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Apps Like Empower: 12 Alternatives for Cash Advances

mobile phone on top of two one dollar bills

If you’re short on cash and need help covering expenses before your next paycheck, cash advance apps are one of your best options. These solutions provide quick access to earned wages, sometimes as early as a couple of weeks before your scheduled payday, reducing the stress caused by unexpected bills. 

Tilt (formerly Empower) is one of the most well-known apps. It offers cash advances ranging from $10–$400, as well as financial tools to help manage your personal finances. 

But it’s not the right fit for everyone. If you’re on the fence about choosing the app or are looking for something a little different, read on as we explore what Tilt offers and look at some of its top alternatives.

Why look for apps like Tilt (formerly Empower)

Tilt is a strong contender in the cash advance market because it offers:

  • Up to $400 cash advances with no credit checks, late fees, or interest 
  • An automatic repayment feature (minimizes the risk of forgotten payments)
  • Credit and spend tracking tools to help monitor your credit score and expenses 
  • An AutoSave feature that assesses your income and spending and moves what you can afford to save to a savings account 

While it’s an attractive option, it has some drawbacks that make people seek alternatives, including:

  • Monthly subscription fee: Tilt requires an $8 monthly membership fee. 
  • Limited availability: The service is not available in Washington, D.C, Connecticut, and Maine.
  • Slow advance delivery: Standard delivery takes two to five days. You can also opt for instant delivery for a fee of $1–$8.
  • Vague eligibility rules: The app doesn’t specify what you need to have or do to qualify for its advances. It simply states that it considers users’ income, expenses, and savings trends when approving advances. 

If Tilt doesn’t meet your personal financial needs, there are plenty of alternatives, some of which would be better suited to your needs. 

Key factors to consider when choosing cash advance apps

Even with a list of apps like Tilt, choosing the right one can be challenging if you don’t know what to look for. We’ve done the homework for you. Here are some of the most important factors to consider:

Advance limits

Apps have varying limits. Some offer advances ranging from $10–$50, while others go as high as $1,000. 

Consider your current needs when choosing which option:

  • If you want to cover a small expense, an app with a small or modest advance limit will be enough. 
  • If you have a considerable unexpected expense, it would be better to look at options with limits on the higher end. 

Note that higher limits often come with stricter requirements. You’ll likely need to show proof of income and multiple consistent deposits, as well as have a positive repayment history. Most apps will likely start you off with a small amount, then grow your limit over time if you follow their rules. 

Fees and subscriptions

Fees can eat up a portion of your advances, sometimes defeating the purpose of getting money early. So, carefully assess each Tilt alternative’s costs before requesting their advances. 

Some of the most common types of fees include:

  • Monthly subscriptions: Fixed amounts you pay to access cash advance services. 
  • Per-advance fees: Some apps charge a percentage of each advance to cover processing costs. 
  • Instant transfer fees: Most apps deliver advances in several business days. If you want the funds immediately, an additional charge may apply. 
  • Tips: Some apps request an optional gratuity. 
  • Penalties: Some options charge late fees for missed repayments. 

Calculate the total cost of requesting an advance from each potential app to determine if it’s worth it. If an option’s fees are too high, consider other alternatives. 

Eligibility requirements

Getting cash advances is pretty straightforward, as long as you meet an app’s requirements. Read through the qualification criteria to determine your chances of approval before making your final choice. 

While eligibility requirements vary by app, some common ones include:

  • Age: Most require you to be at least 18 years old. 
  • Bank account: You need to link an active bank account. 
  • Direct deposits: Many apps require several deposits into your linked account. This lets them know you can repay their advances. 
  • Location: Some apps are only available in certain states. 

Many apps focus on your ability to repay. So, you’ll likely qualify for multiple apps if you have a consistent income. 

Additional features

While a cash advance feature is great, it works best when combined with financial management tools. Look for extras like:

  • Credit builders
  • Budgeting and savings tools
  • Financial education resources 

Tilt alternatives that offer cash advances

Want to get a cash advance quickly without incurring Tilt’s fees? Here are 12 alternatives worth considering:

App Cash advance limit Fees
Klover $250 No late fees or monthly membership fee required; express transfer fee applies
Dave $500 Up to $5 subscription fee; $5 minimum, up to 1.5% of transferred amount
Brigit $250 $8.99–$14.99 monthly membership; express transfer fee applies
EarnIn $150/day and $750/pay period Instant transfer fees starting at $3.99
MoneyLion $500
$1,000 with a RoarMoney account
Turbo delivery fees (between $0.49 and $8.99)
Albert $1,000 Transfer fees for external accounts ($5.99–$19.99)
Chime $500 $2 instant transfer fee
Cleo $250 $5.99 minimum monthly membership fee; $3.99–$9.99 express delivery fees
PayActiv Up to 50% of your net earnings $2.49–$3.49 instant delivery fees
FloatMe $50 $4.99 monthly subscription; $1–$7 instant delivery fees
Even (now ONE@Work) Up to 50% of your paycheck Instant delivery fee applies if the employer isn’t set up with ONE@Work
Branch Up to 50% of your paycheck $2.99–$4.99 instant delivery fee

1. Klover 

Klover offers cash advances of up to $400 with no credit checks or membership requirement, making it accessible to the 49.5% of Americans with good to poor credit scores. Our advances are interest-, membership-, and late-fee-free, and are available even if your payday is two weeks away. 

