If you are like me, you have possibly found yourself in a situation wherein a particular month, your income just did not stretch as far as it should have, and you needed a lifeline. That is where a payday loan application like Earnin comes in handy. So what are some apps that are similar to Earnin?
Earnin and similar applications allow you to get a quick, short-term loan that will help carry you through until your next payday. These apps are viable options when you need extra money, but should only be used for urgent credit. Some alternatives include Dave, MoneyLion, and DailyPay.
Okay, so thank goodness, we now know that there are alternatives. So if, for example, you do not meet the requirements for one particular app, hopefully, you will have better luck with another one. So for these and other similar options, be sure to read on to find out more.
1. Dave
If you are looking for one of the best go-to apps to help you make ends meet, then Dave would likely be your first alternative. The app has one of the largest user bases for this sort of service, and it is completely understandable as Dave is like that friend who is always willing to help you out.
With Dave, you can not only borrow between $75 and $100 until your next paycheck, but it also has some awesome features that aid you in planning for future expenses. It also analyses the way you spend your money and helps you to be more money smart. The app does have a monthly membership fee of $1, but it is completely worth it.
The money is then deducted once your next payday comes around. Another neat feature of this app is that it collaborates with LevelCredit, thus helping you to build and improve on your credit rating.
2. MoneyLion
With MoneyLion, you get to experience much the same conveniences as Earnin and gain the financial services that most banks offer. All this is provided without the hassle that usually comes with engaging with a bank.
The services you will receive include the management of investments, cashback rewards, and the absence of fee checking. An aspect I like about this app is that you can also loan as much as $250 with no interest return.
Suppose you do not have a good credit rating, as like many people nowadays, you can borrow up to $500 via a service called Credit Builder, which comes with an APR of 5.99%. The app also enables you to invest money and allows you to manage a portfolio and what is great about it is that there are no minimum amounts.
3. DailyPay
DailyPay is not as popular a choice as Earnin. This is predominantly because it is customized for employers who hope to enable their employees to get by until they receive their next paycheck.
DailyPay is an easy and secure way of accessing the wages that you have earned before payday has actually arrived. It is super convenient as it allows you to pay bills when they need to be and aids in avoiding late payments.
The app is similar to Earnin, though, in that it can connect with a person’s bank account and allows logging the hours you work every day. Your balance then ultimately increases as you work, and you can then use this to access cash ahead of time. There is, however, a small fee of $1.25 when transferring money from DailyPay to your bank account.
4. Brigit
Brigit is a very similar option to Earnin; however, there is a maximum amount of $250 that you can borrow with the basic plan. The basic plan gives you access to payday loans, but it comes with limited functionality.
If you require more money, though, you can unlock the Plus plan, which comes with greater features such as instant transfers, an overview of your earnings, and either earlier or later paybacks. This feature does come with a monthly fee of $9.99 per month, though.
The app claims to aid in relieving financial stresses with its simple tools and how it helps you spend wisely. It also allows you to avoid unnecessary fees and enables you to start saving more than you may have been doing. As they say, they “promote sustainable financial health.”
5. Even
In today’s world, we are all seeking to break even at the end of every month, and this app certainly helps you to do just that. It offers a comprehensive stance on assisting you with your financial planning.
With this app, you can instantly access up to 50% of your next paycheck, and you can receive the money within seconds. Sometimes this is truly a lifesaver as you may be in desperate need of a larger sum of money at a specific time.
The app gives you early access to funds and wants to help you create healthy financial decisions. It has features that help you plan your monthly budget and help you stay out of a cycle of debt. The only downside to this app is that it only works if your employer uses it too.
6. Possible Finance
Possible Finance is similar to Earnin, but more so like MoneyLion. The app’s loan terms and conditions are slightly different, though, so with this and all other apps, be sure to review that section before getting a payday loan.
With this app, you can quickly access money at an affordable rate, and it also helps you build a credit score even if you have a bad or no record at all. What is also nice about this app is that it allows you to make repayments in installments.
The app allows you to borrow up to $500 within a few minutes, allowing you to avoid having to borrow from predatory lenders. The APR with this app usually ranges between 150% to 200% and, believe it or not, is slightly lower than most payday loan rates and overdraft fees.
7. Branch
This app is particularly aimed at hourly employees who are oftentimes the most vulnerable to experiencing cash flow issues. This is where Branch comes to the rescue as they help empower these individuals by providing them with a platform that offers the support one needs to obtain financial stability.
