smarts.
  • Start hereBest personal loansAPRs checked with each lender, for good or bad credit.Read the guide

    Loans and credit

    • Credit cardsMatch the card to how you spend
    • Credit building appsStart a score or repair one
    • Student loan refinancingLenders worth a rate check
    • Auto loan ratesWhat you pay at your score

    Home equity

    • Home equity agreement companiesThe big names, side by side
    • HEI vs HELOCWhich one costs you less
    • Home equity calculatorSee what you could access
    • Home equity with bad creditYour options by credit score

    Cash before payday

    • Cash advance appsCompare them before you borrow
    • Money borrowing appsFast loans and what they cost
    • Buy now, pay later appsSplit a purchase, know the catch
    • Apps like DaveOther advance apps to compare
    See all borrowing guides
  • Start hereBest money making appsApps that consistently pay, from surveys to shopping.Read the guide

    Fast cash

    • Get paid todayWays to get cash in hand fast
    • I need money nowFast cash options when you are stuck
    • Make $100 fastA simple plan to get there
    • Make $500 fastHow to get there in under a week

    Side hustles

    • Side hustle matchA 30 second quiz to find yours
    • Online jobsWork from home, no experience needed
    • Gig economy appsPick up work on your schedule
    • Passive income ideasRealistic ways to earn on autopilot

    Apps that pay

    • Apps that pay real moneyWhat each pays and how to cash out
    • Survey appsGet paid for your opinion
    • Which game app pays bestTake the 30 second quiz
    • Reward and cash back appsEarn on spending you already do
    See all ways to earn
  • Start hereBest online savings accountsHigher rates on cash you already have, no monthly fees.Read the guide

    Earn more on cash

    • CD ratesLock a rate for a set term
    • Money market accountsHigh rates, easy access
    • HSA accountsSet money aside for medical costs

    Everyday banking

    • Free checking accountsNo minimum balance needed
    • Bank account bonusesWhat new accounts pay and what it takes
    • Business checkingAccounts built for a business

    Budget and save

    • Budgeting appsKeep tabs on every dollar
    • Start an emergency fundYour safety net, step by step
    • Money saving appsCut what you spend
    • Lower your billsEleven realistic ways
    See all banking and saving guides
  • Start hereHow to start with little moneySmall ways to begin, some from just $5.Read the guide

    Accounts and platforms

    • Open a Roth IRAHow and where to open one
    • Robinhood alternativesOther apps worth a look
    • Crypto appsWhat each one is good for
    • Stock research sitesWhere to do your homework

    Real estate

    • Invest in real estateWays to get started
    • Real estate investing appsProperty exposure from your phone
    • Mortgage lendersCompare before you apply

    Put a lump sum to work

    • Invest $10KWhere to put your first ten grand
    • Invest $50KSmart ways to use a bigger sum
    • Invest $100KOptions for six figures
    • Cash flow investmentsWays to build income from your money
    See all investing guides

Menu

Popular right now

  • Cash advance appsCompare them before you borrow
  • Home equity agreement companiesThe big names, side by side
  • Best personal loansCompare lenders before you sign
  • Home equity calculatorSee what you could access

Browse by goal

All guidesEvery Smarts guide in one placeAbout SmartsWho is behind the guidesHow we make money

Borrow smart

Loans, credit and home equity

Good first readBest personal loans

Loans and credit

  • Credit cardsMatch the card to how you spend
  • Credit building appsStart a score or repair one
  • Student loan refinancingLenders worth a rate check

Home equity

  • Home equity agreement companiesThe big names, side by side
  • HEI vs HELOCWhich one costs you less
  • Home equity calculatorSee what you could access

Cash before payday

  • Cash advance appsCompare them before you borrow
  • Money borrowing appsFast loans and what they cost
See all borrowing guides

Earn more

Fast cash, side hustles and apps

Good first readBest money making apps

Fast cash

  • Get paid todayWays to get cash in hand fast
  • I need money nowFast cash options when you are stuck
  • Make $100 fastA simple plan to get there

Side hustles

  • Side hustle matchA 30 second quiz to find yours
  • Online jobsWork from home, no experience needed
  • Gig economy appsPick up work on your schedule

Apps that pay

  • Apps that pay real moneyWhat each pays and how to cash out
  • Survey appsGet paid for your opinion
See all ways to earn

Bank and save

Accounts, rates and a safety net

Good first readBest online savings accounts

Earn more on cash

  • CD ratesLock a rate for a set term
  • Money market accountsHigh rates, easy access
  • HSA accountsSet money aside for medical costs

Everyday banking

  • Free checking accountsNo minimum balance needed
  • Bank account bonusesWhat new accounts pay and what it takes
  • Business checkingAccounts built for a business

Budget and save

  • Budgeting appsKeep tabs on every dollar
  • Start an emergency fundYour safety net, step by step
See all banking and saving guides

Invest

Start small and let it grow

Good first readHow to start with little money

Accounts and platforms

  • Open a Roth IRAHow and where to open one
  • Robinhood alternativesOther apps worth a look
  • Crypto appsWhat each one is good for