Unlike Tilt, we’re pretty open about our requirements — to qualify, we require at least three consistent direct deposits from your employer. We’re also transparent about how to increase your advance limit. You can do this by earning points through tasks like:

  • Watching ads
  • Playing games
  • Completing surveys
  • Linking your debit card

Further, we don’t pressure you into giving a tip. All you owe is the amount we advance to you.

Other features 

  • Automatic repayment feature 
  • Built-in credit and budgeting tools 
  • Bank-level security to protect your data

Trade-off

  • Instant advance delivery with a fee

Ideal for: People who want to bridge financial gaps and cover small expenses between paydays hassle-free

Download Klover to access your cash today. 

2. Dave

Dave provides cash advances through its ExtraCash feature. The app offers up to $500 with no credit checks, interest rate charges, or late fees. 

It’s also fairly quick, as it transfers funds almost instantly when using a Dave checking account. However, you need to wait up to an hour when using an external account. 

To qualify for a Dave advance, you need:

  • A bank account that’s been active for at least 60 days 
  • A positive balance 
  • At least three recurring deposits

Other features

  • Side hustle opportunities
  • FDIC-insured checking accounts 
  • Quick cash advance approvals (the app claims to approve requests in five minutes or less)

Trade-offs 

  • Monthly subscription fee of up to $5
  • $5–$15 service fee

Ideal for: Users who need moderately large advances and are okay with paying a monthly membership fee

3. Brigit

Brigit offers advances of up to $250 with no credit checks, interest, late fees, or tipping required. If approved, they deposit funds into your account within two to three business days. You can also opt for instant delivery for a small fee. 

To qualify for Brigit advances, you need an active bank account (at least 60 days old), a minimum balance of $0, and three recurring deposits from the same account. 

Other features

  • Credit-building feature (at $1/ month)
  • Payment flexibility — you can extend your repayment date fee-free
  • Access to side gigs and offers on insurance and standard borrowing options, like auto loans

Trade-offs 

  • Instant delivery fee
  • An $8.99–$14.99 monthly membership fee for full app access

Ideal for: Users looking for payment flexibility who don’t mind a subscription 

4. EarnIn

EarnIn offers cash advances of up to $150 per day and a maximum of $750 per pay period, with no mandatory fees, interest, or credit checks. Funds typically take one to three business days to reach your account, but you can opt for instant delivery for an additional fee of $3.99 (minimum). 

To qualify for Earnin advances, you need:

  • An active bank account 
  • Earn at least $320 every pay period 
  • A consistent pay schedule (weekly, biweekly, or monthly)

Other features

  • Credit monitoring tool
  • Automated low-balance alerts 
  • Option to increase your advance amount — you can unlock up to $1,500 per pay period with Live Pay

Trade-offs 

  • Requests tips
  • $2.99–$5.99 fee for instant delivery 
  • Will only give you higher limits if you have the EarnIn card

Ideal for: Individuals with a consistent employer who want higher potential limits 

5. MoneyLion

MoneyLion offers cash advances of up to $500 through its Instacash feature. Like many advance apps, it has no credit checks, interest charges, or mandatory fees. Delivery takes one to five days, but you have an instant delivery option (for a fee). 

To qualify for Instacash advances, you need an active account (at least two months old) with consistent deposits and a positive balance. 

Other features

  • Bundled banking, savings, and budgeting tools
  • Option to grow limit to $1,000 (with a RoarMoney account)
  • Access to partners who offer personal loans, auto loans, and mortgages

Trade-offs

  • Prompts to leave tips
  • Turbo charges for instant transfers ($0.49–$8.99)

Ideal for: People looking for cash advances bundled with other financial products

6. Albert

Albert offers cash advances of up to $1,000, with no credit check, late fees, or interest. Transfers are almost instant and free to Albert Cash, but they take two to three business days (and a fee) when working with external accounts. 

To qualify, you must have an active bank account with a long transaction history. While the app doesn’t require direct deposits, they can help raise your limit. 

