The 5 Best Cash Advance Apps That Work With Cash App

Thanks to the convenience and wide-adoption of Cash App, it’s becoming more and more popular to look for cash advance apps that can seamlessly integrate with the digital payment app.

The following cash advance apps can deposit your cash advance directly to your Cash App account. Some apps, like Dave, can even work with your Cash App account to determine your eligibility to receive a cash advance. 

In this guide, we will detail and compare the 5 best cash advance apps and their compatibility with Cash App.

What You Need To Know About These 5 Cash Advance Apps

Compatibility with Cash App isn't uniform across the board. While you can usually move money to and from Cash App with most of these apps, not all can check if you're eligible for a cash advance when you link your Cash App (Dave can though!).

This issue often comes up because a lot of cash advance apps use a service called Plaid to connect to bank accounts, and Cash App isn't on Plaid's list. As a result, these apps won't be able to view your income and spending habits if you're only using Cash App.

If you run into this problem, you can still use a regular bank account as a bridge:

1. First, link this traditional bank account to the cash advance app to receive your advance.
2. Then, transfer the money from this bank account to your Cash App.

This might be useful if you need to pay a friend through Cash App or want to use Cash App's other features. However, this method is a bit slower because it involves an extra step: moving money from the cash advance app to your bank account and then to Cash App.

What Are Cash Advance Apps Exactly?

Unlike traditional borrowing methods like credit cards or personal loans, cash advance apps offer an innovative approach without interest charges. Some apps allow you to accumulate savings, which can then be used as security for loans. In contrast, others might charge you a subscription fee, fees for instant transfers, or encourage voluntary tips.

Apps like EarnIn also have a feature that lets you deposit money into your bank account from earnings you've already made before payday. They often keep track of your spending habits too. This way, they can calculate the maximum cash advance you're eligible for.

The companies mentioned here don't apply interest charges, overdraft fees, require minimum balances, or perform credit checks!

1 — Dave ExtraCash™

Dave offers a service called ExtraCash™ to get a $500 cash advance transferred immediately to your account, also free of interest charges or late fees. You can spend the money on anything you need, from gas to groceries to rent.

Dave does not require you to set up a connection with your main bank account via Plaid. Instead, you can verify your Dave-to-Cash App connection by confirming the two micro-deposits that Dave sends to your Cash App account. Dave does not support instant transfers to Cash App yet though.

You an also increase the amount of cash advances that you qualify for by meeting certain criteria. This includes having at least three regular deposits sent to your Cash App account number, a 60-day account history of positive balances, and total monthly deposits of $1,000 or more. A consistent income history and responsible spending habits will also improve your profile.

• 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
• Membership fee: $1 per month

Features of Dave

Dave also offers a function to get paid up to two days earlier than your traditional bank if you set up a qualifying direct deposit. You can track your spending habits on the app. Like Chime® and Brigit, you'll access a large portfolio of businesses that offer gig work for you to earn a side hustle, making it another great reason to have as your personal finance side kick.

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

2 — Brigit Instant Cash

Brigit's Instant Cash feature offers a $250 cash advance for qualifying Plus members. Brigit uses Plaid to get your bank info, so you won't be able to connect your Cash App account directly.

However, Brigit will send your cash advance to either your bank account (in 1-3 days) or your debit card associated with your connected checking account (instantly for a fee). Link that main account or debit card to your Cash App account. When you make the link, you'll be able to easily deposit the cash advance money from your main bank account to your Cash App balance.

As long as it can confirm that your account has been active for at least 60 days, has a balance above $0, and has 3 recurring deposits from the same source, you may be approved for a cash advance.

• Advance amount: Up to $250
• Processing time: 2-3 banking days. Instant feature expedites the process for $0.99-$3.99
• Repayment date: Flexible due date that aligns with income schedule
• Membership fee: $9.99 per month for Plus

Features of Brigit

Plus members can access Brigit's cash advances, fee-free overdrafts, and credit builder. Brigit's free plan only comes with financial planning tools to monitor spending and a marketplace for opportunities to earn extra income.

One great aspect about Brigit is that it is open to US residents, not just US citizens. If you are an immigrant with US residency, Brigit may the most accessible option on this list. Like Chime® and Dave, you'll get access to a catalog of side gigs that you can choose from to get some extra income.

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

3 — 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.