Real estate

  • Invest in real estateWays to get started
  • Real estate investing appsProperty exposure from your phone
  • Mortgage lendersCompare before you apply

Put a lump sum to work

  • Invest $10KWhere to put your first ten grand
  • Invest $50KSmart ways to use a bigger sum
See all investing guides
Sign in
  • Make
    • Fast Cash
    • Side Hustles
  • Invest
    • Real Estate
  • Borrow
    • Credit
    • Home Equity
    • Personal Loans
  • Manage
    • Banking
    • Save
Sign in
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Privacy Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
Search
smarts.
  • Make
    • AllFast CashSide Hustles

      Is Solitaire Smash Legit? What You Actually Win

      11 Totally Legit Ways To Make Money On Your Phone

      Find Your Perfect Side Hustle Match in 30 Seconds

      Which Game App Pays Best in 2026? Take the 30-Second Quiz

      23 Legit Apps That Actually Pay You Real Money in 2026

  • Invest
    • AllReal Estate

      SoFi vs Robinhood: Which Investing App Is the Smarter Move?

      How to Get Free Bitcoin and Crypto Instantly [9 Real Ways]

      Betterment Review 2026: Is Betterment Worth It?

      Best Cryptocurrency Apps and What Each One Is Good For

      How to Live Mortgage Free in 2026: 11 Ways to Pay Off Your Home

  • Borrow
    • AllCreditHome EquityPersonal Loans

      Truist HELOC (2026): Closing Costs Covered if You Stay 3 Years

      Aven HELOC vs Figure: Which Costs Less on $50,000?

      Lowest-Cost Home Equity Investment Company in Your State

      Current Review: Up to $1,000 Advance, No Tips Asked

      Grant App Review: Up to $500, Average Under $200

  • Manage
    • AllBankingSave

      Best CD Rates of 2026: Up to 4.15% APY

      Best Online Savings Accounts for 2026

      Student Loan Forgiveness in 2026: Every Program That Still Exists

      Best Apps to Save Money on Groceries

      How to Budget When You’re on a Very Low Income

smarts.
Home/Borrow/Personal Loans

Personal loans and cash advance apps

Page 2 of 3

All Personal Loans guides

32 guides, newest first.

  • I Need Money Now: 22 Ways To Find Fast Cash (We’re Serious)Updated Aug 12, 2026
  • Best Apps Like Albert When You Need Money TodayUpdated Nov 12, 2026
  • Best Apps Like PayActiv When You Need Money TodayUpdated Nov 12, 2026
  • Best Apps Like DailyPay When You Need Money TodayUpdated Nov 12, 2026
  • Best Apps Like Cleo When You Need Money TodayUpdated Nov 12, 2026
  • Best Apps Like Brigit When You Need Money TodayUpdated Nov 12, 2026
  • Best Apps Like FlexWage When You Need Money TodayUpdated Nov 12, 2026
  • Best Apps Like EarnIn When You Need Money TodayUpdated Nov 12, 2026
  • $50 Instant Loan Apps That Will Spot You $50 InstantlyUpdated Oct 13, 2026
  • 10 Cash Advance Apps That Work With ChimeUpdated Nov 2, 2026
  • Best Apps Like B9 When You Need Money TodayUpdated Nov 12, 2026
  • 9 Cash Advance Apps That Work With VaroUpdated Sep 28, 2026
Previous123Next

More in Borrow

  • Credit8 guides
  • Home Equity27 guides
  • All Borrow guides84 guides
Monday Smarts · free weekly email
Five minutes on Monday. Smarter with money all week.

What’s paying right now, what changed, and one money move worth making. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.

Free every week. Unsubscribe anytime.

You’re in. Your first upgrade is on the way.
smarts.

Smart money in plain English.

See what your options really cost, and where the catch is, before you sign up.

Run by Brian Meiggs and MeiggsMedia. Brian has been writing about personal finance for more than 10 years.

Publishing since 2018
Money topics
Cash AdvancesPersonal LoansHome EquityCreditBankingInvestingEarning Extra
Popular guides
Best Cash Advance AppsBest Personal LoansHome Equity Agreement CompaniesBest Free Checking AccountsBest Online Savings AccountsBest Credit Building AppsSee all guides
Company
About SmartsHow We RateHow We Make MoneyContact

Some companies on this page pay Smarts when you click or apply. That can affect which companies appear and where. It never changes our ratings.

Smarts publishes information to help you compare your options. It is not financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Rates and terms change, so confirm the current terms on the company’s site before you apply.

© 2026 Smarts. Published by MeiggsMedia LLC.
Privacy PolicyTerms of UseDisclaimerSitemap
smarts.A little smarter, every week
Level up your money smarts.

Good ideas add up. Get a short weekly roundup to help you earn more, save smarter, and learn to invest.

Free every week. Unsubscribe anytime.

You’re in. Your first upgrade is on the way.

EARNSAVEINVEST
Your weekly upgradeYour first upgrade is on the way
One
earning ideaOne
saving tipOne
investing lesson