Dave is a personal finance app that provides short-term payday loans through its ExtraCash feature. The app offers advances up to $500 with no credit check required. You’ll pay no fees to borrow through Dave other than the $1 monthly membership charge required to access the app’s features.
Dave is an excellent alternative to traditional payday loans, but it may not match your needs exactly. For example, if you need to borrow more than $500 or can’t repay your loan right away, you may want to check other apps like Dave that offer different terms. Keep reading to learn about the top five alternatives to the Dave app.
| App | Max. funding | Best for |
| EarnIn | $750 | Best cash advance flexibility |
| Empower | $300 | Best for trialing an all-in-one personal finance tool |
| Brigit | $250 | Best for choosing your repayment date |
| MoneyLion | $500 | Best mobile app |
| Current | $500 | Best for multiple advances in a single pay period |
Dave is best known for its payday advance feature, offering loans up to $500. You’ll repay your Dave loan on your next payday. Dave doesn’t charge interest, but you can pay an optional tip. You’ll also pay express fees if you want funds transferred faster than three business days.
Dave has plenty to offer, but it may not be your best option. Below is detailed information on the top five apps like Dave. Compare their terms to find which cash advance app best meets your needs.
Best cash advance flexibility
EarnIn provides flexible cash advances up to $750 per pay period, standing out for its lack of mandatory fees and interest. Founded in 2014, EarnIn is ideal for users with cash flow issues between paychecks who need access to funds without a credit check. The app’s Balance Shield Alerts feature helps prevent overdrafts, making it a strong competitor in the cash advance market.
| Instant access fee | $1.99 – $4.99 |
| No-fee funding time | 1 – 2 business days |
| Loan amounts | $100 per day / $750 per pay period |
The overall cost is $0 to $4.99, plus optional tips. EarnIn doesn’t charge interest or fees for cash advances. For instant access to funds, expect to pay a fee of $1.99 to $4.99. EarnIn encourages tips, but they aren’t required. The tipping model allows the company to offer more flexible and user-friendly financial solutions, avoiding traditional banking fees and interest rates, but you’re free to leave no tip.
Best for trialing an all-in-one personal finance tool
Empower offers more than just cash advances; it provides comprehensive financial management tools, including budgeting and automatic savings features. The app’s fast funding and financial planning tools make it a comprehensive solution for managing short-term cash flow needs. Empower charges a monthly subscription fee that covers these services, providing excellent value for users looking for an all-in-one financial tool.
| Instant access fee | $1 – $8 |
| No-fee funding time | 1 – 3 business days |
| Loan amounts | $10 – $300 |
The cost is $8 to $16, including the monthly membership fee of $8. You can use the app for free on a 14-day trial. It provides cash advances without interest or additional fees. Instant disbursement of the funds will cost between $1 and $8.
Best for choosing your repayment date
Brigit is designed to help users avoid overdraft fees by providing cash advances and financial tools, such as budgeting and credit monitoring. Its unique feature is the ability to choose your repayment date, offering flexibility in managing repayments. Brigit’s automatic cash advance feature can detect when you’re at risk of overdrawing your account and send an advance to cover the shortfall.
| Instant access fee | $0.99 – $3.99 |
| No-fee funding time | 1 – 3 days |
| Loan amounts | $50 – $250 |
The cost is $8.99 to $12.98, including the membership fee. Brigit operates on a subscription model, charging $8.99 per month for its Plus plan, which provides access to cash advances. You won’t pay interest on the loans, but you will pay $0.99 to $3.99 for instant access to cash advances. The $14.99 monthly Premium membership includes express delivery of funds.
Best mobile app
MoneyLion offers a robust mobile app experience with cash advances up to $500. It provides additional financial services, including credit builder loans and investment accounts, making it a comprehensive financial solution. MoneyLion’s RoarMoney account users can access higher advance limits and lower fees, making it a versatile option for those who need more substantial financial support.
| Instant access fee | $1.99 – $8.99 |
| No-fee funding time | 1 – 5 business days |
| Loan amounts | Up to $500 ($1,000 with RoarMoney) |
The cost is $0 to $8.99. MoneyLion provides no-interest cash advances through its Instacash feature. It doesn’t charge additional fees for standard disbursement, but you’ll pay up to $8.99 extra for instant cash. The MoneyLion app encourages tipping, but it isn’t required.
