Do you need quick access to cash? Does a $250 cash advance sound about right?


Don’t worry, you’re in luck! Today, we’re going to talk about the five best apps that provide instant cash advances without the hassle of credit checks or hefty fees. 

1. Albert

Albert has helped members save and invest over $1 billion.

The Albert app is an all-in-one finance app that can help you budget, save, invest, and get an instant cash advance. With all those features, why would you go anywhere else?

You can get up to $250 free of charge. No credit check, no late fees, no interest, just cash deposited into your linked bank account. If you need to cash immediately, you can pay an express fee of $6.99 or wait 2-3 business days for a free advance.

Albert looks at your bank account to decide if you’re eligible for a cash advance and the amount it’ll approve. The requirements include:

  • Your bank account must be open for more than two months and have a positive balance.
  • You received direct deposits from the same employer into your linked bank account for the past two months. 
  • You were paid on time and still had funds in your account 24 hours after your last payday.

The app does not charge a monthly service fee or overdraft fee. It does request that you pay to use its Genius service – chat with financial experts whenever you like – but it’s a pay-what-you-think-is-fair model, which keeps the price low. And if all you need is a cash advance, there’s no need to pay at all. 

Albert. Simple way to invest

If you need a hassle-free cash advance, it doesn’t get much better than Albert. 

By far the best out of all the payroll advance apps… It’s easy to get approved, you get a good amount of cash, no membership or monthly fees, no loan fees (unless you choose to get your advance immediately, in which case there is a really small fee) and extremely fast customer service. This is the only app of it’s kind that i have yet to have even one problem with. Jason Bishop
Google Play Review

2. Brigit

Brigit has helped each member save $344 on average annually.

The Brigit app has helped over 4 million users get the cash advance they need with no credit checks or interest charges. Simply subscribe to Brigit’s $9.99 per month plan and the app will send you $50 to $250 when you’re running low. You can also request cash advances whenever you need them and pay them back with your next paycheck.

Brigit never charges interest or late fees and makes every effort not to overdraw your bank account. It will automatically deduct your repayment based on your direct deposit schedule. If your account is low, you can request an extension or Brigit will take a partial repayment.

To qualify for a cash advance you need to meet a few requirements:

  • Have a U.S. bank account that’s been active for at least 60 days.
  • Have a balance that’s greater than $0.
  • Still have funds in your account at the end of the day on payday.
  • Have three recurring direct deposits from the same employer.

Cash advances come through in minutes if you pay the expedited fee of $0.99. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait 2-3 business days to get your advance for free.

Brigit Cash Advance

Brigit is an excellent option if you need fast cash and the subscription is definitely worth it if you use its additional features. 

This was the easiest advance cash I have ever experienced! Total time to receive money in my account was literally 16 minutes! That time included downloading the app, entering my info, verifying my account, and requesting money. This is awesome service! Especially for those times, you just need a little something to get you to your next payday! Valarie Chase
Google Play Review

3. Cleo

If you regularly overdraft, you can save up to $180 a year using Cleo. 

Need a quick spot? Cleo’s got your back. The money app with the sassy chatbot does it all – budgeting, saving, credit building, and instant cash advances. You can borrow up to $250 with no credit check and no interest! Need the money immediately? Pay a little extra and the cash will be in your linked account in minutes!

Unlike a lot of cash advance apps, Cleo does not require proof of employment or a regular income to qualify. So it will spot freelancers and gig workers too! 

You do have to subscribe to Cleo Plus or Cleo Builder to get a Quick Spot. Cleo Builder is $14.99 a month but Cleo Plus is only $5.99 per month. Both come with extra perks like credit coaching and cashback.

Cleo. Cash Advance.

Funds are sent directly to your linked bank account. You can pay $3.99 for an express transfer or wait 3-4 business days to get your cash for free. Oh, and Cleo never asks for tips.

To be approved you must:

  • Have money in your account.
  • Show that you can stay within budget.

Cleo will determine if they’ll lend to you and how much based on your transaction history. New borrowers will be approved for $20-$70. The more you borrow and pay back on time, the more you’ll be eligible for – up to $250. And, you can always extend your repayment date for an additional 14 days with no interest or fees.

So if you’re in need of a little extra cash, don’t overdraw your bank account or take out a high-interest payday loan, just ask Cleo to spot you $250 and get paid early.

