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Get Instant ExtraCash Advances & More with Dave

The Dave app provides cash advances plus offers a number of features to make it easier for members to manage their money.

cash advance app
Updated July 2, 2024
Written by Rachel Alulis
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Key takeaways

  • Dave provides cash advances up to $500 without a credit check.
  • The app includes budgeting tools and spending alerts, helping users manage their finances more effectively.
  • While Dave charges a small monthly fee, it does not impose interest, making it a cost-effective solution for short-term financial needs.

If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling for extra cash before payday, then the Dave app is for you. It is one of the first money management apps to provide instant cash advances – interest-free – to help customers avoid pesky overdraft fees or costly payday loans.

Dave offers a number of features to make it easier for members to manage and access their money. Besides instant ExtraCash advances up to $500, you can enjoy a checking account with few fees, up to 15% cash back on select purchases, and even side hustle opportunities to help you increase your cash flow.

Let’s take a closer look and see if the Dave app is the right cash advance and money management app for you.

Jump to:

What is the Dave app?

Jason Wilk founded the Dave app in 2017 to help people avoid costly overdraft fees. Thanks to its instant ExtraCash advances, it has succeeded in helping members save over $2.5 billion in overdraft fees.

To access an ExtraCash advance and all the other features Dave has to offer, you do have to pay a $1/month membership fee. Compared to other cash advance apps, this fee is low. With a Dave membership, you can access ExtraCash advances up to $500, a fee-free checking account, cash back up to 15% with Dave Rewards, a high-yield savings account, instant-pay surveys, and easy-to-apply for side hustles. Plus you get automated budgeting tools to make your life easier. It’s a lot. We’ll go into the details below.

Dave’s $500 ExtraCash advances

If there’s one standout feature that makes Dave a lifesaver for many, it’s the $500 ExtraCash advances. These advances act as a safety net when you’re running low on funds. Dave allows you to borrow up to $500 interest-free when you need it most.

You can even take out multiple cash advances in one month but you can only have one outstanding advance at a time. There is no credit check, no interest, and no late fees on Dave’s ExtraCash advances.

You can get your ExtraCash advance instantly – in under a minute – with an express fee or wait 2-3 business days for free.

The Dave ExtraCash advance will automatically be repaid when you receive your next paycheck or on the nearest Friday. Need more time? You can easily reschedule your settlement date up to two days before the due date. If you forget to reschedule and are short on funds, don’t worry. Dave won’t charge any late fees or overdraw your bank account.

Love This App

“Dave has helped me out when I was in a pinch for money. I love that it selects your next pay date to settle the account and you have the option to forward to your account or their card. A drawback for some may be the option to tip BUT it is optional. I love this app, and you pay $1 monthly fee. I would recommend this app.” Terri Simpson, Google Play Review

How to qualify for Dave’s ExtraCash advance

Dave aims to make cash advances available for everyone. This means that they don’t conduct a credit check or require regular paychecks to qualify. So if you’re a gig worker or living paycheck to paycheck you can still meet the criteria.

What Dave does is review your checking accounts, spending habits, income history, and if you’re a recurring customer, repayment history to determine if you’re eligible and for how much.

To qualify for Dave’s ExtraCash advance, you must meet:

  • Have at least three recurring deposits
  • Your linked bank account must be open for at least 60 days and have a positive balance
  • Have a monthly deposit of $1,000 or more for a larger cash advance
  • You pass an identity verification and fraud detection
  • Have a Social Security number
  • Be at least 18
  • Live in the United States

The Dave app determines if you’re eligible daily and the limit can change too. You can turn on notifications to find out when you’re approved and for how much. If you want a larger advance, apply when you’ve just made a deposit into your account or close to payday.

How Dave’s ExtraCash advances work

Here’s how to get an ExtraCash advance in a few simple steps:

Dave Extracash advance
  1. Sign up in the Dave app and link your external checking account.
  2. Request an advance of up to $500 and see what you’re approved for in minutes.
  3. Pay an express fee if you need the cash immediately or wait 2 to 3 business days.
  4. Add a tip. The tip is optional and will not impact your access to ExtraCash advances in the future.
  5. Pay it back with your next paycheck or extend the deadline as needed.

The good news is that you can qualify for a $500 ExtraCash advance immediately. While other apps cap your initial advance at $20, Dave will let you take out as much as they determine you can pay back as soon as you sign up.  

How long does it take to get an ExtraCash advance?

The amount of time it takes to get your ExtraCash advance depends on how much you want to spend. ExtraCash advances take two to three business days to hit your account. If you want to speed up the process and have your money instantly, you’ll have to pay an express fee. Express fees range from $3-$15 for transfers to a Dave Checking account and $5-$25 if you’re sending the advance to an external account. The exact cost depends on the size of your advance.  

