EarnIn App Review: Paycheck Advances

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Key takeaways

EarnIn is a fintech app that lets users access a portion of their earned wages before payday. There are no interest charges, no mandatory fees, and no credit check.
EarnIn can send cash instantly, allows users to reschedule payments, and offers a balance shield feature to protect against overdrafts.
To qualify for EarnIn you must be consistently employed, receive direct deposits, and have a fixed work location or online timesheet.

EarnIn is an innovative app that let you access your earned wages before payday. EarnIn is not a lender, and this is not a loan, so there is no interest or credit check. Nor are there mandatory fees (tipping is optional and capped at $14). Instead, you get an advance on your pay up to $100 per day or $750 per pay period. The app a good alternative to payday and other high cost loans.

If you need cash before payday and are considering EarnIn, keep reading to learn more about how it works.

EarnIn at a glance

EarnIn is a fintech app started by Ram Palaniappan back in 2013. It’s built on the premise of empowering individuals by allowing them to access their money as they earn it, rather than waiting for the traditional payday. This approach helps people manage unexpected expenses and avoid overdraft fees or high-interest loans.

EarnIn community members can access up to $100 per day and up to $750 per pay period of money they’ve already earned. How much you can advance depends on your pay rate and financial habits. And will be reevaluated every pay period. There are no mandatory fees, no credit check, and no interest when you use EarnIn.

EarnIn features and perks

There are multiple features and perks that make EarnIn stand out as an on-demand wage app. The main one is of course instant access to your earned wages without any fees or credit checks.

Instant earnings

If you need your cash instantly, you can pay a fast-funding fee called Lighting Speed and get your earnings within 30 minutes. It costs $1.99 to $4.99 depending on the cash advance amount. Otherwise, you’ll only have to wait one to three business days but it’s completely fee-free. EarnIn waives the fee the first time you use Lighting Speed. Access your cash instantly for free.

Change due date

EarnIn allows you to reschedule when your repayment is due in case you cannot pay. All you have to do is notify EarnIn’s support team one business before your due date. The catch is, you can only reschedule due dates every 60 days.

Great App

“Love this app. Perfect for the last few days before a paycheck, or if you’re spent but need food or whatever. The tipping system is really cool, and the way they calculate earnings is also innovative. Probably the best on if you need money asap on account of the “lightening” function. Overall great app. Only thing I might suggest is to have a program to report on time payments to the big 3 to help people’s credit score.”

Kristian Harris

Balance Shield protection

EarnIn does not have any measures in place to prevent an overdraft. If your bank balance is low when your due date comes, EarnIn may cause your account to go negative. You can opt-in to Balance Shield, the app’s low-balance alert feature to help prevent this from happening. Add Balance Shield Cash Out and EarnIn will automatically send you $100 when your balance drops below a certain level. This way your account will stay positive and you won’t accidentally overdraw.

Low cost

There is always a no-cost option to access the money you’ve already earned through the app. EarnIn does not charge a subscription fee or any other mandatory fee. You are given the option to tip from $0 to $14 every time you cash out, but it is not required. Not tipping will not affect your access to cash advances on the app.

Boost program

Have another EarnIn Community Member vouch for you and EarnIn will temporarily raise your pay period limit by $50.

Monitor your credit score

You can track your credit score for free with EarnIn. View your credit usage, open accounts, and payment history. Everything that lenders see. You will also get alters whenever anything changes so that you can stay ahead of any surprises. Taking part in this feature will not impact your credit score or affect how much cash you can advance.

How to qualify for an EarnIn advance

EarnIn makes it easy to get a cash advance because they believe that everyone should be able to access their wages at any time. The app does have stricter eligibility requirements than other cash advance apps since the amount you can advance is based on what you’ve already earned.

To qualify for an advance from EarnIn, you need to:

Be consistently employed
Receive direct deposits
Have a regular pay schedule and make at least $350 per pay period
Have more than 50% of your direct deposit sent to a checking account
Be able to verify a fixed work location or provide a work email address
Have a valid U.S. cellphone number
Be 18 years or older
Live in the United States
Connecticut residents are not eligible

How does EarnIn work?

EarnIn uses your employment information and bank account to see your direct deposit history and calculate your earnings so they know how much you make and therefore how much they can advance you. This is essential because you can only access money once you’ve earned it.

It’s easy to get started

Add your bank and employment info

Transfer up to $100/day (up to $750/pay period) to the linked bank account

Tip if you like. There are no interest charges and no mandatory fees.

