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7 Best Apps Like Albert for Instant Cash Advances in 2023

Jarrod Suda

Guide

Nov 16, 2023
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While Albert offers overdraft protection of up to $250, only premium "Genius" members can access Albert's "Instant" feature at $96 per year. We also don't like the fact that you'll get auto-enrolled in the Genius free trial because you'll need to remember to cancel to avoid the fee.

The good news is that there are apps that offer similar or higher overdraft coverage with no subscription required — you often just need to set up direct deposit to qualify. In this article, we highlight 7 top apps like to Albert, such as Dave and more, that spot you when funds run low with no late fees or interest fees.

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Dave is a specialist in money advances, helping you to get up to $500 with its ExtraCash™ advance feature. Dave members across the US have taken $71 million and avoided overbearing overdraft fees.

The Top 7 Apps Similar to Albert

Albert members can take advantage of up to $250 with fee-free instant overdraft coverage, which is free of credit checks or overdraft fees. The money can be used for anything from bills to daily necessities.

To get this service, you need an Albert account connected to a verified, current Bank Account and an active Genius membership, which runs about $180 per year, or $14.99 a month.

Similar to other apps here, Albert provides a function to get paid up to two days earlier than your traditional bank if you set up a qualifying direct deposit. While not a bank itself, Albert partners with Sutton Bank, Member FDIC to insure your funds.

Now that we've reviewed Albert's cash advance capabilities, let's explore 7 other cash advance apps (all available on Android or iPhone) and how they can assist as well:

Dave ExtraCash™

We think that Dave is the best option because members can use the ExtraCash™ service to get up to $500 cash advances transferred immediately to your account, which is free of interest charges or late fees. You can spend the money on anything you need, from gas to groceries to rent. Dave charges a small $1 monthly membership, which comes with a debit card, a feature to get paid up to two days early, and a side gig marketplace in addition to the cash advances.

  • Advance amount: Up to $500 per pay period
  • Processing time: 2-3 banking days. Instant feature expedites the process for $0.99-$3.99
  • Repayment date: Your next payday

You should have at least three regular deposits to be eligible. A consistent income history and responsible spending habits will also improve your profile. You can increase your advances by having a total monthly deposit of $1,000 or more. You can enhance your eligibility when you link your bank and have a 60-day account history of positive balances.

Dave's express fee to the Spending account ranges from $1.99 to $9.99, depending on the size of your advance. You can also send the cash advance to an external debit card within 1 hour. Dave's card transfer fees range from $2.99 to $13.99.

More info: read our Dave comparison guide or visit the Dave website
FDIC-insured parter: Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC

Cash App Borrow

Cash App features their "Borrow" service which allows eligible customers to access up to $200 when needed. Cash App charges a flat 5% fee for the loan, with a 1.25% finance charge per week if the loan is not paid back before the 4-week deadline. Note that this feature might not be accessible to all customers as it is currently available only to eligible users in specific states:

  • Advance amount: Between $20 to $200
  • Processing time: Immediate
  • Repayment deadline: Within 4 weeks

In addition to its borrowing feature, Cash App has a direct deposit service that enables you to receive your earnings from your employer up to two days before the official payday. Cash App stands out for its investing platform and its exceptional feature of providing free instant transfers to Cash App users in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

More info: read our guide about Cash App or visit the Cash App website
FDIC-insured parter: Sutton Bank, Member FDIC

Current Overdrive

Current offers the Overdrive™ feature, granting access to up to $200 without incurring overdraft fees. To be eligible, you must receive $500 or more in qualifying deposits into your current account within the past 30 days:

  • Advance amount: Between $25 to $200
  • Processing time: Immediate
  • Repayment date: Within 60 days.

Beyond its borrowing feature, Current boasts saving pods with competitive APY rates, a credit builder card, and the opportunity to receive your salary up to two days earlier.

Current offers a points program for spending at participating merchants, and it doesn't impose any monthly fees. Additionally, Current presents a robust network of 40,000 fee-free ATMs and the convenience of depositing paper checks.