What is fantastic about Branch is that you can get instant access to money you have already earned; this can take varying forms, such as tips, wages, or mileage reimbursements.
This app is somewhat different from other apps which do not accept your application if you are an hourly worker. Branch will accept you without checking your credit rating, which is a huge plus for many. Other bonuses include there not being any membership fees or interests.
8. Speedy Cash
Speedy Cash is probably the most flexible alternative to Earnin due to its various types of loans. The first kind is for a maximum amount of $5000, and this manner of repayment is via installments.
Secondly, you get the title loan, and you can use your vehicle as collateral for the borrowed funds. The sum of money ranges from $100 up to $25,000. Additionally, the app offers other online loans such as payday loans and lines of credit loans.
You will find the interest rates for Speedy Cash are slightly higher than some other options available to you; however, you do get the bonus of flexibility in your repayment of the loans.
9. FlexWage
The nature of the app is inferred by the name, which allows employees flexibility when it comes to their wages. This is done by allowing you to convert your work hours into instant cash, which is available when you need it.
Another neat feature of this app is that it offers its users a payroll debit card, which is very useful to those who still receive paper checks and do not have bank accounts.
One thing to be noted about this app is that the majority of the services offered; do come at a small fee. For example, the on-demand wage transfer will cost you $5, which does seem a little steep, but it is worth it if you feel you will benefit from the debit card.
10. PayActiv
This is another app that allows employees to access their earned wages in advance of receiving their actual paycheck. What is also beneficial about this app is that it does not simply leave its users there. It also provides you with financial counseling and teaches you how to manage your finances effectively.
The application also allows you to make free and instant mobile payments to other members and enables you to receive money too. It also allows you to track your spending habits at a mere glance and informs you as to what is safe to spend.
Other benefits to this app include paying your bills via the app, and it gives you deals on prescription medication. With all of this, you also get a debit card that allows you to withdraw money quickly. The transferring of cash does hold a small fee, though.
11. Chime
Chime is quite similar to Earnin and the likes of Dave in its functionality. It enables you to receive your paycheck up to two working days in advance. This seems a short amount of time, but having access to your money beforehand is always beneficial when the budget is tight.
When you sign up with Chime, you also receive a Visa Debit Card and a spending account. Another great feature that we would encourage you to use is the savings account facility.
One great thing about this app that some of its counterparts do not share is that it does not include a monthly membership fee. Instead, the app generates money from the interchange fees that are incurred when you use the card.
12. Empower
With Empower, you can get cash advances at zero interest rates, and there are no credit checks that are done. So even if you have a bad or no credit history, you should still be good to go.
You can receive advances of up to $250; however, your account must be healthy and have been active for at least 60 days with a minimum of $500 as your average monthly income.
Additionally, if you shop at certain places, the app helps you to save money by offering you a 10% cashback on your purchases. These establishments include restaurants, grocery stores, and even gas stations.
This app is also beneficial because it offers an intuitive savings program called the Empower AutoSave Account. This looks at your weekly savings target and automatically transfers the possible amount to that account.
13. Vola Finance
Vola Finance will allow you to get payments of up to $300 with a monthly subscription of $4.99. Besides this, there are no additional fees that need to be paid for money transfers. The app works as a supplement to your bank by offering you money to keep you from going into an overdraft.
The app also has unique ways of trying to aid you in establishing your credit score. And like other apps on this list, it also helps you to better manage and organize your spending so that you can stay on top of things.
Another wonderful feature of this app is the Vola Score, a rating system that gives one access to higher advances, but at lower subscription fees. This service is ideal for people who often find themselves needing to borrow extra money.
14. FloatMe
FloatMe comes equipped with innovative tools that enable employees to get ahead of financial problems and helps them to make better monetary decisions. This, first and foremost, helps to keep you out of having an overdraft. It also aids in the management of finances and encourages you to save.
One key feature of this app is that it supports more than 10,000 different financial institutes, and you can assess any of your connected accounts as you like and keep track of the comings and goings of your money.
Like some of the other apps discussed on this list, it is not a loan service, and it merely allows you early access to money you have already earned. The app will enable you to “borrow” up to $50 before you reach your next paycheck and may even, when you need it, allow you to access as much as $100. New users, unfortunately, usually only have access to between $10 and $30.
