Cash-advance apps, compared
The cheapest advance is the one you wait a day for.
- A no-fee standard transfer with the tip set to zero costs nothing.
- You pay for speed and membership — not for the money itself.
- We rank apps by real cost: fees, tips, and subscription.
- The catch: the cheapest move often earns us nothing. We rank it first anyway.
How we rank these
We rank by one thing: what the advance really costs you. That's the speed fee, the tip, and any monthly membership. We don't rank by how fast the money lands. We rank by what you pay to get it there.
Every app moves the same money you already earned. So the payout is the same. The only real difference is the price. Turn any fee into an APR →
Ranked by real cost per advance
| # | App | Cost per advance | Monthly fee | Fits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | EarnIn | $0 | $0 | No-fee standard transfer | Cheapest |
| 02 | Dave | $5 | $1 | Small advance amount | |
| 03 | Empower | $8 | $8 | Bundled tools | |
| 04 | Brigit | $9 | $9 | Overdraft cover |
The app at the top charges nothing when you skip speed and set the tip to zero. It still ranks first, because it costs you least. Example apps.
A closer look at two apps
Two known apps, side by side — what each one charges, and the cheaper move. Example cards.
EarnIn — Cash Out
- No-fee standard transfer
- No monthly membership
- Tip is optional, not required
- Fee to move it fast
- Tips nudge the total up
- Payout caps at first
Dave — ExtraCash
- Low monthly fee
- Small advance amounts
- Fee to move it fast
- Optional tip on top
The cheapest advance pays us nothing. It's the standard transfer with the tip at zero. A page built to earn would bury it. We rank it first.
Before you pay for speed, ask if you can wait a day. If you can, the advance costs you nothing. That's the rung to take.