Best Money Borrowing Apps When You Need Money Today

Cash advance apps like Current and EarnIn let you borrow against your next paycheck from your phone. They connect to your bank account and take the money back from your next deposit, with no trip to a bank or pawnshop.

Sometimes you need some extra cash to pay a bill and you can’t wait for payday. An advance on pay you have already earned is usually the simplest way to cover a short gap.

If you’re strapped for time, I’ll go ahead and share the best money borrowing apps to borrow money online instantly.

How Do Money Borrowing Apps Work?

Most money borrowing apps are cash advance apps. You request a small advance against your next paycheck, and the app takes it back automatically when your pay lands. Here are the questions people ask most.

Which money borrowing app gives the most?

Current lists a Paycheck Advance of up to $1,000 for eligible customers. EarnIn shows up to $200 a day and $1,000 per pay period. Klover says up to $750, Tilt and MoneyLion are up to $500, and Cleo is up to $250.

Do money borrowing apps charge interest?

The apps on this list advertise no interest. EarnIn has no mandatory monthly fees or interest, and you choose what you want to pay. Tilt costs $8 a month after a 14-day free trial, and Cleo Plus is $5.99 a month, so check the fees before you pick one.

Which money borrowing app is best for a first-time user?

I would start with Current or EarnIn, then compare them with the rest in the quick-pick box below (Current details, EarnIn details).

Can I use more than one app at once?

You can have several installed, but every advance gets paid back from your next deposit, so stacking them leaves you short on the next paycheck. I would start with one, and add a second only if the first one does not cover what you need.

These Apps Let You Borrow Money Instantly

These apps help you get your paycheck early and can help you get paid today.

Try these free mobile applications available in the App Store and Google Play Store, so you can borrow cash with ease:

1. Current

Best for: Anyone who wants a money borrowing app that can go up to $1,000.

Current advances up to $1,000 through its Paycheck Advance for eligible customers. You need at least one eligible payroll deposit of $200 or more in the last 35 days.

Direct deposit can arrive up to 2 days early. There is no credit check to open the account.

Why it works as a money borrowing app: You borrow against your own paycheck, so you’re not applying for a traditional loan. It has the highest cap among these money borrowing apps.

Watch out for: It’s a bank account, so your pay has to land there. The advance is for eligible customers only.

Read our full Current review.

2. EarnIn

Best for: People who want a money borrowing app with no interest and no mandatory fees.

EarnIn lets you take up to $200 a day and up to $1,000 per pay period from pay you’ve already earned. There is no interest, no credit check and no mandatory fees.

Standard transfers are free. Lightning Speed gets the money to you in minutes and starts at $3.99. Tipping is up to you.

Why it works as a money borrowing app: It isn’t really borrowing in the loan sense. You’re taking part of pay you’ve already earned, so there’s nothing to apply for and no interest.

Watch out for: EarnIn has to verify your job, so gig or irregular income can be harder. Instant delivery is the paid option.

Read our full EarnIn review.

3. Brigit

Best for: Someone who wants a money borrowing app for a small amount, up to $500.

Brigit advances $25 to $500 with no credit check and no interest. It says it has 15M+ users, and sign-up takes about 2 minutes.

Express delivery costs $0.99 to $5.99, so check the price in the app before you confirm.

Why it works as a money borrowing app: The cost is only the delivery speed you choose. Standard delivery avoids the express fee.

Watch out for: Express is where you pay. $0.99 to $5.99 is a real share of a small advance, so only use it if you need the money today.

Read our full Brigit review.

4. Grant

Best for: Anyone who wants a money borrowing app for small amounts without a credit check.

Grant advances $25 to $500 with no interest, no late fees and no credit check to apply. The average first advance is about $66.

Standard delivery is free and takes about 3 business days. Faster delivery costs extra.

Why it works as a money borrowing app: It’s the small-borrow option here. The first advance averages about $66, and it can build up toward $500.

Watch out for: Grant isn’t available in every state, so check the app for yours before you apply. The free delivery route also takes about 3 business days.

Read our full Grant review.

