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12 Dave alternatives: Cash advance apps with instant approval

five and one dollar bills on a table

Waiting for your next paycheck when bills can’t wait is stressful. Maybe your car broke down, a utility bill is due, or you just need a little help to cover an unexpected expense. When you’re in a pinch, cash advance apps can provide quick relief by letting you borrow money against the paycheck you’ve already earned.

Dave is one of the most well-known options, offering short-term advances and tools to manage your budget. But it isn’t your only choice. Many of the best cash advance apps now provide higher limits, fewer fees, and features designed to support your financial health.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how these apps work, compare top alternatives to Dave, and help you find the right fit for your situation.

How instant cash advance apps work

Cash advance apps let you tap into your earned wages before your next payday. While each app has its own features, most follow a simple process:

  1. Sign up: Share basic details like your name and email to get started.
  2. Connect your bank: Linking your checking account helps the app understand your income and makes it possible to send money directly to you.
  3. Meet eligibility requirements: Most apps only ask that you have consistent direct deposits or a positive account history.
  4. Get approved: Once you’ve met the basics, funds are typically approved quickly and sent to your linked account. 
  5. Repay the advance: Many apps deduct repayment automatically on payday, removing the need to track due dates.

Dave provides advances of up to $500 with no credit checks or late fees. It also includes budgeting tools and even connects you to more than 1,000 side gigs to help you grow your earnings.

But Dave has its drawbacks. New users often start with low limits, and there’s a monthly membership fee. The company has also faced criticism, including allegations of undisclosed fees, tipping pressure, and questions around how consistently the $500 maximum is available. 

Dave has expanded into “bank-like” services such as FDIC-insured checking accounts, savings accounts, and an ATM network. While these extras can be useful, they may not matter if what you really need is fast cash before your next payday.

If Dave doesn’t feel like the right fit, there are plenty of great alternatives that offer similar limits, instant transfer options, and extra features designed to make managing money easier.

12 Dave alternatives with quick approval

Here’s how the top alternatives to Dave stack up on advance limits, fees, and how quickly money reaches your bank account.

Cash advance apps Cash advance limit Fee-free option Fund access
Klover $250 Yes Three business days; same-day option (fee)
Brigit $250 No Two to three business days; same-day (fee)
MoneyLion $500 (new users); up to $1,000 with a RoarMoney account Yes One to five business days; instant (fee)
Earnin $150/day; $750/pay period Yes One to three business days; instant (fee)
Tilt (formerly Empower) $400 No Two to five business days; instant (fee)
Chime $500 Yes Within 24 hours; instant (fee)
Albert Up to $1,000 Yes (external bank accounts may incur a fee) Instantly into Albert Cash; two to three business days for external bank accounts
FloatMe $50 No One to three business days; same-day (fee)
PayActiv Varies (based on earned wages) Yes Instantly to PayActiv card; one to three business days for external bank accounts
SoLo Funds N/A Yes Varies by lender
Varo $250 (new users); $500 (regular customers) No Instantly into Varo account; several days for external bank accounts
Branch Up to 50% of earned wages Yes Instantly to debit card (fee); three to five business days for external bank accounts

1. Klover

Klover is one of the best apps for fast, hassle-free cash advances. We provide up to a $400 cash limit, available even if your payday is two weeks away — with no credit checks, interest charges, monthly membership requirements, or late fees. 

Unlike other Dave alternatives, our advance amounts are more predictable because they’re based on your cash flow and points. The higher your cash flow and the more points you earn, the higher your advance limit. 

You can earn points in our mobile app by:

  • Linking your debit card
  • Taking surveys
  • Playing games
  • Watching ads
  • Inviting your friends
  • Scanning receipts
  • Claiming recent transactions
  • Connecting your email account

Our sign-up process is quick and straightforward. Just download the app, enter your name and contact information, link your bank account, and you’re ready to request an advance. 

To make the cash advance experience even better, we also provide:

  • Automatic repayments: Your advance is repaid on payday, so you don’t need to remember due dates.
  • Built-in credit and budgeting tools: Track your credit score, set savings goals, and monitor your spending.
  • Bank-level security: Secure connections and read-only access to protect your bank information. 

Best for: People who want cash advances they can actually rely on — fast, and without the hidden catches.

Access cash advances today with Klover.

2. Brigit

Brigit offers cash advances of up to $250 for its Plus ($8.99/month) and Premium ($14.99/month) users. The app is known for its flexible repayment structure, which lets you request extensions with no penalties. 

Brigit also doesn’t require credit checks. To qualify, you’ll need a checking account with at least 60 days of activity and three recurring deposits from the same source. 

