Most cash advance apps require you to have direct deposit for your paychecks. But if you’re a gig worker or freelancer or don’t have access to direct deposit, it can be a stumbling block when you need extra cash to make it to payday.
A few apps offer cash advances to borrowers who don’t receive income via direct deposit. You typically just need to verify your identity, have a checking account, carry an average minimum balance and show regular deposits and frequent banking activity.
3 top cash advance apps that don’t require direct deposit
While some cash advance apps don’t require direct deposit, they typically charge interest rates and other fees. Here are three cash advance apps that loan you up to $500 with no interest charges and no late fees, providing a great alternative to payday loans and other options that may get you further into debt.
Cleo
In addition to other financial tools, the Cleo app offers cash advances of up to $250 with no direct deposit requirement. Cleo is quick to notify you of your eligibility for cash advances and lets you know within the same day you download the app. You can opt to receive the funds instantly for a fee or for free if you can wait three to four business days.
You pick your repayment date (within 14 days of borrowing) and agree to have the money automatically deducted from your bank account on the repayment date. The app only takes what you’ve borrowed, plus the expedited transfer fee, if chosen. Cleo charges a $5.99 monthly subscription fee for its services.
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Dave
The Dave mobile banking app allows you to borrow up to $500, depending on your eligibility, and does not require direct deposit. You’ll repay the money on your next payday or, if that can’t be determined, on the nearest Friday from when you took the advance. Dave charges a Undisclosed per month subscription fee and also offers an option to “tip.” A portion of the money goes to the app, and the rest is donated to Feeding America.
Dave has several money transfer options to choose from, depending on your needs. You can have the money transferred to your Dave Spending Account instantly or sent to an external debit card within about an hour, both for a small fee. Or, the money can be transferred to an external bank account within three business days for free.
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Vola
You can get cash advances up to $300 using the Vola cash advance feature, and there is no direct deposit requirement. The basic membership is free, but you’ll need to send an email to [email protected] to request a cash advance. Premium Vola subscriptions start at $1.99 and give you access to more convenient options to request advances.
Unlike other apps, Vola doesn’t charge fees to transfer the advance regardless of the option you choose. If you opt to have the funds sent to your bank account, you should see a deposit within five business hours, but that could be delayed depending on holidays, weekends or when you make the request. If you have a Vola card, the money is credited to your card immediately.
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How do cash advance apps without direct deposit work?
Cash advance apps, typically a feature of broader mobile banking apps, work by connecting with your external bank account. Based on your account activity, the cash advance app determines if you’re eligible and how much you can get. It’s important to note that not everyone is eligible, and not all eligible users can request the maximum advance allowed.
If you need a cash advance to get you to your next paycheck, request it directly through the app. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive the funds immediately or within a few days, depending on the transfer option you choose. Sometimes, you can pick a date to repay the advance or one is assigned to you, and you’ll usually have to repay it within one to two weeks.
Requirements to qualify for cash advances without direct deposit
While you may not need to have your paychecks directly deposited to benefit from a cash advance app, there are some basic requirements, which can vary depending on the app.
In general, you’ll need:
- An active checking account (may have to be three months or older)
- An average daily balance of $150 or more
- Evidence of regular deposits or income
- Frequent account activity
Pros and cons of using cash advance apps without direct deposit
Like any financial transaction, there are benefits and drawbacks to using cash advance apps that don’t require direct deposit.
Pros
- Fast access to cash
- Typically no interest charges
- Easy for most to qualify
- No credit checks or impact on credit
Cons
- Smaller loan amounts than other options
- Not every user is eligible for cash advances
- Some apps charge monthly subscription fees
- May have to pay a fee for instant access to funds
- No direct deposit means no early access to paycheck funds
PRO TIP:
If your advance limits are initially low, keep using the app for cash advances. Your advance limits typically get higher as you demonstrate regular and responsible borrowing.
Popular cash advance apps and whether it requires a direct deposit
There are many cash advance apps to choose from depending on your needs. Some need to be tied to specific employers, borrowing limits vary and a few don’t require direct deposit to take advantage of cash advances.
| Cash advance app | Requires direct deposit | |
|---|---|---|
| Albert | Yes | Go to site |
| Beem | Unspecified | |
| Branch | Yes | Read review |
| Brigit | Yes | Go to site |
| Cash App | Yes | Read review |
| Chime | Yes | Go to site |
| Cleo | No | Go to site |
| Credit Genie | Yes | |
| DailyPay | Yes | Read review |
| Dave | No | Go to site |
| EarnIn | Yes | Go to site |
| Empower | Unspecified | Read review |
| FloatMe | Yes | Read review |
| GO2bank | Yes | |
| Klover | Yes | Read review |
| MoneyLion | Yes | Read review |
| One@Work (Formerly Even) | Yes | Read review |
| Payactiv | Yes | Read review |
| Super.com | Yes | |
| Vola | No | Read review |
| Wisely | Yes | Go to site |
Must read: Top cash advance apps
Alternatives to cash advance apps
If you’re not eligible for cash advances or need a larger amount than you qualify for, there are other options to consider.
- Credit card cash advances. Anyone with a credit card (and enough available balance) can get a cash advance through a bank or ATM. However, interest rates are even higher for credit card cash advances than regular purchases.
- Payday loans. A payday loan may be able to offer a larger loan amount, but you’ll pay extremely high fees for the convenience.
- Employer paycheck advance. Depending on where you work, you might be able to get an advance on your paycheck from your employer.
- Payday alternative loans (PALs). If you’re a credit union member, you may be eligible for a PAL, which offers smaller loan amounts at better interest rates than payday loans.
- Personal loans. If you qualify, a personal loan can provide larger loan amounts with longer repayment terms and competitive interest rates.
- Secured loans. If you have something to use as collateral, such as a car, boat, jewelry or other valuable item, you may be able to get a secured loan to cover your financial need.
Bottom line
Most cash advance apps require users to have direct deposit for their paychecks. But, a few apps, like Cleo, Dave and Vola, provide cash advances for borrowers without direct deposit. These are great financial tools for freelancers, gig workers and others who don’t have direct deposit.
Borrowers can access short-term cash loans without needing a credit check or having direct deposit. Plus, you can also receive the funds immediately for a small fee and don’t have to pay interest. The downside is that not all users are eligible for cash advances, and loan amounts are typically small.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my cash advance instantly?
In some cases, you can download a cash advance app and receive the funds all on the same day. Other apps may take a day or two to verify your personal and banking information, or you may have to wait a few days to receive the loan if you don’t want to pay an expedited transfer fee.
What if the app says I’m not eligible for a cash advance?
Even if you’re not immediately eligible for a cash advance from your app, that doesn’t mean you never will be. Many of these apps track your banking activity (securely!), and if you continue to use the app for authorized transactions, you may become eligible for cash advances down the road.
What factors determine how much I can borrow?
Each cash advance app uses different algorithms to determine how much money you can borrow for a cash advance. Factors may include your average daily bank balance, the amount of your deposits and the frequency with which you use your account.
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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.
Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializingin banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, andonline publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got herstart reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topicssuch as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche inpersonal finance. Originally from New England, she received herbachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed apostgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University alsoin Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk andlikes to read and play golf. See full bio