More info: read our in-depth Current review or visit the Current website
FDIC-insured parter: Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC

Brigit Instant

Brigit offers cash advances of up to $250 for qualified users. To be eligible, your account must be at least 60 days old and have a balance greater than $0. You'll also need a minimum of three recurring direct deposits from the same source, like an employer. o To help you understand how much of the advance you qualify for, Brigit's platform will display your "Brigit score", which ranges between 40-100.

  • Advance amount: Between $50 - $250
  • Processing time: 2-3 business days. Instant feature expedites the process for $0.99-$3.99
  • Repayment date: Empower sets a flexible date within the app

Once requested, the cash advance should arrive in your account in 2 to 3 business days. Brigit has an Instant transfer feature that expedites the process for $0.99-$3.99, depending on the size of the advance.

Despite these benefits, Brigit membership does cost $9.99 per month while other competitors have much lower monthly fees. Still, Brigit is cheaper than Albert, and Brigit offers an interesting secured 24-month loan product that can help improve your credit history.

More info: read our Brigit comparison review or visit the Brigit website
FDIC-insured parter: Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC

Varo Advance

Varo introduces the "Advance" feature, accessible to those with a minimum of $1,000 in qualifying direct deposits to their Varo Bank Account. Varo's Advance feature allows you to borrow up to $250.

  • Advance amount: Between $20 - $250
  • Processing time: Immediate
  • Repayment date: Select your own date, within 15 to 30 days.

In addition to its borrowing feature, Varo offers a credit builder card and a checking account without a monthly maintenance fee. Unlike Albert, Varo does not impose a monthly subscription fee. While no interest fee is charged, a fixed fee of between 6% to 8% will accompany every cash advance exceeding $20.

Unique compared to other cash advance apps on this list, Varo is a duly-licensed bank in the United States and a Member FDIC.

More info: visit the Varo website
FDIC-insured parter: Varo Bank, NA, Member FDIC

EarnIn Cash Out

EarnIn has their "Cash Out" feature, which allows you to access up to $750 per month of your pay early (eligibility based on your hourly wage), with a daily limit of $100. To access this feature, you must verify your income and employment.

  • Advance amount: Up to $750 per pay period
  • Processing time: 1-2 banking days. "Lightning Speed" feature expedites the process for $0.99-$3.99
  • Repayment date: Your next payday

Instead of transferring funds to your main bank, you can also use their EarnIn Card, a Visa contactless card. This card enables immediate access to your earnings, allowing you to spend up to $1,500 per day. You can also take a no-fee cash advance of up to $300 per day from an ATM using the card.

EarnIn also offers a credit monitoring feature at no cost. Notably, this service doesn't involve hard or soft credit pulls, ensuring that your credit score won't be affected. Unlike some other platforms, EarnIn does not offer features like savings, rewards, roundups, or cash back.

More info: visit the EarnIn website
FDIC-insured parter: Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC

Revolut Early Salary

Revolut doesn't offer a loan feature, but does have the "Early Salary" feature. If your salary is directly deposited into your Revolut account, you'll eligible to receive your funds up to two days earlier than traditional banks.

  • Early salary: Don't wait on your conventional bank
  • Processing time: 2 days early
  • Fees: No fees

Revolut extends its appeal with features that allow you to manage and block unwanted subscriptions, access secure savings vaults with attractive APY rates, earn rewards from participating merchants, and enjoy travel perks as a paid member.

Unlike Albert, Revolut offers a multi-currency account supporting 28 foreign currencies for exchanging up to $1,000 per month without any fees. In addition to cheap international money transfer capabilities, Revolut provides access to a fee-free network of 55,000 ATMs, budgeting features, and more.

More info: read our in-depth Revolut review or visit the Revolut website
FDIC-insured parter: Metropolitan Commercial Bank, Member FDIC

Frequently Asked Questions About Money Apps Like Albert

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