Other features: 

  • Built-in credit builder 
  • Real-time alerts when your account balance is low
  • Income and expense tracker 

Best for: People who want fast access to cash without credit checks, plus the chance to build credit over time.

3. MoneyLion

MoneyLion is a financial tool that offers cash advances and access to a network of auto loan and personal loan providers. New users can receive up to $500 in cash advances.

MoneyLion doesn’t charge interest rates, require credit checks, or add mandatory fees. However, you’ll need to pay a turbo fee ($0.49 to $8.99, depending on the amount) for instant cash transfers. 

Other features: 

  • Automatic repayments 
  • Increased cash advance limit of up to $1000 with a RoarMoney account
  • Built-in credit monitoring, credit building, and investment tools

Best for: Individuals who want larger cash advances paired with access to personal loans and credit-building features.

4. Earnin

Earnin offers cash advances of up to $150 per day and $750 per pay period, with no credit checks, interest charges, or mandatory fees. However, instant transfers come with fees starting at $3.99, and users are encouraged to leave optional tips. 

Beyond cash advances, the Earnin app also provides early paycheck access (up to two days early) for $2.99 per transfer. To use this service, you’ll need to have your paycheck deposited into an Evolve or Lead Deposit Account and request an expedited transfer. 

Other features:

  • Higher advance limit with Live Pay (up to $1,500 per pay period)
  • Free credit monitoring tool 
  • Custom notifications and optional automatic $100 transfers if your balance falls between $0 to $500

Best for: People who want frequent, smaller advances and early paycheck access.

5. Tilt (formerly Empower)

Tilt (formerly Empower) offers a mix of financial services, including credit cards, a line of credit, and cash advances. Cash advance amounts range from $10 to $400, based on your income and spending habits. 

Like many apps, there are no credit score checks, late fees, or interest charges. However, Tilt charges an $8 monthly subscription fee and an optional fee for instant transfers. 

Other features: 

  • Integrated budgeting tool 
  • Automatic savings feature (AI identifies what you can afford and sets money aside)
  • Real-time credit score monitoring and personalized improvement tips 

Best for: Individuals who want moderate cash advances along with budgeting and savings features. 

6. Chime

Chime is a neobank with a cash advance feature called MyPay. MyPay offers up to $500 with no credit checks, interest, or mandatory fees. 

Advances are deposited directly into your Chime Checking Account within 24 hours at no additional cost. You can also choose an instant transfer for $2 per advance. 

To use MyPay, you’ll need to live in a state where it’s available, receive qualifying direct deposits of at least $200, and have an active physical Chime card. 

Other features:

  • Integrated with a checking account 
  • Built directly into the Chime app for easy access
  • SpotMe overdraft protection, which covers you automatically if you spend more than your balance

Best for: Chime users looking for quick cash with built-in overdraft safeguards. 

7. Albert

Albert is a savings, banking, and investing tool that also provides cash advances. With subscription plans ($14.99 to $39.99/month), you get access to its full suite of services. 

But you don’t need a subscription to use the Instant Advance feature, which offers interest- and late-fee-free advances from $25 to $1,000 based on your transaction history. Advances are free when deposited into your Albert account, while transfers to external accounts cost $5.99 to $19.99.

Other features: 

  • Immediate cash transfers when using Albert Cash 
  • Centralized dashboard for savings, investments, credit cards, and loans
  • Personalized financial advice through Genius, which connects you to financial experts

Best for: Anyone who wants an all-in-one solution that combines savings, investing, banking, and occasional cash advances.

8. FloatMe

FloatMe is designed to help cover small, urgent expenses like groceries or gas before payday. New users can access up to $50 with no credit checks or late fees. 

The app requires a $4.99 monthly fee to unlock instant advances. On top of that, instant transfer fees range from $1 to $7, depending on the amount. 

Other features: 

  • Low balance alerts to reduce overdraft fees 
  • Cash flow calendar that forecasts your account balance based on typical pay and expenses 
  • Access to side hustles through partner programs

Best for: People who want small advances and are comfortable paying a monthly fee and instant transfer fees.

9. PayActiv

PayActiv isn’t a traditional cash advance app. It’s an earned wage access (EWA) solution, which means you can withdraw money you’ve accrued — not borrow against future paychecks.

If your employer participates, you can access a portion of your wages a couple of days early. Funds can be transferred to a PayActiv Visa card, deposited directly into your bank account, or used to pay bills. 

PayActiv doesn’t charge interest, and the advance is automatically repaid when payroll is processed. 