Best for multiple advances in a single pay period
Current allows multiple advances within a single pay period, with a maximum funding amount of $500. It also provides budgeting and tracking tools to help users manage their finances. The app’s ability to offer multiple advances per pay period makes it a flexible option for those with varying cash flow needs.
| Instant access fee | Not disclosed |
| No-fee funding time | 1 – 3 business days |
| Loan amounts | $50 – $500 |
The cost could be as little as $0. Current provides cash advances within one to three business days at no charge and without interest. You’ll pay an additional charge for instant funds. Current doesn’t disclose the amount of this fee. No membership fee is required, but you’ll pay extra for premium features.
To qualify for a payday advance through Dave, you need to:
Dave makes it easy to sign up; just download the app, create a profile, link your bank account, and open Dave Spending and ExtraCash accounts. Once you’ve opened these accounts, request a cash advance up to your approved limit.
The Dave Spending account—which acts like a checking account—is provided free of charge but is required if you want to borrow from the app. The application also offers the “Goals” account, a high-yield savings account that helps members set aside funds for large purchases, vacations, and emergencies.
Our expert’s opinion on apps like Dave
I think these apps can be helpful for anyone starting out on their own to help them manage and understand their finances, with the app available almost anytime. It is important to choose an app that will work best for you by considering the pros, cons, and features listed above. I caution users to ensure they have a strong password, use multifactor authentication features, and change the passcode on their smartphone every three to six months.
Getting a payday advance through Dave is a terrific option if you need quick cash, but it has several drawbacks, including the short time you have to repay the loan. If you can’t repay the loan by your next paycheck, consider using Brigit, which allows you to choose your repayment date.
The Dave Spending account is required to get a cash advance. Some people won’t want to complicate their finances further by opening another checking account and debit card. But you don’t need an extra account to borrow from EarnIn or Brigit—just link your current bank account.
Dave might also be too limiting on loan amounts and the number of advances you can take. The maximum loan for Dave is $500, but you can borrow up to $750 from EarnIn or $1,000 from MoneyLion with its RoarMoney service. Dave only allows one advance at a time, while Current permits multiple advances in a single pay period.
To make an informed decision on cash advance apps, it’s wise to check customer ratings. These numbers provide insight into how reliable and user-friendly the apps are. Use the chart below to compare how each app ranks.
| App | Ratings* |
| Dave | 4.8/5 (686.8K) |
| EarnIn | 4.7/5 (282K) |
| Empower | 4.8/5 (186K) |
| Brigit | 4.8/5 (301.5K) |
| MoneyLion | 4.7/5 (130.6K) |
| Current | 4.8/5 (154.4K) |
When choosing a cash advance app, consider several factors to find the best match for you. First, compare how much you need to borrow versus the loan amounts each app offers. If you need to borrow $500 or more, eliminate apps with low cash advance limits.
Next, check out how much it costs to borrow from each app. While some apps work on an optional tip-based model, others require monthly subscriptions that can add up over time. Also, ensure you understand how much you’ll pay for instant loan access if you prefer not to wait for disbursement.
You should also consider flexibility when choosing a cash advance app like Dave. Look for features that fit your financial needs, such as the ability to select your repayment date or take out multiple advances at a time. You can determine which app is the best option by evaluating these factors.
Many apps like Dave offer free versions with basic features but may charge fees for premium features or instant funding. For example, EarnIn doesn’t have mandatory fees but charges for instant transfers. Brigit and Empower have monthly subscription fees that include access to their full suite of financial tools. Review each app’s fee structure to understand any potential costs.
You can find more apps like Dave by exploring financial blogs, app stores, and comparison websites. User reviews in app stores can give you insight into other users’ experiences.
Reputable cash advance apps, like Dave, use encryption and other security measures to protect your personal and financial information. These apps often comply with industry standards and regulations to ensure data security. Always check the app’s privacy policy and user reviews to ensure your data is secure before providing personal information.
| App | Max. funding | Best for |
| EarnIn | $750 | Best cash advance flexibility |
| Empower | $300 | Best for trialing an all-in-one personal finance tool |
| Brigit | $250 | Best for choosing your repayment date |
| MoneyLion | $500 | Best mobile app |
| Current | $500 | Best for multiple advances in a single pay period |
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