Start with identity
Know who receives your application
A bank or direct lender makes the credit decision. A marketplace compares offers. A lead generator may sell or distribute the application. Those are materially different relationships, especially when a form requests a Social Security number, income, phone number, or bank account.
Lowest concern first
Cash Advance Apps rankings
Reviewed weekly · Updated July 24, 2026 · 14 profiles and records
| # | Provider | What it is | BorrowerRisk | Cost structure | Primary concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Payactiv | earned wage access | 2.8Moderate concern | Employer plan and transaction fees vary | Access depends on employer participation; verify every transfer and service fee. |
| 2 | DailyPay | earned wage access | 3.0Moderate concern | Transfer fees or employer terms may apply | Not available without a participating employer; instant transfer can cost more. |
| 3 | Chime MyPay | cash advance app | 3.5Moderate concern | Optional instant-delivery fee | Eligibility and limits vary; expedited delivery may carry a fee. |
| 4 | Varo Advance | cash advance app | 4.0Moderate concern | Flat fee varies by amount | Eligibility gates and flat fees can be expensive relative to a small advance. |
| 5 | EarnIn | cash advance app | 4.4Moderate concern | Tips and expedited-transfer fees may apply | Voluntary tips and fast-transfer fees can obscure the effective cost of frequent use. |
| 6 | Empower | cash advance app | 4.8Elevated concern | Subscription and instant-delivery fees may apply | A recurring subscription can continue even when advances are small or unavailable. |
| 7 | Klover | cash advance app | 5.0Elevated concern | Express fees and optional subscription features | Fast delivery and premium features cost extra; review data-use disclosures. |
| 8 | Albert Instant | cash advance app | 5.2Elevated concern | Subscription and instant-transfer costs may apply | Paid membership and expedited funding can make cost comparison difficult. |
| 9 | Cleo | cash advance app | 7.4High concern | Subscription plus express funding may apply | FTC settlement required $17 million over allegations involving deceptive advance amounts, fees, and subscription practices. |
| 10 | MoneyLion Instacash | cash advance app | 7.8High concern | Optional turbo fees and membership ecosystem | CFPB litigation and 2025 judgment addressed military-lending and membership cancellation practices across MoneyLion entities. |
| 11 | Brigit | cash advance app | 8.2High concern | Paid membership and express fees historically at issue | FTC action alleged deceptive advance promises, hidden express fees, and blocked cancellation; settlement provided $18 million for refunds. |
| 12 | Dave ExtraCash | cash advance app | 8.3High concern | Membership, express fees, and tips alleged by FTC | FTC/DOJ litigation alleges misleading advance claims, undisclosed fees, and tips charged without consent. Allegations are not a final finding. |
| 13 | FloatMe | cash advance app | 8.4High concern | Subscription and express fees historically at issue | FTC settlement addressed deceptive “free money” claims, unauthorized charges, cancellation problems, and discrimination allegations. |
| 14 | Fake cash-advance and loan-text scamsArchive | enforcement archive | 10.0Enforcement / scam warning | Identity theft or advance-fee loss | Do not reply to unsolicited loan texts or provide bank credentials. The FTC identifies these as common phishing and advance-fee patterns. |
Published standards
How BorrowerRisk works
Scores compare licensing and identity clarity, pricing transparency, application-data handling, repayment control, complaint and enforcement evidence, cancellation friction, and the risk of repeat borrowing.
Primary sources, not rumor
Enforcement records stay visible
Defunct domains and documented scam patterns are preserved as non-clickable archive records. We link to the regulator, court, or agency source—not to a potentially malicious destination. Active companies with enforcement histories remain active profiles and the exact allegation, order, or settlement is identified.