Other features: 

  • PayActiv card that allows you to pay bills directly from your account 
  • In-app saving, budgeting, and loan management tools
  • Exclusive discounts on everyday purchases when using the PayActiv card

Best for: Employees whose employers offer EWA and want a low-cost way to access wages early without borrowing or interest.

10. SoLo Funds

SoLo Funds is a community financing platform. Instead of advancing cash directly, it connects people who need funds with people willing to lend. To access money, you post a loan request that includes how much you need, why you need it, and when you’ll repay. Other users then decide whether to fund your request.

According to SoLo Funds, there are no mandatory fees. In practice, though, most users pay about 17% of their loan amount in tips to lenders and donations to the platform, with late repayments carrying charges of up to 36%.

Other features: 

  • Funded by peers instead of a central lender 
  • Flexible system of tips and donations
  • Control over how much to request and when to repay 

Best for: People who want a peer-to-peer solution and flexibility to negotiate their loan amount and repayment terms. 

11. Varo

Varo is a digital bank that offers savings, checking, and borrowing services. One of its borrowing options is Varo Cash Advance, a built-in feature that provides quick access to short-term advances from $20 to $250 for new users. Each advance has a flat fee ranging from $1.60 to $40. 

Varo also offers a flexible repayment schedule, allowing users to choose a repayment date between 15 and 30 days after borrowing. Regular customers may qualify for advances of up to $500.

Other features: 

  • Integrated checking and savings accounts 
  • High cash advance limit (up to $500) for regular customers
  • Instant access to funds once approved 

Best for: Varo customers who want “semi-long-term” advances with flexible repayment options.

12. Branch

Branch is an employer-focused EWA solution that gives employees on-demand access to part of their wages before payday.

Unlike most cash advance apps, Branch doesn’t set fixed advance limits. Instead, it lets users access up to 50% of their earned wages. Fees vary by employer — typically $1 to $2.99 per transaction — but some employers cover the cost, making it free.

Other features:

  • Integrations with time-tracking, payroll, and tax systems
  • Digital bank account and debit card for seamless transactions
  • Automated repayment when payroll is processed

Best for: Employees whose employers support Branch’s EWA feature and want flexible access to earned wages.

Tips for choosing a cash advance app

With so many options, choosing a cash advance app can be overwhelming. But not when you know what to look for. Here are some factors to consider before you make your choice:

  • Advance size: Consider your needs and choose an app with a high enough limit to help you cover them. If one app doesn’t provide enough on its own, some people use more than one app, but keep in mind that this can make tracking repayments harder.
  • Funding speed: Look for instant transfer options if you need to cover an emergency. 
  • Eligibility: Check each option’s requirements ahead of time so you’re not surprised at sign-up. 
  • Costs: Review everything from processing fees to late fees (if applicable) and choose a low-cost solution to avoid extra stress.
  • Reputation: Stick with apps that have positive customer reviews and avoid those with red flags such as hidden fees or confusing terms. 
  • Added features: Some apps also offer budgeting support, savings tools, or credit monitoring to help strengthen your financial health.

If you’re still deciding, try downloading a few apps and exploring how easy they are to use. While you don’t want to make a habit of advancing cash if you don’t need it, having a reliable app ready on your phone can be helpful when money is tight. The more user-friendly the app, the smoother future advances will be.

What affects deposit speed

While many money apps advertise an “instant delivery” option, funds don’t always appear in your account right away. Deposit speed depends on several factors, including:

  • Bank partnerships: Funds may post immediately if the app works with your bank or operates as its own bank (like Chime and Varo). Without a direct partnership, transfers can take longer. 
  • Time of request: Transfers approved before your bank’s cutoff time may arrive the same day. Requests made after cutoff times, on weekends, or on holidays usually clear the next business day. 
  • Verification status: Transfers may be slower if your identity or bank account details aren’t fully verified. 
  • Transfer method: Deposits to an app’s checking account or debit card are typically faster than Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers, which can take one to two days
  • Account history: Apps may speed up deposits once you’ve built a positive repayment track record. 
  • Advance amount: Smaller advances often clear faster than larger ones. 

Skip the fees and access your money instantly

Short-term cash advance apps can be a helpful safety net when unexpected expenses or emergencies arise, as long as you choose one that fits your needs. When money is tight, the details matter — look at the advance size, funding speed, repayment terms, and overall costs to make sure the app you choose truly supports you.

Klover makes that choice easier. We offer hassle-free cash advances with no credit checks, no interest, no late fees, and no monthly membership fees. Our process is simple: sign up, link your bank account, and request your advance. With predictable advance amounts that grow as you earn points, you can get what you need without worrying about hidden costs.

Ready to take control of your paycheck flow? Download the Klover app today and get fast, affordable access to your money, right when you need it.

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