Love This App

“During the past few months dave has helped me more than i initially thot. at first i was able to borrow 150 now i can borrow up to 400 a week!***thanks dave! & thanks to the developers for actually making this app helpful in more ways than just getting extra cash. Anyone with a job & bank account can get $ from Dave. Always useful, simple & no hassle. THANKS DAVE!” erininthe2g, Apple Review

How much does a Dave ExtraCash advance cost?

Dave is one of the original and most affordable cash advance apps. You do have to pay a $1/month subscription fee, but with this fee, you get account monitoring, notification services, a debit card with cash back rewards, a high-yield savings account, and budgeting tools. So for many, it is well worth the cost.  

Dave’s ExtraCash advances themselves have no direct fees or interest. The app will automatically ask for a tip of 15%, but you can decline. Whether you tip or not will not affect your eligibility for future advances.

Though the fees are low, you still should be careful because the costs can add up. Say you take out a $150 cash advance, pay a $5.99 fast funding fee, and make a $15 optional tip. With your $1 subscription, that adds up to $22.  

Of course, $22 is a lot less than overdraft fees, which can range from $35 to over $100 per day, but it is not nothing.

Get paid early with Dave

Dave doesn’t stop at cash advances; it offers a Dave Checking account with multiple benefits. A Dave Checking account has no minimum balance and monthly maintenance fee. You can easily access funds from your Dave Debit Mastercard at over 38,000 fee-free Money Pass ATMs, cash checks via the Dave app, and deposit cash at CVS, Walgreens, and 90,000 other stores.  

The best part is that if you send your direct deposits to your Dave Checking account, you can get paid up to two days early! This feature can be a game-changer for those living paycheck to paycheck or facing tight financial situations.

So So Helpful

“Dave has been nothing but extremely helpful. Simple and easy to understand, has the cheapest monthly payment by far compared to other apps & Dave offers a decent cash advance amount. All in all it’s a great app and has been a blessing! Definitely try it out.” Jessica Banks, Google Play Review

Start saving with a Dave Goal’s account!

If you want to save money to go on vacation, buy a car, put a downpayment on a house, or anything else, Dave can help. The app offers a Goals account, where you can set aside money for specific savings goals. There is no minimum deposit requirement, and you can withdraw money anytime. The best part is that you get a 4% APY (annual percentage yield), which is well above the national interest rate of 0.23% for savings accounts. You can also round up purchases from your Dave Debit Mastercard to the nearest dollar to help you reach your goals faster.

It’s simple to create a goal. Just tell Dave what you’re saving for, how much you want, and the date you’d like to reach it by. Then, send money to the account at your own pace. You can track your progress, and Dave will help you celebrate milestones along the way.

Whether it’s an emergency fund, a vacation, or a new gadget, Dave can help you save and reach your financial goals.

Make extra cash

Need more income? Dave has your back. The app provides surveys that pay out instantly, job listings, and gig opportunities that can help you supplement your income and improve your financial stability. Whether it’s picking up a part-time gig or finding a side hustle, Dave can guide you towards additional earning opportunities.

Is subscribing to Dave worth it?

Dave’s goal is to make banking more accessible and help members avoid overdraft fees. Just in 2021, Americans paid banks over $11 billion in overdraft fees! That’s an awful lot of money going to traditional banks. If you’re one of those Americans, then Dave may just be for you. It is a low-cost app that can give you the cash advance you need to keep your bank balance positive. Most cash advance apps cap their amount at $250, while Dave goes all the way up to $500.

Yes, there are a few fees – the $1 per month subscription charge, express fee if you choose, and the optional tipping – but Dave’s ExtraCash advances are still a bargain. Dave is a safe choice to help you out if you ever find yourself in need of a quick cash infusion.

Great for Budgeting

“it really helps out when you need it. especially if you’re like me and have a bad spending habit this app helps you see your spending habits and when you see what you spent over the week it helps with finding a solution to budget your money. plus the advance option is helpful as well.” Israel Millan, Google Play Review

Frequently asked questions

How much can I borrow with the Dave app?

1. You can borrow up to $500 with the Dave app, depending on your account history and income patterns.

2. Does Dave charge interest on cash advances?

No, Dave does not charge interest on cash advances, nor does it charge late fees. It does have a small monthly membership fee and will ask for an optional tip.

3. How quickly can I receive a cash advance from Dave?

Standard advances are typically available within one to three business days, but you can opt for an instant transfer for a small express fee.

Bottom line

The Dave app may be for you if you need extra cash now and then and are looking to avoid overdraft fees. The app ensures that customers pay minimal fees and is upfront about their charges. Not only can you get ExtraCash advances from your subscription fee, but you can access the Dave Checking account and a high yield savings account. These extra perks set them apart from other cash advance apps and make them worth exploring.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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About the author

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.

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