Any earnings and tips are repaid on the next payday

The Best

“I have tried a ton of apps like this, but none are as good as this one. A lot of the others charge hidden fees or are complicated or you can’t reach anyone for technical issues. There is a chat feature built into the app and they fixed my issue in less than 5 minutes the one time I had trouble. It is absolutely the best app. The only way I have survived during the pandemic! Very much a blessing.”

Rebecca Villa

EarnIn advantages and drawbacks

Pros of EarnIn

No interest or fees: EarnIn does not charge mandatory fees or interest on the money users withdraw. Instead, it operates on an optional tipping model.
Quick access to funds: Users can access up to $100 per day and up to $750 per pay period. For those in urgent need, EarnIn offers the Lightning Speed feature, allowing instant transfers.
Overdraft protection: The Balance Shield feature helps prevent overdrafts by sending alerts when the account balance is low and automatically transferring up to $100 to cover expenses.
No credit check: EarnIn does not require a credit check, making it accessible to users with poor or no credit history.
Cash-back rewards: Users can earn cash-back on everyday purchases through the app’s rewards program when using linked debit or credit cards.
High user ratings: EarnIn has received high ratings on both the App Store and Google Play, indicating general user satisfaction.

Cons of EarnIn

Eligibility requirements: EarnIn is only available to those with regular pay schedules and fixed work locations. It does not support remote workers, freelancers, or those with multiple gig jobs.
Automatic withdrawals: Some users have reported issues with EarnIn withdrawing funds from their accounts before their paychecks are deposited, potentially leading to overdraft fees.
Daily and pay period limits: Users can only withdraw up to $100 per day and $750 per pay period, which may not be sufficient for larger financial emergencies.
Tipping: Users who do not tip may lose access to certain features, creating a subtle pressure to tip. Tipping too much leads to triple digit APRs.

Overall, EarnIn is a useful tool for managing cash flow between paychecks, but users should be aware of its limitations and potential issues with customer service and automatic withdrawals.

Looking for a low cost bank?

You’re in luck. Current offers fee-free banking, a credit building card, and access to your paycheck up to 2 days early!

Who EarnIn is best for?

EarnIn is a good option for people who are employed, use an electronic timesheet, have a work email, or fixed location, and need a little extra to cover an emergency expense. A no-fee cash advance is better than a payday loan, many of which charge fees equaling a 400% APR.

Before you take out a cash advance, make sure that you can cover the amount plus all your regular expenses with your next paycheck. It does require a little extra budgeting. And don’t make it a habit. EarnIn is good for little emergency expenses but if you feel dependent on it, it’s time to find another job and increase your income.

Who EarnIn isn’t right for?

It’s not suitable for people without a regular job or those who don’t receive paychecks via direct deposit. Freelances, contract employees, and the self-employed are not able to use the app. This is because EarnIn needs to know how much you’ve earned in order to know what it can advance you. Without a set work location or electronic timesheet it cannot track your wages.

Also, if you’re looking to borrow large sums of money, EarnIn may not meet your needs as it limits advances to a portion of your earned wages. The most you can borrow in a single pay period is $750, which may not be enough to cover a major emergency.

If you regularly spend more than you earn, EarnIn is not a good choice. You need a long term solution to manage your finances. Lastly, EarnIn is unfortunately not available for Connecticut residents.

Is EarnIn legit?

Yes, EarnIn is a legitimate app. It allows users to access a portion of their earned wages before payday without charging mandatory fees or interest. Instead, it operates on a tipping model where users can choose to leave a tip if they wish. The app has received positive ratings on both the App Store and Google Play, though some users have reported issues with early withdrawals from their accounts and reduced cash-out limits. Overall, it is a viable option for those needing short-term financial assistance.

Bottom line

EarnIn offers a novel fix for when you’re out of money but know that you’re getting paid. Borrowing against your future paycheck is incredibly easy and completely free on the app. There are no high-interest rates or mandatory fees like with payday loans. Only money you’ve already earned. While EarnIn is an excellent tool for when you’re in a pinch, remember it’s best to build an emergency fund than to rely on advances to see you through.

1. Paycheck Advance is For eligible customers only. Your actual available Paycheck Advance amount will be displayed to you in the mobile app and may change from time to time. Conditions and eligibility may vary and are subject to change at any time, at the sole discretion of Finco Advance LLC, which offers this optional feature. Finco Advance LLC is a financial technology company, not a bank. Expedited disbursement of your Paycheck Advance is an optional feature that is subject to an Instant Access Fee and may not be available to all users. Expedited disbursements may take up to an hour. For more information, please refer to Paycheck Advance Terms and Conditions.

2. Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. The Current Visa® Debit Card is issued by Choice Financial Group pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Current Visa® secured charge card is issued by Cross River Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank. Current Individual Account required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required.

3. Individual results may vary. Using your credit card responsibly may allow you to improve your credit score. Credit building depends on various factors, including your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and other financial activities.

4. Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer’s submission of deposits.

5. Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group. Funds held in Savings Pods are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 at our partner bank Choice Financial Group, member FDIC

6. Actual overdraft amount may vary and is subject to change at any time, at Current’s sole discretion. In order to qualify and enroll in the Fee-Free Overdraft feature, you must receive $500 or more in Qualifying Deposits into your Current Account over the preceding 30-day period. For more information, please refer to Fee-free Overdraft Terms and Conditions.

7. You may earn Points in connection with your everyday spending and by completing other actions that Current designates as subject to the Current Points Program. The amount of Points granted for different actions as well as the purchase requirements necessary to earn Points will vary, and is subject to Current’s sole discretion. After qualifying, please allow 3-5 business days for points to post to your Current account. The Current Points program is not available to Teen Account holders. See Current Points Terms and Conditions.

8. Some fees may apply, including out of network ATM fees of $2.50 per transaction, late payment fees of 3% of any total due balance outstanding and past due for two or more billing cycles, foreign transaction fees of 3% of the full transaction amount (minimum $0.50), card replacement fees per card of $5 for regular delivery and $30 for expedited delivery, cash deposit fees of $3.50 per deposit, and third party processing fees.

9. Boost Bonuses are credited to your Savings Pods within 48 hours of enabling the Boost feature and on a daily basis thereafter, provided that the Savings Pod has accrued a Boost Bonus of at least $0.01. The Boost rate on Savings Pods is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed rate is effective as of August 1, 2023. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn a Boost rate of either 0.25% or 4.00% annually on the portion of balances up to $2000 per Savings Pod, up to $6000 total. The remaining balance earns 0.00%. A qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more is required for 4.00%. No minimum balance required. For more information, please refer to Current Boost Terms and Conditions.

10. Cryptocurrency services are powered by Zero Hash LLC and Zero Hash Liquidity Services LLC, and may not be available in all states. Terms and conditions apply. When you buy or sell cryptocurrency, a difference between the current market price and the price you buy or sell that asset for is called a spread. However, unlike most other exchanges Current does not charge an additional trading fee. Cryptocurrency transactions are a form of investment, and all investments are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. Cryptocurrency is not insured by the FDIC or any other government-backed or third-party insurance. Your purchase of cryptocurrency is not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, Choice Financial Group or Cross River Bank. The cryptocurrency assets in your Zero Hash account are not held at Current, Choice Financial Group, or Cross River Bank. Current, Choice Financial Group, and Cross River Bank are not responsible for the cryptocurrency assets held in any Zero Hash account. Neither Current, Choice, nor Cross River Bank is involved in the purchase, sale, exchange of fiat funds for cryptocurrency, or custody of the cryptocurrencies. Terms and Conditions apply (platform and user agreements). Crypto on Current is not currently available in HI. Licensed to engage in Virtual Currency Business Activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. This does not constitute investment advice.

11. Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group. Your money is FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 at each of our partner banks, Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank, members FDIC.

12. Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2023 for stays of two nights. Benefits include daily breakfast for two, room upgrade upon arrival when available, $100 amenity, guaranteed 4PM late checkout, and noon check-in when available. Certain room categories not eligible for upgrade. $100 amenity varies by property. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.

13. Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

14. The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

15. Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one- way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

16. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

17. Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

18. When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

19. Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

20. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.

21. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.

22. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

23. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

24. There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.

25. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.

26. Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.

27. Based on a representative study conducted by Experian®, members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder between June 2020 and October 2020 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.

28. On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.

29. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

30. SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your Visa debit card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions.

31. Tipping or not tipping has no impact on your eligibility for SpotMe®.

32. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

33. Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account.

34. Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account.

35. Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member’s direct deposit enrollment status.

36. Funds are automatically debited from your Checking Account and typically deposited into the recipient’s Checking Account within seconds. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed.

37. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed. Non-Chime members must use a valid debit card to claim funds.

* EarnIn is not available for Connecticut residents

Rachel Alulis

Rachel Alulis has been the lead editor for Moneyfor’s credit cards team since 2015 and for the financial rewards team since 2023. Before joining Moneyfor, Rachel worked at USA Today and the Des Moines Register. She then established a successful freelance writing and editing business specializing in personal finance. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA.

EarnIn App Review: Paycheck Advances

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