent concerns.

8. PayActiv

• Good: PayActiv offers a payday loan alternative, complete with financial goals and suggestions and bill payments.
• Bad: You can only try the platform if your employer uses PayActiv.
• When to Choose This Dave Alternative: Consider getting PayActiv if your employer already uses this to give early access to your salary.

PayActiv provides a financial wellness app with a debit card option, on-demand salary pay, online payment solutions, financial goal tracking, financial insights, and prescription discounts.

Like some apps on the list, this platform doesn’t charge fees for late payments, overdrafts, and high interest, making it ideal for beginners.

Why Is PayActiv a Great Option?

PayActiv grants employees the freedom to get up to 50% of their earned wages anytime before their next paycheck. For example, if you receive up to $1,000 per pay period, you can cash out up to $500.

Given the platform’s other features, this platform offers an ideal all-in-one financial app for employees.

Drawbacks to PayActiv

You can only use PayActiv if your employer uses it. Since the platform partners with companies, your employer will be the one to set up your details for you, enabling you to have early access to your salary.

9. DailyPay

• Good: DailyPay lets you cash out up to 100% of your salary anytime, enabling you to get your salary whenever you need it.
• Bad: Having the freedom to use your salary in advance may lead to overspending.
• When to Choose This Dave Alternative: Use DailyPay if you’re an employee living paycheck to paycheck or a business owner who wants to give a perk to their staff.

DailyPay enables employees to receive their wages anytime they need it. This reliable platform integrates seamlessly with a company’s payroll software.

It’s trusted by some of the leading companies, like Dollar Tree, Adecco, Kroger, and HCA Healthcare.

Why Is DailyPay a Great Option?

Unlike Dave and PayActiv, DailyPay lets you withdraw 100% of your earnings before your payday. This allows employees more flexibility and freedom with their finances.

Plus, you don’t need a pre-existing bank account or social security number to receive the payment, making it accessible to all workers.

Drawbacks to DailyPay

Since DailyPay partners with companies, your employer must partner with the platform to make this accessible to you.

Also, note that you must pay $1.99 or $2.99 (express fee) to transfer the money.

Notable Mentions: Even More Options to Check Out

If the cash advance platforms above don’t suit your financial needs, check out other apps like Dave.

ONE@Work

ONE@Work, formerly called Even, works with thousands of employers and banks to give employees early access to up to 50% of their earned income. The app doesn’t charge interest or fees and lets you repay your cash advance amount on your next payday.

However, you can only try Even if your company uses it. Otherwise, it’ll be inconvenient if you need quick personal loans immediately. You may also need to pay a monthly subscription fee to access your cash. The fee depends on your employer.

Cash App

Cash App offers financial services, such as cash advances, direct deposit, online purchases, and cryptocurrency. Although it’s not a bank, it partners with Sutton Bank and Lincoln Savings Bank to provide its services.

Unfortunately, their loan feature is fairly new and in its early stages. As a result, some users can’t use it. Nonetheless, consider using Cash App if you need quick cash through a reliable platform without paying a membership fee.

Klover

Klover provides a unique financial mobile app offering budgeting tools and instant cash advances of up to $200 without a credit check, interest, and other fees. You can’t find many other apps like Klover since it uses a point system to increase your cash limit and earn rewards.

However, one downside to using the app includes a checking account requirement with at least 60 days of consistent activity and three direct deposits. Plus, you can only borrow up to $200 before your next paycheck, while most apps offer higher cash advances.

Wrapping Up

If you’re in a pinch and want an alternative to making money quickly, consider getting cash advance apps like Dave and the other platforms listed above.

We recommend EarnIn if you need a platform with a high cash advance limit. Meanwhile, consider getting MoneyLion since it’s a popular and well-rounded personal loan app.

Whichever app you choose, remember to know your needs first, compare your options, and choose a suitable cash advance platform. Ultimately, borrow the amount you can pay back.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below or share this article with someone who may need urgent money.