5 Apps Like MoneyLion for Cash Advances in 2024

The MoneyLion InstaCash app allows you to borrow up to $500 without any credit checks or monthly fees. The app also offers a number of added tools, perks, and membership options. With the RoarMoney membership of $1/month, you can get advances of up to $1,000.

MoneyLion also has a Credit Builder Plus Program that offers credit builder loans, but membership can cost $19.99/month.

There are several other apps like MoneyLion that offer no-fee or low-fee cash advances along with perks like personal finance and budgeting tools, early access to pay, and much more. Read on for our top recommendations for MoneyLion app alternatives.

5 Apps Like MoneyLion

With so many cash advance apps out there, it can be difficult to narrow down the list. To make things easier, we compared the top 12 apps based on their advance limits, membership fees, express fees, features, perks, and funding time to select our recommendations for the best cash advance apps like MoneyLion.

1. Chime

• Advance Limit: $200
• Monthly Fee: No fee
• Processing Time: Immediately
• Repayment: Next payday, 14-day extension available

Chime offers overdraft protection of up to $200, though you’ll usually start with a smaller limit of $20 if you’re a new user. You can also avoid paying overdraft fees when you make debit card purchases with the SpotMe feature, which isn’t a feature you can get with MoneyLion.

The downside is that this option is only available to those with a chime account. You’ll also need to have at least $200 in qualifying direct deposit to use the SpotMe feature.

Pros

• No credit score checks
• No monthly membership fees
• Instant transfer of cash advances
• Early access to your paycheck direct deposit
• Ability to extend your repayment date

Cons

• Fee-free overdrafts are not available to all users
• You may have to pay third-party fees like ATM charges
• Spending limits may apply to some withdrawals and purchases

2. Albert

• Advance Limit: $250
• Monthly Fee: NA
• Processing Time: 2-3 business days. Instant processing with an extra fee
• Repayment: Next payday

You can borrow up to $250 for free with the Albert cash advance app, which is lower than MoneyLion’s $500 limit. You’ll need to have a steady source of income to qualify.  There are no mandatory subscription fees, but you may have to pay extra if you want an instant cash advance.

Albert does offer their “Genius” membership program if you want added perks like cash-back and early access to direct deposit funds, but it requires a paid membership of $96/year.

Pros

• Advances of up to $250
• No mandatory subscriptions or late fees
• Additional perks include cash back when using their Mastercard World debit card for purchases of gas, groceries, food delivery, and ride-sharing purchases. 
• Perks like fee-free ATM withdrawals and early payday, with an Albert Genius membership

Cons

• Users are automatically enrolled in the paid membership program when they create an account
• Membership cost is quite steep at $12.49 to $14.99 a month
• Income verification is required for qualification
• Most features require a paid membership

3. EarnIn

• Advance Limit: $750
• Monthly Fee: Optional tip
• Processing Time: 1-2 business days. Instant processing with the Lightning feature
• Repayment: Next payday

The EarnIn cash advance app is a top choice if you need to borrow a larger amount. EarnIn’s Cash Out feature offers advances of up to $100/day and $750/ pay period for qualifying users, pending your verification of a steady income. The advances are free with an optional tip.

You can typically get the funds in your checking account within 1-2 business days, but you’ll need to pay extra if you need the money faster.

Pros

• Higher advance amounts compared to other alternatives
• No interest charges or mandatory monthly fees
• No credit check

Cons

• Cash Out is not available to gig workers
• You’ll need to meet the income eligibility requirements
• Not compatible with all banks where you might hold your account

4. Dave

• Advance Limit: $500
• Monthly Fee: $1/month
• Processing Time: 2-3 business days. Instant processing for an extra fee of $0.99-$3.99
• Repayment: Next payday

You can borrow up to $500 with the Dave cash advance app with a $1/month membership fee, unlike MoneyLion, which has no mandatory membership requirements. There are no interest charges or any other fees, other than a small fee to receive your cash advance in your checking account immediately.

Other than cash advances, the app also offers other features, such as access to a gig platform, budgeting tools, and free rent reporting to credit bureaus.

Pros

• No minimum balance fees, overdraft fees, or ATM fees
• Access to a debit card
• Early access to paycheck direct deposit
• Free rent reporting to credit bureaus, access to gig platform, and budgeting tools
• Flexible borrowing limits of $25 to $500, with no credit check required

Cons

• Monthly membership is required for advances
• Information about income and spending patterns required to qualify
• Higher instant cash advance processing fees compared to other providers

5. Cleo

• Advance Limit: $250
• Monthly Fee: $2.99 to $14.99/month
• Processing Time: 4 business days. Instant processing for an express fee of $3.99 to $9.99
• Repayment: Next payday, 14-day extension available

With the Cleo cash advance app, you can start with an advance of $100 and gradually increase the advance limit to $250 with a good repayment history. While there’s a monthly fee to access some of the features, Cleo allows you to request a 14-day extension if you can’t repay when you get your paycheck.

Pros

• Flexible repayment
• No interest charges
• Money management and budgeting tools

Cons

• Low cash advance limit for the first advance
• Funding can take four business days
• You’ll need to be a member for cash advances

Things To Consider When Comparing Apps Like MoneyLion

Brad Reichert, a debt expert and the founder and managing director of Reichert Asset Management LLC, offers consumers some advice about using MoneyLion or similar apps.

“Cash advance apps like MoneyLion either automatically debit your bank account to pay back your loan or have to be paid back manually, so it’s best to recognize the difference and plan ahead so you can pay off your cash advance on time and avoid any late fees or penalties,” Reichert says. 

There are dozens of apps like MoneyLion, which can make it difficult to find an app that suits your financial needs. When comparing cash advance apps, pay attention to the cost of borrowing, repayment options, and app reviews.

Fees and Interest Rates

If you’re not careful, cash advance fees can add up to be quite expensive. While they’re still not as expensive as payday loans, there are a number of hidden fees you should be aware of.

Some of the most common fees charged by apps like MoneyLion include monthly subscription fees, late fees, instant transfer fees, ATM charges, and a fee for transferring funds to certain bank accounts.

Be sure to take all these costs into account when you’re comparing your options.

Repayment Options

When you borrow money from a mobile app like MoneyLion, you’re required to repay it when you get your next paycheck. Since the funds will be automatically withdrawn from your account, you’ll need to ensure there’s sufficient balance to avoid an overdraft fee.

Make a budget and carefully plan your finances to ensure you’ll be able to repay as per the terms. Contact the lender as soon as possible to evaluate your options if you don’t think you can repay the advance on the due date.

User Reviews and Ratings

Look for the app’s reviews on independent review sites like Trustpilot and on Android and iOS app stores. Read the reviews thoroughly to learn more about what other users are saying about the company’s services.

Only use a financial services app that is trustworthy and has high reviews.

Compare Fees Before You Borrow From Apps Like MoneyLion

When comparing apps like MoneyLion, pay attention to the fees you may have to pay. While a small advance every now and then when you’re short of money may not do any harm, you may start relying on them more frequently, which can lead to a debt trap.

These financial apps are only meant for borrowing short-term loans in case of emergencies. We recommend trying to find other ways to increase your income and a focus on your monthly budgeting so you can start putting aside money for an emergency fund to use for unexpected expenses, rather than borrowing funds to make ends meet.