Other features 

  • Built-in banking, saving, and investing features 
  • Albert Genius, a generative AI assistant that can offer financial advice 

Trade-offs 

  • Six-day repayment period 
  • $5.99–$19.99 processing fees for external accounts

Ideal for: Users looking for a solution with extra features like investing and saving 

7. Chime

Chime is a financial technology app that offers interest-free advances of up to $500 via MyPay. Transfers to your Chime checking account typically occur within 24 hours or instantly for a fee. 

To qualify, you need a Chime Checking Account with at least two direct deposits of $200 in the last 36 days, or one qualifying deposit from a known government benefits payer. 

Other features 

  • MyPay is built directly into the Chime app
  • Banking features like checking accounts, credit cards, and debit cards

Trade-offs 

  • $2 charge for instant deposits 
  • Limited availability — MyPay is only available in 34 states

Ideal for: Chime users in supported states 

8. Cleo

Cleo offers advances of up to $250 with zero interest charges and no credit checks. Standard transfers (three to four days) are free, but a small charge applies for instant deposits. 

The app uses AI to determine whether you qualify and how much to advance. 

Other features

  • Automatic savings feature
  • Built-in budgeting solution 
  • AI-powered assistant for financial guidance 

Trade-offs 

  • $3.99–$9.99 express delivery fees
  • New users only qualify for up to $70
  • A minimum $5.99 monthly membership fee

Ideal for: People looking for an AI financial assistant, plus small occasional advances

9. PayActiv

PayActiv is an earned wage access (EWA) app that can advance up to 50% of your earnings, interest-free. Transfers take one to three business days fee-free, but you can opt for a real-time transfer for a fee.

To qualify, you must work at a company that uses PayActiv. 

Other features

  • PayActiv visa card 
  • Built-in budgeting and savings tools
  • Personalized, one-on-one financial counseling 

Trade-offs

  • Requires your employer to sign up
  • $2.49 instant transfer fee if you have a PayActiv debit or payroll card, or $3.49 if you don’t

Ideal for: Employees whose workplaces support PayActiv 

10. FloatMe

FloatMe is a no-interest advance app offering up to $50 to new users. Transfers take one to three days, but you can choose instant delivery for $1–$7, depending on your advance amount. 

To qualify, you must have a full-or part-time job and consistent direct deposits of at least $150 per pay period. 

Other features 

  • Potential to grow your advance limit to $100
  • An in-app bank balance forecasting feature 

Trade-offs

  • Small cash advance limits
  • $4.99 monthly subscription 

Ideal for: People with small short-term financial needs who don’t mind a monthly membership fee

11. Even

Even (now ONE@Work) is an employer-focused app that allows you to tap into earned wages before your scheduled payday — with no credit checks involved. Advances vary per person, but you can access up to 50% of your earnings. 

Like many EWA apps, you can only access Even’s advances if your employer offers it as a benefit. 

Other features

  • Credit builder ($1/month)
  • Earnings tracking and budgeting support
  • Automated savings accounts (ONE@Work Save)

Trade-offs

  • Limited to some states
  • Requires employer integration 

Ideal for: Employees in companies that have partnered with ONE@Work for EWA

12. Branch

Branch is also an employer-dependent app that provides early access to earned paychecks. 

It doesn’t offer fixed limits; instead, it gives you a portion of your paycheck (typically 50%), with no interest or credit checks involved. Fees range between $1 and $2.99 per transaction, but the app could be free for you if your employer covers the cost. 

Other features 

  • Personalized spending insights
  • Digital accounts and debit cards 
  • Integrations with payroll, tax, and time & attendance solutions 

Trade-offs 

  • Requires employer support
  • Charges an expedited delivery fee for instant transfers 

Ideal for: Employees whose companies have partnered with Branch who want fast access to earned pay 

How to use cash advance apps responsibly

While cheaper than other funding options (like payday loans), cash advance apps can impact your long-term financial stability when misused. To protect your financial future, use them responsibly: 

  • Only borrow what you need to cover emergencies, urgent bills, or essentials. 
  • Review each app’s terms and conditions to understand your responsibilities. 
  • Avoid apps with excessive fees. 
  • Build an emergency fund to help with large expenses. 
  • If you’re relying on multiple apps, avoid borrowing from one to repay another. 
  • Track all your repayment schedules to prevent late payments. 

Take charge of your finances with Klover

Relying on cash advance apps for short-term financial support is completely normal. These apps provide immediate relief and help prevent overdraft fees, which can alleviate some of your stress. 

Of course, this is only possible if you choose the right one. Review every option’s cash limits, fees, and features, and choose one (or multiple) that best meets your unique needs. 

Klover is a top choice for cash advances. We offer up to $400 with zero credit checks, interest charges, monthly memberships, or late fees — as well as budgeting and credit tools to help improve your personal finances. 

Download Klover to access instant cash advances and take control of your finances. 

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