5. MoneyLion

Best for: People who want a money borrowing app that’s part of a full banking app.

MoneyLion offers Instacash advances of up to $500 at 0% APR once you link your checking account.

Its Spend account can get your paycheck up to two days early, and the app also bundles saving, investing and earning tools. The instant-delivery Turbo fee is 7.5%, capped at $14.99.

Why it works as a money borrowing app: A 0% APR cash advance is the main draw, and Turbo is where fees come in. Standard delivery avoids it.

Watch out for: Turbo is the option that costs money. If you can wait, skip it.

Read our full MoneyLion review.

6. Cleo

Best for: Someone who wants a money borrowing app that also helps them budget.

Cleo advances up to $250 with no interest, but only through Cleo Plus at $5.99 a month. You pick a repayment date between 3 and 14 days.

The free version has a budgeting tool, a digital wallet and a weekly quiz with chances to win cash rewards. It doesn’t include the advance. An advance won’t affect your credit score.

Why it works as a money borrowing app: You choose when you repay, between 3 and 14 days. That makes it easy to line up with your next paycheck.

Watch out for: The advance needs Cleo Plus, so the $5.99 a month applies even when you don’t borrow.

Read our full Cleo review.

7. Tilt

Best for: Anyone who wants a money borrowing app with no application and no credit check.

Tilt advances up to $500 with no application, no interest, no late fees and no credit check. Tilt reports an average first offer of about $98.

You get a 14-day free trial, then it’s $8 a month. Repayment comes out of your next direct deposit automatically.

Why it works as a money borrowing app: The cost is the $8 a month after the trial instead of interest. That’s easier to compare than a loan’s APR.

Watch out for: Tilt isn’t available in Connecticut, Maine or Washington D.C. Cancel before day 14 if you only want to try it.

Read our full Tilt review.

8. Klover

Best for: Someone who wants a money borrowing app with up to $750 and steady direct deposits.

Klover lists up to $750 for eligible users, and your first limit depends on your account. You need at least three consistent direct deposits in the past two months, with no gaps in pay from the same employer.

Klover’s advances come with no interest, no late fees and no credit check, but funding can be slower than some competitors. Its optional express fees are relatively high.

Why it works as a money borrowing app: Its $750 cap sits just under Current and EarnIn at $1,000, and it asks for a deposit history in return.

Watch out for: If your income is new or irregular you may not qualify, and express delivery is the costly option.

Read our full Klover review.

Money Borrowing App FAQs

Here are a few more questions people ask about borrowing money from an app:

External resources, so you don’t have to do the research:

1) Have you lost your job? You can file for unemployment. While you wait for it to kick in, $100 loan instant apps, get paid today apps and FlexWage alternatives are worth a look.

2) Looking to earn money? We have two articles about this, one for people looking for full-time online jobs and another for people looking for part time income (the gig economy).

3) Worried about bills? Here is an article from our team on ways to save money on groceries. Credit card companies and some banks are also delaying payments, waiving fees, and removing interest charges. Read about it here. You can get out ahead of these problems.

4) Trying to stretch your budget? Check out our guide on living cheap. Maybe you already know it all, but maybe there are some tidbits in there to help.

Borrow Responsibly when Using Money Borrowing Apps

If you’re like most people, any new financial need or demand makes you irritated and tense. Most cash advance apps can help you meet your immediate demands without delay or having to seek secured personal loans. Since you’re likely unready for financial emergencies and each additional financial obligation can put you on edge.

There are several advantages of getting a cash advance via an app rather than going to a local bank or pawnshop to try and get quick cash. Even though there are many lending institutions in each city today, you may not be aware of all the nuances, interest rates and fees among them.

Every potential borrower must understand that he or she is fully responsible for any loan or cash advance obtained. This money should not be taken for granted, since it will only be used for a brief period of time.

Finally, such small amounts of loaned money can’t accommodate long-term financial objectives. Consider alternative ways to finance your long-term goals and needs, or try to increase your income potential with side hustles.

With that said, good luck with borrowing money with these apps!