You might be familiar with Empower, the well-liked application that provides no-fee cash advances of up to $250 without needing a credit check. With a small fee, you can also receive instant cash rather than waiting several business days for routine processing.
The Empower app is especially popular among gig workers, including freelancers, contractors, and other non-traditional employees who can access an Empower cash advance.
Although Empower is an excellent choice for quick cash, several other apps provide similar services. They may offer larger loan amounts, more adaptable terms, or extra budgeting resources.
7 Top Apps Similar to Empower for Small Cash Advances
Here are our recommendations for the leading apps similar to Empower that you can download right now:
1. Chime
Ideal for: Instant Access
Chime is recognized as a reliable checking account solution, but did you know it can extend advances of up to $200 to account holders via the Chime SpotMe program?
Through SpotMe, you can overdraw your account by up to $200 on debit card transactions without incurring any overdraft fees.
Furthermore, Chime cardholders face no monthly service charges, no minimum balance requirements, no foreign transaction fees, and no ATM fees at a national network of over 60,000 ATMs.
Account holders also have the opportunity to access their paycheck up to two days earlier if they have set up direct deposit.
Chime itself is not a bank but a fintech company. Chime collaborates with The Bancorp Bank, N.A., and Stride Bank, N.A., both of which are FDIC Member financial institutions.
2. Dave
Ideal for: Low costs
Dave is an app that offers users an advance of up to $500 with no interest or credit assessment. Funds are repaid on your next payday.
Aside from providing rapid access to emergency cash, Dave features budgeting tools, overdraft protection notifications, credit monitoring, and automatic bill payment options.
Dave users can link their external bank accounts to the app for cash advances and other financial management features. The app charges a modest monthly subscription fee of just $1 (compared to Empower’s $8) and helps the average American consumer save $500 annually.
3. Varo
Ideal for: Flexible repayment options
Varo is a well-known banking app that features checking and high-yield savings accounts, in addition to roundup and other tools for automating savings.
Account holders in need can use Varo Advance to access up to $250 prior to their next paycheck being deposited. You can borrow between $20 and $250 at zero interest, and you can set your own repayment schedule with the total balance due within 30 days of the advance.
You can borrow up to $20 for free, making Varo a suitable choice if you just need a small sum (e.g., to fill up your gas tank) before payday. Advances of $50 or more come with a fee of $4 to $15, depending on the amount borrowed.
There are no tips, subscription costs, or transfer fees when utilizing Varo Advance. Additionally, customers can eventually qualify for cash advances up to $500. Regardless of their initial limit, customers can unlock larger loan amounts over time through positive repayment behavior.
Gig economy workers, like Uber drivers, can use Varo, but there are specific eligibility criteria for incoming funds. To qualify for an advance, you must have received at least $800 in direct deposits during the current or prior month.
4. Cleo App
Ideal for: AI Assistance
Cleo has been likened to an Alexa or Siri for managing your finances, and that’s a fairly accurate portrayal. The Cleo app includes features to assist you in budgeting, saving, tracking expenditures, monitoring your credit rating, and providing cash advances should you require emergency funds before payday.
Similar to other voice assistants, you can inquire with Cleo about your checking account balance or whether you can afford a night out. Cleo calculates the answer and gives financial advice based on your income, bills, spending patterns, and other data insights.
The app contains additional features to help you automate savings, establish a rainy day fund, and create a budget you can adhere to.
Cleo Plus members, who subscribe for a monthly fee of $5.99, can receive up to $100 to avoid overdrawing their accounts and may request a cash advance of up to $250 a month without any credit check, cash advance fees, or interest.
There is also a Cleo Builder membership for $15.99 monthly, where timely payments toward credit builder loans are reported to credit bureaus to enhance your credit history.
If you are not a Cleo subscriber but require a cash advance, you can apply by reaching out to customer service at [email protected].
5. MoneyLion
Ideal for: Larger cash advance amounts
MoneyLion is a payday loan application that comes with various features for consumers to take charge of their financial health. It provides low-interest personal loans