# Empower App Review: A Versatile Financial Solution for Gig Workers
The **Empower app** distinguishes itself in the realm of fintech by providing gig workers and those with fluctuating incomes a flexible approach to financial management. Recognized for its **cash advances** with straightforward requirements, Empower ensures **swift access to funds** without credit checks and **avoids** the steep fees associated with payday lenders.
This review will guide you through the features of the **Empower app**, illustrating how cash advances function, what additional financial tools are available, and how it stacks up against other apps.
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## **What Is the Empower App?**
Empower is a **mobile app for managing money** that enables workers to request cash advances before their payday. While the advance amounts may be less than some rival apps, Empower is celebrated for its **quick transfers** and **more lenient credit criteria**.
In addition to cash advances, **Empower provides budgeting tools, credit monitoring, and automated savings** to support users in maintaining their financial well-being. It collaborates with **NBKC Bank (Member FDIC)** for banking services, and **Empower Thrive** is made available through **FinWise Bank (Member FDIC)**.
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## **How Empower Works**
The Empower app offers **three main services**:
– **Cash Advances**: Access up to **$250** without interest, fees, or credit checks. Funds can be transferred to your linked bank account or an **Empower debit card**.
– **Thrive**: A **credit-building line** starting at **$250**, which can grow to **$1,000** depending on repayment history. On-time payments are reported to credit bureaus **Equifax** and **Experian**.
– **Empower Debit Card**: Utilizing the **Empower Card** provides **quicker access to cash advances** and **paychecks up to two days earlier** with direct deposit. Cardholders can also enjoy **up to 10% cashback** on purchases.
### **Fees, Access to Funds & Repayment**
– **Subscription Fee**: Empower features a **14-day free trial**, after which users will incur an **$8 monthly subscription** to take advantage of the app’s functionalities.
– **Interest Rates**:
– **Cash advances** incur **no interest or late fees**.
– **Thrive Credit Line**: No interest if repaid **before the next paycheck**; otherwise, the **APR is 35.99%**.
– **Fund Delivery**:
– Standard ACH transfers (1-5 days): **Free**.
– Instant transfers: Fees range from **$1 to $8**, depending on the advance amount (refer to the table below).
| **Amount** | **Instant Delivery Fee** |
|————|—————-|
| $0-$10 | $1
| $10.01-$49.99 | $2
| $50-$74.99 | $3
| $75-$99.99 | $4
| $100-$149.99 | $5
| $150-$199.99 | $6
| $200-$249.99 | $7
| $250+ | $8
– **Repayment**: Cash advances are automatically deducted **on payday**. Thrive credit users can **adjust payment options** to their preference.
### **Eligibility Requirements**
To be eligible for an Empower cash advance, you need to:
✔ Be **at least 18 years old**
✔ Possess a **Social Security number**
✔ Have a **bank account that is at least 30 days old**
✔ Demonstrate **consistent income and spending habits** tracked through a linked external bank account
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## **Additional Empower Features**
In addition to cash advances, Empower provides **multiple financial tools**:
### **Credit Score Monitoring**
Users can monitor their **credit score** directly within the app. Empower also offers insights into elements **affecting your score** (such as payment history, credit utilization) and **tailored suggestions** for improvement.
### **Budgeting Tools**
Empower acts as a **budgeting app**, assisting users in tracking:
– **Monthly expenses and income**
– **Spending categorized by type**
– **Upcoming bills and deposits**
### **Automatic Savings**
Empower features an **autosave function** allowing users to:
– **Manually set a savings amount** for each paycheck, or
– Utilize **AI-driven savings**, which adjusts the amount saved based on spending behavior.
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## **How to Get Started**
Interested in trying Empower? Here’s how to proceed:
1. **Download** the free app from **Google Play** or the **Apple App Store** (ensure it’s from **Empower Finance**).