Like Brigit, EarnIn uses Plaid to link to your main account, which is not compatible with Cash App. You will have to link it to a traditional bank account. Then, you can transfer the cash advance over from your main bank to your Cash App account.

EarnIn is experimenting with ways to link to Chime®. While this feature is only open for select customers for testing purposes, EarnIn may open this opportunity up in the near future, so stay on the lookout if you have a Chime account.

• 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
• Membership fee: None

Features of EarnIn

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. This service also doesn't involve hard or soft credit pulls. Unlike some others, EarnIn does not offer features like savings, rewards, roundups, or cash back.

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

4 — MoneyLion Instacash

MoneyLion Instacash is a borrow feature of $25 to $1,000. The more regular direct deposits you receive in your checking account, and the larger the dollar amount, the more Instacash you will qualify for.

MoneyLion recently partnered with Plaid to link bank accounts, making linking directly to your Cash App account by account number not possible. However, you still can link Cash App manually with its associated Cash App cash card. When linking accounts to MoneyLion, there will be an option to input your debit card details. Just keep in mind that there is a 2.5% fee for depositing money into your MoneyLion account using an external debit card, with a minimum fee of $0.25.

You can qualify for Instacash in two ways. You can either link you bank account to MoneyLion with their built-in system. Or, you can sign up for a "RoarMoney" MoneyLion mobile banking account. The second option will be best for Cash App account holders. You can potentially qualify for a cash advance using the RoarMoney account, and can link your Cash App card to your MoneyLion account.

• Advance amount: $25 to $1,000
• Processing time: 1-5 banking days. Instant feature expedites the process for $0.49-$8.99
• Repayment date: Set in-app, deferrable up to 2 weeks
• Membership fee: $1.00 per month

Features of MoneyLion

MoneyLion also offers a credit builder card. This secure credit card can help you improve your credit history, since MoneyLion will report your spending history to major credit bureaus. MoneyLion also has an investment feature to trade securities. MoneyLion offers financial products designed for businesses too.

• More info: Compare payday apps or visit the website
• FDIC-insured parter: Pathward, National Association, Member FDIC

5 — Albert

Albert is an app that provides access to overdrafts up to $250. While Albert uses Plaid, it also offers a manual option to link accounts as well, which works with Cash App's account and routing numbers.

To qualify, establish evidence of steady income for at least the past 60 days from the same employer. You can also set up qualifying direct deposits to an Albert Cash account to potentially raise your Instant limit.

Then, you will be able to use Albert's overdrafts on debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals made with the Albert debit card. The overdrafts will also work when you make ACH and other electronic transfers with your Albert account.

• Advance amount: Up to $250
• Processing time: 2-3 days, or instant loans for a small fee
• Repayment date: Within 10 days
• Membership fee: Genius plan is $8 per month

Things to Know About Albert

Albert offers an optional premium membership known as "Genius," which costs $96 per year and unlocks the Instant feature (and additional features, including investment). In our opinion, Albert's additional features do not greatly differ from those you'd find in Chime®, Revolut, or Dave. It's also worth noting that when you create an account with Albert, you will be automatically enrolled in the Genius free trial, which must be canceled after 30 days if you do not want to pay the full year's membership fee.

More info: visit the Albert website
FDIC-insured parter: Sutton Bank, Member FDIC

Recap on Cash Advance Apps That Work With Cash App

Cash advance apps have become popular tools for managing finances between paychecks, offering a lifeline in tight financial situations. While direct compatibility with Cash App varies, the majority of leading cash advance apps provide pathways to use their services with Cash App, either through linked bank accounts or electronic transfers.

Here's a quick recap of cash advance apps that work with your preferred mobile wallet, Cash App:

1. Dave: Can manually link to Cash App. Cash advances are accessible.
2. Brigit: Link main bank account. Then transfer money to Cash App.
3. EarnIn: Link main bank account. Then transfer money to Cash App.
4. MoneyLion: Sign up for a MoneyLion account, and link Cash App card.
5. Albert: Can manually link to Cash App, but membership is expensive.

Remember, while these cash advances offer immediate relief, they should be used responsibly as part of a broader financial strategy to ensure long-term financial health and stability. You are still required to repay the borrowed amount, and failure to do so can lead to consequences such as account closure or other forms of retribution from the service provider.

While these apps can serve as helpful tools in times of need, they shouldn't considered a substitute for responsible financial management.