Cleo+ is AMAZING when you need a quick cash advance!! I’ve used Cleo for a LOOONNGG time, but I just signed up for Cleo PLUS today.. and INSTANTLY got approved for the advance that I needed to hold me over till I get paid! And it was in my account within MINUTES!! What a LIFESAVER when you’re in a bind.. and need just a LITTLE help!! Thanks Cleo! You’re the best!! 🤑🤑🤑 Anna H
Trustpilot Review

4. Empower

Empower is advancing over $1.5 billion to its community this year.

The goal of the app, to get the money you need today. Empower has a few features – automatic savings, credit score monitoring, budgeting assistance— but its standout feature that merits special attention is its cash advance function. You can get cash advances up to $250. No interest, no late fees, no credit checks. Your credit score stays your little secret.

To get an advance it’s simple. Link your bank account (the one you deposit your pay into) and Empower will review your transaction history, income, and balances to determine if you qualify. Even gig workers and freelancers can qualify! 

If you don’t qualify today, Empower will give you tips to help you qualify tomorrow. The app will consistently check and update your eligibility based on your account activity so always check back for pleasant surprises!

Empower does ask for an $8 subscription fee, which is high for a cash advance app, but you can easily opt-out by contacting customer support. 

You’ll get your advance in only 1 business dayincredibly fast – without paying a fee. If you need it immediately, pay $1-$8 and the money will be in your account in 15 minutes to 2 hours.

When it comes to repaying the advance, Empower is generous. You can reschedule the due date up to one business day before it’s due. If you don’t have sufficient funds in your account, Empower will withdraw small amounts till your advance is repaid so as not to cause an overdraft. If it accidentally causes an overdraft, send proof of the fee to customer support and they’ll reimburse you.

I was instantly approved for a $25 Instant Loan which was directly deposited into my checking account onto my debit card as soon as I accepted the offer and added my debit card information. I really only needed a few dollars to make it to work and collect my bonus check and I had little to NO petroleum in my tank. Thanks to Empower, not only was I able to add a few dollars to my gas tank, I was also able to stop by McD’s for a breakfast sandwich and coffee, lol. Came in handy at the right time. Good looking out Empower! Keep up the good work. Bossz Ladiee,
Apple Review

5. MoneyLion

MoneyLion was named in the prestigious Forbes 50 Fintech 2020 list.

Looking for a cash advance of up to $500? MoneyLion is the banking app for you. Get cash advances up to $500 with no hidden fees, no credit checks, and no interest charges. It’s as easy as downloading the app and tapping “Instacash.”

As with all these apps, there are a few requirements. Your bank account must have:

  • Regular usage and a consistently positive balance.
  • Been open for at least two months.
  • A history of recurring deposits. Either a paycheck or government benefits.

The more consistent and higher the deposits, the more money you can unlock!

To start off, you can advance $10-$50. If you want to unlock more, increase your recurring deposits, which can be difficult, I know. Or you can sign up for CreditBuilder Plus – $19.99 per month – and unlock up to $700. If you switch your direct deposits into a RoarMoney checking account, your advances can climb up to $1,000! 

With a RoarMoney checking account, you get your Instacash even faster. Free delivery takes only 12 to 48 hours. Or you can pay and they’ll arrive in your account in minutes!

Happy with your bank and don’t want to change? You’ll have to wait a little more for your cash advance – 3-5 business days – or pay for Turbo delivery and they’ll arrive in 4 hours. Whether you have a RoarMoney account or an external account, Turbo delivery costs $0.49-$8.99 and depends on the advance amount.

When it’s time to pay back your advance, MoneyLion will automatically deduct it from your linked account. But don’t worry, it will not cause an overdraft. If there’s not enough money in your account, the app will deduct partial repayments until the advance is repaid.

MoneyLion is an excellent choice if you need a slightly larger cash advance, especially if you have other MoneyLion accounts.

Absolutely love moneylion! 1. If you pay them back on time you’re money advance increases. 2. Sometimes when you take an advance out they even boost it up between 10 to 25 dollars. 3. If you dont have the funds to pay them back right away they won’t take it out of your account unless the money is there. 4. So reliable and easy! Definitely a trustworthy app.!!!!! Also you don’t have to leave a tip if you don’t want to. Zachary Pazik
Google Play Review

Final Words

Cash advance apps are a game changer when you need a little cash to bridge the gap till payday. Gone are the days of waiting at the bank or paying high fees and interest charges for a payday loan. Instead, get the cash advance you need – no credit check, no fees, and no interest charges – when you need it. 

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.