The main apps for borrowing small amounts between paychecks
The most common apps that let you borrow money are Earnin, Dave, Brigit, MoneyLion, and Chime. Each one works differently: some advance part of your next paycheck, some charge a monthly membership fee instead of interest, and some offer both options. The amount you can borrow ranges from $20 to $500 depending on the app and your income history with them.
All of these apps connect to your bank account and payroll system to verify your income. They use that information to decide how much they will let you borrow and how quickly they can send the money. Most deposit funds within one business day, though some offer same-day transfers for an extra fee.
Key Takeaways
- Earnin, Dave, Brigit, MoneyLion, and Chime are the most widely used apps for short-term borrowing, each with different fee structures and maximum loan amounts.
- Most apps charge either a monthly membership fee ($5 to $20) or ask for a voluntary tip rather than charging interest, making them cheaper than payday loans or overdraft fees.
- You will need to connect your bank account and give the app access to your payroll information so it can verify your income and repay itself automatically.
- Repayment happens automatically on your next payday, so you do not have to remember to pay back the loan manually.
- The amount you can borrow starts small (often $20 to $100) and increases as you use the app reliably over time.
How each app structures its fees and borrowing limits
Earnin lets you borrow up to $500 and charges no interest or mandatory fees. Instead, it asks for a voluntary tip (you choose the amount) when you borrow. Most users pay $0 to $14 per advance. You can borrow up to five times per paycheck cycle if you have enough income.
Dave charges a $1 monthly membership fee and lets you borrow up to $500. It also offers a separate service called ExtraCash that lets you earn money by completing tasks. Like Earnin, it has no interest charges.
Brigit charges $9.99 per month for its basic plan and lets you borrow up to $250. It also offers a premium plan at $19.99 per month that raises the limit to $500 and includes other features like overdraft protection.
MoneyLion works differently: it is primarily a financial app that offers a paycheck advance feature as one tool among many. The advance feature is available to members who pay for a premium subscription (around $20 per month). You can borrow up to $500.
Chime is a bank account, not just a borrowing app, but it includes a SpotMe feature that lets account holders borrow up to $200 without fees if they have direct deposit set up. This is one of the cheapest options if you are willing to switch banks.
What information the app needs from you
Every app requires you to connect your bank account and authorize access to your payroll records. This means you will need to provide your login credentials for your bank and, in some cases, your employer's payroll system. The app uses this access to confirm that you receive regular income and to set up automatic repayment when your paycheck arrives.
You will also need to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address. The app runs a soft credit check (which does not affect your credit score) to verify your identity. Some apps also ask about your employment history and monthly expenses.
The entire setup process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes on your phone. Once approved, you can request your first advance immediately.
How repayment works and what happens if you cannot repay
Repayment is automatic. When your paycheck deposits into your bank account, the app withdraws the borrowed amount plus any fees you owe. You do not have to do anything or remember a due date. The withdrawal happens within one to two business days of your paycheck arriving.
If your paycheck is smaller than expected or does not arrive on time, most apps will let you reschedule the repayment to your next paycheck without penalty. Some apps charge a small fee for rescheduling, while others do not. Check the app's terms before you borrow.
If you repeatedly miss repayments or your account goes negative, the app may freeze your account or report the debt to a collection agency. However, this is rare because the apps have strong incentive to work with you — they make money only if you keep using the service.
When a borrowing app makes sense versus other options
A borrowing app is cheaper than a payday loan or an overdraft fee. A payday loan typically costs $15 to $20 per $100 borrowed and must be repaid in full within two weeks. An overdraft fee from your bank is usually $25 to $35 per incident. A borrowing app costs $0 to $20 per month or per advance, which is significantly less.
A borrowing app also makes sense if you have a regular paycheck and a bank account but need money before payday. It does not work well if your income is irregular or if you do not have direct deposit set up, because the app cannot predict when you will be paid.
If you need more than $500 or need the money for longer than two weeks, a personal loan from a credit union or bank, or a credit card, may be a better fit. Those options take longer to set up but offer larger amounts and longer repayment periods.
Comparing the apps side by side
| App | Maximum Borrow | Fee Structure | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnin | $500 | Voluntary tip ($0–$14) | 1 business day |
| Dave | $500 | $1/month | 1 business day |
| Brigit | $250–$500 | $9.99–$19.99/month | 1 business day |
| MoneyLion | $500 | ~$20/month subscription | 1 business day |
| Chime SpotMe | $200 | Free (with direct deposit) | Instant |
Questions to ask before you choose an app
Before downloading, ask yourself: Do I have direct deposit set up? Most apps work best with direct deposit because they use it to verify income and time repayment. If you do not have direct deposit, some apps will still work, but the process is slower.
How much do I actually need to borrow? If you need $200 or less, Chime SpotMe is free. If you need $300 to $500, Earnin or Dave are cheaper than Brigit or MoneyLion because their fees are lower.
Can I afford the monthly fee? If you plan to borrow only once or twice a year, a monthly subscription app like Brigit does not make sense. If you borrow regularly, the monthly fee spreads across multiple advances and becomes cheaper per advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will using a borrowing app hurt my credit score?
No. Borrowing apps do not report to credit bureaus, so they do not affect your credit score. They run a soft credit check when you sign up, which does not lower your score. However, if you fail to repay and the app sends your debt to a collection agency, that collection account will appear on your credit report.
What if I do not have direct deposit?
Most apps still work without direct deposit, but they may limit how much you can borrow or charge higher fees. Some apps ask you to upload recent pay stubs instead. Chime SpotMe specifically requires direct deposit to use the feature.
Can I borrow from multiple apps at the same time?
Technically yes, but it is risky. If you borrow from two apps and both try to withdraw from your bank account on the same day, your account could go negative and you could face overdraft fees. Most people use one app at a time.
What happens if my paycheck is late or smaller than expected?
Contact the app immediately and ask to reschedule repayment to your next paycheck. Most apps allow this without penalty, though some charge a small rescheduling fee. Do not ignore the missed repayment, because that can lead to collection action.
Is there a borrowing app that does not require a bank account?
No. All borrowing apps require a bank account because they need a place to deposit the money and withdraw repayment. If you do not have a bank account, you would need to open one first, which usually takes a few minutes online.