15. SoLo Funds
Unlike some of the others on this list, this app is a peer-to-peer lending one. That means that you will be receiving the money from other people instead of financial institutions. The amount that you can borrow can be anywhere between $50 and $1,000.
Why would people lend their money, you may ask? Well, the nature of this app is such that lenders can earn extra cash for doing so. One great thing about this app opposed to getting a loan from the bank, for instance, is that you do not pay interest as it instead allows you to pay via tips.
If you find that you have spare cash at the end of each month, you may want to consider this app. Not to borrow money for yourself, but rather to lend to others as you will be helping other people out while making extra capital for yourself. The enticing aspect of this app’s framework is that the loans are short-term, so you will have your money back in no time.
16. CashNetUSA
CashNetUSA is similar to both Earnin and Possible Finance. The manners in which you can loan money are varied on this app as there is the usual payday loan, which we are familiar with, installment loans, and lines of credit.
The amounts for these loans and lines of credit that you can request and ultimately pay off, with the advantage of an extension feature, go from $100 to $3,500. Unlike other apps where you must pay memberships or tips fees, this one does not have them. However, there are rather high-interest rates that apply.
The loan amounts available to a person vary from state to state, and there is a difference between the amounts for payday loans, which are usually between $100 to $600, and the installment loans that range from as little as $100 and as much as $3,500.
To be eligible to apply for a loan on CashNetUSA, you will need to have an active checking account that accepts electronic transfers, and you will also be required to complete an online form. This form will outline some basic personal information as well as your banking details.
17. Chime
Chime is a lovely alternative to not only Earnin, but your traditional bank as well. The reason for this is that they are a financial technology company and not a financial institution.
The app allows you to get paid up to two days before your actual paycheck, like many others on this list. It also offers an overdraft facility of $200, and there are no additional hidden costs. Once you get paid, it will automatically deduct the repayment from your money.
What also makes this wonderful, and some other apps, is that it does not have a monthly maintenance fee. On top of this, there are no foreign transaction fees, and there is also the bonus of there being no minimum balance fees.
18. CashApp
CashApp is multifaceted and offers an array of tools and functionalities. Depending on which ones you are using, there are fees of up to 3% on each transaction. The app allows you to do things from receiving tax returns to getting your paycheck up to two days early.
The app also has the capabilities to allow you to make and receive payments and give donations to organizations. This money can be transferred at no cost to you. The Cash Card debit card also allows you to pay for things both online and in stores. And before you get the physical card, you are kitted with a virtual Visa debit card.
If you are interested in investing, the app has you covered there too. It allows you to make investments in stocks and Bitcoin. With this app, you can be investing in no time, and the investments are commission-free and start at as little as $1.
19. Kora
Kora, which used to be Boro, is the same app with a new name. It is reserved for college students specifically and is tailored to their needs. Not everyone has extensive help from their parents while they are studying, and thus Kora exists to help make things easier for them.
Kora helps college students keep track of their expenses and shows them where their money is going. It also encourages setting saving goals, and it allows students to build a strong credit history.
Therefore the app also provides the opportunity for students to take out loans and microloans as they need them. However, it also helps guide them in making wise financial decisions along the way.
The most popular form of borrowing through Kora is a personal loan that can be anywhere from $50 to $2000 and is available to college students in 15 of the U. S. states. This loan can then be repaid over different periods, from one month to a year.
Conclusion
We must be aware of the various options available to us when it comes to gaining funds and finance. There are different types of loans at our disposal, and it is a good idea to familiarize yourself fully with the terms and conditions before you decide to take on any form of credit.
Apps like Earnin and those listed here are all viable options for you, and they will offer near to immediate cash in most instances.
Remember to consider your income versus your expenditure and never stretch yourself beyond the limits. Rather go without something if you know that gaining credit will only put you into a never-ending cycle.
There are times when we have no other option but to take out loans, but be sure not to get stuck in a continuous state of owing money and not being in a position of being able to set aside and save your money.
Sources:
Google Play Store: Dave
Google Play Store: Money Lion
Google Play Store: Daily Pay
Google Play Store: Brigit
Google Play Store: Even Harmony
Google Play Store: Possible Finance
Google Play Store: Branch
Google Play Store: Speedy Cash
Google Play Store: Flex Wage
Google Play Store: PayActiv
Google Play Store: Chime
Google Play Store: Vola Finance
Google Play Store: FloatMe
Apple Store: Solo Funds
Apple Store: Cashnet
Google Play Store: Cash App
Google Play Store: Kora